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Genentech Foundation

Annual Giving
$8.7M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.5M
Decision Time
3mo
Success Rate
14%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8.7 million (Foundation); $85+ million (Corporate Giving)
  • Success Rate: 14% (Innovation Fund: 61 grants awarded from 443 applications)
  • Decision Time: Varies by program (minimum 60-day advance submission required)
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $500,000
  • Geographic Focus: National (US-based), with preference for California and Genentech presence locations

Contact Details

Website: https://www.gene.com/good/giving/corporate-giving

Email: give@gene.com

Phone: Not publicly listed for general grant inquiries

Address: 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080

Funding Request System: Applications submitted through Genentech Funding Request System (gFRS)

Overview

The Genentech Foundation was established in 2002 as a private charitable foundation by Genentech, a member of the Roche Group. With assets of $16.3 million and annual grantmaking of approximately $8.7 million, the Foundation works to unlock access to educational and career pathways in life sciences and medicine. The Foundation operates alongside Genentech's broader corporate giving program, which provides an additional $85+ million annually. Since 2017, Genentech has invested nearly $200 million in equity-focused giving. The Foundation prioritizes creating career pathways for underserved transitional-aged youth and adults in biotechnology and related sectors, with particular emphasis on justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Foundation has been recognized as one of the top corporate philanthropists in the Bay Area. Recent strategic focus includes addressing systemic racism in scientific research, healthcare delivery, and education through multi-year collaborative partnerships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Health Equity Innovation Fund: $10-17 million annually

  • Supports bold, innovative solutions addressing racial and ethnic health disparities
  • Focus areas include neuroscience/brain health, oncology (breast, lung, HCC), ophthalmology (diabetic macular edema), cardiovascular and metabolic disease
  • Since 2019, has invested $50 million across 100+ healthcare organizations
  • 2024 round: $10+ million to 10+ grantees
  • Application method: Request for Proposals (RFP) issued annually (typically April deadline)
  • 443 applicants, 61 grants awarded (14% success rate)

Diverse Future of STEM Fund: $100,000 - $500,000 per grant

  • Supports students from kindergarten through graduate school in STEM pathways
  • Provides financial and non-financial support including mentorship and technology access
  • Targets programs serving students from historically underrepresented communities
  • Application method: Letters of inquiry accepted via online portal (August deadline)
  • Full proposals invited following LOI evaluation

Community Giving: Grant amounts vary

  • Annual grant opportunity for local organizations serving South San Francisco
  • Supports programs and events enhancing community pride and civic engagement
  • Rolling submissions for some programs
  • Extra consideration for areas where Genentech has presence: South San Francisco, Vacaville, and Oceanside, CA; Hillsboro and Portland, OR

Independent Medical Education: Grant amounts vary

  • Supports disease research and medical education
  • Focuses on Genentech therapeutic areas
  • Rolling basis fellowship opportunities

Priority Areas

  • STEM Education & Career Development: K-12 through graduate-level programs supporting diversity in science and medicine; capacity-building for STEM programs committed to diversity and inclusion
  • Health Equity: Programs addressing systemic barriers in healthcare delivery, clinical trial participation, and patient outcomes; community-based health services; healthcare workforce diversity
  • Community Development: Civic initiatives in communities where Genentech operates; programs serving economically disadvantaged populations
  • Research & Innovation: Projects led by people of color or embracing deep partnership with historically marginalized communities; culturally sensitive program design

What They Don't Fund

  • Political or sectarian organizations
  • Individual physicians or private medical practices
  • Religious purposes
  • Capital campaigns
  • Promotional activities for specific medical products
  • Programs where students/scholars are pre-selected before funding decision
  • Non-US based programs (with rare exceptions for organizations with W8-BEN status)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

The Genentech Foundation Board consists of Genentech employees with diverse backgrounds who are passionate about providing resources to historically excluded and underrepresented students in science and medical education.

Allen Napetian - Board Chair and Vice President, Site Services (also Vice President and Head of Global External Quality at Genentech & Roche)

  • Education: BS in Biology from UC Davis; MBA from Saint Mary's College of California
  • Quote: "The Catalyze the Future campaign builds on our decade-long partnership with SF State by expanding access to the most advanced technologies, facilities and curricula to make it easier for students from historically underrepresented communities to pursue degrees in STEM fields."

Fritz Bittenbender, Sr. - Board Member

Key Leadership Perspectives

Alexander Hardy, CEO of Genentech: "I deeply believe that championing diversity, equity and inclusion is a business imperative and an essential part of driving groundbreaking science and innovation. We can't become the Genentech of the future without making real progress in this space."

Quita Highsmith, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer: "Real change starts at home. Our progress in inclusive research wouldn't be possible without the deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at every level across Genentech." She added, "We're not just looking back at our progress from this past year—we're also looking forward and doubling down on our vision for D&I. Genentech is committed to this work for the long haul, and we hope this work inspires other industry leaders to continue investing in this important work."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Genentech Funding Request System (gFRS)

  • All applications must be submitted through the online gFRS portal at least 60 days prior to project/program/event start date
  • Applicants receive confirmation email upon submission
  • Video tutorials, one-page tip sheets, and FAQs available at gene.com/good/giving/corporate-giving/funding-request-system-resources

Required Materials:

  • Current W-9 form (signed within one year of application submission)
  • Detailed project budget
  • Payment method details
  • Authorized signatory information

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Tax-exempt public charity under IRS sections 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6), OR
  • US governmental organization (public schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, federally recognized tribal governments)
  • Organization must be located in the United States (or have W8-BEN status)

Program-Specific Processes:

  • Innovation Fund: RFP issued annually with specific deadline (recent years: April)
  • Diverse Future of STEM Fund: Letters of inquiry due in August; full proposals by invitation only
  • Community Giving & Other Programs: Rolling submissions accepted (subject to 60-day advance requirement)
  • Invitation-Only Grants: Invitations extended throughout the year; some grants awarded by trustee discretion

Decision Timeline

  • Review Process: Applications reviewed for strategic alignment and policy compliance
  • Additional Information: Applicants may receive Request for Information (RFI) or direct contact from team members if more details needed
  • Status Tracking: Applicants can track application status through online portal
  • Final Decision: Email notification sent regarding final decision
  • Letter of Agreement: Approved organizations enter into formal agreement
  • Specific Timeframe: Not publicly disclosed; minimum 60-day advance submission requirement suggests multi-month review process

Success Rates

  • Innovation Fund: 14% success rate (61 grants awarded from 443 applications since 2019)
  • Other Programs: Success rates not publicly disclosed
  • 2024 Innovation Fund Cohort: 94% of grantee teams led or co-led by people of color; 87% first-time recipients of Genentech grants

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Organizations should contact give@gene.com for guidance on reapplication after unsuccessful submissions.

Application Success Factors

Selection Priorities

The Foundation prioritizes applications that demonstrate:

  • Justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in project design
  • Leadership by people of color or deep partnership with historically marginalized communities
  • Firsthand experience with the healthcare or educational challenges being addressed
  • Bold, innovative ideas that address systemic barriers rather than surface-level symptoms
  • Cultural sensitivity in program design and implementation
  • Alignment with Genentech therapeutic areas for health-focused grants

Recent Successful Projects

Health Equity Innovation Fund Grantees:

  • TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance: "When We Tri(al)" initiative activating joyful, energized community to overcome Black women's justifiable mistrust of clinical research
  • Henry Ford Health: Participatory Action for Access to Clinical Trials (PAACT) project increasing Black/African American clinical trial participation through community partnerships
  • Parkland Health Foundation (Texas): Using AI and machine learning to predict barriers to breast cancer treatment for vulnerable communities
  • Aliados Health (California): Mobile health services bringing breast and cervical cancer screenings directly to community centers
  • Baylor College of Medicine: Health equity program certificate in School of Health Professions
  • Penn Medicine Abramson Cancer Center: Increasing Black patient participation in cancer treatment and clinical trials

Diverse Future of STEM Grantees:

  • San Francisco State University: $14 million for programs training next generation of life sciences leaders from underrepresented communities
  • South San Francisco Unified School District: $2 million for new math and science curricula rollout
  • University of California, Santa Cruz: Multiple grants supporting STEM diversity programs

Strategic Insights

  • Geographic preference: More than half of STEM grants go to California organizations; additional consideration for South San Francisco, Vacaville, Oceanside, CA; Hillsboro and Portland, OR
  • Community connection: 77% of grantees report "greater buy-in for their work" as a result of Innovation Fund support
  • Multi-year commitment: Foundation seeks sustainable, long-term impact rather than one-time projects
  • Collaborative approach: Foundation values partnerships and works directly with grantees
  • Employee engagement: Organizations connected to Genentech employees through networking may have increased visibility (per Inside Philanthropy guidance)

Key Terminology Used by Funder

  • "Bold ideas" and "groundbreaking innovation"
  • "Systemic barriers" and "healthcare system barriers"
  • "Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion"
  • "Historically marginalized communities"
  • "Culturally sensitive"
  • "Career pathways" and "workforce diversity"
  • "Health disparities" and "equitable care"

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Lead with diversity, equity, and inclusion: The Foundation explicitly prioritizes DEI in every aspect of grantmaking. Applications must demonstrate these principles in project design, leadership, and anticipated impact. Projects led by or deeply partnering with communities of color are strongly preferred.

  • Focus on systemic change over band-aid solutions: The Foundation invests in "bold ideas" that address root causes of inequity in healthcare and STEM education. Proposals should articulate how the project dismantles barriers rather than simply providing temporary relief.

  • Demonstrate lived experience: The Foundation values teams with "firsthand experience" of the challenges they're addressing. Highlight how project leadership includes people directly affected by the issues.

  • Plan ahead for 60-day minimum: All applications require submission at least 60 days before project start. For competitive programs like Innovation Fund and Diverse Future of STEM, plan for much longer timelines (6-12 months).

  • Geographic advantage matters: Organizations in California—especially in South San Francisco, Vacaville, and Oceanside—receive additional consideration. If you're outside these areas, clearly demonstrate how your work aligns with Foundation priorities to compete effectively.

  • Consider the full Genentech ecosystem: Beyond the Foundation's $8.7 million, Genentech's corporate giving exceeds $85 million annually. Explore whether your project fits better with corporate giving (e.g., independent medical education, disease research) or Foundation programs (STEM education, health equity).

  • Network strategically: According to Inside Philanthropy, reaching out to Genentech employees and building relationships can increase funding chances. The Foundation board consists of Genentech employees passionate about supporting underrepresented students in STEM.

References

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