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The Camp Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.4M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,425,610 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Not publicly available
  • Geographic Focus: United States (focus on global impact projects)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.camp.org/
Email: info@camp.org
Location: West Hollywood, CA / San Francisco, CA

Overview

The Camp Foundation (EIN 36-4902612) is a private foundation established and supported by Garrett Camp, co-founder of Uber and StumbleUpon. Founded with a mission to support research into infrastructure, sustainability, and conservation projects with significant global impact, the foundation contributed $1,425,610 in grants during 2023. Camp joined The Giving Pledge in 2017, committing to give away half of his wealth to charitable causes. Rather than operating a traditional grantmaking program, the foundation appears to focus on creating and supporting technology-driven nonprofit initiatives that address complex global challenges. The foundation's approach emphasizes innovation and scalable solutions that leverage technology to create widespread positive impact.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not appear to operate traditional open grant programs. Instead, it creates and supports specific nonprofit projects aligned with its mission. Recent grant activity:

  • 2023: 2 awards
  • 2022: 3 awards
  • 2021: 2 awards
  • 2020: 3 awards

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on three main areas:

Infrastructure: Projects that address fundamental systems and structures needed for societal advancement and technological innovation.

Sustainability: Initiatives that promote environmental sustainability and long-term ecological balance.

Conservation: Research and projects aimed at protecting and preserving natural resources and ecosystems.

Technology Innovation: The foundation specifically supports technology-driven solutions to complex global problems, including AI applications for social good, nonprofit fundraising infrastructure, and tools to combat disinformation.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, based on the foundation's focus on creating its own projects rather than funding external organizations, it appears unlikely to fund:

  • Traditional service delivery programs
  • Individual scholarships or fellowships
  • Operating support for established organizations
  • Projects outside the infrastructure, sustainability, and conservation focus areas

Governance and Leadership

Founder and Supporter: Garrett Camp, co-founder of Uber, StumbleUpon, and founder of Expa.

Detailed information about trustees and board members is not publicly available. As a private foundation supported by a single individual, governance likely rests primarily with Garrett Camp and his advisors.

In his Giving Pledge letter, Camp stated his goal is "to find a few areas of interest where he can work with others to create systems and products that will make a widespread positive impact."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Camp Foundation operates primarily by identifying, creating, and supporting specific projects that align with its mission. Grants appear to be awarded through trustee discretion and strategic project selection rather than through an open application process.

The foundation has demonstrated its approach through projects it has created or supported, including:

  • Every.org: A philanthropic platform providing free fundraising technology and infrastructure to over 1.5 million nonprofits
  • TrueMedia.org: An AI-powered deepfake detection tool (discontinued January 2025, technology transferred to Georgetown University)

Organizations seeking support should note that the foundation appears to focus on technology-driven solutions with potential for significant scale and global impact.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available, as there is no formal application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to the absence of a public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the absence of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's operational model, the following factors appear to be important based on the projects it has supported:

Technology-Driven Solutions: The foundation consistently supports projects that leverage technology to create scalable solutions. Both Every.org (fundraising infrastructure) and TrueMedia.org (AI deepfake detection) demonstrate a preference for tech-enabled approaches.

Potential for Scale and Global Impact: Camp has stated his focus is on projects that "will have a significant global impact." Projects must demonstrate potential to reach and benefit large populations or address problems at scale.

Innovation and Systems-Level Thinking: Rather than funding incremental improvements, the foundation appears interested in creating new systems and infrastructure. Camp's Giving Pledge letter emphasizes working "to create systems and products that will make a widespread positive impact."

Alignment with Core Mission Areas: Projects must clearly align with infrastructure, sustainability, or conservation priorities. The foundation's supported projects show creative interpretation of these areas (e.g., nonprofit fundraising infrastructure as a form of philanthropic infrastructure).

Nonprofit or Social Good Focus: While the foundation supports technology innovation, projects must be oriented toward social impact rather than commercial gain.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - this foundation operates through project creation and strategic selection rather than responding to applications
  • Technology and scale are paramount - supported projects leverage technology for exponential impact
  • Focus is narrow but creatively interpreted - infrastructure, sustainability, and conservation can encompass innovative approaches like digital infrastructure
  • The foundation builds rather than funds - Camp appears to prefer creating and launching initiatives rather than supporting existing organizations
  • Relationship-based rather than application-based - connections to Garrett Camp, his networks (Uber, Expa, tech community), or the foundation's existing projects may be pathways to support
  • Long-term impact orientation - the foundation appears interested in sustainable solutions and lasting change rather than short-term programs
  • The Giving Pledge commitment signals growing philanthropy - with Camp pledging half his wealth, the foundation's activities may expand over time

References

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