Ornest Family Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Ornest Family Foundation funds grantmaking related to education, youth, Jewish causes, health, community, environment, and animal organizations.

IP TAKE: The foundation keeps a low public profile, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. Grantseekers will want to network here to get on the foundation’s radar.

PROFILE: The Ornest Family Foundation was established in 1994 by the Canadian-born sports executive Harry Ornest and his wife Ruth, an interior designer. Harry owned a vending machine business and went on to own professional teams in baseball, hockey, and football including the Vancouver Canadians. The Ornests moved to Beverly Hills in the 1960s. Ornest dies in 1998 and the family foundation is now steered by other family members including daughter Laura Ornest, an award-winning television and radio reporter and producer. 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.

Grants for Education, Health, Community Development, Environment, and Jewish Causes

Tax filings suggest the Ornest Family Foundation funds grantmaking related to education, youth, Jewish causes, health, community, environment, and animal organizations. Laura is a longtime board member of Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, which the family steadily supports. Past grantees include ACLU Foundation; Autism Speaks; Bridges Academy; Geffen Playhouse; Jewish Family Services (Laura is on the board); Palisades High School; USC Keck Westside Cancer Center; ASPCA; and Vista Del Mar - Child and Family Services.

Important Grant Details

Grants range from $200 to $70,100. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation made grants of a little over $350,000. The Ornest Family Foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

Ornest Family Foundation
15 Latimer Rd.
Santa Monica, CA 90402