Who funds Community Development & Housing in California

If you run a community development or housing nonprofit in California, you're competing for funding in one of the most active philanthropic markets in the country. The funders below have made clear commitments to this work. Knowing who they are, what their giving actually looks like, and how they think about housing and community development is the foundation of a real funding strategy.

Carl Victor Page Memorial Foundation

The Carl Victor Page Memorial Foundation distributes roughly $285 million annually across a broad range of causes, including community development and housing alongside economic empowerment, environment, and human services. Their grants tend to run around $6.3 million, which puts them in a different scale than most California funders. This is a foundation that moves significant capital. If your work aligns with their priorities and you have a relationship that can open the door, it's worth pursuing. See their profile

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Foundation

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Foundation gives about $235 million a year across education, health, civic engagement, and community development. Community development and housing is one of several focus areas, not their primary one, so approach with a clear theory of how your work connects to their broader mission. Typical grants run around $1.7 million. See their profile

The California Endowment

The California Endowment is one of California's most active funders, distributing roughly $138 million annually. Community development and housing sits alongside arts, education, criminal justice, and economic empowerment in their portfolio. Their giving is distributed across many organizations and geographies. Typical grants tend to run around $68,000, which means they fund a lot of organizations at a modest scale. This is a funder worth building a relationship with over time. See their profile

Samueli Foundation

The Samueli Foundation is focused specifically on community development and housing. They distribute about $78 million annually, and their typical grant is $100,000. This is a funder whose mission is tightly aligned with the work itself. They are worth knowing well and worth approaching when your project matches their focus. See their profile

The Ahmanson Foundation

The Ahmanson Foundation gives roughly $64 million a year across education, arts, human services, health, and community development. Community development and housing is one of several priorities. Typical grants run around $61,000. Like The California Endowment, they fund many organizations at a modest scale, which means they are accessible but require a clear fit and a real relationship. See their profile

Knowing these funders is the start. The real work is building relationships before you need the money. If there's a funder relationship in this space you want Funding Findr to keep an eye on, or a funder you're curious about, let us know.

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