NobleLight Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £290,000 / $367,530
• Total Assets: £23.3 million / $29.6 million
• Grant Range: £790 - £88,700 / $1,000 - $112,530
• Average Grant: £18,700 / $23,680
• Number of Grants: 21 (2024)
• Geographic Focus: California, New York, Virginia (primary); international social entrepreneurs
• Application Method: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: 15060 Ventura Blvd Ste 240, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-2436

Phone: (818) 493-6650

Email: info@noblelight.org

Website: www.noblelight.org

Note: While the foundation does not accept unsolicited funding applications, they welcome emails to discuss potential collaboration opportunities.

Overview

NobleLight Foundation was established in 2012 by Todd Chaffee, a top-ranked venture capitalist who led investments in companies including Coinbase, Twitter, Netflix, and Kayak. After years leading one of Silicon Valley's premier venture capital firms, Chaffee founded NobleLight to apply his investment expertise to philanthropy. With assets of approximately $29.6 million and annual giving of around $367,530 (21 awards in 2024), the foundation operates as a private foundation focused on finding, supporting, and celebrating social entrepreneurs at the frontier of positive socioeconomic and environmental change. The foundation is known for its unique approach: applying venture capital methodology infused with compassion, balancing analytical rigor (MIND) with empathy for suffering (HEART). Leadership includes Chaffee as Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer, alongside Vice Presidents Kathryn Smith (his wife) and Brandon Chaffee. The foundation emphasizes collective giving, believing it has more impact and is more enjoyable.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

NobleLight operates as an invitation-only funder, proactively identifying and selecting organizations rather than accepting applications. Recent major grants include:

• Fire Mapping Project: $528,676 - Development of web-based firemap technology to help communities identify fire parameters and smoke movement
• Environmental Documentary Production: $200,000 - Environmental research, educational and outreach programs through documentary film series on environmental and conservation issues

The foundation makes 19-24 awards annually with grants ranging from $1,000 to $112,530. The average grant size is approximately $23,680.

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

• Environmental causes and conservation (appears to be strongest current focus)
• Social entrepreneurs driving positive socioeconomic change
• Education initiatives
• Philanthropy and voluntarism
• Human services

Strategic Approach: The foundation profiles top issues facing humanity, identifies the most promising solutions, then hunts for talented and passionate social entrepreneurs tackling those issues. Once they find and vet teams, they provide capital and strategic guidance.

Geographic Focus: Primary focus on California, New York, and Virginia, though the foundation's mission extends to supporting social entrepreneurs globally.

What They Don't Fund

• Unsolicited applications from organizations not already on their radar
• Organizations that haven't been identified through their proactive research and vetting process

Governance and Leadership

Todd Chaffee - Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and Founder

• Ranked #6 on Forbes Midas List of Top 10 Founder VCs
• Named to New York Times List of Top 100 Venture Capitalists (2016-2019)
• Managing Director & General Partner at Institutional Venture Partners (IVP)
• Led investments in 30+ companies including Coinbase, HomeAway, Kayak, Twitter, Netflix, Pandora, Klarna
• Previously Executive Vice President at Visa International, where his venture investments generated over $1.2 billion in gains with a 32.8x multiple of invested capital
• Also founded True Hero Foundation to support COVID-19 first responders and healthcare workers

Kathryn Smith (Kat Chaffee) - Vice President

• Co-founder with Todd of NobleLight Foundation
• Active partner in the foundation's mission

Brandon Chaffee - Vice President

Philosophy Quote from Todd Chaffee: "The entrepreneurs are the stars of the show and we are merely the support crew" - reflecting his service-oriented approach to supporting social entrepreneurs, drawn from his venture capital experience.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important: NobleLight Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

The foundation uses a proactive identification model:

1. They profile the top issues facing humanity
2. Identify the most promising solutions to those issues
3. Hunt for talented and passionate social entrepreneurs tackling those issues
4. Vet potential grantees thoroughly
5. Support selected organizations with capital and strategic guidance

Getting on Their Radar

While NobleLight doesn't accept unsolicited applications, they do welcome dialogue. Organizations can email info@noblelight.org to "discuss how we can collaborate." The foundation's emphasis on "collective giving" and "spreading the word" about causes they support suggests they may be open to learning about aligned work.

Strategic Considerations:

• The foundation is led by a venture capitalist who seeks "talented and passionate social entrepreneurs"
• They look for teams that can demonstrate both entrepreneurial vision and execution capability
• Environmental causes appear to be a current priority based on recent grant activity
• They value organizations working on solutions to "pressing global issues"
• The venture capital mindset suggests they may favor scalable solutions with measurable impact

Visibility Strategies:

• Network within Silicon Valley venture capital and tech philanthropy circles where Todd Chaffee is active
• Gain recognition in social entrepreneurship spaces that the foundation monitors
• Build a track record of innovation in environmental conservation or other "top issues facing humanity"
• Demonstrate both analytical rigor and compassionate approach to solving problems

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation with an invitation-only model, decision timelines likely vary based on when the foundation identifies and vets potential grantees.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept applications. However, the foundation makes 19-24 grants annually, suggesting they maintain ongoing relationships with multiple organizations.

Application Success Factors

Since NobleLight uses an invitation-only model, "success" means being identified and selected by the foundation rather than submitting a winning application. Key factors based on the foundation's stated approach:

1. Entrepreneurial Leadership The foundation specifically seeks "talented and passionate social entrepreneurs." From Chaffee's venture capital background, this likely means leaders who can articulate a compelling vision, demonstrate business acumen, and show capability to scale impact.

Quote: "Once they find and vet a great team of social entrepreneurs, they support them with capital and strategic guidance."

2. Alignment with "Top Issues Facing Humanity" The foundation takes a strategic approach, first identifying major global issues, then seeking solutions. Current focus appears heavily weighted toward environmental causes based on recent grants (fire mapping technology, environmental documentary production).

3. Scalable Solutions Given Chaffee's venture capital approach, the foundation likely favors solutions that can achieve significant scale and measurable impact. The $528,676 fire mapping grant and $200,000 documentary project both suggest preference for initiatives with broad reach.

4. Balance of Mind and Heart The foundation's philosophy explicitly combines "a disciplined and analytical approach when researching key issues facing humanity" (MIND) with keeping "hearts open to the immense suffering and trauma that exists today" (HEART). Organizations should demonstrate both rigorous methodology and genuine compassion.

5. Willingness to Collaborate The foundation emphasizes they "aren't afraid to roll up their sleeves" and believe "collective giving has more impact." They seek partners who will work collaboratively and help spread the word about important causes.

6. Proven Track Record The foundation "vets" potential grantees thoroughly before supporting them. Strong evidence of past impact and effective execution appears critical.

7. Strategic Guidance Receptiveness The foundation offers "capital AND strategic guidance" - suggesting they prefer organizations open to mentorship and advice from experienced investors.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application: NobleLight does not accept unsolicited applications - they proactively identify organizations to support. Traditional grant seeking won't work here.

• Think Like a VC Pitch: If you do get on their radar, frame your work using venture capital concepts: the problem you're solving, your unique solution, your team's capability, your track record, and your path to scale. Todd Chaffee invested in Twitter, Netflix, and Coinbase - he understands transformative potential.

• Environmental Focus is Hot: Recent major grants ($528,676 and $200,000) both focused on environmental education and conservation. If your work addresses environmental challenges, this foundation could be particularly relevant.

• Build Your Reputation as a Social Entrepreneur: The foundation hunts for "talented and passionate social entrepreneurs." Building visibility in social entrepreneurship circles, winning awards, speaking at conferences, and demonstrating innovation increases chances of being discovered.

• Network in Silicon Valley Philanthropy: Todd Chaffee is deeply embedded in Silicon Valley venture capital. Connections through tech philanthropy networks, social entrepreneur communities, and venture capital circles could create pathways to the foundation's attention.

• Demonstrate Both Rigor and Compassion: Their MIND + HEART philosophy is central. Show analytical strength, data-driven approach, and measurable outcomes alongside genuine compassion for those you serve.

• Open to Dialogue: While they don't accept applications, they invite people to email info@noblelight.org to "discuss how we can collaborate." A well-crafted introductory email (not an application) explaining aligned work might open doors - approach it as a networking conversation, not a funding request.

References

• NobleLight Foundation official website: www.noblelight.org (Accessed February 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - NobleLight Foundation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/263449464 (Accessed February 2026)
• Grantmakers.io Profile - NobleLight Foundation: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/263449464-noblelight-foundation/ (Accessed February 2026)
• IVP - Todd Chaffee Team Profile: https://www.ivp.com/team/todd-chaffee/ (Accessed February 2026)
• Foundation Center/Candid - NobleLight Foundation Profile (Accessed February 2026)
• Charity Navigator - NobleLight Foundation: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/263449464 (Accessed February 2026)
• True Hero Foundation About Page: https://trueherofund.org/about/ (Accessed February 2026)
• Forbes Midas List and New York Times Top 100 VC rankings (referenced in multiple sources, 2016-2019)
• Business Wire: "Forbes Midas List Names Todd Chaffee and Sandy Miller as Top 100 Tech Investors" (March 2016)