Kirchgessner Vision Foundation
Historical FunderSherman Oaks, California · EIN 68-0530356 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2024)$598K
Organizations funded24
Typical grant$25,000
Total assets$19.9M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $7,500 and $30,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | CHRISTINE TUTHILL |
|---|---|
| Address | 1060 GAVIN LANE, NIPOMO CA 93444 |
| Phone | 3107048074 |
| GRANTSCOORDINATOR@KIRCHGESSNERFOUNDATION.ORG | |
| Form and materials | INITIALLY, AN APPLICANT SHOULD SUBMIT AN EXECUTED LETTER OF INTENT CONTAINING ALL CONTACT INFORMATION, INCLUDING EMAIL ADDRESS BUT NOT ACCOMPANIED BY ANY SUPPORTING MATERIALS, AND SHOULD BE SENT VIA EMAIL TO THE GRANTS COORDINATOR OF THE FOUNDATION AT GRANTSCOORDINATOR@KIRCHGESSNERFOUNDATION.ORG. THE LETTER OF INTENT SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE A STATEMENT THAT THE APPLICANT DOES AND WILL COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN THE FOUNDATION'S GRANTMAKING GUIDELINES. IF THE FOUNDATION REQUESTS THE SUBMISSION OF A FORMAL AND DETAILED APPLICATION, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL BE REQUIRED. |
| Deadlines | THE LETTER OF INTENT IS DUE BY OCTOBER 15TH EACH YEAR AND THE FORMAL GRANT APPLICATION BY FEBRUARY 1 |
| Restrictions | THE FOUNDATION PLACES THE HIGHEST PRIORITY ON THE GRANT PROPOSALS OF NONPROFITS SERVING COMMUNITIES IN THE FIVE-COUNTY REGION OF GREATER LOS ANGELES (LOS ANGELES, ORANGE, RIVERSIDE, SAN BERNARDINO AND VENTURA COUNTIES). AGENCIES WHO SERVE THE GREATER LA REGION BUT ARE HEADQUARTERED ELSEWHERE MAY ALSO APPLY FOR A GRANT. THE FOUNDATION MAKES GRANTS ONLY TO ORGANIZATIONS WHICH ARE CURRENTLY QUALIFIED AS TAX-EXEMPT UNDER INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 501(C)(3) AND ARE NOT PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS OR SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS. TYPICAL APPLICANTS ARE ORGANIZATIONS WHICH SEEK TO HELP THE BLIND AND OTHER VISION-IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS TO BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT. PARTICULAR CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO APPLICANTS FROM THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA, AS OUTLINED IN THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION STATEMENT. |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
16% of grants went outside California.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vision to Learn | Los Angeles, CA | General program support | $105,000 |
| Marshall B Ketchum University | Fullerton, CA | For continued support of the university's pediatric low vision program, and expand the scope of the program to provide underserved,… | $45,000 |
| Beyond Blindness Formerly Known As Blind Children's Learning Center | Santa Ana, CA | To expand its low vision clinic and community-wide vision screenings. | $40,000 |
| Wayfinder Family Services | Los Angeles, CA | For continued support of wayfinders child development services (previously known as early intervention program (the program), which program… | $35,000 |
| Western University of Health Sciences | Pomona, CA | To fund the purchase of advanced technology for use during in-office visits and as part of the independent living skills program… | $35,000 |
| Los Angeles City College Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | To employ tutors and a case manager all who are critical for the academic success of blind or visually impaired students pursuing higher… | $31,500 |
| Children's Hospital Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | To support small equipment purchases at its vision center throughout the 2025-2026 fiscal year. | $30,000 |
| Family Health Care Centers of Greater Los Angeles | Commerce, CA | To directly support vision care services in los angeles county | $30,000 |
| Healing California | Alhambra, CA | To directly support its vision care services in los angeles, orange, ventura, riverside, and/or san bernardino counties in 2025. | $30,000 |
| Venice Family Clinic | Venice, CA | To continue to support the clinics vision care program by funding the rental of retinal cameras that will allow vfc to reach more patients… | $30,000 |
| Braille Institute | Los Angeles, CA | For support of the institutes child development program in los angeles and orange counties during its 2025 fiscal year. | $25,000 |
| Choc Foundation | Orange, CA | Toward the purchase of a haag streit lenstar myopia package. | $25,000 |
| Therapeutic Living Centers for the Blind | Reseda, CA | For continued support of tlc's orientation & mobility (o&m) program specifically, to help cover the cost of its o&m specialist. | $25,000 |
| Academy of Music for the Blind | Monrovia, CA | General program support | $20,000 |
| Artsupla | Los Angeles, CA | To support some of artsup! la's production costs and provide rehearsal and performance stipends for the performers in theatre by the blind,… | $20,000 |
| Guide Dogs of America | Sylmar, CA | Toward the training of guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired | $20,000 |
| Valley Community Healthcare | North Hollywood, CA | To cover the cost of eye exams and glasses for myhealth LA patients. | $20,000 |
| Blind Children's Center | Los Angeles, CA | For general operating support at the center during the upcoming 2025/2026 school year. | $15,000 |
| Visitation Church | Osage, IA | General program support | $7,500 |
| Gustavus Adolphus College Michele Rusinko Endowment Fund | Saint Peter, MN | General program support | $3,500 |
| Archer School for Girls | Los Angeles, CA | General program support | $2,500 |
| The John Thomas Dye School | Los Angeles, CA | General program support | $2,500 |
| Exponent Philanthropy | Washington, DC | General program support | $500 |
| Women for Women International Global Support Center | Washington, DC | General program support | $300 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $598,300 | 24 |
| 2023 | $694,150 | 23 |
| 2022 | $764,851 | 28 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed May 12, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202641329349101524
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 68-0530356
- Profile updated Nov 6, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.