From Los Angeles Business Journal · Monee Fields-White · · 1m
Philanthropy Q&A with William Ahmanson
Ahmanson Foundation president discusses grant priorities and LA safety concerns.
In brief
Ahmanson Foundation president discusses grant priorities and LA safety concerns. William Ahmanson says LA organizations face safety risks as government funding cuts impact disaster response equipment. Originally reported by Los Angeles Business Journal.
William Ahmanson
William Ahmanson is the president of the Ahmanson Foundation established by financier Howard F. Ahmanson and his wife Dorothy Grannis Ahmanson in 1952.
Foundation Giving Trends
Ahmanson says foundation giving is affected by donor intent shifts and stock market gains benefiting all organizations.
Security Requests Rise
Organizations increasingly request security funding as facilities feel unsafe despite rising crime statistics not supporting this trend.
Government Funding Cuts
State and federal funding reductions impact disaster response organizations needing equipment for search and rescue operations.
Education and Trade Gaps
LA lacks quality education pipelines for trades and remediation for youth without basic skills.
Loan Underwriting Approach
Ahmanson compares grant evaluation to loan underwriting focusing on financial solvency and long-term impact.
Impact Measurement
Foundation measures impact through equipment usage and avoids grants for unused resources.
What to remember
William Ahmanson says LA organizations face safety risks as government funding cuts impact disaster response equipment.
