The Ahmanson Foundation was endowed by Howard F. Ahmanson, Sr., who made his billions as founder of H.F. Ahmanson & Co. through the Home Savings of America. Home Savings was a big name in the ‘50s and ‘60s savings-and-loan industry in Orange County, California. Ahmanson died in 1968, splitting his estate between his son Howard F. Ahmanson, Jr., and the foundation that bears his name.