Four Things to Know About the Ethel Frends Foundation in Southern California

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Bank of America Philanthropic Solutions manages foundations all across the country and has a California office to handle regional needs. One such arrangement is with the Ethel Frends Foundation, which is a highly targeted funder with very specific interests and counties on its radar.

Here are four things to know about this surprisingly accessible foundation for animal-related organizations in Southern California.

1. This Foundation Is All About Animals

The Ethel Frends Foundation is a single-issue funder that focuses solely on the welfare of local domestic animals. The founder was a dog lover, and accordingly, the foundation commonly supports efforts for canine care and canine education. It looks to help groups that assist vulnerable dogs and find good homes for dogs.

Grantmaking often extends to animal shelters, animal education programs, and animal therapy efforts that help children, the disabled, and the elderly. Past grantees include Actors and Others for Animals, the Pasadena Humane Society, Helen Woodward Animal Center, and Ken-Mar Rescue.

2. Eight California Counties Are Priorities

Frends Foundation grantmaking is specific to California, but this foundation is also particular to certain counties in the state.

Only organizations that serve the following California counties are eligible for Ethel Frends Foundation grants: Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego. Recent grantees are based in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Buellton, Glendale, Santa Monica, and nearby communities.

3. It Prefers Well-Established Groups

The Frends Foundation has been on the regional grantmaking scene since 1997 and has always preferred to support groups that have been around for a while. Frends does not typically support start-up organizations, but for more well-established groups, it commonly provides one-year general operating support and program support grants. On rarer occasions, the foundation considers small program-related capital expenses in funding requests as well.

4. Unsolicited Grant Requests Are Welcome

Fortunately for local grantseekers, this is an accessible foundation that accepts unsolicited funding requests once per year. The annual application deadline is December 1, and the funder notifies applicants about its decisions by February 28. A majority of grants are between $2,500 and $10,000 each, and conveniently, the foundation website includes a link to apply for a grant online.

To learn more about this funder and access links to Frends’ grantmaking procedures or get online application help, check out IP’s full profile of the Ethel Frends Foundation.