Joseph Drown Foundation

WHO WE ARE Joseph Drown Foundation The Joseph Drown Foundation was formed in 1953 to provide an organized means for its founder, Joseph Warford Drown, to make charitable gifts during his lifetime and to have the Foundation continue making grants upon his death. Joseph Drown, whose life spanned the period of 1906 to 1982, was active in the hotel industry from his early 20's until the end of his career. He started as an employee, then in management and subsequently ownership. His prize ownership, which he personally developed in 1945, was the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles. He also employed his business skills in the acquisition and operation of numerous other businesses and properties. The Foundation attempts to reflect directly the interests of Joseph Drown by focusing its resources on the areas which particularly concerned him. These include education, medical and scientific research; community, health and social services and, to a lesser degree, the arts and humanities. The Foundation's goal is to assist individuals in becoming successful, self-sustaining, contributing citizens. The Foundation is interested in programs that break down any barrier that prevents a person from continuing to grow and learn. WHAT WE DO Community Health & Social Sevices The Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life in the local community. The Foundation supports programs that encourage all individuals to reach their fullest potential. The best chance a young person has to reach that goal is to stay in school and inside a functioning family. To that end, the Foundation supports programs that include, but are not limited to, education and family support services, health services, leadership, and character development. The Foundation considers programs that address poverty issues and assist the economically disadvantaged with the intent to promote social mobility. Programs aimed at solutions to or the prevention of these problems are favored. Although the Foundation recognizes the importance of Community, Health, and Social Services, it is not the Foundation's primary funding focus. Medical & Scientific Research The Foundation does make grants for medical and scientific research, but these are initiated by the Foundation. Unsolicited applications are not accepted. Arts & Humanities Although it is not the emphasis of the Foundation, grants are made for the arts and humanities and are made primarily for outreach and education programs. Special Projects The Foundation may initiate grants for projects of interest to the Board which are related to the mission of the Foundation but which fall outside its established areas of interest or geographic limitations. The emphasis upon individual categories might vary in any given year and exceptions to these guidelines may occur at the discretion of the Foundation.