Wasserman Foundation

The Wasserman Foundation is a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited applications. All grants are initiated by the foundation based on the interests of the Wasserman family, currently led by Casey Wasserman (grandson of founders Lew and Edie Wasserman). The most viable path to funding is through relationship-building: securing an introduction through Casey Wasserman, foundation staff (Executive Director Rica Rodman), or an existing grantee organization. Organizations should focus on building visibility in the Los Angeles philanthropic community, particularly in education reform, healthcare, and arts/culture. Participating in convenings, coalitions, and collaborative initiatives alongside current Wasserman grantees (such as Partnership for Los Angeles Schools or UCLA) can create organic connection points. The foundation values long-term partnerships over one-time grants, so demonstrating sustained impact and organizational stability is essential.

Analysis of the Wasserman Foundation's 990 filings from 2020-2024 reveals clear patterns. Total distributions have grown from $12M (2020) to $15M (2024), even as assets declined from $148M to $114M, indicating accelerated charitable spending. Grant volume increased from 106 grants (2020) to 197 grants (2024), showing a trend toward broader but more varied grant sizes. UCLA Foundation is by far the largest recipient, receiving $7M+ annually across education, athletics, and capital projects. The median grant is $10,000, but the range spans from $500 to $3M. The bulk of grants (103 of 197 in 2024) fall in the $5K-$25K range, with only 8 grants exceeding $500K. Geographic concentration is heavy in California (78 grants in 2024) with a secondary cluster in New York (33 grants). Education and arts/culture dominate, followed by health and community service.

The Wasserman Foundation is mid-sized among Los Angeles-area private foundations. Unlike peers such as Weingart and Parsons, it does not accept unsolicited proposals, making it more exclusive. Its $15M annual giving represents strong payout relative to its $114M asset base (approximately 13%), well above the IRS-required 5% minimum. The foundation co-funded a $1M wildfire relief donation with the Annenberg Foundation, indicating collaborative relationships with larger LA funders.

In early 2025, the Wasserman Foundation made headlines by joining the Annenberg Foundation in donating $1 million to the LA Fire Department Foundation in response to the devastating Los Angeles County wildfires. The foundation continued its deep commitment to UCLA, with $7M+ directed to the UCLA Foundation in 2024 across multiple initiatives including $2M for the UCLA CARES program (Childhood Anxiety and Resilience Education), $1.5M for Pauley Pavilion renovations, and $1.5M for athletics. Other notable 2024 grants include $1M to Choose Chicago Foundation for hospitality and tourism initiatives and $757K to The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. The foundation expanded its grant count from 141 (2022) to 197 (2024), signaling a broadening of its philanthropic reach while maintaining core commitments to education and arts/culture in Los Angeles.

Since the Wasserman Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, traditional application strategies do not apply. Instead, consider these approaches: (1) Build relationships with current grantees, particularly Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, UCLA, and LAUSD partners, who may be willing to make introductions. (2) Engage with Casey Wasserman's professional network through Los Angeles civic and philanthropic events — he is deeply connected in sports, entertainment, and education circles. (3) Align your work with the foundation's core priorities: LA public school transformation, high-quality healthcare access, arts and cultural preservation, and first responder/military support. (4) Review the foundation's 990 filings on ProPublica or Grantmakers.io to identify peer organizations receiving funding and explore partnership opportunities with them. (5) Maintain a strong public profile in Los Angeles — the foundation favors organizations with established community reputations and demonstrable impact. (6) Contact the foundation office at (310) 407-2000 to express interest, though expectations should be modest as they clearly state no unsolicited requests are accepted.