Majestic Realty has been in the real estate business since 1948 and is headquartered in Southern California. With a portfolio encompassing about 83 million square feet, it’s the largest privately-held developer and owner of master-planned business parks in the United States. The company launched its corporate philanthropy, the Majestic Realty Foundation (MRF), in 2002 to improve the quality of life in communities where it maintains a business presence.
Since the Los Angeles area is a prime place for MRF grantmaking, here are a few things that grantseekers there should know.
Focus areas are broad
MRF’s grantmaking generally falls into the following categories: youth, family, education, violence prevention and health. Youth funding has always been a prominent interest, with numerous grants going to youth centers and leadership programs for teens.
There are additional geographic interests
MRF supports grantees in the communities where Majestic Realty does business. The Majestic Realty company is headquartered in Industry, California, in eastern Los Angeles County. Many MRF grants stay close to home in the city of Los Angeles and elsewhere in the region. For example, grantees operate in places like Riverside, Pasadena, Walnut, Anaheim and West Covina. The San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire are top places for giving as well.
However, the company also has regional offices in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Las Vegas, Laredo, Phoenix, Portland and Bethlehem. Other recent MRF grantees are based in Colorado Springs, Provo and New York City.
Sample Los Angeles grantees
In Los Angeles, MRF steadily supports the Los Angeles Youth Leadership Council, a leadership program for inner-city youth. Other Los Angeles grantees include the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, Swim with Mike – USC and the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Many of these local grants have gone to support ongoing programs. Other MRF grants are part of the foundation’s Season of Sharing program, matching funds, annual campaigns and general operations. However, the foundation does not support startups, individuals, non-charities, lobbying, religious causes or pass-through organizations. Meanwhile, the foundation’s “Get on Board” campaign is a way for Majestic Realty employees to serve on charitable boards and further support the nonprofit sector.
Reaching out for support
MRF does not have a specific funding schedule, and accepts and reviews proposals all throughout the year. To initiate the grant application process, nonprofits may submit a written letter of introduction to the foundation providing basic details. For finalists, the foundation typically requests additional information and conducts a site visit.
Learn more about this funder and how it operates in IP’s full profile of the Majestic Realty Foundation.