Epstein Family Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Epstein Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, health and social support, and cultural centers.

IP TAKE: The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. New grantseekers looking for funding will have to network to get this funder’s attention.

PROFILE: Established in 2005, the Epstein Family Foundation was founded by real estate mogul Daniel Epstein and his wife Phyllis. Daniel Epstein founded ConAm Management Corporation, which manages in excess of 50,000 apartments throughout the country. The foundation does not have a public website or presence. According to tax filings, the Epstein Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, health and social support, and cultural centers.

Grants for Los Angeles and SoCal

Daniel strong supports his alma mater, USC, where he serves as a life trustee, as well as on the boards of the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate Development, and the USC School of Engineering — home to the Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. His children are also USC graduates, and University of California San Diego is also a major site of giving, both receiving $25 million in 2022. The Epsteins moved to La Jolla in the 1980s. They recently gave a $1 million gift to Campaign for UC San Diego. Phyllis was a member the California Arts Council, where she co-founded the state-wide California Music Project, which provides services designed to strengthen music education and increase the number of future music educators in California's public school system.

Past grantees have included Girl Scouts San Diego, Scripps Health Foundation, La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego Zoo, and Hillel of San Diego.

Important Grant Details

In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $1.9 million. Most grants come in at just under $50,000. The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

Epstein Family Foundation
3990 Ruffin Rd., Ste. 100
San Diego, CA 92123