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Frequently Asked Questions About SCG

What is SCG?
Begun in 1973, SCG is a regional membership association of private-sector grantmakers whose mission is to support and advance effective and responsible philanthropy for the public good. SCG’s members are located in five Southern California Counties: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura.

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What does SCG do?
SCG connects members to one another and the broader philanthropic community; provides educational and skills-building programs, as well as a wide array of information resources; and serves as the voice of philanthropy in the region.

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Who are SCG’s members?
SCG membership is open to individual philanthropists, family foundations, private independent foundations, community foundations and public foundations, as well as corporate foundations and giving programs that give at least $25,000 annually in the Southern California region. There are currently 145 members that fall into the following categories:

• Family foundations = 32%
• Private independent foundations = 28%   
• Corporate foundations/giving programs = 21%
• Public foundations = 7%
• Private operating foundations = 4%
• Other grantmakers, including individuals = 4%
• Community foundations = 3%

Learn more about SCG members and their grantmaking by viewing or printing a Membership Snapshot (PDF, 78 KB).

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How much do SCG members give in grants?
$2.5 billion annually in grants locally, statewide, nationally and internationally. (Figures from Foundation Directory Online)

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How much do SCG’s members hold in assets?
$53 billion. (Figures from Foundation Directory Online)

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What issues do SCG members want to impact?
Members fund in a wide variety of issue areas:

• Aging
• Agriculture/Food
• Animals/Wildlife
• Arts/Humanities
• Civil Rights
• Community Development
• Disaster/Safety
• Education (specify grade level)
• Employment
• Environment
• Health
• Medical Research
• Mental Health/Crisis Services
• Philanthropy/Voluntarism/Civic
• Population Groups (specify)
• Public Affairs
• Religion
• Science
• Social Science Research
• Youth Development
• Other

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What do SCG members have in common?
All of SCG’s members make grants to support the work of nonprofit and community-based organizations that are improving their neighborhoods, schools, workplaces and the environment. All SCG members are either located, or fund, in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and/or Ventura counties.

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How are SCG members different from each other?
SCG’s members are a diverse set of institutions and individuals, each with their own funding priorities, types of grants given and geography covered. Some focus exclusively on helping women and girls, while others fund efforts to improve the lives of animals. Some give $500 grants while others give only $50,000 or more. Some choose to give in their own community, others give in Africa or South America. And some members’ giving is done around the family dining room table while others employ several professional staff.

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Why should I or my institution join SCG? What are the benefits of membership?
The benefits of SCG membership are many, but fall into four main categories:

1. Connection to the local philanthropic community, with opportunities to meet and learn from your peers.
2. A full spectrum of skills-building opportunities, to help you become a better, more thoughtful, more effective grantmaker.
3. Knowledge specific to your challenges and environment is a key part of SCG’s membership offerings, along with resources and savings on tools to make your job easier.
4. By monitoring public policy and working with the media, SCG is a visible and knowledgeable public face and voice for local philanthropic concerns.

Learn more about SCG membership benefits. View or print a PDF.

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Why do grantmakers need a regional association?
While grantmakers have the choice to join many different groups to help improve their grantmaking or to heighten their collective voice, only SCG knows the specific conditions of being located in, or funding in, Southern California. An immense area the size of the state of South Carolina, Southern California is unique in its population and demographics, as well as its geography and topography. SCG offers a chance to join a community of like-minded philanthropists who know and understand the special challenges faced by those trying to improve the region through grantmaking.

(As of January 4, 2008)

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