Argyros Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Argyros Foundation funds grantmaking related to education, youth, health, human services, and the arts in Orange County, California.
IP TAKE: The foundation keeps a low public profile, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. A recent tax filing indicted that the foundation does accept applications, though grants are typically paid for special projects and situations.
PROFILE: The Argyros Foundation was established in 1979. Its founders are real estate billionaire George Argyros and his wife Julia. George Argyros founded property firm Arnel & Affiliates in 1968, which now owns 5,500 apartments in Orange County and nearly 2 million square feet of commercial real estate in Southern California. The foundation lacks transparency and does not maintain a website, which makes it difficult to locate further information on its priority areas and grantmaking strategies. Tax filings suggest the Argyros Foundation supports grantmaking related to education, youth, health, human services, and the arts.
Grants for Education and Youth
The Argyros family has directed millions to Chapman University, home to the Argyros School of Business and Economics and the Argyros Forum Student Union. Argyros served as chair of the board for 25 years; daughter Lisa, also a Chapman alum, is on the board. The Argyros Family Foundation recently gave a $7.5 million gift to USC, creating the Julia and George Argyros Plaza, renaming the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The couple are Trojan parents and grandparents. Daughter Stephanie serves on the president’s leadership council and the board of overseers of the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
The family strongly supports the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and recently gave $2.5 million to create the Argyros Girl Scout Leadership Center, Orange County’s hub for Girl Scout STEM programs.
Other grantees include Orange County High School of the Arts Foundation, Harbor Day School, Ave Maria University, California Institute of Technology, and Adrian Schools Educational Foundation. Julia grew up in Adrian, Michigan. The family established the first scholarship program for soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan through the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. Significant funds have gone to The CSULB 49er Foundation, supporting the Julia Argyros President's Scholars.
Grants for Health
Millions have gone to Children's Hospital of Orange County, City of Hope, Eisenhower Medical Center, and Hoag Hospital; at least $10 million supported nursing programs. The couple gave $5 million to University of California Irvine’s Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, establishing the Julia & George Argyros Ambulatory Surgery Center— Julia's sister was a nurse for some four decades. Other grantees include MD Anderson Cancer Center, Doheny Eye Institute, Alzheimer's Association Orange County Chapter, and Celebrity Fight Night Foundation.
Grants for Human Services
Grantees include Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Orange County and Human Options, which provides safety, healing, and a way forward to victims of domestic violence in Orange County.
Grants for Arts and Culture
The couple are strong local arts patrons and pledged $13.5 million to Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California. Other grantees include Discovery Science Center, Film Independent, Los Angeles Ballet, Croswell Opera House & Fine Arts Association, and The Richard Nixon Foundation.
Other grant opportunities:
Support has gone to religious outfits including St. Andrews Presbyterian Church and Orange Catholic Foundation. WE Charity (formerly Save the Children) recently received a seven-figure gift. Other support has gone to policy organizations, including American Enterprise Institute.
Important Grant Details:
Grants range from $250 to $1.01 million. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $11.4 million.
While the Argyros Foundation keeps a low profile, a recent tax filing indicates that the foundation does accept unsolicited applications. The foundation requires the identity and historical background of requesting organization, and statement as to the intended use of the contribution, as well as the organization's Federal Identification Number, and IRS determination letter. Grants are typically made for special projects and situations.
PEOPLE:
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CONTACT:
Wendy Hales
949 South Coast Drive, Suite 600
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
