Laguna Beach Community Foundation

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OVERVIEW: The Laguna Beach Community Foundation supports human services, arts and culture, youth, education, recreation and other community needs in Southern California.

IP TAKE: The Laguna Beach Community Foundation works proactively to help donors support causes they care about in and around the Laguna Beach community. Grantmaking has tapered off in recent years, and the foundation no longer runs an open application program. Contact this community funder directly to inquire about any new or upcoming grant opportunities.

PROFILE: The Laguna Beach Community Foundation (LBCF) is a community foundation based in Laguna Beach, California. The foundation’s mission is “to encourage philanthropy in the greater Laguna Beach area through its charitable organizations and residents.” This funder focuses “its resources on established partnerships and collaborating on strategic initiatives that support our funding strategies through donor directed granting.” It manages donor-advised, field-of-interest, designated and endowment funds, as well as the Laguna Beach Community Enrichment Fund, which makes “grants to address emerging and current problems including the needs of vulnerable populations in Laguna Beach and to support high priority areas in our community.” LBCF grants support education, mental health, housing, health, environmental causes and arts and culture. Grantmaking mainly serves organizations operating in or serving the Laguna Beach community.

Grants for Education

Education has been LBCF’s largest giving area over the past several years, although the foundation does not name priorities for this giving area. Large grants have supported the Laguna College of Art and Design. Other grantees include Pomona College, the Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach, the Laguna Beach Education Endowment and the Laguna Beach High School Scholarship Foundation.

Grants for Mental Health, Housing, Homelessness and Community Development

LBCF does not outline specific goals for its mental health and housing grants, but tax filings reveal strong interest in these related areas. Grantees include the Glenwood Housing Foundation, Friendship Shelter and Sally’s Fund, which provides transportation services to Laguna Beach’s elderly residents.

Grants for Public Health

Public health is not a large area of giving, according to the foundation’s recent tax filings. The foundation has, however, provided financial support to the Laguna Beach Community Clinic.

Grants for Environmental Conservation and Animals

The environment is another smaller area of giving for LBCF. The foundation has made grants to the Laguna Canyon Foundation and the Crystal Cove Conservancy. The foundation has not made grants for causes related to animals in several years, but past grants have supported the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center, Guide Dogs of America and the Pacific Marine Mammal Center.

Grants for Arts and Culture

Grantmaking for local arts and culture organizations has tapered off recently at LBCF. In years past, the foundation supported the Laguna Art Museum, the Laguna Playhouse, the Laguna Beach Historical Society and the Pacific Symphony.

Important Grant Details:

LBCF’s grants range from $25,000 to about $525,000.

  • This funder recently announced a “shift” in its grantmaking strategy and mainly supports existing partners.

  • While this funder manages 37 donor-advised and other funds, it is not transparent about grants that stem from these vehicles.

  • For additional information about past grantmaking, see the foundation’s impact page or its past tax filings.

  • This funder requests that grantseekers contact the foundation prior to submitting proposals or requests.

Contact this funder via email at info@lagunabeachcf.org or by telephone at 949-715-8223.

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