The Burnham Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Burnham Foundation is a private foundation in San Diego, California. In tax year 2025 it gave $2.7 million in 42 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $700,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$2.7 million
- Number of grants42
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$700,000
- Assets$4.3 million
- New grantees65%
Giving in 2025 was up from $1.0 million the year before.
65% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $548,647 | 37 | $6.8 million |
| 2024 | $1.0 million | 25 | $6.0 million |
| 2025 | $2.7 million | 42 | $4.3 million |
How to apply
The Burnham Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What The Burnham Foundation funds
Where it gives
All of its grants went to recipients in California.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 42 | $1.8 million |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego History Center | History center sustaining council. | $700,000 |
| J Craig Venter Institute | Advancing the science of genomics | $200,000 |
| National Conflict Resolution Center | Peacemaker honorary committee | $150,000 |
| Forever Balboa Park | Matching grant to preserve, enhance and activate balboa park. | $100,000 |
| National Conflict Resolution Center | Peacemaker honorary committee. | $75,000 |
| San Diego Tijuana World Design Capital 2024 | Support of the world design capital 2024 events in san diego & tijuana. | $54,000 |
| Institute of the Americas | Funding for the cross boarder steam lab | $50,000 |
| Sanford Burnham Prebys | Research for the cure to cancer. | $50,000 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | Burnham sailing center building. | $36,770 |
| Installation Gallery | Binational collaborative arts partnership | $25,000 |
| San Diego Regional Economic Corporation | Promote business in san diego. | $25,000 |
| San Diego Regional Economic Corporation | Promote business in san diego. | $25,000 |
| Sdyc Sailing Foundation | Burnham sailing center building | $25,000 |
| Plhs-Pointer Asb | Academics, arts and athletics. | $25,000 |
| San Diego Jazz Ventures | Support the san diego tijuana international jazz festival. | $25,000 |
| San Ysidro Health | Provide high quality, affordable health care for families | $25,000 |
| University of San Diego | Student scholarships | $24,988 |
| San Diego Tijuana World Design Capital 2024 | Support of the world design capital 2024 events in san diego & tijuana | $22,000 |
| Iian-Lael Foundation | Support for endowment fund | $10,000 |
| Julian Community Heritage Foundation | Preserving the history and community of julian | $10,000 |
| Diamond Educational Excellence Partnership | Increase reading literacy of grade school students. | $10,000 |
| Lucky Duck Foundation | Prevent and alleviate suffering of homeless throughout san diego. | $10,000 |
| Us-Mexico Border Philanthropy | Support of the smart border coalition | $10,000 |
| Voices of Our City Choir | Emergency housing support for vulnerable choir members. | $10,000 |
| Junior Achievement | Prepare young people to succeed in business | $9,000 |
| Uss Midway Foundation | Preservation of naval aviation history. | $6,750 |
| Meals on Wheels | Feed elderly shut-ins | $5,000 |
| Rise Up Industries | Gang prevention, gang intervention and post-detention reentry programs. | $5,000 |
| St Therese of Carmel | Fund construction at our lady of guadalupe. | $5,000 |
| San Diego LGBTQ Community Center | Enhance and sustain the wellbeing of queer and transgendered people. | $5,000 |
| The Wednesday Club | Arts & literacy awareness. | $5,000 |
| Trans Family Support Services | Support for transgendered and non-binary people and their families | $5,000 |
| Forever Balboa Park | 2025 spark awards sponsorship | $5,000 |
| San Diego Scouting America | 2025 champions of scouting event. | $3,500 |
| Las Patronas | Support rady children's hospital | $3,000 |
| Score San Diego | Counseling and workshops for business. | $2,500 |
| San Diego Air and Space Museum | Promote air and space programs. | $2,000 |
| Uss Midway Museum | Preservation of naval aviation history | $2,000 |
| Kcsd-Fm | Ongoing programming support of jazz radio. | $2,000 |
| Sharp Hospice Care | Homes for hospice | $1,500 |
Officers and trustees
- Malin Burnham
- Roberta Burnham
- Kit Sparks
- Bruce Morrice
- George Delafield Esq
- Jack McGrory
Questions people ask
Does The Burnham Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Burnham Foundation give?
$2.7 million in tax year 2025, across 42 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs The Burnham Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Malin Burnham (President & Director), Roberta Burnham (Vice President & Director), Kit Sparks (Treasurer) and Bruce Morrice (Director) among 6 officers and trustees.
What does The Burnham Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, science and research and environment and conservation.