Samuel H. French and Katherine Weaver French Fund

Start your application

Apply Online

Mission

The French Fund is concerned primarily with the welfare and/or education of the elderly, the sight-impaired, and the young.

Annual application deadlines

June 1

Program areas

Education
Health
Human services

Program limitations

Grants shall be used primarily for programs that benefit the elderly, the sight-impaired, and the young.

States served

California

Geographic limitations

San Diego region of California.

Population served

Elderly, Sight-Impaired, Young

Trustees

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Grants shall be used for programs in the San Diego region of California that benefit the elderly, sight-impaired, and the young.

Requirements

  • To be eligible, organizations must qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
  • Applications must be submitted through the online grant application form or alternative accessible application designed for assistive technology users.

Limitations

Start-up organizations, capital campaigns, salaries, endowments, and events are generally not supported.

Grantmaking priorities

Typically, requests for specific projects are preferred over requests for general operating support.

Average giving

Average grant size: $5,000 to $30,000
Average number of grants per year: 45
Average total giving per year: $350,000

Annual application period and deadlines

Applications must be submitted by the June 1 deadline to be reviewed at the grant meeting that occurs in July.

Communications

Applicants will receive an automated email confirming their submission. Grant decisions are generally communicated within two months after the deadline date.

Required reports

Except as otherwise specified when a grant is awarded, a progress report must be submitted within 6 months after receiving funds.

About the Foundation

Samuel H. French III and Katherine Weaver French were married in 1947. Samuel's family were partners in establishing Smith, Kline and French Laboratories, which has become SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories, one of the largest drug companies in the world. The couple had no children, but they were very active in supporting Tri-City Hospital and the Boys and Girls Club of Vista. Kay was a lifetime member of the San Diego Zoological Society. Their legacy continues through the fund’s support of the San Diego community.