OVERVIEW: The Apatow-Mann Family Foundation’s grantmaking invests in the arts, health, civic and educational organizations.
IP TAKE: The modest foundation lacks transparency and does not accept unsolicited applications, which makes it difficult to get on this funder’s radar. The foundation prefers a proactive grantmaking approach that doesn’t publicly name giving strategies. New grantseekers will need to network here, which will be challenging since the foundation doesn’t have a large staff or offer contact by phone or email. While grantmaking prioritizes SoCal, the foundation also makes grants across the U.S.
PROFILE: Founded in 2007 the Apatow-Mann Family Foundation was established by screenwriter and producer Judd Apatow and his wife, actress Leslie Mann. Raised on Long Island, Judd Apatow attended USC and studied screenwriting. Apatow worked as a stand-up comedian and later earned an Emmy for his writing on The Ben Stiller Show. After creating the critically acclaimed series Freaks and Geeks, he went on to direct, write and produce the hit film, The 40-Year-Old Virgin. He followed with Knocked Up, and other films. Apatow has worked as a producer and screenwriter for other big-screen comedies and was an executive producer for HBO’s series, Girls.
The Apatow-Mann Family Foundation’s grantmaking includes support of health, arts, educational and civic engagement organizations. Apatow and Leslie make grants to a variety of causes and support a range of organizations.
Grants for Los Angeles and SoCal
Apatow and Leslie are longtime supporters of 826LA, which supports encouraging and developing the writing skills of disadvantaged youth. Apatow is passionate about literacy and says, “I realized learning how to write was something that helped me survive. I think it’s a good thing to provide that assistance to kids who don’t have the money to pay for tutors.”
Past grantees include the ACLU of Southern California, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, The UCLA Fund, Fulfillment Fund, Friends of Saban Free Clinic, City Year Los Angeles, and Children’s Law Center of California.
Grants for Health and Human Services
Apatow and Mann, via their foundation, have supported Los Angeles Men’s Place, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Cedars Sinai, Project ALS, Venice Family Clinic, City of Hope, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering. The couple’s health grantmaking runs the gamut, but cancer research appears to be a priority.
Grants for K-12 and Higher Education
Apatow and Mann are longtime supporters of 826LA, which encourages and develops the writing skills of disadvantaged youth. Apatow is passionate about literacy, as he put it, “I realized learning how to write was something that helped me survive. I think it’s a good thing to provide that assistance to kids who don’t have the money to pay for tutors.”
The couple has supported UCLA Fund, Save the Children, City Year Los Angeles, LA Leadership Academy, Children’s Defense Fund, Crossroads School, and Marquette University, and Fulfillment Fund, and other programs.
Grants for Arts and Culture
Apatow and Mann have supported Inner-City Arts, American Film Institute, KCRW Foundation, and Labyrinth Theater in New York.
Grants for the Environment
The couple has supported environmental organizations NRDC and Oceana.
Grants for Violence Prevention
The couple has steadily supported The Rape Foundation. They support gun violence prevention and have funded the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
Other grantmaking opportunities:
The foundation has given between $10,000 and $100,000 to the Obama Foundation.
Apatow is an investor in CrowdRise, “a fundraising site to raise money for personal causes and get instant access to the funds.”
Important Grant Details:
Grants range from $1,000 to $15,000. In a recent tax year, the foundation made grants of a little under $700,000.
This foundation’s tax filings do not confirm whether it accepts unsolicited applications, but given this lack of transparency, it likely does not.
PEOPLE:
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CONTACT:
Apatow-Mann Family Foundation
8383 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 400
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
