The mission of The Dorrance Family Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the community by supporting education and natural resource conservation. The Foundation does this through scholarships, grants and volunteer service.

WHO WE ARE AND HOW WE WORK

The Dorrance Family Foundation supports projects that work to resolve societal, educational and environmental problems strategically and make our communities a better place.  We accept grant proposals only for charitable, education, or scientific purposes from tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organizations in California and the Island of Hawaiʻi.  We do not fund individuals. The Dorrance Family Foundation meets an average of 2-3 times a year to review and award grants to qualified organizations engaging primarily in our mission areas of education and natural resource conservation or local interests.

Geographic Focus:

  • California
  • Island of Hawaiʻi

Before preparing a letter of inquiry, we encourage you to carefully review What We Fund and the related guidelines and geographic scope for your area of interest. Letters of inquiry are only accepted through our online process. Full proposals are by invitation only.

WHAT WE FUND

Local Grantmaking:

The Dorrance Family Foundation supports an array of nonprofit organizations in geographic areas that are personally significant to the Dorrance Family; Southern California, and the Island of Hawaiʻi. Grantees include but are not limited to programs related to the arts, children’s health, animal welfare, animal therapy, sustainable agriculture, organizational effectiveness and capacity, and natural resource conservation projects. The Foundation also provides institutional support to organizations with a long-term history of Dorrance family commitment, and core to the foundation’s mission and family’s values. If you believe your organization is eligible to apply, please click below:

Local Grantmaking

MARINE CONSERVATION INITIATIVE

Program Purpose:

To provide support to high-performing non-profits with demonstrated expertise in improving ocean health through the recovery, restoration, regeneration, and protection of marine habitat and biodiversity.

  • Marine habitat and biodiversity
    • Coastal and nearshore ecosystems and the imperiled species they harbor; coral reefs, estuaries, and bays

Guidelines and Deadlines:

Letters of inquiry for the 2023 Dorrance Marine Conservation Initiative acceptance period is now CLOSED.