Wasserman Foundation
The Wasserman Foundation is a private family foundation based in Los Angeles that funds education, arts & culture, health, service, and global initiatives. The site lists leadership (Executive Director Rica Rodman and Casey Wasserman) and describes giving priorities; ProPublica/990 records match the EIN and address. The foundation states it does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Established nonprofits working in education, arts & culture, health, major events/campaigns, or high-profile community initiatives—especially California-based organizations or national cultural institutions with a clear connection to the foundation's priorities or networks.
Good Fit
- • Located in California or running a major California-facing program or capital campaign.
- • Leading large capital campaigns, major galas, or high-profile events that accept sponsorship.
- • Clear alignment to education, arts/culture, health, or service initiatives named by the foundation.
- • Existing relationship or introduction to foundation leadership, staff, or board-connected networks.
- • Organizational capacity to manage six- or seven-figure gifts or multi-year partnerships.
- • Visibility in philanthropic networks where the foundation sources invited partners.
Geography
Observed giving spans roughly 30 states with meaningful out-of-state awards; however a strong California concentration remains (about 65% of dollars in-state).
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 173 distinct grantees and 197 grants across arts, education, health, events, and community causes, with a mix of small awards and several large institutional gifts.
New Applicants
Direct evidence shows many new grantees in the latest year, but the foundation explicitly states it does not accept unsolicited requests and no public submission route is provided, so unfamiliar applicants are unlikely to enter without introductions or invitation.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
