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The Mesa West Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Mesa West Foundation

Its FY2018 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$184k
Granted FY2018
44
Grants FY2018
14
States reached
$17k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0195% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2018.

Health$75kHuman Services$42kYouth Development$40kReligion$26kPhilanthropy$15kEducation$14kAnimals$8kInternational$7kOther$0
02FY2018 · 44 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2018

  • Under $10k42 grants · $150k
  • $10k–50k2 grants · $34k
$4,000
Median grant
14
States reached
$0
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
STUDENTS RUN LA$17,065
THE PARISH OF SAINT MATHHEW$17,065
ST JUDES CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL$8,000
THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER LA$6,500
MBA OPENS DOORS FOUNDATION$5,000
THE RACE$5,000
OLD YELLER RANCH RESCUE$4,000
GLOBAL KINDNESS$4,000
NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY$4,000
UNRAVEL PEDIATRIC CANCER$4,000
MAKE A WISH ILLINOIS$4,000
GABELLI SCHOOL OF BUSINESS (FORDHAM UNIVERSITY)$4,000
SANTA BARBARA FOUNDATION$4,000
THE FIRST TEE$4,000
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION$4,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY18–18, $14k) land where the poverty rate runs at 16%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%RENEWAL OF LIFE: $2k → 20%GLOBAL KINDNESS: $4k → 14%INNOCENCE PROJECT: $4k → 17%TIA'S HOPE: $4k → 14%THE MIDNIGHT MISSION: $50 → 14%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

MT
IL
MI
NY
MA
OH
PA
NJ
CT
CA
VA
AZ
TN
NC
DC
TX
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

31%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$77k · 10 repeat orgs$169k to everyone else

10 repeat relationships: 10 still active in FY2018, 0 since wound down; 32 grantees were first funded in FY2018 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

10
31

Total granted

$77k
$46k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+58%
+61%

Still filing today

70%
65%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2018, 29% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $122k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18
HealthHuman ServicesYouth DevelopmentRecreation & SportsInternationalEducationOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • SR
    STUDENTS RUN AMERICA
    2× · 2017–2018 · $21k · revenue +116%
  • TR
    THE RACE INC
    2× · 2017–2018 · $10k · revenue +278%
  • CL
    CHAI LIFELINE INC
    2× · 2017–2018 · $7k · revenue +58%

Funded once

  • HOMEBOY INDUSTRIESgraduated
    one grant, 2017 · $11k · revenue +175%
  • RW
    RECTOR WARDENS & VESTRYMEN OF ST MATTHEWS PARISH
    one grant, 2017 · $5k
  • C
    CHRYSALIS
    one grant, 2017 · $4k
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation

The samuel waxman cancer research foundation (the "foundation") funds innovative research to bring faster cures to patients. in addition to supporting ongoing collaborative research in specific cancers, our scientists are investigating the…

—
2
City of Hope

City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. PLEASE SEE SCHEDULE O FOR A CONTINUATION OF OUR MISSION

Health
3
The Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation

The jonsson cancer center foundation is the single most important vehicle for raising private funds for cancer research at ucla and plays a key role in advancing cancer treatments and care. please see schedule o for additional information.

—
4
Usc Care Medical Group Inc

To promote health by engaging in the practice of medicine for patients of hospitals affiliated with the university of southern california keck school of medicine and elsewhere. to provide medical care to the sick and injured who may come…

Health
5
The Lieber Institute Inc

The mission of the institute is to translate basic genetic and molecular mechanisms of schizophrenia and related developmental brain disorders into clinical advances that change the lives of affected individuals. it is catalyzing a new…

Health
6
Curesearch for Children's Cancer

Curesearch's mission is to fund & support targeted & innovative cancer research with measurable results, & to be the authoritative source of information & resources for all those affected by children's cancer. see schedule o for…

Health
7
Arc Research Institute

Our mission is to accelerate scientific progress, understand the root causes of disease, and narrow the gap between discoveries and impact on patients.

Health
8
Altamed Health Services Corporation

To eliminate disparities in health care access and outcomes by providing superior quality health and human services through an integrated world-class delivery system for latino, multi-ethnic underserved communities in southern california.

Health
9
Commonwealth Cancer Consortium Inc

Break through cancer is a foundation dedicated to supporting translational research in the most difficult to treat cancers. our partner organizations are among the top cancer research centers and together, represent some of the most…

—
10
Asco Association

Asco association promotes the common business interests of its members by: (1) advocating for policies that improve the quality of cancer care; (2) maintaining the highest standards of oncology medical care through programs supporting…

Community Improvement
11
MRIGlobal

To improve the lives of people through innovative scientific and engineering research.

Science & Tech
12
The California Medical Innovations Institute Inc

The Institute is a scientific research center dedicated to conducting basic and applied research to advance the understanding of human disease and the improvement of human health. The Institute fosters an innovative research environment…

Education
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Make-a-Wish Foundation of Illinois Inc; the most unlike its peers is St Nicholas Georgian Orthodox Church. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

48 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2026.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2026, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 48 of the 76 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
11
Early backer (in before they grew)
47/48
Grantees still filing
40/48
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

THE PARISH OF SAINT MATHHEW: $17,065 · OtherTHE PARISH OF SAINT MATHHEWCITY OF HOPE: $6,500 · OtherLURIE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION: $5,500 · OtherRECTOR WARDENS & VESTRYMEN OF ST MATTHEWS PARISH: $5,000 · OtherUCLA FOUNDATION: $5,000 · Other+41 more: $88,608 · Other+41 moreTHE RACE INC: $10,000 · HealthTHE RACE INCUNRAVEL: $9,000 · HealthUNRAVELST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC: $8,000 · HealthST JUDE CHILDREN'S RE…CHAI LIFELINE INC: $6,600 · HealthCHAI LIFELINE INCAmerican Heart Association Inc: $4,050 · HealthAmerican Heart Associ…MALARIA CONSORTIUM US INC: $4,000 · HealthMALARIA CONSORTIUM US…Children's Hospital Los Angeles: $3,000 · HealthChildren's Hospital L…VENICE FAMILY CLINIC: $2,500 · Health+6 more: $3,100 · Health+6 moreSTUDENTS RUN AMERICA: $20,565 · Youth DevelopmentSTUDENTS RUN AM…HOMEBOY INDUSTRIES: $10,500 · Youth DevelopmentHOMEBOY INDUSTR…GUITARS OVER GUNS ORGANIZATION INC: $4,250 · Youth DevelopmentGUITARS OVER GU…+1 more: $250 · Youth DevelopmentTIAS HOPE: $4,000 · Human ServicesTHE INNOCENCE PROJECT INC: $4,000 · Human ServicesGLOBAL KINDNESS: $4,000 · Human ServicesMEND - Meet Each Need With Dignity: $4,000 · Human ServicesRENEWAL OF LIFE INC: $2,000 · Human Services+1 more: $50 · Human ServicesJEWISH FEDERATION COUNCIL OF GREATER LA: $6,500 · PhilanthropyMBA OPENS DOORS FOUNDATION: $5,000 · PhilanthropySANTA BARBARA FOUNDATION: $4,000 · PhilanthropyST NICHOLAS GEORGIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH: $4,000 · ReligionCONTACT WE CARE INC: $4,000 · ReligionSANTA MONICA CONSERVANCY: $6,500 · Arts & Culture
Other$127,673Health$50,250Youth Development$35,565Human Services$18,050Philanthropy$15,500Religion$8,000Arts & Culture$6,500

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetSTUDENTS RUN AMERICA: $20,565 over 2y, 0.7% of budgetHOMEBOY INDUSTRIES: $10,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE RACE INC: $10,000 over 2y, 6.2% of budgetUNRAVEL: $9,000 over 2y, 0.5% of budgetST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC: $8,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCHAI LIFELINE INC: $6,600 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetSANTA MONICA CONSERVANCY: $6,500 over 2y, 1.9% of budgetJEWISH FEDERATION COUNCIL OF GREATER LA: $6,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetUCLA FOUNDATION: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMBA OPENS DOORS FOUNDATION: $5,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetAmerican Heart Association Inc: $4,050 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTHE BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION INC: $4,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetALEXS LEMONADE STAND FOUNDATION: $4,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTIAS HOPE: $4,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetTHE INNOCENCE PROJECT INC: $4,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSANTA BARBARA FOUNDATION: $4,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPASADENA HUMANE: $4,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCONTACT WE CARE INC: $4,000 over 1y, 1.1% of budgetGLOBAL KINDNESS: $4,000 over 1y, 2.2% of budgetMAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF ILLINOIS INC: $4,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMEND - Meet Each Need With Dignity: $4,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHOMES FOR OUR TROOPS INC: $4,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetA PLACE CALLED HOME: $3,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetChildren's Hospital Los Angeles: $3,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetVENICE FAMILY CLINIC: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetKulen Outreach Inc co Mactaggart & Co: $2,500 over 1y, 1.0% of budgetRENEWAL OF LIFE INC: $2,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetMOVEMBER FOUNDATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCROHN'S & COLITIS FOUNDATION INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPARKINSON'S DISEASE RESEARCH SOCIETY: $1,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetTIKVAH-ETTA AND LAZEAR ISRAEL CENTER FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED: $850 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBREAKTHROUGH T1D: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE ADD IMPACT NETWORK INC: $258 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS ASSN: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHOPE CHRISTIAN SERVICES: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetDIABETES RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOUNDATION INC: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSouthern Methodist University: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE GO PROJECT INC: $175 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetRONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF NEW YORK INC: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBest Buddies International Inc: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE MIDNIGHT MISSION: $50 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Jewish Community Foun…Arthur J Gallagher Fo…The Goldman Sachs Cha…Jpmorgan Chase Founda…National Philanthropi…Gs Donor Advised Phil…Ge Aerospace Foundati…Jewish Communal FundThe Bank of America C…Network for GoodRaymond James Charita…Morgan Stanley Global…
Jewish Community Foundation of Los AngelesCA18.6× affinity7 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles · Arthur J Gallagher Foundation · The Goldman Sachs Charitable Gift Fund · Jpmorgan Chase Foundation · National Philanthropic Trust · Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund for Wealth Management Inc · Ge Aerospace Foundation · Jewish Communal Fund · The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc · Network for Good · Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund · Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization The Mesa West Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Mesa West Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 20%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →median 3%
  • Best Buddies International Inc: 4% of income from government
  • Hope Christian Services: 3% of income from government
  • Guitars Over Guns Organization Inc: 1% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
2get no government money at all
12report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
05Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to The Mesa West Foundation?

Find your warmest path to The Mesa West Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 76 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2018, released 2018. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Mesa West’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home