Funding search · special education · California
Who funds special education work in California
15 funders have a record of paying for special education work by California recipients: 57 grants totaling $5.4M, most recently in 2025 — mostly private foundations, plus grantmaking charities. The largest by matched giving are The Ayco Charitable Foundation ($1.2M), George H Sandy Foundation ($270,000) and Carl E Wynn Foundation ($20,000).
From IRS Form 990-PF and 990 Schedule I filings, 2019–2025. Grants already paid to California recipients — evidence of what these funders back, not open calls.
The Ayco Charitable FoundationCohoes, NYCharity · may take applications
12 matching grants · $1.2M · through 2025Largest: $630,802 to U C SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION — special education funding
Largest: $50,000 to Stanbridge Academy — to support their tuition assistance program for low-income learning disabled students.
Largest: $5,000 to THE FROSTIG CENTER — research re cause/effects of learning disabilities; offer services to children with learning disorders; provide parent, tutor, professional; educator training.
Largest: $10,000 to KOREAN AMERICAN SPECIAL EDUCATION C — support exempt purpose of donee
Shelter PartnershipLos Angeles, CACharity · may take applications
3 matching grants · $163,105 · through 2024Largest: $80,858 to WILLENBERG SPECIAL EDUCATION CENTER — to assist the entity with resources to support the homeless
Largest: $5,000 to KOREAN AMERICAN SPECIAL EDUCATION C — expand the musical lesson programs in south bay communities
Largest: $16,200 to KOREAN AMERICAN SPECIAL EDUCATION — disabilities education
Largest: $10,000 to KASEC -KOREAN AMERICAN SPECIAL EDUCATION — unrestricted general
Largest: $334,000 to WESTED — to inform public investments, state and local guidance, and advocacy on teacher preparation, special education, and district budgeting that will lead to improved outcomes for engli…
Encinitas Educational FoundationEncinitas, CACharity · may take applications
3 matching grants · $2.7M · through 2024Largest: $1.1M to ENCINITAS UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT — eef sends funds to eusd for the payment of enrichment teachers, curriculum, student program support teachers, and programs at all the school sites. eusd executes and maintains all …
Largest: $30,000 to EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION — annual campaign. offers specialized educational and therapeutic programs and services to children, youth and young adults challenged by learning, developmental, emotional or medica…
Largest: $3,000 to SPECIAL NEEDS RESOURCE GOUP — special education for children
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Start with one paperBroader: special education funders nationally · all California-based grantmakers