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The William and Sue Gross Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The William and Sue Gross Family 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.

$18M
Granted FY2017
28
Grants FY2017
5
States reached
$4.0M
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its fieldRead
04Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01FY2017 · 28 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2017

  • $10k–50k7 grants · $104k
  • $50k–250k8 grants · $845k
  • $250k+13 grants · $17M
$220,000
Median grant
5
States reached
$0
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
MISSION HOSPITAL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER$4,000,000
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC$2,000,000
ACTION AGAINST HUNGER USA$2,000,000
COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE$2,000,000
NEW YORK TIMES NEEDIEST CASES FUND$1,460,000
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY$1,452,000
VII ASSOCIATION INC$1,425,000
SDSN ASSOCIATION INC$1,000,000
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE$500,000
THE WOODEN FLOOR FOR YOUTH MOVEMENT$500,000
ROAR FOUNDATION$300,000
CREATIVE VISIONS FOUNDATION$300,000
UNITED PHOTO INDUSTRIES$264,000
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF ORANGE COUNTY$220,000
OPEN MEDICINE FOUNDATION$150,000
02The need
02

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 (FY17–17, $1.1M) land where the poverty rate runs at 17%, against an area that typically sits at 12%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 12%SDSN ASSOCIATION INC: $1.0M → 17%CHARITY WATER: $60k → 17%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.
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 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
The Union of Concerned Scientists Inc

The union of concerned scientists puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future.

International
2
Ucla Foundation

The ucla foundation is the giving, receiving, and investing arm of the ucla campus. the foundation enables private donors to help build, sustain and advance one of the world's finest academic and research institutions. private philanthropy…

Education
3
International Aids Vaccine Initiative Inc

A nonprofit scientific research organization that develops vaccines and antibodies for hiv, tuberculosis, and emerging infectious diseases.

International
4
The California Channel

To distribute public affairs and other educational information in order to create an electronic bridge between californians and their public officials, and, in the process educate a new generation of voting citizens and civic leaders who…

—
5
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

Chamber's mission: design and advance opportunities and solutions for a thriving regional economy that are inclusive and globally competitive. 1) advocacy - be a bold advocate for business as a driver of a strong economy that enables…

—
6
California Association of Food Banks

California association of food banks (cafb) is a non-profit public benefit corporation located in oakland, california. together with its 41-member foodbanks, cafb is the largest charitable hunger-relief and anti-hunger leader in the state.…

Food & Nutrition
7
Actionaid Usa

Actionaid is an international network building a just, equitable, and sustainable world in solidarity with communities on the frontlines of poverty and injustice. actionaid usa is the u.s. branch of actionaid international, which works in…

Social Science
8
Hollywood Food Coalition

Hollywood food coalition welcomes people to dinner each night. we rescue and redistribute food daily to other organizations. we care for our immediate community through our wellness program. we build community with and through our…

—
9
United Food Bank

United Food Bank unites communities to alleviate hunger.

Food & Nutrition
10
Pro Publica Inc

Pro publica is an independent, non-profit, pulitzer prize-winning newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest. our work focuses exclusively on truly important stories. [see continuation on schedule o] we produce…

Arts & Culture
11
Global Poverty Project Inc

Our mission is to build a movement of global citizens whose actions will help achieve our vision of a world without extreme poverty.

Social Science
12
California Certified Organic Farmers Inc

Ccof advances organic agriculture for a healthy world. we accomplish our purpose through organic certification, education, advocacy and promotion. we envision a world where organic is the norm.

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Action Against Hunger - Usa; the most unlike its peers is Charity Global Inc. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
03the grantee network

24 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

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 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 24 of the 28 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.

3
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
10
Early backer (in before they grew)
22/24
Grantees still filing
20/24
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

MISSION HOSPITAL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER: $4,000,000 · HealthMISSION HOSPITAL REGIONAL …OPEN MEDICINE FOUNDATION: $150,000 · Health+1 more: $50,000 · HealthACTION AGAINST HUNGER - USA: $2,000,000 · InternationalACTION AGAINST HUNGER - U…WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC: $2,000,000 · InternationalWORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC+1 more: $29,000 · InternationalTHE VII FOUNDATION INC: $1,425,000 · Arts & CultureTHE VII FOUNDAT…THE WOODEN FLOOR FOR YOUTH MOVEMENT: $500,000 · Arts & CultureTHE WOODEN FLOO…CREATIVE VISIONS FOUNDATION: $300,000 · Arts & CultureCREATIVE VISION…United Photo Industries Inc: $264,000 · Arts & CultureUnited Photo In…COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE OF ORANGE COUNTY: $2,000,000 · Civil RightsCOURT APPOIN…THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK: $1,452,000 · EducationTHE TRUST…GENERATION HUMAN RIGHTS INC: $60,000 · EducationTHE NEW YORK TIMES COMMUNITIES FUND: $1,460,000 · PhilanthropyTHE NEW Y…SDSN ASSOCIATION INC: $1,000,000 · Human ServicesCHARITY GLOBAL INC: $60,000 · Human ServicesUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE: $500,000 · OtherJAMES HINES TEACHER OF THE YEAR FOUNDATION: $150,000 · OtherSTRONG FOODLA KITCHEN: $100,000 · OtherPATH TO PEACE FOUNDATION: $55,000 · OtherROAR FOUNDATION: $300,000 · OtherSECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF ORANGE COUNTY INC: $220,000 · Other+6 more: $75,000 · Other
Health$4,200,000International$4,029,000Arts & Culture$2,489,000Civil Rights$2,000,000Education$1,512,000Philanthropy$1,460,000Human Services$1,060,000Other$1,400,000

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

25%50%75%100%$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetMISSION HOSPITAL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER: $4,000,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetACTION AGAINST HUNGER - USA: $2,000,000 over 1y, 1.1% of budgetWORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC: $2,000,000 over 1y, 9.3% of budgetCOURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE OF ORANGE COUNTY: $2,000,000 over 1y, 67% of budgetTHE NEW YORK TIMES COMMUNITIES FUND: $1,460,000 over 1y, 14% of budgetTHE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK: $1,452,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSDSN ASSOCIATION INC: $1,000,000 over 1y, 18% of budgetTHE WOODEN FLOOR FOR YOUTH MOVEMENT: $500,000 over 1y, 17% of budgetCREATIVE VISIONS FOUNDATION: $300,000 over 1y, 27% of budgetROAR FOUNDATION: $300,000 over 1y, 52% of budgetUnited Photo Industries Inc: $264,000 over 1y, 23% of budgetSECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF ORANGE COUNTY INC: $220,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetOPEN MEDICINE FOUNDATION: $150,000 over 1y, 5.7% of budgetSTRONG FOODLA KITCHEN: $100,000 over 1y, 2.8% of budgetLAGUNA BEACH COMMUNITY CLINIC: $50,000 over 1y, 2.6% of budgetBRAC USA INC: $29,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetLAGUNA BEACH SENIORS INC: $20,000 over 1y, 3.2% of budgetSTRAY CAT ALLIANCE: $15,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetWAIPA FOUNDATION: $10,000 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetBOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA: $10,000 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.

The William Jeff and …Orange County Communi…California Community …Silicon Valley Commun…National Philanthropi…Vanguard Charitable E…Donor Advised Charita…Fidelity Investments …American Online Givin…Amazonsmile Foundation
The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family FoundationCA22.1× affinity8 shared granteesties to 9 of 9Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation · Orange County Community Foundation · California Community Foundation · Silicon Valley Community Foundation · National Philanthropic Trust · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · American Online Giving Foundation Inc · Amazonsmile Foundation

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 William and Sue Gross Family Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The William and Sue Gross Family Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%10%20%30%40%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    8report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–40%
    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.
    04Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to The William and Sue Gross Family Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to The William and Sue Gross Family 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 28 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 2017, released 2017. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Possibly out of date. A more recent filing (FY2018) is on record and reports no grant expense, so the figures above are from FY2017, the most recent year this funder made grants.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on William and Sue Gross Family’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