David and Lucile Packard Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $367 million (2023)
Total Assets: Over $8 billion
Success Rate: <1% for unsolicited proposals; 15% of all grants to first-time grantees
Decision Time: Varies by program (invitation-only process)
Grant Range: $20,000 - $500,000 (typical); multi-million for strategic initiatives
Geographic Focus: National and international, with local focus on California counties

Contact Details

Main Contact:

Website: www.packard.org
Phone: 650-948-7658
Address: Los Altos, CA
EIN: 94-1655673

For Prospective Grantees:

Review funding opportunities at www.packard.org/grantees/funding-opportunties/
Explore grants database at www.packard.org/grantees/search-our-grants/
Note: The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals

Overview

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, established by the co-founder of Hewlett-Packard and his wife, ranks among the largest private foundations in the United States with over $8 billion in assets and $367 million in annual grantmaking (2023). The Foundation awarded 1,046 grants in 2023, focusing on creating solutions for just societies and a healthy, resilient natural world. Under President and CEO Nancy Lindborg's leadership since 2020, the Foundation operates through four major program areas: Children, Families, and Communities; Conservation and Science; Reproductive Health; and Local Grantmaking in California. The Foundation works primarily through invitation-only partnerships, emphasizing community-led solutions, long-term relationships with grantees, and strategic investments in systemic change. In 2024, the Foundation announced significant commitments including $480 million over five years for ocean conservation and $100 million for the AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge, demonstrating its continued evolution to address urgent global challenges.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Packard Fellowships for Science and Engineering

Amount: $875,000 per fellow over five years
Application: No direct application; institutional nomination only
Selection: 20 fellows chosen annually through competitive merit-based process
Focus: Innovative early-career scientists and engineers

Children, Families, and Communities Initiative

Grant Range: Varies by program ($50,000 - $200,000 for community-led initiatives)
Geographic Focus: National programs with concentration in California, Louisiana, and Mississippi
Application: By invitation
Priorities: Early education (Preschool for California's Children), health insurance for all children, after-school programs

Conservation Programs

Ocean Initiative: $480 million commitment over five years (announced 2024)
- Global Fisheries portfolio
- Ocean Habitats and Communities portfolio
- Ocean-Based Climate Solutions portfolio
Focus Areas: Sustainable fisheries, climate change mitigation, habitat restoration, offshore wind energy, ocean carbon dioxide removal
Approach: Community-centered, equity-focused conservation
Application: By invitation

Reproductive Health

U.S. Reproductive Health Initiative: 60% of resources support state-level work; 20% innovations in service delivery; 20% targeted grants to Louisiana and Mississippi
Global Reproductive Health Initiative: Focus on sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia
Priorities: Access to voluntary contraception, comprehensive sexuality education, abortion care
Application: By invitation

Local Grantmaking (California)

Counties Served: San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, and Fresno
Focus Areas: Arts, children and youth, conservation and science, food and shelter, population and reproductive health
Recent Initiative: $2.25 million for Bay Area affordable housing solutions
Application: Rolling opportunities for organizations in service area

Priority Areas

Core Mission Areas:

Just and Inclusive Societies: Systems that are fair, equitable, and accessible to all
Healthy, Resilient Natural World: Ocean health, climate solutions, sustainable fisheries, habitat protection
Strong Families and Communities: Early childhood development, reproductive rights, locally-led solutions
Scientific Innovation: Supporting breakthrough research through fellowships and strategic partnerships

Strategic Approaches:

Community-led and locally-driven solutions
Equity and justice as central principles
Long-term partnerships with grantees
Policy advocacy and systems change
Support for visionary leaders and organizations
Innovative service delivery models

What They Don't Fund

Explicitly Excluded:

Lobbying and activities to influence specific legislation
Conference fees and tuition assistance
Religious organizations
Individuals
Governmental institutions (for Reproductive Health program)
Direct services (for Reproductive Health program)

Important Note: The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Less than 1% of grants come from unsolicited proposals. Organizations should not submit proposals unless specifically invited by Foundation staff.

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

Nancy Lindborg - President and CEO (since August 2020)

Succeeded Carol Larson after her 30+ years with the Foundation
Previously held global leadership positions in international development and peacebuilding
Quote: "I have seen the unique and essential role philanthropy plays in making long-term impact by taking risks and catalyzing new ideas."

Jason Burnett - Board Chair

Succeeded David Orr as Board Chair in 2022
Third-generation family member
Quote from Nancy Lindborg: "Jason brings integrity, a collaborative style, and thoughtful approach that will serve us well as we evolve to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world."

Notable Board Members and History

The Board of Trustees includes members of the Packard family and external experts. Recent additions include Dr. Sally M. Benson, Christopher Burnett, and Sarah Stephens. The Foundation celebrated the retirement of long-serving trustees Susan Packard Orr and Nancy Burnett in recent years, with Julie Packard noting: "They've pushed us to pursue big ideas, learn from others, and take risks to help people and protect nature, while modeling the empathy and humility that our family so values."

Leadership Philosophy

David Orr (former Board Chair) on Nancy Lindborg's appointment: "Nancy's global experience, deep integrity, and inspiring vision will increase the Packard Foundation's impact and accelerate our efforts to solve some of the world's most challenging problems."

The leadership emphasizes humility, collaboration, and centering community voices in all aspects of grantmaking.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Critical Information: No Unsolicited Proposals

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation operates primarily through an invitation-only model. Organizations cannot submit unsolicited proposals except in rare circumstances.

Pathway to Partnership:

Research Current Grantees: Explore the Foundation's grants database at www.packard.org/grantees/search-our-grants/ to understand funding patterns
Monitor Funding Opportunities: Check www.packard.org/grantees/funding-opportunties/ for any open calls (rare)
Build Relationships: Attend conferences and convenings where Foundation staff are present
Letter of Inquiry: If accepted (rare), organizations may be invited to submit a full proposal
Full Proposal: Submitted only upon invitation after successful LOI
Board Review: Board of Trustees reviews and approves all grants

Application Method: Varies by program; primarily invitation-only

Decision Timeline

Process Improvements: The Foundation has streamlined its grant development, proposal, and review processes, resulting in significant decreases in the time grantees spend on grant requirements.

Typical Process (for invited applicants):

Letter of Inquiry reviewed by program staff
If selected, full proposal requested
Board of Trustees reviews award recommendations
Notification provided to applicants

Timeline: Varies significantly by program area and grant size. Multi-year strategic grants may involve longer development timelines.

Success Rates

Highly Competitive:

Less than 1% of grants come from unsolicited proposals
15% of all grants awarded to first-time grantees in a typical year
1,046 grants awarded in 2023
Total of $367 million distributed in 2023

Interpretation: The Foundation prioritizes ongoing partnerships with existing grantees. First-time grantees are typically identified through Foundation staff research, referrals, or rare open calls for specific initiatives.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation values long-term partnerships and many grants are multi-year commitments. Organizations that have completed a grant successfully may be considered for renewal or additional funding, typically at the initiative of Foundation staff rather than through formal reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Foundation Guidance and Priorities

From 2023 Grantee Perception Report:

865 grantees completed the survey (63% response rate)
Grantees describe the Foundation as "supportive" and "accessible"
The Foundation has reduced reporting requirements and administrative burden on grantees

Key Success Factors:

Alignment with Strategic Priorities: Organizations must work in the Foundation's core program areas and demonstrate clear alignment with current strategic goals
Community-Led Approach: The Foundation explicitly prioritizes work that centers communities most affected by issues and elevates local leadership. As stated in their materials: "Centering people in our commitment" and "reimagining with coastal communities at the helm"
Equity and Justice Lens: All programs integrate equity and justice principles. The ocean conservation work, for example, "places equity and justice at the forefront"
Systems Change Focus: The Foundation seeks partners working on policy change, advocacy, and structural solutions, not just direct services
Long-Term Vision: Demonstrated capacity for sustained work and measurable impact over time
Innovation and Risk-Taking: Willingness to try new approaches, as Nancy Lindborg notes: "philanthropy plays in making long-term impact by taking risks and catalyzing new ideas"
Strong Leadership: Organizations led by visionary leaders who understand both grassroots needs and systems-level change

Recent Funded Projects (Examples)

Children's Health (2024):

National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP): Roundtables and national summit for cross-state strategy sharing
University of Utah Department of Pediatrics: Developing measures of ableism in pediatric healthcare
Johns Hopkins University: Evaluating programs for accessible housing for children with disabilities

Ocean Conservation:

Marine Prosperity Areas: Community-led conservation initiatives
Offshore wind energy development in California
Ocean carbon dioxide removal standards and governance

Reproductive Health:

State-level abortion and contraception access organizations
Louisiana and Mississippi reproductive justice organizations
Global advocacy for reproductive health policy

Policy and Advocacy:

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: Federal support for programs impacting children and low-income families
National Health Law Program: Equitable children's healthcare policy
First Focus on Children: Children's policy at federal level

Common Characteristics of Successful Applicants

Demonstrated track record in issue area
Strong connections to affected communities
Clear theory of change linking activities to systems-level impact
Capacity for policy engagement and advocacy
Commitment to equity and justice principles
Ability to collaborate with other organizations
Willingness to learn, adapt, and share lessons

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Don't Submit Unsolicited Proposals: With less than 1% success rate for unsolicited proposals, focus energy elsewhere unless specifically invited. The Foundation identifies most potential partners through its own research and networks.
Build Long-Term Relationships: Attend conferences and convenings where Foundation staff participate. The Foundation values sustained partnerships—85% of grants go to repeat grantees.
Align Deeply with Current Priorities: Study the Foundation's recent grants (searchable database available) and current strategic commitments. Surface-level alignment won't succeed; demonstrate deep understanding of their approach.
Center Community Voice: Any proposal must demonstrate authentic community leadership, not just community input. The Foundation prioritizes locally-led solutions across all program areas.
Integrate Equity and Justice: These aren't add-ons but core principles. Show how your work addresses systemic inequities and centers those most affected by the issues.
Think Systems Change: Direct services alone won't attract Packard funding. Connect your work to policy change, advocacy, or other systemic interventions that create lasting impact.
Be Patient and Strategic: Given the invitation-only model and 15% rate for first-time grantees, this is a long-game funder. Focus on doing excellent work in your field that may eventually come to their attention rather than pursuing active outreach.

References

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation official website: www.packard.org (accessed November 2025)
"Funding Opportunities," The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, www.packard.org/grantees/funding-opportunties/ (accessed November 2025)
"Children and Families Initiative," The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, www.packard.org/initiative/child-and-family-initiative/ (accessed November 2025)
"Ocean Initiative," The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, www.packard.org/initiative/ocean-initiative/ (accessed November 2025)
"U.S. Reproductive Health Initiative," The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, www.packard.org/initiative/u-s-reproductive-health-initiative/ (accessed November 2025)
"Global Reproductive Health Initiative," The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, www.packard.org/initiative/global-reproductive-health-initiative/ (accessed November 2025)
"California Communities Initiative," The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, www.packard.org/initiative/california-communities-initiative/ (accessed November 2025)
"2023 Grantee Perception Report Results," The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, www.packard.org/insights/news/2023-grantee-perception-report-results/ (accessed November 2025)
"Packard Foundation Announces $480 Million to Advance Ocean Conservation," The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, April 2024, www.packard.org/insights/news/packard-foundation-announces-480-million-to-advance-ocean-conservation/
"Nancy Lindborg Named President and CEO," Alliance Magazine, 2020, www.alliancemagazine.org/blog/packard-foundation-announce-nancy-lindborg-as-president-and-ceo/
"Jason Burnett Named Next Chair of Board of Trustees," The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, 2022, www.packard.org/insights/news/jason-burnett-named-next-chair-of-the-david-and-lucile-packard-foundation-board-of-trustees/
David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Inside Philanthropy, www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-p/david-and-lucile-packard-foundation (accessed November 2025)
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, 990 Report, Instrumentl, www.instrumentl.com/990-report/david-and-lucile-packard-foundation (accessed November 2025)
David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_and_Lucile_Packard_Foundation (accessed November 2025)
"Our Commitment to Bold Climate Solutions," The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, www.packard.org/insights/perspective/our-commitment-to-bold-climate-solutions/ (accessed November 2025)
"Centering People in our Commitment to a Healthy Ocean," The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, www.packard.org/insights/perspective/centering-people-in-our-commitment-to-a-healthy-ocean/ (accessed November 2025)
"Philanthropy Begins at Home: Our Commitment to California Communities," The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, www.packard.org/insights/perspective/philanthropy-begins-at-home-our-commitment-to-california-communities/ (accessed November 2025)