# John W. Carson Foundation

John W. Carson Foundation is an Endowment / Foundation based in Encino, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Encino, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** Encino, CA, United States
- **Founded:** 1981
- **Assets under management:** 120 (Altss estimate)
- **LinkedIn:** linkedin.com/company/john-carson

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Johnny Carson established the foundation in 1981 as a private grantmaking entity. The organization draws its endowment from Carson’s estate and maintains a Los Angeles focus. The foundation allocates capital through direct grants to Los Angeles-area charities and educational institutions. Confirmed recipients include the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Geographic reach centers on California and Nebraska. No fund commitments or co-investments appear in records. Allan L. Alexander serves as CEO, President, and General Counsel. Jeffrey Sotzing acts as Chief Program Officer. The team remains small and family-linked. No additional offices or adjacent vehicles are documented. The foundation operates under a fixed philanthropic mandate tied to Carson’s estate, with royalty rights and image rights held as core assets. Governance rests with family members and long-term counsel rather than external investment committees.

## People

- Johnny Carson — Founder
- Jeffrey Sotzing — Chief Program Officer
- Steven Sotzing — Board Director
- Alexis Maas — Family Member
- Allan L. Alexander — CEO, President, and General Counsel
- Lawrence L. Witzer — COO and CFO

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at the John W. Carson Foundation?

Allan L. Alexander serves as CEO, President, and General Counsel. Lawrence L. Witzer serves as COO and CFO. Decisions follow the grantmaking mandate set at founding.

### Does the foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct grants?

Records show only direct grants to nonprofits and universities. No fund commitments or external manager relationships are listed.

### What geographic areas receive funding?

Primary focus remains Los Angeles-area organizations. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln also receives support as Carson’s alma mater.

### How is the foundation related to the Carson family?

Jeffrey Sotzing and Steven Sotzing, both nephews of Johnny Carson, hold operating and board roles. Alexis Maas, Carson’s widow, is listed as a family member.

## Related profiles

- [Synergy Wealth Management](https://altss.com/profile/synergy-wealth-management)
- [Lionshead Wealth Management](https://altss.com/profile/lionshead-wealth-management)

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/john-w-carson-foundation

Maintained by Altss — https://altss.com — methodology: https://altss.com/methodology