The James Irvine Foundation is a philanthropic
nonprofit organization established to benefit the people of
California. The foundation's grantmaking focuses on a California where all low-income workers have the power to advance economically.
The
foundation was created in 1937 by
James Harvey Irvine Sr. (1867–1947), as a charitable organization to hold controlling stock in the Irvine Company, because his intended successor, James Harvey Irvine Jr. (1894–1935) died of tuberculosis in 1935. Since 1937 the foundation has provided more than $1.98 billion in grants to nonprofit organizations throughout California. With about $3.8 billion in assets, the foundation made grants of $129 million in 2021.
The foundation is based in
San Francisco, with an office in
Los Angeles. The current president & CEO of the James Irvine Foundation is Don Howard.
Grantmaking
In 2016, the Irvine Foundation announced it would focus its grantmaking on expanding economic and political opportunity for Californians who are working but struggling with poverty.
History
James Irvine's father was an Irish immigrant who arrived in
San Francisco in 1849 during the
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush (1848–1855) was a gold rush that began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The news of gold brought approximately 300,000 people to California fro ...
and established himself as a successful businessman. Later, he branched out geographically and acquired some of land in what is now
Orange County. Upon his father's death, James Irvine inherited the land, which at the time was used as a stock ranch, and turned it into one of the largest, most productive agricultural enterprises in the state.
In response to the
Great Depression
The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...
, James Irvine decided to establish a foundation in 1937 that would promote the "general well-being of the citizens and residents of the state of California." The foundation became the primary stockholder of the
Irvine Company, which owned the
Irvine Ranch. With the rapid growth of
Southern California during the 1940s and 50s, The
Irvine Company was under pressure to develop its property. But in contrast to the unplanned sprawl nearby, the company worked to ensure that development was well planned and included a range of uses on its property such as
higher education and
agriculture.
Eventually, in the 1970s, the Irvine Foundation was forced to sell its shares in the company and diversify its holdings. When James Irvine died in 1947, his gift to the foundation was valued at $5.6 million. By 2007, these assets had grown to more than $1.8 billion.
Assets and Financial Information
The James Irvine Foundation
References
External links
The James Irvine Foundation
(www.irvine.org)
Arts program publications
The James Irvine Foundation commissioned-publications
Youth program publications
The James Irvine Foundation commissioned-publications
California Democracy program publications
The James Irvine Foundation commissioned-publications
The James Irvine Foundation is ranked number 32.
Leadership Awards
The James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards
{{Authority control
Non-profit organizations based in California
Organizations based in San Francisco
Organizations established in 1937
1937 establishments in California