Troper Wojcicki Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $17,595,579 (2023)
Total Assets: $230 million
Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,000,000
Median Grant: $100,000
Most Common Grant: $10,000
Number of Grants: 48 grants awarded (2023)
Geographic Focus: Bay Area emphasis with national and international reach
Application Method: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Website: https://www.twphilanthropies.org/

Address: Los Altos, CA

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Overview

The Troper Wojcicki Foundation was established in 2006 by the late Susan Wojcicki (former CEO of YouTube) and her husband Dennis Troper. Since its inception, the foundation has committed more than $100 million to researchers, academics, and entrepreneurs focused on creating positive change globally and in the Bay Area. With approximately $230 million in assets and annual giving of $17.6 million (2023), the foundation operates as a private family foundation that makes strategic investments in cancer research, climate action, humanitarian causes, and Bay Area community organizations. Following Susan Wojcicki's death from lung cancer in August 2024 at age 56, the foundation has maintained its commitment to these priority areas under Dennis Troper's leadership.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Cancer Research (Major Focus) The foundation has significantly increased its investment in cancer research, particularly lung and pancreatic cancer. Recent grants support:

Lung cancer genetics research and open-source databases
Research at Stanford University, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Johns Hopkins University
Comprehensive lung cancer genetics study through 23andMe partnership (July 2024)

Climate and Sustainability

Harvard Salata Institute Seed Grant Program for interdisciplinary climate research
Supports innovative research and partnerships to tackle climate-related challenges
Focus on building "a healthier, greener world"

Education

Computer science education with emphasis on historically underrepresented groups, including women
Susan Wojcicki and Dennis Troper Harvard Data Science Initiative Postdoctoral Fellowship Fund
Graduate fellowships at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (established 2016)

Humanitarianism and Global Development

International aid and relief organizations
Jewish causes
Global health initiatives

Bay Area Community Support The foundation prioritizes Bay Area organizations more than any other geographic location, supporting:

Arts and culture groups (California Academy of Sciences, Computer History Museum)
Food security (Second Harvest of Silicon Valley)
Community foundations (Los Altos Mountain View Community Foundation)
Homeless shelters and social services

Recent Grant Recipients

2022-2023 Major Grants:

Partners in Health: $1,000,000 (general support)
International Rescue Committee: $750,000 (general support)
Harvard University: $666,000 (Data Science Initiative Postdoctoral Fellowship Fund)
California Academy of Sciences: $500,000 (general support)
Earthjustice: $500,000 (general support)
Doctors Without Borders
Heifer Project International
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Population Services International
The Trevor Project (LGBT advocacy)

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the foundation:

Does not accept unsolicited applications
Makes grants only to preselected organizations
Appears to focus on established national and international nonprofits rather than small grassroots organizations

Governance and Leadership

Dennis Troper - Treasurer & Secretary Following Susan Wojcicki's death, Dennis Troper continues to lead the foundation's philanthropic efforts. He has stated: "I am honored, as Susan was, to support the Salata Institute's efforts in building a healthier, greener world."

Susan Wojcicki (1968-2024) - President (Deceased) The late former YouTube CEO co-founded the foundation with her husband in 2006. Her experience in technology and her personal battle with lung cancer shaped the foundation's evolving priorities, particularly the increased focus on cancer research.

Monica Gnanadev - Listed as part of the leadership team (specific role not publicly detailed)

The foundation operates as a private family foundation with decision-making concentrated among the founding family members.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Troper Wojcicki Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded through:

Trustee discretion and family direction
Pre-existing relationships with established organizations
Strategic initiatives identified by foundation leadership
Invitation-only opportunities

Getting on Their Radar

Harvard University Connections: The foundation has deep ties to Harvard University, with multiple named fellowship programs and seed grants. Organizations partnering with Harvard initiatives in data science, climate research, or computer science education may gain visibility.

Bay Area Presence: The foundation prioritizes Bay Area organizations more than any other geographic location. Established Bay Area nonprofits with strong track records in the foundation's priority areas (cancer research, climate, humanitarian work) may be more likely to come to the trustees' attention.

Cancer Research Community: Following Susan Wojcicki's death from lung cancer, the foundation has significantly expanded its cancer research portfolio. Organizations conducting lung cancer genetics research or working in partnership with the 23andMe lung cancer genetics study initiative may align with current priorities.

Major National/International Organizations: The foundation's recent grant history shows a preference for large, established organizations such as Partners in Health, International Rescue Committee, Doctors Without Borders, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America, suggesting that smaller organizations may face challenges gaining visibility.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional "success factors" do not apply. However, organizations that have received funding share these characteristics:

Alignment with Personal Mission: The foundation's priorities have been shaped by the founders' personal experiences and values, particularly Susan Wojcicki's background in technology and her experience with cancer. Organizations whose work resonates with these personal connections appear more likely to receive support.

Established Track Record: Recent grant recipients are predominantly well-known national and international organizations with proven impact and strong reputations (Partners in Health, International Rescue Committee, Dana Farber Cancer Institute).

Focus on Underrepresented Groups: The foundation's education initiatives specifically emphasize support for "students from all backgrounds with an interest in computer science, with a focus on those from historically underrepresented groups, including women."

Data-Driven Approaches: The foundation's support for the Harvard Data Science Initiative and the 23andMe lung cancer genetics study demonstrates appreciation for data-driven research and open-source approaches to solving complex problems.

Bay Area Connection: Organizations based in or serving the Bay Area receive disproportionate support, from major institutions like the California Academy of Sciences to community organizations like Second Harvest of Silicon Valley.

Climate Innovation: The Salata Institute Seed Grant Program emphasizes "innovative research" and "interdisciplinary partnerships," suggesting preference for creative, collaborative approaches to climate challenges.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No Public Application Process: This foundation exclusively funds preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Traditional grant writing strategies do not apply.
Family Foundation with Personal Priorities: Funding decisions are driven by the family's personal values and experiences, particularly in technology, education, cancer research, and environmental sustainability.
Significant Scale: With $17.6 million in annual giving and grants ranging from $1,000 to $1 million, the foundation makes substantial investments when it chooses to support an organization.
Bay Area Emphasis: Despite national and international grantmaking, the foundation shows clear preference for Bay Area organizations across all sectors.
Evolving Priorities: The foundation's focus has shifted over time, with cancer research becoming increasingly prominent following Susan Wojcicki's diagnosis and death in 2024.
Preference for Established Organizations: Recent grant recipients are predominantly large, well-known national and international nonprofits rather than emerging or grassroots organizations.
Relationship-Based Grantmaking: Success requires existing connections to the foundation's trustees or presence in networks and communities where the family is already engaged (Harvard, Bay Area nonprofits, cancer research community).

References

Research conducted December 24, 2025