Webb Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1.5-1.6 million
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $20,000 - $339,000
• Geographic Focus: Bay Area, California, Florida, New York, United States

Contact Details

• Website: webbfamilyfoundation.org
• Email: team@webbfamilyfoundation.org
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Address: 1828 L St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036

Overview

The Webb Family Foundation is a private grant-making foundation established in May 2004 by technology industry veterans Maynard and Irene Webb, with total assets of $20.8 million. The foundation annually distributes approximately $1.5-1.6 million through carefully selected grants ranging from $20,000 to $339,000. Founded by Maynard Webb, former COO of eBay and Chairman of Yahoo, and Irene Webb, former IT and Finance professional at IBM, the foundation underwent a strategic expansion in 2022, evolving from primarily education-focused grantmaking to encompass three programmatic areas: education, health, and sustainability. Their mission centers on "helping people persevere and the planet thrive," with a particular focus on supporting those who have encountered obstacles to "dream big and achieve more than they ever thought possible."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Webb Scholars Program: Up to 6 KIPP students annually receive $15,000/year for 4 years ($60,000 total), plus career mentorship and leadership development (partnership with KIPP Foundation, launched May 2023)
• Education Grants: $20,000 - $339,000 for K-12 education, youth development, college access
• Health Research Grants: Variable amounts for breast cancer research, fertility preservation, young patient support
• Sustainability Grants: $100,000+ for climate resilience, biodiversity, wildlife conservation

Priority Areas

Education (Since 2004)

• Middle and high school students "furthest from opportunity" in Bay Area and Florida
• Academic support and character development
• College access and preparedness
• STEM education and financial literacy
• Entrepreneurship and career development

Health (Since 2022)

• Breast cancer research with emphasis on eliminating HER2+ cancer
• Fertility services for cancer patients
• Support for young cancer patients and caregivers
• Research on hearing loss, dementia, Alzheimer's, and E. coli

Sustainability (Since 2022)

• Natural carbon capture to reverse climate change
• Sea otter repopulation and kelp reforestation
• Wildlife corridors and wildlands preservation
• Biodiversity and climate resilience

What They Don't Fund

• Capital campaigns
• Lobbying activities
• Events and galas
• Individual requests
• Unsolicited proposals

Governance and Leadership

Founders and Leaders:

• Maynard Webb: Founder, 40-year technology industry veteran, former COO of eBay, former Chairman of Yahoo, current board member of Salesforce and Visa, author of "Rebooting Work" and "Dear Founder"
• Irene Webb: Co-founder, former IT and Finance professional at IBM and Quantum Corporation, actively involved with Webb Investment Network and the Family Foundation

The foundation emphasizes leveraging "full assets of the Foundation to amplify impact" through multiple philanthropic tools including grantmaking, impact investing, donor advised funds, and program-related investing.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded by invitation only, and the foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or requests. The foundation proactively identifies partners aligned with their mission through their networks and strategic partnerships.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation identifies potential grantees through established relationships in the Bay Area technology and nonprofit sectors, particularly through connections with organizations like KIPP, College Track, and Breakthrough Silicon Valley. They actively seek organizations with 3-4 years of demonstrated outcomes, though may consider newer organizations with exceptional alignment to their priority goals. Strategic partnerships, such as their Webb Scholars Program with KIPP Foundation, demonstrate their preference for collaborative approaches with established sector leaders.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed for invitation-only process

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only funding

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and stated priorities:

• Demonstrated Track Record: The foundation explicitly prefers organizations with "3-4 years of demonstrated outcomes"
• Strategic Alignment: Recent grantees like KIPP Bay Area Schools ($339,000) and College Track ($150,000) show preference for organizations directly addressing educational equity
• Geographic Presence: Strong preference for Bay Area organizations, followed by California, Florida, and New York
• Collaborative Approach: The Webb Scholars Program partnership with KIPP demonstrates value placed on strategic collaborations
• Impact Measurement: Foundation emphasizes "demonstrated outcomes" and appears to favor organizations with clear metrics
• Long-term Relationships: Multiple organizations receive recurring grants (KIPP, College Track, Breakthrough Silicon Valley)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only foundation: Do not submit unsolicited proposals - focus on building visibility through sector networks
• Technology sector connections: Founders' deep technology industry roots may provide networking opportunities through Silicon Valley connections
• Education remains primary: Despite 2022 expansion, education receives the largest grants and most consistent support
• Preference for established organizations: 3-4 year track record strongly preferred, though exceptional alignment may override this
• Strategic philanthropy approach: Foundation uses multiple tools beyond grants (impact investing, program-related investments)
• Partnership opportunities: Webb Scholars Program model suggests openness to collaborative, multi-year commitments
• Bay Area advantage: Organizations in the Bay Area have significant geographic advantage for consideration

References

• Webb Family Foundation official website (webbfamilyfoundation.org) - Accessed January 2025
• IRS Form 990-PF filings for Webb Family Foundation (EIN: 20-0864199) - 2022-2024
• Candid/Foundation Directory profile - Webb Family Foundation overview and grant data
• KIPP Foundation partnership announcement - Webb Scholars Program launch, May 2023
• Maynard Webb professional biography - Salesforce and Visa board profiles
• "Rebooting Work" and "Dear Founder" author information - Publisher profiles