Hexberg Family Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Hexberg Family Foundation gives broadly to support health care, global health, environmental conservation, humanitarian aid, human services, community development and human rights.

IP TAKE: This is not an accessible funder. Without a website or formal staff, this funder maintains a low public profile. It primarily serves as a vehicle for the founders’ personal giving around Southern California. While it does not accept unsolicited requests for funding, grant seekers should not be deterred from introducing themselves to the foundation. The foundation is responsive and approachable by phone. However, keep in mind that this funder operates with a limited staff that’s unpaid, so be patient about a response.

PROFILE: The Hexberg Family Foundation was established in 2001 by Southern California businessman Greg Hexberg and Debbie Hexberg. Located in Laguna Beach, California, it makes modest grants to local and global causes. Though the foundation does not operate a website, its recent tax filings indicate health care, global health, environmental conservation, humanitarian aid, human services, community development and human rights.

Grants for Public Health

The Hexberg Family Foundation does not have stated grantmaking priorities, but tax filings show an interest in past domestic public health efforts. While the foundation primarily funds initiatives in its home state, it may support organizations elsewhere if they operate national campaigns within the foundation’s areas of grantmaking interest. Those areas of interest include healthcare access, helping the homeless, prevention and intervention programs for abused children and young adults, hunger relief and services for victims of domestic violence. In public health, grants tend to support local community organizations rather than larger, national NGOs. Grantees for public health include Freedom Alliance, Children’s Hospitals of Los Angeles, the Challenged Athletes Foundation and the Children’s Health Fund.

Grants for Diseases

The Hexberg Family Foundation’s tax filings suggest an interest in disease-related organizations. Grantees include the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, which received funding for its research to find a cure for brain tumors in children, and the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, which received a grant for its work researching innovative treatments and a cure for HIV/AIDS.

Grants for Humanitarian Relief and Food

While the Hexberg Family Foundation lacks a transparent grantmaking strategy, tax filings reveal that it has supported disaster relief and humanitarian aid efforts in Southern California and beyond. Grantees include the California Fire Foundation, Direct Relief International, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and Children’s Defense Fund.

Grants for Global Health

While the Hexberg Family Foundation’s tax filings show that it broadly funds global health efforts. In this area of giving, it tends to support major international organizations. Past global health grantees include Doctors without Borders, UNICEF, and Global Grins, an organization that promotes oral health and dental hygiene around the world. 

Grants for Women and Girls

The Hexberg Family Foundation is broadly interested in women’s rights efforts. Globally, Hexberg grants typically support larger international women’s rights organizations rather than local and grassroots nonprofits. Its domestic grantmaking shows a strong indication that the foundation backs organizations both large and small that work to increase opportunities for girls and women in school and the workplace. Past grantees include Girls Inc., Equality Now and Willow International.

Grants for Marine and Wildlife Conservation

While the Hexberg Family Foundation’s tax filings indicate an interest in marine conservation organizations across the United States. It tends to prioritize West Coast-based organizations, especially those operating in Southern California. Past marine conservation grantees include the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, which received funding for its marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation programs and Heal the Bay, which received a grant for its coastal water cleanup and education initiative. Past animal and wildlife grantees include the Red Bucket Equine Rescue, which received funding for its program involving saving and rehabilitating horses and finding them appropriate adoptive homes. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is also a frequent grantee.

Grants for K-12 Education

While the Hexberg Family Foundation does not have a website or any stated grantmaking priorities, the foundation’s tax filings indicate that it has supported local Southern California schools, as well as institutions that the founders may have a personal connection with. Over the years, the Hexbergs have donated over $300,000 to the Laguna Beach High School’s athletic program, which purchased a new scoreboard for their field, as well as supporting the school’s track, swim, and water polo teams. Other grantees include Principia Christian Science High School in St. Louis, Boys Hope Girls Hope, Andre Agassi Foundation and Girls Inc.

Grants for Veterans

While the Hexberg Family Foundation broadly supports military personnel, veterans, and their families across the United States. It has especially supported efforts that improve access to healthcare for veterans. Past grantees include the Wounded Warrior Project, Freedom Alliance and UCLA’s Operation Mend.

Important Grant Details:

The foundation annually awards several grants, which range from $5,000 to $15,000. These grants often support larger international organizations rather than local and grassroots NGOs; however, Hexberg supports both small and large organizations, so smaller groups should not be deterred. 

The foundation also does not maintain a formal, paid staff. It also does not accept unsolicited grant applications or requests for funding. Contact information is provided below.

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CONTACT:

Hexberg Family Foundation

921 Emerald Bay

Laguna Beach, California 92651

(714) 236-4800