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Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$17.7M
Grant Range
$5K - $5.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $17.7 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (preselected organizations only)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $5,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: National (primarily California, with programs in multiple states)

Contact Details

  • Website: https://sgb.org/
  • Phone: Not publicly available
  • Email: Not publicly available
  • Address: San Francisco, CA

Overview

The Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation (EIN: 46-1194887) is a $210+ million private operating foundation established in 2013 by Sheryl Sandberg, former Meta COO, and named in memory of her late husband Dave Goldberg. The foundation works to build a more equal and resilient world through direct program operation and strategic grant-making to preselected organizations. With annual charitable disbursements exceeding $17 million in 2024, the foundation focuses on education equity, women's leadership, and resilience-building through its flagship programs: LeanIn.Org (operating in 172 countries with 2+ million members), OptionB.Org, and the Dave Goldberg Scholarship Program which has supported 168+ students with $60,000 scholarships each.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Institutional Support Grants: $1-5 million (direct support to universities like Marshall University's $5M Marshall For All program)
  • Dave Goldberg Scholarships: $60,000 per student over 4 years ($15,000 annually) for college support including stipends for critical expenses, emergency grants, and dedicated mentorship
  • Program Operating Support: Funding for LeanIn.Org circles, Lean In Girls leadership programs, and OptionB.Org resilience programs

Priority Areas

  • College access and completion for first-generation and underrepresented students
  • Debt-free higher education initiatives
  • Women's leadership and workplace equity
  • Youth leadership development, particularly for diverse young leaders
  • Resilience and mental health support in the face of adversity
  • Educational support organizations serving low-income communities

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited grant requests (foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations)
  • Individual requests outside of the Dave Goldberg Scholarship Program
  • Organizations outside their strategic focus areas

Governance and Leadership

Board Chair: Sheryl K. Sandberg (Founder) CEO: Rachel Thomas (LeanIn.Org and OptionB.Org) Other Key Executives: Archana Gilravi, Brandon McCormick

The foundation was established following Dave Goldberg's unexpected death in 2015, with Sandberg committing to The Giving Pledge. The foundation operates two related entities: the primary foundation (EIN: 46-1194887) and a charitable foundation (EIN: 83-2713007).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Exception - Dave Goldberg Scholarship Program:

  • Opens annually on October 2nd (Dave Goldberg's birthday)
  • Available through partner organizations KIPP Public Schools and Peninsula Bridge
  • Students must be enrolled in these partner programs to be eligible
  • Application includes financial support needs assessment and mentorship matching

Getting on Their Radar

Based on their grant-making patterns, organizations that align with their mission may be identified through:

  • Existing partnerships with educational equity organizations like KIPP and Peninsula Bridge
  • Universities with strong first-generation college student support programs
  • Organizations already working in the Lean In or Option B ecosystems
  • Connections through board members and leadership who are active in the education and women's leadership sectors

Decision Timeline

Not applicable for unsolicited applications. For the Dave Goldberg Scholarship Program, decisions are typically made within 3-4 months of the October 2nd application opening.

Success Rates

Not available due to invitation-only grant-making model. For the Dave Goldberg Scholarship Program, approximately 15-17 students are selected annually from each partner organization.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable for general grants. Dave Goldberg Scholarship applicants through partner organizations may reapply if unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, success factors focus on alignment rather than application quality:

  • Strong track record in education equity, particularly supporting first-generation college students
  • Demonstrated impact in reducing college debt burden and improving completion rates
  • Geographic presence in areas where the foundation is already active (California Bay Area, KIPP regions)
  • Alignment with Lean In principles - organizations promoting women's leadership and gender equity
  • Scale and sustainability - preference for organizations that can demonstrate broad impact (KIPP serves 175,000+ students)
  • Partnership approach - willingness to collaborate on multi-year initiatives rather than one-time grants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is an invitation-only funder - do not submit unsolicited proposals
  • Focus on building organizational alignment with their mission rather than pursuing direct applications
  • Consider partnering with their existing grantees (KIPP, Peninsula Bridge) for collaborative opportunities
  • Students interested in the Dave Goldberg Scholarship must be enrolled in partner programs (KIPP or Peninsula Bridge)
  • The foundation prefers multi-year, transformative partnerships over small one-time grants
  • Strong emphasis on measurable outcomes in education completion and debt reduction
  • Organizations may benefit from engaging with LeanIn.Org or OptionB.Org programs to build relationships

References

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