How the Crail-Johnson Foundation Supports Youth in Greater Los Angeles

With a history that dates back to the 1980s, the San Pedro, California-based Crail-Johnson Foundation has specific funding interests and a strict geographic focus. It has awarded over $47 million since its inception and aims to promote the well-being of children, youth and families in need. In recent years, this funder has held between $18 million and $21 million in total assets and has awarded over $1 million in annual grants.

Here’s what Southern California nonprofits need to know about this transparent and accessible funder.

Specific geographic priorities

The Crail-Johnson Foundation is a local family funder focused on communities where family members live and work. However, it is open to supporting causes throughout the greater Los Angeles area. More specifically, it’s interested in funding the following communities: San Pedro, Carson, Harbor City, Watts, Long Beach, Wilmington, Compton and South LA.

Current program interests

There are three primary interest areas at the Crail-Johnson Foundation. Grants in the education funding area go toward early care, literacy programs, art education, parent engagement and education, STEM curriculum and youth development programs. Through its human service funding, Crail-Johnson backs homeless services, youth development and enrichment, child abuse and domestic violence prevention and treatment, and food banks and pantries. The health focus area includes funding for access to care, health education, screenings and treatments. Health grants support mental health, direct medical services for pediatric care, and dental care.

A collaborative funder

The Crail-Johnson Foundation is a collaborative funder that regularly works alongside other organizations to pursue its mission. For example, the foundation works with the public/private LA Partnership for Early Childhood Investment to make community investments. It also partners with the Center for Nonprofit Management to provide scholarships and increase the capacity of Southern California nonprofits. In the past, the foundation has partnered with the Annenberg Foundation to support nonprofit capacity building.

Applying for a grant

The foundation primarily offers program/project support and general operating support. It occasionally funds capital projects, endowments and technical assistance. However, it only makes grants for one-year terms and does not consider multi-year grants.

The first step in the application process is to submit an application, and the second step involves receiving an invitation to submit additional information and scheduling a site visit or conversation with staff. The Crail-Johnson Foundation uses an online platform to receive funding requests and does not accept requests by mail or email. The funder accepts requests for education grants between September 1 and October 15, human services grants between December 1 and January 15, and health grants between April 15 and May 31.

You can read more about this funder in IP’s full profile of the Crail-Johnson Foundation, which is part of our Los Angeles and Southern California grantmaking guide.

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