The David Geffen Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The David Geffen Foundation is a private foundation in Los Angeles, California. In tax year 2024 it gave $112 million in 93 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $50.0 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$112 million
- Number of grants93
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$50.0 million
- Assets$419 million
- New grantees42%
Giving in 2024 was down from $130 million the year before.
42% of its 2024 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 | $130 million | 86 | $482 million |
| 2024 | $112 million | 93 | $419 million |
How to apply
The David Geffen 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 David Geffen Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 9 states, the most to California.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 50 | $72.9 million |
| New York | 31 | $23.4 million |
| Connecticut | 2 | $15.0 million |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $1.0 million |
| District of Columbia | 5 | $105,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | $20,000 |
| Ohio | 1 | $10,000 |
| Tennessee | 1 | $10,000 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| La County Museum of Art | General support | $50.0 million |
| Yale University | General support | $15.0 million |
| UCLA Foundation | General support | $10.0 million |
| Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | General support | $10.0 million |
| Columbia University | General support | $8.3 million |
| Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream | General support | $6.0 million |
| Academy Foundation | General support | $5.0 million |
| 92nd Street Y | General support | $3.0 million |
| Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration | General support | $1.0 million |
| Elton John AIDS Foundation | General support | $1.0 million |
| Motion Picture & Television Fund | General support | $1.0 million |
| National Library of Israel USA | General support | $700,000 |
| UCLA Foundation (Geffen Playhouse) | General support | $300,000 |
| Harlem School of the Arts | General support | $100,000 |
| Simon Wiesenthal Center | General support | $100,000 |
| Skirball Cultural Center | General support | $100,000 |
| Anti-Defamation League | General support | $50,000 |
| Lambda Legal Defenseeduc Fnd | General support | $50,000 |
| Encorps STEM Teachers Program | General support | $25,000 |
| Glaad | General support | $25,000 |
| Hammer Museum | General support | $25,000 |
| Hetrick-Martin Institute | General support | $25,000 |
| Jazz Foundation of America | General support | $25,000 |
| One Campaig | General support | $25,000 |
| Bucks Rock Camp | General support | $24,000 |
| American Friends of the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled | General support | $20,000 |
| Jenkins Penn Haitian Relief Organization | General support | $20,000 |
| Jewish Healing and Hospice Center of Los Angeles | General support | $20,000 |
| People for the American Way Foundation | General support | $20,000 |
| Safe Horizon | General support | $20,000 |
| Sage | General support | $20,000 |
| World Jewish Congress American Section | General support | $20,000 |
| Music Center | General support | $15,000 |
| Ali Forney Center | General support | $10,000 |
| Angels at Risk | General support | $10,000 |
| Angels at Risk | General support | $10,000 |
| Baby 2 Baby | General support | $10,000 |
| Breast Cancer Research Foundation | General support | $10,000 |
| Creative Time | General support | $10,000 |
| Downtown Women's Center | General support | $10,000 |
Officers and trustees
- David Geffen
- J Dallas Dishman
Questions people ask
Does The David Geffen Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The David Geffen Foundation give?
$112 million in tax year 2024, across 93 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs The David Geffen Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists David Geffen (Trustee) and J Dallas Dishman (Executive Director).
What does The David Geffen Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, education and health.