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Sun Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$5.6M
Grant Range
$1K - $1.8M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5,642,935 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (invitation-only)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,800,000
  • Median Grant: $45,000
  • Geographic Focus: Orange County, California exclusively
  • Total Assets: $86.8 million

Contact Details

Website: https://sunfamilyfoundation.org/

Location: Fountain Valley/Irvine, CA

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or letters of inquiry. Organizations interested in connecting may use the contact form on their website, but grants are only made to organizations that the foundation approaches.

Overview

Founded in 1999 by David and Diana Sun, co-founders of Kingston Technology, the Sun Family Foundation began with a vision of sharing their good fortune with the local Orange County communities that supported their family and business ventures. With approximately $86.8 million in assets and annual giving of $5.6 million (2023), the foundation awards approximately 51-60 grants annually. Initially focused on providing educational opportunities for underserved youth, the foundation has expanded its grantmaking to support organizations serving underserved individuals and communities across education, youth development, human services, and philanthropy and social innovation. The foundation is now run by two generations of the Sun family and received the National Philanthropy Day Outstanding Philanthropist Award in 2021. In recognition of their transformational philanthropy, the foundation made a historic $100 million commitment to Hoag Hospital's expansion in Irvine (two $50 million gifts in 2022 and 2025), marking the largest contribution from a family to the Boldly Hoag campaign.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with set application cycles. Instead, they proactively identify and approach organizations aligned with their values and mission. Notable funding includes:

  • Sun Scholars Scholarship Program: Awarded over $9 million in college scholarships to underrepresented, first-generation students in Orange County (program being sunsetted; transitioned to partnership with Simon Scholars Program)
  • Healthcare Infrastructure: $100 million commitment to Hoag Hospital's Sun Family Campus in Irvine
  • Education Grants: $1,000 - $1,800,000 (largest to education organizations)
  • Human Services: Variable amounts to organizations serving seniors and underserved communities
  • Youth Development: Support for organizations providing access and opportunity

Priority Areas

Core Focus Areas (Orange County, California only):

  • Education: College scholarships, educational access for underserved youth, support to universities (UC Irvine, Cal State Fullerton)
  • Youth Development: Programs supporting first-generation students and underrepresented youth
  • Human Services: Services for senior citizens (Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center, Irvine Evergreen Chinese Senior Association), homeless shelters, community services
  • Philanthropy & Social Innovation: Nonprofit capacity building and innovative community solutions

Recent Grant Recipients (2021):

  • Simon Foundation for Education: $1,800,000
  • UC Irvine Foundation: $202,000
  • OCCACC Scholarship Foundation: $200,000
  • Cal State Fullerton Foundation: $155,000
  • Tiyya Foundation Inc: $125,000
  • DragonKimFoundation: $115,000
  • Asian American Senior Center: $105,000

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations outside Orange County, California
  • Unsolicited requests from organizations they have not approached

Note: The foundation also operates the Guang Yuan Charitable Foundation in Taiwan (established 2011), which has provided over 7,000 scholarships in Taiwan.

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel (all volunteer, uncompensated):

  • David Sun, President - Co-founder of Kingston Technology, immigrated from Taiwan in 1977
  • Diana Sun, Vice President - Co-founder of foundation
  • Dara Mullarkey, Treasurer and Director of Philanthropic Values
  • Diana Kong, Secretary
  • Mei Hua Wong, Director

The foundation is guided by the values of Humility, Respect, Gratitude, Trust, and Unity.

Quote from David and Diana Sun (2021 National Philanthropy Day acceptance): "As first generation immigrants, we feel very fortunate to be able to share our blessings with our fellow communities. We are thankful to the opportunities this country has provided us."

The foundation's dedication to education honors David's mother, Guang Yuan, who was a high school biology teacher in Taiwan.

Next Generation Leadership: The foundation is now being run by two generations of Sun family members, with the next generation holding leadership positions and helping to shape the foundation's future strategy toward philanthropy and grantmaking.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are only made to organizations that the foundation approaches. They do not accept unsolicited proposals or letters of inquiry.

Organizations interested in connecting with the foundation may use the contact form on their website at sunfamilyfoundation.org, but there is no guarantee of consideration or response.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation identifies potential grantees through its own research and networks. Organizations nominated by existing partners may have better visibility. The foundation was nominated for their 2021 National Philanthropy Day award by several of their grantee partners including The Wooden Floor, Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano, Simon Scholars Program, The Tiyya Foundation, Dreams for Schools, and Bracken's Kitchen - suggesting these organizations have strong relationships with the foundation.

The foundation emphasizes building "deep and meaningful relationships with nonprofit partners" and seeks organizations that share their core values of Humility, Respect, Gratitude, Trust, and Unity.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - invitation-only grantmaking

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation approaches organizations rather than accepting applications

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation-only grantmaking

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only funder, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that align with the following criteria may be more likely to be approached:

Geographic Alignment: Must serve Orange County, California exclusively. The foundation has deep roots in Orange County, where David and Diana Sun have lived for over 40 years.

Values Alignment: Organizations should embody the foundation's core values of Humility, Respect, Gratitude, Trust, and Unity. The foundation seeks partners with shared values.

Focus Area Alignment: Strong alignment with education (particularly for underserved and first-generation students), youth development, human services (especially for seniors), or philanthropy and social innovation.

Community Service: Organizations serving underserved individuals and communities, with demonstrated impact in improving educational opportunities and well-being.

Relationship Building: The foundation emphasizes building "deep and meaningful relationships with nonprofit partners" - suggesting they value long-term partnerships over transactional grantmaking.

Immigrant and First-Generation Focus: As first-generation immigrants themselves, the Suns appear particularly drawn to organizations supporting immigrant communities and first-generation students.

Examples of Funded Work:

  • College access and scholarship programs for underrepresented, first-generation students
  • Services for Asian American senior citizens
  • University foundations supporting educational access
  • Nonprofit capacity building and social innovation
  • Healthcare infrastructure serving the community

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: You cannot apply to this funder - they identify and approach organizations themselves
  • Orange County Only: Geographic restriction is absolute - must serve Orange County, California
  • Values-Driven: Alignment with their core values (Humility, Respect, Gratitude, Trust, and Unity) is essential
  • Relationship-Focused: The foundation prioritizes "deep and meaningful relationships" over transactional grantmaking
  • Education is Core: Despite expansion into other areas, education - particularly for underserved and first-generation students - remains central to their mission
  • Long-Term Commitment: Their $100 million commitment to Hoag Hospital and multi-year scholarship programs demonstrate preference for sustained, transformational giving
  • Immigrant Heritage Matters: As first-generation immigrants, they appear particularly interested in supporting immigrant communities and first-generation student success
  • Multi-Generational: Next generation family members are now involved in leadership, suggesting the foundation's commitment will continue long-term

References

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