Kelly Foundation
The Kelly Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to supporting various charitable initiatives, primarily focused on health and human services, education, and civic improvement. Its mission emphasizes empowering vulnerable populations, including the unhoused, children, and women, through programs that provide housing assistance, food security, and educational opportunities. The foundation actively funds organizations that advocate for mental health, youth development, and foster care, reflecting a commitment to community welfare and social justice. While its primary focus is on California, the foundation's impact extends to various sectors and populations, demonstrating a broad commitment to improving lives and fostering community resilience.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A California-based nonprofit (especially in the Sacramento region) running programmatic work in housing, food security, youth development, mental health, or women’s empowerment that fits project-level grants.
Good Fit
- • Programs operating in Sacramento or nearby California counties.
- • Project budgets matching typical grant sizes (many grants fall in the $10K–$25K band, with occasional larger awards).
- • Clear, time-limited program requests aligned with housing, food, youth, or mental-health services.
- • Ability to meet quarterly application deadlines and follow stated online submission instructions.
Geography
Observed giving is heavily concentrated in California (about 98% of dollars), with only minimal out‑of‑state awards across three states in the latest year.
Recipient Variety
In the latest year the foundation funded 85 distinct recipients across diverse program areas, and the top five recipients received only 18% of dollars, showing a broad and varied recipient set.
New Applicants
Across three years the foundation shows substantial turnover (47 new recipients in the latest year, a >50% new rate) and filings include published application guidelines and quarterly deadlines, indicating strong practical likelihood that unfamiliar applicants can enter the portfolio.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
