The Eaton Foundation does not conduct or administer its charitable programs. Still, it operates mainly by making grants to organizations that can satisfy basic human needs for human welfare. The Eaton Foundation’s articles of incorporation do not require the foundation to support any particular charitable causes or institutions.
Similarly, the terms of its establishment do not commit the foundation to the advocacy or promotion of any specific theories or doctrines in fields in which it may be interested. Therefore, The Eaton Foundation may choose from various charitable endeavors to accomplish its purpose.
The Eaton Foundation does have established policies to guide its board of directors in allocating its donations; they are:
1. The Eaton Foundation does not make grants to individuals for any purpose, nor does it participate in the administration of programs it supports in the areas of scholarships, student aid, or medical assistance. Grants are made to organizations operating such programs when the selection of recipients is conducted in conformity with accepted standards.
2. Grants are usually not made to organizations soliciting funds to support projects or programs operated by someone other than the applicant.
3. Foundation grants are confined to the support of charitable organizations that address the foundation’s Purpose, Philosophy, and Mission Statement. Each organization must have tax-exempt status as a charitable organization granted by the Internal Revenue Service and the California Franchise Tax Board.
4. The Eaton Foundation only makes grants to charitable organizations operating in the State of California and only in aid of programs addressing its Foundation’s Purposes, Philosophy, and Mission Statement that benefit California residents.
5. The Eaton Foundation is principally interested in providing improved or expanded services through programs already in operation. Prospective applicants should not request funds to pay regular operating expenses or aid in establishing organizations or programs’ operational phases.
6. The Eaton Foundation grants funds for expenditures before they are made, but, in the absence of compelling circumstances, it does not make grants to liquidate or reduce previously incurred obligations or operating deficits.
All applications for grants within the preceding policy limitations are given careful consideration and evaluation by The Eaton Foundation’s Board of Directors. The deliberations of the board include an analysis of each application in terms of the following criteria:
1. The severe and current need for the facilities or services proposed by the applicant and the extent to which the project would duplicate existing facilities or services in the geographically affected area.
2. The reasonableness of the budget for the project, including assurances as to the availability of the requisite funds for the project to the extent that they are not to be furnished by the proposed grant.
3. The degree to which the project will have efficient and economic management by experienced and competent persons.
4. The assurance that the results obtained by the project will be effectively communicated to, and practically utilized by, the persons whose needs are to be served, and whether the benefits that can be reasonably anticipated from the project warrant the investment required by The Eaton Foundation when compared with the alternatives available for the use of the same funds.
The final action taken on each application is communicated to the correspondent named on the Application for Grant (page 1) in writing following the meeting at which the organization’s application is approved or denied.
The Eaton Foundation accepts applications for grants from qualified tax-exempt charitable organizations operating within the State of California. Applications are not accepted by individuals. Regular meetings of the Eaton Foundation’s Board of Directors are held semi-annually in the winter and summer to consider and take final action on pending grant applications.
Applications must be fully completed and delivered to The Eaton Foundation office by September 30 for consideration at the board of directors fall meeting held in October/November.
All applications must include the following:
Application for Grant must be made using the Foundation’s online grant application. The following items must be attached to the online grant application:
1. Copy of a valid Internal Revenue Service letter granting exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
2. Copy of a valid California Franchise Tax Board letter granting exemption under Section 23701d of the Revenue & Taxation Code.
3. Copy of a valid Notification of Status under Section 509(a) of the Tax Reform Act of 1969 issued after January 1, 1970, classifying the organization as: “a private foundation;” “a private operating foundation;” or “not a private foundation.”
1. Current list of officers, directors, and/or trustees.
2. The correspondent submitting the application should be an executive director, administrator, manager, or officer who is fully qualified to amplify the information in the application and is available during regular business hours.
1. A detailed statement of the request and the need for a grant. The Foundation may request additional information.
2. A statement of how the organization’s proposed project is consistent with The Eaton Foundation’s purpose and philosophy.
Communications with individual directors of The Eaton Foundation will not be of assistance to the applicant and are discouraged.
Service Area
Southern California
