Featured Funding Partners

The Ahmanson Foundation has supported Pepperdine students and the University since 1969 in a variety of areas, including the performing arts, the Natural Sciences Division, scholarships and the Caruso School of Law. Since 2013, the foundation has supported student veterans at Pepperdine University through the Ahmanson Veteran Scholarship Initiative. https://www.pepperdine.edu/veterans/

Since 1974, the Bertha and John Garabedian Charitable Foundation has supported students from Fresno, Kings, Madera and Tulare Counties, California through scholarships to both Seaver College and the School of Public Policy.

Edison International supports many aspects of Pepperdine University including scholarships, athletics, the law school, and the performing arts. Edison is currently offering financial scholarship assistance to undergraduate STEM majors, with the goal of encouraging undergraduate students to pursue career paths and post-graduate education in the STEM fields.

The Foster Youth Higher Education Access Collaborative is supported by AT&T Aspire. This pilot program will provide foster youth with the necessary skills, tools, and environmental supports to navigate a path to education after high school at a two- of four-year college/university or other institution of higher learning providing technical, trade or vocational certification or licensure.

Banc of California is our banking partner for The Pepperdine Microenterprise Program. Each year, we bring approximately 15 homeless persons selected from various transitional living communities to our Malibu campus to be mentored by students from all of Pepperdine's schools. They are taught about entrepreneurship along with personal and career development skills, and most either develop their own business or find employment. http://www.pepperdinemicroenterprise.com

Since 2010, the Foundation has supported the Education Collaborative Initiative, a partnership between Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology and four elementary schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District that promotes effective professional development for teachers. The Foundation has also supported a variety of programs and scholarships at many of our other schools, including the Graziadio School for Business and Management Entrepreneur in Residence and The Herbert and Elinor Nootbaar Institute on Law, Religion, and Ethics.

Huntington Park Elementary boasts a new science lab with state of the art equipment and technology thanks to a grant from the Carol and James Collins Foundation. The Foundation recently awarded Pepperdine's Graduate School of Education and Psychology an additional grant to establish another science lab at Miles Avenue Math, Science, and Technology Magnet Center, also in Huntington Park. Univision and KLCS covered the opening of the HPES science center. https://vimeo.com/111169290

Each year, Pepperdine hosts the Youth Citizenship Seminar, where 250 high school student leaders from across Southern California experience internationally recognized guest speakers, mentorship, team-building experiences, an interactive free enterprise workshop and social bonding events thanks in part to the Confidence Foundation.

The Andy Warhol exhibit, "Life and Legends," at the Frederick R. Weisman Museum benefited from the summer internship of a Seaver College student thanks to a grant from the Getty Foundation. The exhibit showcases Warhol's portfolios and trace his connection to advertising, celebrity and fine art.

In addition to funding a writing center and numerous academic awards, The Hearst Foundations supports the Linking Entertainment, Media and Sports Initiative, which seeks to unite Pepperdine's 160 media courses and 600 media majors under a single umbrella, the Institute for Entertainment, Media and Sports. This will enable media students to enjoy the benefits of the Universities' many departments and graduate and undergraduate course offerings, combining practice and theory for a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary education.

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation has awarded Pepperdine' Graduate School of Education and Psychology a grant to establish a pilot program entitled the Foster Youth Higher Education Access Collaborative. Only 6% of foster youth pursue a college education. The Collaborative seeks to make college attainable for foster youth by providing trained wellness coaches, college access coaches, and family allies to foster high school students and their host families.

For almost 40 years, the Foundation has supported Pepperdine, most recently with a grant to the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership. Through the Davenport Institute, professors at the School of Public Policy consult with municipalities so that they may improve public participation on a particular policy issue, thereby fostering organizational culture change. The Institute promotes civic participation in governance by working with cities, special districts, regional associations, and non-profit organizations.

Thanks to the Koret Foundation, School of Public Policy students have the opportunity to intern in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, experiencing the diversity, history, spirituality and entrepreneurship of the Israeli community.

Most recently, Lilly Endowment Inc. awarded Pepperdine a grant to establish CrossWays, a High School Youth Theology Institutes initiative, which seeks to encourage young people to explore theological traditions, ask questions about the moral dimensions of contemporary issues, and examine how their faith calls them to lives of service.

In 2013, Lilly Endowment Inc. established the COMMUNITAS Pastoral Leadership Program at Pepperdine, in which 15 early career pastors are supported so that they may further their leadership skills, increase their understanding of the issues in their communities, and learn to build connections with civic, business, and political leaders as well as with each other.

The Mark Pickford Foundation Music Project provides the opportunity for student composers to create new chamber music scored to a Mary Pickford silent film selected by the Foundation. Pepperdine's most accomplished student instrumentalists play the score in concert, introducing the creative talent of Mary Pickford to a new generation. http://seaver.pepperdine.edu/finearts/student-opportunities/music/programs/marypickfordfoundationmusicproject.htm

The Stauffer Chapel, or "the little chapel on the hill" is the spiritual heart of Pepperdine University. Dedicated in 1973, and made possible by Beverly Stauffer, the 3,000 square feet of stained glass in 105 hues features the work "the Tree of Life." Maintenance of the Stauffer Chapel is supported by the John & Beverly Stauffer Foundation.

Target Corporation supports Seaver College's "Global Leaders of the 21st Century" program at the Career Center, which enhances students' liberal arts education by teaching practical skills needed on the job, including analyzing data, technology skills, time management, office communication and etiquette, customer service practices, cultural competency, and oral, written and media presentation skills. http://seaver.pepperdine.edu/career-services/students/careercoaching/

The Flora L. Thornton Nutritional Science Department is considered one of the top nutrition programs in the country. The Foundation also lends its support to the Payson Library renovation, professorships, the Davenport Institute, and scholarships.

In July 2015, the Danhakl Family Foundation made a magnanimous gift the Graduate School of Education. They gifted $1M to fund the Danhakl Family Foundation Distinguished Visiting Professor in Global Leadership & Change, which will contribute to the University's efforts in implementing its first-ever PhD program. In addition, the Danhakl Family Foundation is committed to life-long learning and has endowed a fund dedicated to learners of all ages who seek to continue their education.

The Ahmanson Foundation has supported Pepperdine students and the University since 1969 in a variety of areas, including the performing arts, the Natural Sciences Division, scholarships and the Caruso School of Law.  Most recently, the foundation has generously pledged its support for the upcoming renovation of Payson Library.

The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation has been a major supporter of Pepperdine University for many years through scholarship, the Norris Scholars Program, and most recently, our vision of a University Event Center. The University Events Center will host academic conferences, athletic events, concerts and graduations. Projected at a 5,000 seat capacity, it will also include an athletic center, offices, classrooms, and parking.

Since 1971, the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation has made many contributions to Pepperdine University, including funding scholarships and the science programs at Seaver College. Most recently, the foundation has generously pledged its support for the upcoming renovation of Payson Library.