Foundation Guide

A Tour of Our Global Community of Giving

Foundation Guide

A Tour of Our Global Community of Giving

The David Bohnett Foundation

245 South Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills CA 90212
Tel: (310) 276-0001
Fax (310) 276-0007
Foundation Guide - David Bohnett Foundation

Mission

The David Bohnett Foundation has a few very specific focus areas. The overarching purpose of the foundation is to support causes that benefit society through social activism. The foundation provides grants and donations to projects and organizations that work in the following areas:

  • The positive and increased portrayal of LGBTQ people in the media
  • Organizations working specifically in Los Angeles for the betterment of all citizens
  • Gun control and the reduction in the sale of handguns as well as gun violence prevention
  • Voter registration and education
  • Environmental causes

While one of the foundation’s focus areas is specific to Los Angeles and to providing grants to non-profit organizations that work in the city and for the benefit of the citizens of Los Angeles, the foundation also provides grants within the key focus areas to non-profits across the United States.

Supported Causes

One of the key causes for the David Bohnett Foundation was the establishment of CyberCenters across the United States. These Internet cafes provide education, research and recreational opportunities for local LGBTQ communities using the Internet. The first CyberCenter was established at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, and there are currently 60 CyberCenters across the United States.

The main criteria for funding from the David Bohnett Foundation is that a non-profit provide substantial evidence-based data to show success and be in one of five main funding areas supported by the foundation. Unsolicited project requests are not accepted for the Fund for Los Angeles. LGBT organizations and other socially active organizations may apply using the stated grant guidelines available on the David Bohnett Foundation website.

Foundation provides funding in the following areas:

  • LGBT Community
    • Funding to groups and organizations that strive to provide equal rights and protections for all LGBTQ people.
  • CyberCenters
    • Community centers for the LGBTQ community across the United States
  • Fund for Los Angeles
    • Arts and culture funding for groups enriching the creative and cultural ethos of Los Angeles
  • Gun Violence Prevention
    • Funding for advocacy and research groups
  • Leadership Initiatives
    • Support and funding for development of leadership initiatives
  • Animal Language
    • Funding for research programs and understanding greats apes and chimpanzees

Projects

Grants have been awarded to the following non-profit organizations in the following areas. Current and past grantees include:

  • LGBT Community: $22 million
    • ACLU Foundation of Southern California
    • Ali Forney Center
    • Equality California Institute
    • Columbia Law School
  • Fund for Los Angeles: $68 million
    • Aid for AIDS/The Serra Project
    • All Saints Parish
    • Arts High Foundation
    • Calstart Inc.
  • Gun Violence Prevention: $4,6 million
    • Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence
    • Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence
    • Sandy Hook Promise Foundation
  • Leadership Initiatives
    • UCLA Lushkin School of Public Affairs Fellowship Program
    • NYU Wagner Fellowship Program
    • UM Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
    • Harvard’s Kennedy School
  • Animal Language: $2 million
    • Center for Great Apes
    • ASPCA
    • Animal Grantmakers
    • Friends of Washoe
    • Lincoln Park Zoological Society

The Foundation's History

The David Bohnett Foundation was established by David Bohnett in 2000. The initial endowment to establish the foundation was $32 million. In its first year, the foundation donated $2 million to LGBTQ organizations, gun control programs, voter registration initiatives and AIDS services.

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