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Grousbeck Fam Foundation II 05182011

Annual Giving
$1.7M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.3M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,737,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $265,000
  • Median Grant: $30,000
  • Average Grant: $51,914
  • Geographic Focus: San Francisco Bay Area, California (emphasis on Silicon Valley); also supports initiatives in Boston, New York, San Francisco, and internationally in Nairobi
  • Assets: $54.9 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: c/o Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford, CA 94305 Foundation Location: Redwood City, CA EIN: 30-6284985

Note: No public website, email, or phone number is available for this foundation.

Overview

The Grousbeck Fam Foundation II 05182011 was established in May 2011 and received its tax-exempt status in September 2011. Founded and managed by H. Irving Grousbeck and Susanne Grousbeck as trustees, this private family foundation has grown significantly from $18.8 million in assets at inception to $54.9 million by 2024. The foundation distributes approximately $1.7-1.8 million annually across 29-35 grants, primarily supporting nonprofit organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area with an emphasis on Silicon Valley, while also funding initiatives in other major cities including Boston, New York, and internationally. H. Irving Grousbeck is a distinguished entrepreneur and professor emeritus at Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he co-founded the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and taught for decades. The foundation reflects the family's commitment to education, healthcare, and community development.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private grantmaking foundation without designated program categories. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $265,000, with a median grant of $30,000 and average grant of approximately $52,000.

Priority Areas

Based on available data, the foundation's geographic focus includes:

  • San Francisco Bay Area nonprofits (primary focus)
  • Silicon Valley organizations
  • Selected initiatives in Boston, New York, San Francisco
  • International projects in Nairobi

The foundation's specific programmatic priorities are not publicly disclosed, though grants appear to support a range of charitable purposes.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly disclosed. As a private family foundation, funding decisions are made at the trustees' discretion.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • H. Irving Grousbeck - Co-founder and co-trustee. Born July 20, 1934, Grousbeck is an entrepreneur, educator, and philanthropist. He co-founded Continental Cablevision (later Media One) and served as its president from 1964-1980. At Stanford Graduate School of Business since 1985, he co-founded the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies in 1996 and developed Stanford's entrepreneurship curriculum. He also serves on numerous nonprofit boards including the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Children's Hospital Boston, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, and Menlo School. He is the father of Wycliffe Grousbeck (Boston Celtics owner) and Anne Grousbeck Matta (founder of Cabin Road Foundation).

  • Susanne Grousbeck - Co-founder and co-trustee.

Both trustees serve without compensation. The foundation has no paid staff and operates through trustee discretion.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees based on their philanthropic interests and relationships within their network. The foundation does not maintain a website, published guidelines, or application portal.

Grants appear to be made to organizations known to the trustees through their professional networks, board service, and community connections, particularly in the Stanford/Silicon Valley area and Boston where the family has deep ties.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates through trustee discretion without a public application process, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that receive funding from the Grousbeck Family Foundation II typically share these characteristics:

  • Geographic alignment: Located in or serving the San Francisco Bay Area/Silicon Valley, Boston, or other areas where the trustees have personal or professional connections
  • Network connections: Organizations where trustees serve on boards, have personal relationships, or connections through Stanford Graduate School of Business
  • Mission alignment: Organizations working in areas of demonstrated family interest, which appear to include education (particularly entrepreneurship education), healthcare (especially eye care and children's health), and community development
  • Institutional credibility: Well-established nonprofits with strong track records and governance

Given H. Irving Grousbeck's extensive background in entrepreneurship education and cable television, as well as his board service with organizations focused on education and healthcare, organizations in these sectors may align with the foundation's interests.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited applications - there is no formal application process
  • Grants are made at trustee discretion, primarily to organizations with existing relationships to the trustees
  • The foundation has grown significantly (from $18.8M to $54.9M in assets) and maintains consistent annual grantmaking of $1.7-1.8M
  • Geographic focus is primarily Silicon Valley/Bay Area with secondary interests in Boston and select other locations
  • H. Irving Grousbeck's background in entrepreneurship education and extensive nonprofit board service suggests organizational connections and mission alignment in education and healthcare are key
  • Grant sizes vary widely ($1,000-$265,000) with a median of $30,000, suggesting flexibility in funding both small and large initiatives
  • Organizations seeking funding would need to build relationships with the trustees through professional networks, Stanford GSB connections, or shared board service rather than through a formal application

References

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