Hafif Foundation

The Hafif Foundation was established in 2019 by Greg Hafif as a personal legacy project honoring his father Herbert Hafif, a prominent Claremont attorney whose own charitable giving over 35 years totaled more than $20 million and included 3,000+ scholarships. The foundation reflects Herbert Hafif's known giving priorities: higher education scholarships, arts, medical/disability care, gang prevention, and drug rehabilitation. The IRS Form 990-PF lists application instructions as "Varies," deadlines as "Varies," and restrictions as "Varies" — indicating an informal, relationship-based grantmaking process rather than a structured competitive program. The primary contact is Greg Hafif directly: 269 W Bonita Ave, Claremont, CA 91711, phone (909) 624-1671. Organizations seeking funding should be located in the Pomona Valley / greater Claremont-La Verne-Pomona corridor of Los Angeles County, or have a direct connection to Herbert Hafif's legacy interests. The most relevant approach is a personalized letter or call to Greg Hafif explaining how the organization's mission aligns with Herbert Hafif's giving philosophy. Organizations working in higher education scholarships (particularly at University of La Verne or Pepperdine), disability/rehabilitation support (Be Perfect Foundation, Casa Colina), youth at-risk programs, or police/first responder foundations have the highest alignment with documented giving.

The Hafif Foundation's annual giving is highly variable, reflecting both the relatively new foundation (incorporated 2019) and the discretionary nature of the grantmaking. Annual charitable disbursements have ranged from $4,000 (2019, first year) to $145,000 (2020). Recent years: 2024: $12,870; 2023: $49,120; 2022: $71,650; 2021: $30,000; 2020: $145,000. The 2020 spike likely reflects a major gift to Be Perfect Foundation or University of La Verne, as those are the two dominant grantees. In 2024, the 13 grants totaled $12,870 — relatively low compared to prior years, suggesting possible shift in strategy or deferral of larger commitments. The foundation's entire revenue model is interest income on a $4.2M portfolio — no dividends, no capital gains, no outside contributions in 2024. Revenue of $45,925 in 2024 substantially exceeded expenses of $16,625, building retained net income. Be Perfect Foundation (paralysis/disability support, Pomona) is the largest single-year grantee, receiving $60,500 in 2024 across two grants. University of La Verne received $33,650 in 2024 across two grants, including the Burnis Simon Scholarship Fund. Pepperdine University received $20,000 in 2024. Casa Colina rehabilitation hospital received $7,000 in 2024. Nearly all grantees are in the eastern San Gabriel Valley / Pomona Valley corridor (Claremont, La Verne, Pomona, Studio City).

The Hafif Foundation is a small, family-directed legacy foundation in the $4M asset class — common in Southern California's attorney and entrepreneur philanthropic community. Unlike many California foundations that have formalized application processes, Hafif remains informal and relationship-based. Its asset base ($4.2M) is slightly lower than comparable legacy foundations from similar family backgrounds. The variability of annual giving (5-year range: $12K-$145K) is high compared to peers, suggesting opportunistic rather than programmatic grantmaking. The foundation is notable for concentrating on a small set of organizations in the immediate Pomona Valley geography, consistent with Herbert Hafif's hometown of Claremont and his business practice roots in that community.

In 2024 (990-PF filed November 2025), the Hafif Foundation reported assets of $4,224,730 (up from $4,195,430 in 2023), revenue of $45,925 (100% from interest income — no dividends or capital gains), and charitable disbursements of $12,870. This was the foundation's lowest annual giving since 2019, down significantly from $49,120 in 2023. The 2024 grant portfolio concentrated on Be Perfect Foundation (two grants totaling $60,500 — notably this exceeds the reported $12,870 in disbursements, suggesting either the $12,870 represents end-of-year disbursements for a different period or the grantmakers.io data reflects a different filing year). Foundation website content as of early 2026 remains minimal — primarily the Herbert Hafif memorial legacy page with board member bios. The foundation has 5 board members (Greg Hafif CEO/CFO/Director, Carter Hafif Secretary/Director, and three independent directors including Fenja Klaus, Thomas Cerafice, Brooke Hafif). All board service is uncompensated. The foundation appears to be in a period of portfolio consolidation and investment growth rather than aggressive disbursement.

Application approach: Contact Greg Hafif directly — 269 W Bonita Ave, Claremont, CA 91711, phone (909) 624-1671. The foundation website offers a "Contact Us" form and sign-up. The 990-PF does not indicate any formal RFP or application cycle ("Varies" in all fields).

Who to contact and how: 1. Personal relationship first: This is a memorial foundation operated by a family. The most successful grants appear to come from organizations with existing relationships with the Hafif family (Be Perfect Foundation, Casa Colina, and University of La Verne — all in the immediate Claremont/Pomona/La Verne area). 2. Align with Herbert Hafif's legacy priorities: Medical causes, higher education scholarships, arts, gang prevention, drug rehabilitation, and community service. These are documented from both the foundation website and Herbert Hafif's personal giving history. 3. Scholarships at Pomona Valley universities: The Burnis Simon Scholarship Fund at University of La Verne and Pepperdine University scholarships are active. Other accredited universities near Claremont (Harvey Mudd, Pomona College, Cal Poly Pomona) may have relevance — approach through institutional development offices first. 4. Disability and rehabilitation organizations: Be Perfect Foundation (paralysis/spinal cord) and Casa Colina (rehabilitation hospital) are major multi-year grantees. Similar organizations serving disability communities in LA County have high alignment. 5. Youth and at-risk programs: Heads Up Youth Foundation (disadvantaged/foster youth, Studio City) received funding. Anti-gang programs and drug rehabilitation organizations are mentioned in Herbert Hafif's legacy — consider this a priority area for the foundation despite no recent documented grants in this category. 6. Realistic grant range: Historical grants to active grantees range from $620 (AgingNext) to $60,500 (Be Perfect Foundation, two grants). For a first-time grantee, $5,000–$15,000 is a realistic ask based on recent non-lead grantee amounts.