Roy & Ida Eagle Foundation

## Approach Strategy

The Roy & Ida Eagle Foundation is a lean, invitation-only private foundation with no public grant portal and limited staff. Success depends on a well-crafted Letter of Inquiry (LOI) submitted by April 30.

Key positioning principles:

1. Lead with family impact. The foundation's core philosophy is that "family is the fundamental unit of society." Frame all programs in terms of how they strengthen, protect, or support family units — even animal welfare grants should emphasize the human-animal family bond.

2. Geographic specificity is critical. The foundation's primary focus is Northern Santa Barbara County and Kern County. If your organization operates in this region, state it prominently. If you serve adjacent areas, explain the connection to North County communities.

3. Keep the LOI to 1–2 pages. The foundation explicitly requests brevity. A longer LOI signals you don't follow instructions — a red flag for a small-staff foundation.

4. Quantify reach clearly. The LOI must state "number of people served, goals, and objectives." Use specific numbers (e.g., "serves 847 unduplicated clients annually in Santa Maria and Lompoc").

5. Show financial diversity. The LOI asks for other funding sources. Demonstrate you're not dependent on a single funder — this signals organizational stability.

6. Match your NTEE designation. The foundation requires 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) status. Confirm your designation in the opening paragraph.

Best-fit program areas: Domestic violence services, rape crisis centers, child abuse prevention, food banks, animal shelters, youth education, and health clinics for low-income populations.

## Funding Patterns

The Roy & Ida Eagle Foundation has grown steadily, disbursing $1.05M across 43 grants in 2024 — up from $713K (29 grants) in 2021. This represents a 47% increase in annual giving over three years, suggesting a foundation in an active growth phase.

Typical grant profile: - Median grant: ~$10,000 - Range: $500–$60,000 - Most common award: $5,000–$25,000 - Number of grants per cycle: ~39–43 annually

Revenue model: The foundation generates income entirely from investments (80% capital gains, 19% dividends) — zero public contributions. This makes it insulated from economic fundraising cycles, providing stable annual grant availability.

Grant frequency: Single annual cycle (LOI → invitation → application). No rolling or quarterly cycles. Budget accordingly.

## Peer Comparison

Comparable private foundations in Santa Barbara County and California serving similar populations:

Differentiators for Roy & Ida Eagle: - One of the few SB-area foundations with an explicit animal welfare priority - Strong domestic violence and child abuse prevention focus (reflects founder values) - Growing giving — more receptive to new grantees than a static funder - LOI-gated process means less competition than open-call foundations - North County and Kern County emphasis underserved by many SB-based funders

## Recent Activity

2024 (most recent fiscal year): - 43 grants totaling $1,050,405 — largest giving year in foundation history - Average grant: ~$24,430 (up significantly from prior years, suggesting larger individual awards) - Total assets: $14.6M with zero liabilities

2023: - 39 grants totaling $863,499 - Top confirmed grantees: Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, CASA, Domestic Violence Solutions, North County Rape Crisis & Child Protection Center

2022: - 36 grants totaling $820,067

Trend: The foundation increased grant count by 53% (2020→2024) and total giving by 25% (2020→2024). The jump to 43 grants and $1.05M in 2024 is notable — the foundation may be expanding its grantee roster.

Leadership stability: Sonya Schroeder has served as Executive Director with consistent compensation ($147,000 in 2024). The small staff structure (3 people) means relationship continuity is high — once a grantee, organizations tend to receive repeat funding.

Application cycle status (2026): LOI deadline is April 30, 2026. Organizations should begin relationship-building now if they haven't submitted previously.

## Application Tips

Before you apply: - Verify your organization holds 501(c)(3) status with a 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) designation (not (a)(3)) - Confirm your programs serve Northern Santa Barbara County or Kern County - Review the foundation website carefully — it lists five specific priority areas

Crafting your LOI: 1. Open with your 509(a) designation — "XYZ Nonprofit is a 501(c)(3) public charity with 509(a)(1) status, serving families in Santa Maria since 2005." 2. State the ask clearly — "We request $15,000 to fund our crisis intervention hotline serving 1,200 annual callers." 3. Use the family frame — Connect your work to strengthening, stabilizing, or protecting families 4. Be concrete with numbers — Clients served, outcomes measured, geographic footprint 5. List 2–3 other major funders — Shows stability; the foundation explicitly asks for this 6. Attach your IRS determination letter — Required, non-negotiable 7. Stay under 2 pages — This is a hard limit for a staff of three

Timing: - Submit LOI by April 30 (hard deadline) - If approved, complete the JotForm application by July 31 - Expect mid-year and year-end progress reports if funded

Red flags to avoid: - Applying without a 509(a)(1) or (a)(2) designation - Organizations outside the geographic focus without a strong North County nexus - Long LOIs or incomplete applications - First contact at or near the deadline