//
Work at this foundation?
Claim this profile to manage it and see interest from grant seekers.
Lynn Foundation is a private corporation based in REDDING, CA. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 2023. The principal officer is David Lynn. It holds total assets of $10.1M. Annual income is reported at $548K. Total assets have grown from $6.4M in 2011 to $10.1M in 2022. The foundation is governed by 4 officers and trustees. Tax records are available from 2016 to 2023. Funding is distributed across 4 states, including Redding, CA, Northern California, California. According to available records, Lynn Foundation has made 116 grants totaling $767K, with a median grant of $3K. Annual giving has grown from $329K in 2022 to $438K in 2023. Individual grants have ranged from $500 to $50K, with an average award of $7K. The foundation has supported 39 unique organizations. The foundation primarily supports organizations in California, Tennessee, Texas, which account for 76% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 11 states. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
## Approach Strategy
Lynn Foundation is a tightly-held family private foundation with no public-facing grant portal or open application process. All grantmaking is relationship-driven and mission-constrained to Christian ministries and faith-based organizations. The Lynn family (David, Don, and Darlene Lynn) collectively controls all funding decisions.
Best approach: Direct personal outreach to Don Lynn at (530) 223-0286. A formal letter of inquiry on organizational letterhead, describing the faith-based mission alignment, program impact, and funding need, is the required first step. Unsolicited proposals outside the Christian/faith-based scope will not be considered.
The foundation distributes approximately $230,000 annually across ~29 grants, suggesting an average grant of ~$7,500-$8,000, with flagship grants reaching $50,000 for strategic partners (e.g., Youth Alive Ministries). Most grants are in the $500-$10,000 range for smaller ministries.
## Funding Patterns
The foundation's income model is unusual: it loans money to generate interest income, which is then distributed as grants. This creates a relatively stable, predictable grantmaking budget tied to interest rates rather than market returns.
Geographic breadth: Primarily Northern California (Redding area), with some grants to national Christian organizations (Texas, New York reported in grant databases).
## Peer Comparison
| Foundation | Location | Assets | Annual Giving | Grant Range | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lynn Foundation | Redding, CA | $10.1M | $232K | $500–$50K | Christian ministries, faith-based |
| Shasta Regional Community Foundation | Redding, CA | ~$30M | ~$2M | $1K–$50K | Broad community, Northern CA |
| Simpson University Foundation | Redding, CA | <$5M | Varies | Scholarships | Christian higher education |
| McConnell Foundation | Redding, CA | ~$450M | ~$10M | $10K–$500K+ | Broad, Northern CA |
Lynn Foundation occupies a niche as the region's primary faith-focused family foundation, with a much smaller footprint than McConnell but a clear identity in the Christian nonprofit sector. Its relationship-based model means competition is less relevant than alignment.
## Recent Activity
## Application Tips
1. Verify faith alignment first: This foundation exclusively funds Christian and faith-based organizations. Secular nonprofits need not apply.
2. Call before writing: Don Lynn ((530) 223-0286) is the key contact. A brief phone conversation to gauge interest before submitting a formal letter of inquiry can save significant time.
3. Letter of inquiry format: Keep it concise (1-2 pages). Include: (a) organization's faith mission statement, (b) specific program description, (c) dollar amount requested, (d) how funds will be used, (e) other funding sources, (f) IRS determination letter reference.
4. Show local ties: Northern California and Redding-area organizations appear to receive priority. Emphasize any local community impact.
5. Realistic ask size: The median grant is ~$3,000. First-time applicants should consider requesting $1,000–$5,000. Flagship relationships like Youth Alive ($50K) were likely built over years.
6. No deadline pressure: The foundation has no published deadlines, meaning applications can be submitted year-round — but don't wait on timing as an excuse to delay outreach.
7. Avoid mission drift framing: Do not try to position a secular program as faith-adjacent. The trustees are experienced faith community members who will recognize inauthentic framing.
Create a free Granted account to download this report — includes application checklist, full financial data, and all grantees.
Already have an account? Sign in to download.
Grants to Christian nonprofits and ministries in Northern California and beyond
Funding for local churches and church facilities
Support for youth-focused Christian organizations like Youth Alive Ministries
Support for faith-based organizations providing human services
## Funding Patterns - Total assets (2023): $10.05M — stable, investment-income-driven foundation - Annual distributions: ~$232,571 (2023), ~$219,000 (2022) - Grant count: ~29 awards per year - Grant range: $500–$50,000 - Median grant: ~$3,000 - Average grant: ~$7,500-$8,000 - Top grant (2022): $50,000 to Youth Alive Ministries (Assemblies of God aligned) - Second tier: $40,000 to Elevate Ministries; $20,000 to KVIP Christian Radio - Remaining ~26 grants: Predominantly $500–$5,000 to smaller loca.
Lynn Foundation has distributed a total of $767K across 116 grants. The median grant size is $3K, with an average of $7K. Individual grants have ranged from $500 to $50K.
## Approach Strategy Lynn Foundation is a tightly-held family private foundation with no public-facing grant portal or open application process. All grantmaking is relationship-driven and mission-constrained to Christian ministries and faith-based organizations. The Lynn family (David, Don, and Darlene Lynn) collectively controls all funding decisions.
Lynn Foundation is headquartered in REDDING, CA. While based in CA, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 11 states.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Lynn | Pres/Sec | $10K | $0 | $10K |
| Becky Kampschroeder | Vice President | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Darlene Lynn | Vice President | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Don Lynn | Vice President | $0 | $0 | N/A |
Total Giving
$283K
Total Assets
$10.1M
Fair Market Value
N/A
Net Worth
$10.1M
Grants Paid
$219K
Contributions
N/A
Net Investment Income
$17K
Distribution Amount
N/A
Total Grants
116
Total Giving
$767K
Average Grant
$7K
Median Grant
$3K
Unique Recipients
39
Most Common Grant
$1K
of 2023 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Baptist ChurchTo further tax exempt religious goals | Friona, TX | $3K | 2023 |
| Word Of LifeTo further tax exempt religious goals | Schroon Lake, NY | $1K | 2023 |
| Youth Alive MinistriesTo further tax exepmt religiousgoals | Viola, CA | $50K | 2023 |
| Elevate MinistriesTo further tax exempt religious goals | Fullerton, CA | $40K | 2023 |
| Kvip Christian RadioTo further tax exempt religious goals | Redding, CA | $20K | 2023 |
| Pathway ChurchTo further tax exempt religious goals | Redding, CA | $15K | 2023 |
| Grace Baptist ChurchTo further tax exempt religious goals | Redding, CA | $15K | 2023 |
| Good News Rescue MissionTo further tax exempt religious goals | Redding, CA | $10K | 2023 |
| Ripe For HarvestTo further tax exempt religious goals | San Diego, CA | $10K | 2023 |
| Cef Norcal Northern CountiesTo further tax exempt religious goals | Chico, CA | $6K | 2023 |
| Jaron MinistriesTo further tax exempt religious goals | Chattanooga, TN | $5K | 2023 |
| Shasta Bible ChurchTo further tax exempt religious goals | Redding, CA | $5K | 2023 |
| Care NetTo further tax exempt religious goals | Redding, CA | $4K | 2023 |
| Life Light Pregnancy Help CenterTo further tax exempt religious goals | Redding, CA | $4K | 2023 |
| Camp HopeTo further tax exempt religious goals | Houston, TX | $4K | 2023 |
| Cottonwood Bible Baptist ChurchTo further tax exempt religious goals | Cottonwood, CA | $3K | 2023 |
| Scott Valley Christian AcademyTo further tax exempt religious goal | Fort Jones, CA | $3K | 2023 |
| Tomorrow Clubs InternationalTo further tax exempt religious goals | Eagan, MN | $3K | 2023 |
| The Hope EffectTo further tax exempt religious goals | Peoria, AZ | $3K | 2023 |
| Shasta Childrens MinisteriesTo further tax exempt religious goals | Redding, CA | $3K | 2023 |
| International Gospel MissionsTo further tax exempt religious goals | Rochester, NY | $3K | 2023 |
| New Light Discovery ProjectTo further tax exempt religious goals | Redding, CA | $2K | 2023 |
| Riverview Sunset RotaryTo further tax exempt religious goals | Redding, CA | $2K | 2023 |
| Proclaim MinistriesTo further tax exempt religious goals | Redding, CA | $1K | 2023 |
| Make A WishTo further tax exempt religious goals | Redding, CA | $1K | 2023 |
| Southwest Radio MinistriesTo further tax exempt religious goals | Bethany, OK | $1K | 2023 |
MENLO PARK, CA
LOS ANGELES, CA
PALO ALTO, CA