Lawrence Foundation

The Lawrence Foundation is a family-run private foundation that has previously donated to left-of-center organizations advocating on environmental and criminal justice policy. 1 Located in Santa Barbara, California, the Lawrence Foundation was originally founded by Jeff Lawrence and his wife, Diane Troth, who passed away in 2016. As of 2025, the foundation is managed by Jeff and his two children, who are both trustees. 2

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At-A-Glance

Type: Non-profit, 501(c)(3), Private Foundation
Issue Areas: Environmental Policy, Criminal Justice Policy
Website: thelawrencefoundation.org
Formation:

2000

Executive Director:

Lori Read Mitchell

Location: Santa Monica, CA View on map
Tax ID: 95-4804431
Most Recent Filing: 2025
Budget (2025): Assets: $3,825,605 Revenue: $158,658 Expenses: $355,754

Contents

    Financials

    In 2023, the Lawrence Foundation reported total revenue of $160,924 and total expenses of $335,615, resulting in a deficit of $174,691 for the year. Total assets at year-end were valued at $3,770,623, with net assets of $2,811,466. The foundation’s revenue came primarily from dividends and interest on securities ($90,979), capital gains ($69,444), and interest from cash investments ($501). Total charitable disbursements amounted to $180,000, while operating and administrative expenses totaled $155,615. 3

    Grantmaking

    The Lawrence Foundation has two grant cycles, ending on April 30 and October 31 each year. In the first cycle of 2024, the Lawrence Foundation received 1,480 grant applications and funded 20 organizations. In the second cycle of 2024, the foundation received 1,527 applications and funded 17. 4

    In 2024, the Lawrence Foundation awarded grants to several left-of-center organizations advocating for left-of-center policy towards climate change, criminal and social justice reform,  and “food equity.” Grantees in 2024 included 350 Colorado, ALMA Backyard Farms, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund, Backpack Brigade, Beverly’s Birthdays, Children’s Organ Transplant Association, Code Read Inc, Clothes To Kids of Denver, Coral Reef Alliance, Daily Acts Organization, Defenders of Wildlife, Earth Guardians, Earth Law Center, Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW), Ewaste Collection Recycling Association Incorporated, Forward Steps, Friends Place on Capitol Hill, Green Corps, Hillsides, International Bird Rescue, Lomax Police Department, Natural Resources Defense Council, Nourishing Hope, Proyecto Pastoral, Re:wild Your Campus, Rewilding Chile, Sacramento Loaves and Fishes, Sandy Hook Promise, Santa Monica Mountains Fund, Southern Environmental Law Center, the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), UCLA Foundation, World Wildlife Fund, and Yampa Valley Sustainability Council. 4

    People

    Jeff Lawrence is the founding trustee of the Lawrence Foundation, CEO of Clivia Systems, and co-founder and president of the Common Grant Application. He was listed as a member of the UCLA Engineering Dean’s executive board as of 2025. Clivia Systems offers business and technology consulting, and the Common Grant Application provides online grant management tools. Previously, Jeff co-founded Trillium Digital Systems (acquired by Intel in 2000), worked as CTO of Intel’s Network Communications Group, and sat on the board of Guidance Software. 5

    As of May 2025, Lori Mitchell was the executive director of the Lawrence Foundation and is also the co-founder and vice president of Common Grant Application, a grant management platform for funders. Before her work with the foundation, she held roles in web development, senior administration, and marketing at Trillium Digital Systems. 2

    Financial Statistics

    Total Assets

    Total Revenue

    Total Expenses

    YearTotal AssetsTotal RevenueTotal ExpensesFiling
    2025 $3,825,605 $158,658 $355,754 View
    2024 $3,801,794 $481,269 $370,604 View
    2023 $3,770,623 $160,924 $335,615 View
    2022 $3,583,258 $103,234 $348,977 View
    2021 $4,700,308 $207,970 $367,149 View
    2020 $4,480,139 $518,531 $321,812 View

    Prior year filings: 2019, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011

    Expenses Detail

    Employee Compensation

    Highest Earning Employees

    EmployeeTitleTotal Compensation
    Lori Read MitchellExec. Director$88,000

    Grant Activity

    All-time grants received statistics from Candid dataset:

    • Total Grant Value: $794,426
    • Number of Grants: 8
    • Number of Funders: 5

    Selection of highest value grants received from the last seven years:

    AmountYearFunderSubject
    $1002023 The Ganger Foundation IncGENERAL PURPOSE

    All-time grants given statistics from Candid dataset:

    • Total Grant Value: $2,674,649
    • Number of Grants: 445
    • Number of Recipients: 230

    Selection of highest value grants given from the last seven years:

    AmountYearFunderSubject
    $10,0002020 Environment California Research & Policy CenterDedicated to protecting our air,water and open spaces.
    $10,0002020 The UCLA FoundationACTIVELY PROMOTING PHILANTHROPY AND MANAGING DONATED RESOURCES FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF UCLA
    $5,0002020 1951 Coffee CompanyTO PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF THE REFUGEE COMMUNITY IN THE UNITED STATES BY PROVIDING JOB TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT TO REFUGEES, ASYLEES, AND SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISA HOLDERS WHILE EDUCATING THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY ABOUT REFUGEE LIFE AND ISSUES.
    $5,0002020 American Association for the Advancement of ScienceTo advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all people.
    $5,0002020 BalancedTO HELP INSTITUTIONS OF ALL TYPES COMMIT TO BOLD (BUT REALISTIC) MENU CHANGES FOR A HEALTHIER FOOD SYSTEM ONE MENU AT A TIME.
    $5,0002020 Big Life Foundation USATO PROTECT AND SUSTAIN EAST AFRICA'S WILDLIFE AND WILD LANDS, INCLUDING ONE OF THE GREATEST POPULATIONS OF TUSKER ELEPHANTS LEFT IN AFRICA.
    $5,0002020 CODE READ INCTo bring books to children who may not be able to afford them.
    $5,0002020 COTA- Children's Organ Transplant Association, IncTo Assist Parents Of Children Who Require Organ Transplants.
    $5,0002020 Camp Thorpe IncTo provide a fun and safe camping experience to children and adults with special needs.
    $5,0002020 ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS USA INCTo Support Community-driven Development Programs Through Partnerships That Design And Implement Sustainable Engineering Projects.
    $5,0002020 Environmental Law Alliance WorldwideTo help grassroots environmental lawyers working in their home countries protect the environment and communities through law.
    $5,0002020 FCNL EDUCATION FUNDTo communicate with the members of Congress and administration to advance peace, justice, opportunity, and environmental stewardship across the country.
    $5,0002020 Green Corps IncTO TRAIN ORGANIZERS, PROVIDE FIELD SUPPORT FOR TODAY'S CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGNS, AND GRADUATE ACTIVISTS WHO POSSESS THE SKILLS, TEMPERAMENT, AND COMMITMENT TO FIGHT AND WIN TOMORROW'S ENVIRONMENTAL BATTLES.
    $5,0002020 Homeless Not ToothlessDEDICATED TO PROVIDING FREE AND QUALITY DENTAL CARE TO THE HOMELESS, FOSTER YOUTH, AND LOW-INCOME PERSONS IN LOS ANGELES, BRINGING BACK ONE SMILE AT A TIME.
    $5,0002020 Hopi ReliefTO SOURCE AND DISTRIBUTE NECESSARY SUPPLIES TO HOPI COMMUNITY MEMBERS
    $5,0002020 Organic Farming Research FoundationTO FOSTER THE IMPROVEMENT AND WIDESPREAD ADOPTION OF ORGANIC FARMILNG SYSTEMS.
    $5,0002020 President-Board of Trustees Santa Clara CollegeTO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ETHICAL LEADERS
    $5,0002020 Proyecto PastoralTo empower the Boyle Heights community through grassroots projects in education, leadership, and service.
    $5,0002020 Safe Place for YouthTO EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS TO THRIVE BY PROVIDING LASTING, COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS THAT ADDRESS RACIAL AND SOCIAL INEQUITY.
    $5,0002020 SeacologyTO PROTECT THREATENED ISLAND ECOSYSTEMS ALL OVER THE WORLD.
    $5,0002020 Surfrider FoundationDEDICATED TO THE PROTECTION AND ENJOYMENT OF THE WORLD'S OCEAN, WAVES, AND BEACHES FOR ALL PEOPLE.
    $5,0002020 The Loyalty FoundationPROVIDES FUNDING AND PROGRAMMING FOR STEM AND TECHNOLOGY-BASED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO UNDERSERVED K-12 YOUTH POPULATIONS.
    $5,0002020 The Nature ConservancyTo protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.
    $5,0002020 Tri Lakes CaresTo improve peoples lives through emergency, self-sufficiency and relief programs. As the only food pantry and human services organization located in, and serving the northern El Paso County.
    $5,0002020 Western Resilience Centerto advance environmental, economic, and social sustainability for current and future generations

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    Financials, employee compensation, and grant information provided by Candid.

    Mentioned in this Article

    References

    1. The Lawrence Foundation. “Overview.” Accessed May 15, 2025. https://thelawrencefoundation.org/overview.
    2.  The Lawrence Foundation. “Trustees and Staff.” Accessed May 15, 2025. https://thelawrencefoundation.org/trustees-and-staff.
    3.  Return of Private Foundation, Form 990-PF. The Lawrence Foundation. 2023. Accessed via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954804431/202441389349100709/full.
    4. The Lawrence Foundation. “2024 Grantees.” Accessed May 15, 2025. https://thelawrencefoundation.org/2024-grantees.
    5. LinkedIn. “Jeff Lawrence.” Accessed May 15, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-lawrence-3a6643/.