Who funds homeless shelters and services in California
From 2022 to 2025, 564 foundations and charities reported 1,517 grants to 133 homeless shelters and service groups in California. The typical grant was $12,000.
The funders that paid the most of them: California Community Foundation (15), Kaiser Foundation Hospitals (11) and Silicon Valley Community Foundation (9).
From IRS grant records. Counts nonprofits with budgets under $5,000,000.
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The 15 funders that paid the most homeless shelters and service groups in California
| Funder | Nonprofits paid | Typical grant | Latest year |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Community Foundation Los Angeles, CA | 15 | $27,500 | 2024 |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospitals Oakland, CA | 11 | $25,000 | 2024 |
| Silicon Valley Community Foundation Mountain View, CA | 9 | $40,750 | 2024 |
| San Francisco Foundation San Francisco, CA | 9 | $25,000 | 2024 |
| United Way Inc Los Angeles, CA | 9 | $72,642 | 2024 |
| Sisters of ST Joseph Healthcare Foundation Orange, CA | 8 | $37,500 | 2024 |
| Shelter Partnership Inc Los Angeles, CA | 8 | $27,137 | 2024 |
| California Foundation for Stronger Communities Carlsbad, CA | 8 | $20,000 | 2023 |
| Sempra Energy Foundation San Diego, CA | 6 | $120 | 2024 |
| Sonoma County Community Foundation Santa Rosa, CA | 6 | $46,575 | 2024 |
| Orange County Community Foundation Irvine, CA | 6 | $30,000 | 2023 |
| Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc Charlotte, NC | 5 | $400 | 2023 |
| James Irvine Foundation San Francisco, CA | 5 | $6,295 | 2024 |
| Rose Hills Foundation Pasadena, CA | 5 | $50,000 | 2024 |
| Sunlight Giving Palo Alto, CA | 4 | $45,000 | 2024 |
Recent grants
- California Community Foundation paid Safe Parking LA $365,000 in 2024. Purpose: Housing.
- Kaiser Foundation Hospitals paid Operation Hope North County $30,000 in 2024. Purpose: Steps to independence - financial health services.
- Silicon Valley Community Foundation paid Association of Faith Communities of Santa Cruz County Inc $75,000 in 2024. Purpose: Housing and transportation.
- San Francisco Foundation paid Starting Over Inc $150,000 in 2024. Purpose: For project support.
- United Way Inc paid Paving the Way Foundation $133,560 in 2024. Purpose: Crisis support.
- Sisters of ST Joseph Healthcare Foundation paid Family Promise of Orange County $45,000 in 2024. Purpose: General operating support.
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Other causes in California
- Who funds food banks and food pantries in California (658 funders)
- Who funds affordable housing in California (459 funders)
- Who funds animal rescue and shelters in California (1246 funders)
- Who funds veterans in California (257 funders)
- Who funds youth development in California (1996 funders)
- Who funds youth sports and recreation in California (1450 funders)
- Who funds arts and culture in California (3571 funders)
- Who funds K-12 education in California (2848 funders)
- Who funds health clinics and health care in California (1615 funders)
- Who funds mental health in California (1067 funders)
- Who funds disability services in California (528 funders)
- Who funds senior services in California (346 funders)
- Who funds domestic violence shelters and services in California (415 funders)
- Who funds child care and early childhood in California (239 funders)
- Who funds job training and employment in California (600 funders)
- Who funds environment and conservation in California (1998 funders)
- Who funds legal aid in California (348 funders)
- Who funds community development in California (1308 funders)
- Who funds family and children's services in California (1239 funders)
Homeless shelters and services in other states
Questions people ask
Who gives the most grants to homeless shelters and services in California?
By the number of nonprofits paid from 2022 to 2025, the leading funders were California Community Foundation (15), Kaiser Foundation Hospitals (11), Silicon Valley Community Foundation (9). The count in parentheses is how many homeless shelters and service groups in California each one paid.
How big is a typical grant to homeless shelters and services in California?
The median grant was $12,000 across 1,517 grants. Half were smaller and half were larger. Each funder's own typical grant is in the table above.
Do these funders accept applications?
Not always. IRS records show who a funder paid, not whether it takes new applicants. Open the funder's website and read its guidelines before you reach out.
Where does this data come from?
From grants reported to the IRS on Form 990 Schedule I and Form 990-PF for 2022 to 2025, matched to each recipient's IRS record. It counts homeless shelters and service groups with budgets under $5,000,000, by their IRS cause code. Donor-advised fund sponsors are left out.