Tandem Philanthropies
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- Tandem Philanthropies gives by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold approach is not the way in; a small charity should approach it through an existing connection or once invited.
- If you do have an introduction, its stated theme of learner-centred education is the clearest point of fit to test, since the filing describes support for emerging models in education, although it also funds health-care organisations and an energy foundation.
- A request in the typical band of $100,000 to $500,000 matches most of its grants, where the median was $250,000 and half of its 24 grants across its latest three filings were $250,000 or less, though its largest grant was $750,000 so the band is not a ceiling.
- In its latest filing, 73% of its grant dollars went to organisations it had also funded in its earlier filings, so most of its grant dollars go to repeat recipients and a new applicant faces a field of established grantees.
- The filing states no geographic focus, though its grants have mostly gone to California, Massachusetts, Arizona, New York and Virginia, which is worth knowing but is not a rule about who may apply.
Overview
Tandem Philanthropies is a US private foundation based in Menlo Park, CA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (siliconschools.com), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
Tandem Philanthropies is described by its co-founder as focusing on discovery, innovation and leadership to address pressing issues. In education, it supports emerging models for a more learner-centred approach to growth. Its filed grants go to a range of organisations, including education groups, an energy foundation and health-care organisations; the purposes are recorded as general support rather than named projects. The filing says contributions are made only to preselected charitable organisations. Its filed grant record includes organisations working across several fields.
Themes
- Learner-centred education
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in California, Massachusetts, Arizona, New York and Virginia.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 73% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 24 grants to organisations were $250,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 23% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 73% of grant dollars went to organisations Tandem Philanthropies had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 32% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 11 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $350k (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- United States Energy Foundation · To provide general support$750,0002024 tax year
- Health Care Without Harm · To provide general support$500,0002024 tax year
- Arizona State University Foundation · To provide general support$500,0002024 tax year
- Silicon Schools Fund · To provide general support$500,0002024 tax year
- Ceres · To provide general support$500,0002024 tax year
- Educators for Excellence · To provide general support$350,0002024 tax year
- Transcend · To provide general support$250,0002024 tax year
- Alder Graduate School of Education · To provide general support$200,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Zachary Herlick — Audit Committee Member
- Kathleen M Donohue — Director And CFO
- David L Sze — Director, Secretary, And CEO
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $1,234,371 | $1,150,000 | $48,506,679 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $3,248,283 | $2,750,800 | $70,954,502 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $4,502,886 | $3,850,000 | $76,299,918 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.
Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.
Data privacy and security by default
Your organisation's past successful grants and experience
AI analysis of what reviewers want to see
A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours
Spotted something that needs correcting? Let us know
At a glance
Applying to Tandem Philanthropies?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Menlo Park, CA
Applying to Tandem Philanthropies?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Menlo Park, CA