Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation broadly supports communities in which the company operates.

IP TAKE: Capital does not accept unsolicited applications. However, since it channels much of its grantmaking through employee-driven programs, grant seekers should network to see who they know among the 7,000 Capital employees spread throughout the globe. You can also pitch your organization’s work to a Capital Group employee. Otherwise, this is a tough nut to crack.

PROFILE: Established in 1997, the Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Capital Group Companies, an American financial services company with about $2.2 trillion under management. Capital has awarded more than 3,600 grants per year and has given away over $237 million over the past ten years. The foundation keeps a low public profile, does not maintain a website dedicated to its corporate giving and does not employ a paid staff. Capital’s areas of giving are broad and vary according to its employee’s interests.

Capital makes additional grants through Capital Cares, a group of philanthropic initiatives consisting of mostly associate-driven programs, including the corporate grant making program, an employee grants matching program, Dollars for Doers (which provides monetary donations in exchange for volunteer time), a Milestone Anniversary Donations (in recognition of every fifth year of employment) and a New Associate Donation Program. See the annual Global Citizenship Report for a better idea of how Capital structures its employee-centered philanthropy.

Grants for Higher Education

Capital does not outline priorities for its education grantmaking, but tax filings suggest that it supports public and private colleges and universities in the U.S. This funder has supported a broad variety of public and private institutions of higher education in the U.S. Past higher education grantees include the University of California Los Angeles, DePauw University, Michigan State University, Claremont McKenna College, Wabash College and Washington University in St. Louis. 

Grants for Animals and Wildlife

While Capital does not have a specific giving program dedicated to animals and wildlife, it does seek related organizations in its charitable giving. According to its tax filings, it has invested in both national and local animal and wildlife organizations. Past grantees include the Bat Conservation International, the World Wildlife Foundation and Gimme Shelter Animal Rescue.  

Grants for the Environment

Capital prioritizes environmental efforts. As with all of its funding areas, it does not have a dedicated environmental grantmaking program. However, the company’s “CG Green” program has the stated goal of reducing Capital’s “dependence on non-recyclable and non-reusable materials, and identifying meaningful ways to become better environmental citizens.” Past grantees include Ocean Institute, Yosemite Conservancy, and Swan Valley Connections in Montana.

Grants for Brain and Cell Research

While it does not name Health as a main giving focus, the foundation gives widely to health-related organizations and causes in the United States. Capital Groups also awards grants to hospitals and healthcare institutions. According to tax filings, past grantees include the American Cancer Society and the Angelman Syndrome Foundation, as well as hospitals and healthcare organizations such as Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Shriners Hospitals for Children. Additional grantees include the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association and Autism Speaks.

Grants for Global Development

While the foundation does not have a giving program specifically dedicated to global development, it is a supporter of related causes. Past grantees include Grameen Foundation USA, Oxfam America, and World Vision. While the foundation does award a few grants to smaller international NGOs, it tends to direct its grants to larger organizations.

Grants for Theater

While the foundation does not have a giving program specifically dedicated to theater and theater organizations, it gives to both. Examples of past grantees include mostly smaller and local theater such as the Salvage Vanguard Theater and the Lobero Theatre Foundation.

Grants for Diseases and Community Development

In recent years, the foundation prioritized giving for relief and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, making grants to local food banks, community centers, and homeless and women’s shelters nationwide. Grantees in this space include San Antonio Food Bank Platinum, Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Community Action Partnership of Orange County, San Francisco Food Bank, San Antonio Metropolitan Ministry, Inc., Mercy House Transitional Living Center, Children's Institute, Downtown Women's Center, and Thomas House Temporary Shelter.

Important Grant Details:

Grant amounts vary widely, ranging from a low of just $100 to over $400,000. Most grants however, fall in the $1,000 to $20,000 range. This funder appears to offer general operating support grants more often than project specific grants. It also, unfortunately, lacks transparency, which restricts information about its grantmaking strategies and deadlines. 

The Capital Groups Companies Charitable Foundation does not accept applications for funding.

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CONTACT:

Capital Group Companies Foundation

6455 Irvine Center Dr.

Irvine, CA 92618

(949) 975-5000