OVERVIEW: The Carol and James Collins Foundation aims to enrich the lives of children, youth and families, particularly the underserved, in the Southern California area.
IP TAKE: The foundation does not maintain a website, which restricts transparency about grantmaking strategies and guidelines.
PROFILE: Established in 1985, the Carol and James Collins Foundation was established by restaurant mogul James Collins and his wife Carol. James formed Collins Foods International (CFI), which was restructured as Sizzler International. The foundation does not maintain a website, but James Collins’ personal website details some of the foundation’s interests and philanthropic partners. The Carol and James Collins Foundation aims to enrich the lives of children, youth and families, particularly the underserved, in the Southern California area.
The foundation supports groups and institutions that “give people the tools to become educated, healthy, self-reliant, contributing members of society.” Most grantmaking focuses on educational, youth, health, or human services organizations. The couple steadily support their mutual alma mater UCLA, which three of their children also attended. They made a $5 million gift to David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, creating the Carol and James Collins Endowed Fund in Geriatric Medicine. They’ve also given tens of millions to Cal Poly Pomona, home to the Collins College of Hospitality Management.
Grants range from $250 to $25,000. In a recent year, the foundation gave away around $770,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on Los Angeles, including the San Gabriel Valley. Past local grantees include Alliance for College Ready Public Schools, home to the Alliance Collins Family College Ready High School; Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley; Loyola Marymount University; East Valley Family YMCA; and East Valley Family YMCA.
The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.
PEOPLE:
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CONTACT:
The Carol and James Collins Foundation
11911 San Vincente Blvd., Ste. 320
Los Angeles, CA 90049