The John C Mithun Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The John C Mithun Foundation is a private foundation in Santa Barbara, California. In tax year 2025 it gave $3.3 million in 50 grants; the typical grant was $37,500 and the largest $505,000. 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$3.3 million
- Number of grants50
- Typical grant$37,500
- Largest grant$505,000
- Assets$107 million
- New grantees30%
Giving in 2025 was up from $2.9 million the year before.
30% 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 | $2.3 million | 63 | $64.2 million |
| 2024 | $2.9 million | 65 | $75.7 million |
| 2025 | $3.3 million | 50 | $107 million |
How to apply
The John C Mithun 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 John C Mithun Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 2 states, the most to California.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 49 | $3.3 million |
| New York | 1 | $35,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lobero Theatre | General | $505,000 |
| Santa Barbara International Film Festival | General | $225,000 |
| Santa Barbara Symphony | General | $200,000 |
| Girls Inc - Carpinteria | General | $180,000 |
| Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens (Cuafg) | General | $160,000 |
| Lotusland | General | $155,000 |
| Uc Santa Barbara Foundation | General | $150,000 |
| Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Santa Barbara Foundation | General | $150,000 |
| YMCA - Santa Barbara Family (Channel Islands YMCA) | General | $120,000 |
| Mission Scholars | General | $115,000 |
| Ensemble Theater | General | $90,000 |
| Santa Barbara Channelkeepers | General | $80,000 |
| Foodbank | General | $75,000 |
| Music Academy | General | $75,000 |
| Goleta Education Foundation | General | $70,000 |
| Storyteller | General | $60,000 |
| Food From the Heart | General | $50,000 |
| Good Samaritan | General | $50,000 |
| Land Trust for Santa Barbara County | General | $50,000 |
| Santa Barbara City College Foundation | General | $50,000 |
| Transition House of Santa Barbara | General | $50,000 |
| Uc Santa Barbara Foundation | General | $50,000 |
| Uc Santa Barbara Foundation | General | $50,000 |
| Girls Inc of Greater Santa Barbara | General | $45,000 |
| Wev (Women's Ecomonic Venture) | General | $40,000 |
| Harlem Academy | General | $35,000 |
| Royal Pride Foundation | General | $35,000 |
| Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation | General | $35,000 |
| Ucsb Arts & Lecture | General | $35,000 |
| Uc Santa Barbara Foundation | General | $35,000 |
| Santa Barbara Education Foundation | General | $30,000 |
| Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History | General | $30,000 |
| Calm | General | $25,000 |
| Elings Park | General | $25,000 |
| Foundation for Santa Barbara High School | General | $25,000 |
| Sansum Clinic Philanthropy | General | $25,000 |
| Dos Pueblos High School Foundation | General | $20,000 |
| Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara | General | $20,000 |
| Santa Barbara Unified School District | General | $18,500 |
| Lompoc High School | General | $17,000 |
Officers and trustees
- John C Mithun
- Mercedes M Millington
- Susan M Torrey
Questions people ask
Does The John C Mithun Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The John C Mithun Foundation give?
$3.3 million in tax year 2025, across 50 grants, with a typical grant of $37,500.
Who runs The John C Mithun Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists John C Mithun (President), Mercedes M Millington (Vice President) and Susan M Torrey (Executive Director).
What does The John C Mithun Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, education and environment and conservation.