The Carol and James Collins Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Carol and James Collins Foundation is a private foundation in Santa Monica, California. In tax year 2025 it gave $2.0 million in 62 grants; the typical grant was $30,000 and the largest $185,000. 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$2.0 million
- Number of grants62
- Typical grant$30,000
- Largest grant$185,000
- Assets$31.2 million
- New grantees31%
Giving in 2025 was up from $1.5 million the year before.
31% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $432,000 | 17 | $27.3 million |
| 2024 | $1.5 million | 68 | $29.7 million |
| 2025 | $2.0 million | 62 | $31.2 million |
How to apply
The Carol and James Collins 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 Carol and James Collins Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 3 states, the most to California.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 60 | $2.0 million |
| New York | 1 | $35,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $1,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles | General operating support | $185,000 |
| Collins & Katz Family YMCA | General Operating Support | $162,000 |
| Para Los Ninos | General operating support | $57,500 |
| Discovery Cube Los Angeles | General Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Ready to Succeed | General operating support | $50,000 |
| Heart of Los Angeles Youth | General operating support | $50,000 |
| The Change Reaction | General operating support | $50,000 |
| First Graduate | General Operating Support | $45,500 |
| Alliance College-Ready Public Schools | General operating support | $45,000 |
| LA Promise Fund | Support culinary arts program | $42,500 |
| The 30 Birds Foundation | General operating support | $42,500 |
| Student Health Services Fund dba The LA trust for Children's Health | General operating support | $42,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of the LA Harbor | General operating support | $41,000 |
| 826LA | General operating support | $40,000 |
| A Place Called Home | General operating support | $40,000 |
| Communities in Schools of Los Angeles | General Operating Support | $40,000 |
| Get Lit-Words Ignite Inc | General operating support | $40,000 |
| PS Arts | General operating support | $40,000 |
| Students Run America dba Students Run LA | General operating support | $40,000 |
| United Friends of the Children | General operating support | $40,000 |
| A Window Between Worlds | General operating support | $40,000 |
| Bob Baker Marionette Theater | General operating support | $40,000 |
| Spirit Series Inc | To support So Cal School Scholarship Fund | $38,060 |
| Da Vinci Schools | To support LifeLaunch Project | $35,000 |
| Educators for Excellence-Los Angeles | General Operating Support | $35,000 |
| Homeboy Industries | To support Youth Re-entry Programs | $35,000 |
| LA County Department of Arts and Culture | General operating support | $35,000 |
| The SEED School of LA County | General operating support | $35,000 |
| The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company | General operating support | $35,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of W San Gabriel Valley and Eastside | To support Power Hour | $30,000 |
| Mar Vista Family Center | Support By Youth For Youth program | $30,000 |
| New Earth Organization | General operating support | $30,000 |
| PF Bresee Foundation | General operating support | $30,000 |
| Peer Health Exchange | To support PHE LA | $30,000 |
| The M3nd Project | General operating support | $30,000 |
| Inner City Youth Orchestra of LA | General operating support | $30,000 |
| New Village Charter School Inc | General operating support | $30,000 |
| Los Angeles Youth Network | General operating support | $30,000 |
| One Voice | To support College Scholars program | $25,000 |
| Southern California Grantmakers | General operating support, center for strategic partnership | $25,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Cathleen C Hession
- Kelly L Collins
- Melissa Collins Gudim
- Melanie Buswell
- Alexander Gudim
- Trevor Gudim
- Natalie Hession
Questions people ask
Does The Carol and James Collins Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Carol and James Collins Foundation give?
$2.0 million in tax year 2025, across 62 grants, with a typical grant of $30,000.
Who runs The Carol and James Collins Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Cathleen C Hession (Pres, Sec, Treas), Kelly L Collins (Director), Melissa Collins Gudim (Director) and Melanie Buswell (Director) among 7 officers and trustees.
What does The Carol and James Collins Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly youth programs, education and arts and culture.