Jacques M Littlefield Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,989,800 (2023)
• Number of Awards: 21 grants (2023)
• Average Grant Size: ~$94,750
• Total Assets: $29.1 million (2024)
• Geographic Focus: California and Colorado
• Application Process: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications
• EIN: 46-4198085

Contact Details

Address: P.O. Box 7430, Menlo Park, CA 94026-7430

Phone: 650-743-0288

Note: The foundation does not have a public website. It operates as a private grantmaking foundation making contributions to pre-selected charitable organizations only.

Overview

The Jacques M Littlefield Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3) private grantmaking foundation and has been tax-exempt since May 2015. Named after Jacques Littlefield (1949-2009), a Stanford alumnus and military vehicle collector who founded the Military Vehicle Technology Foundation, the foundation is now led by his sons David Littlefield (President) and, until recently, Scott Littlefield (CFO), along with Secretary Nicole Marie Bergeron. The foundation maintains total assets of $29.1 million and distributed approximately $2 million in grants annually. The foundation supports educational opportunities and seeks sustainable improvements in society, economy, and environment, with a particular focus on first-generation college students, climate solutions journalism, and organizations in California and Colorado. The foundation operates through trustee discretion, making grants to pre-selected organizations rather than through a public application process.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal, named grant programs but has demonstrated consistent support in several areas:

Education Grants - Supporting first-generation college student initiatives, educational research, and student services at universities

Climate Solutions & Environmental Journalism - Multi-year grants to public media organizations for climate reporting and environmental journalism (e.g., $1.21 million over 5 years to Colorado Public Radio)

General Operating Support - According to grantee feedback, the foundation provides general operating grants rather than restricting funding to specific projects

Grant sizes vary significantly, with the foundation capable of making both smaller grants (tens of thousands) and substantial multi-year commitments exceeding $1 million.

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants and the foundation's mission statement, priority areas include:

• First-generation college student success - Supporting research, mentoring programs, and direct student services
• Climate change and environmental solutions - Particularly supporting journalism and public education about climate solutions
• Education in California and Colorado - With emphasis on ensuring students "make it to and through college"
• Public media and journalism - Especially environmental and climate reporting
• Sustainable improvements - Projects addressing society, economy, and environment
• Organizations with proven track records - The foundation has made multiple grants to organizations like Colorado Public Radio (at least three grants)

What They Don't Fund

• Unsolicited applications - The foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds
• Organizations outside California and Colorado - Geographic focus is limited to these two states
• General public fundraising - Operates through trustee selection rather than open competition

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

David Littlefield - President & Director

• Son of Jacques Littlefield
• Attended UC Santa Cruz
• Has expressed commitment to giving back to institutions that helped him, particularly supporting first-generation students

Scott Littlefield - CFO & Director (served until 2025)

• Son of Jacques Littlefield
• Held Ph.D.
• Quoted in foundation communications about grant decisions

Nicole Marie Bergeron - Secretary

• Primary point of contact for grantees
• Praised by grantees for providing guidance, minimizing bureaucracy, and demonstrating deep understanding of the nonprofit sector

Leadership Philosophy

Quote from Dr. Scott Littlefield (regarding Colorado Public Radio grant): "The Jacques M. Littlefield Foundation is impressed with Colorado Public Radio's forward-looking, insightful, and creative approach to informing the public."

The foundation leadership appears to value innovation, long-term thinking, and partnerships that create broader impact beyond just financial support.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Jacques M Littlefield Foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are made at the discretion of the board of directors to organizations they identify and select. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - decisions are made by trustees based on their own research and relationships rather than through a structured application cycle.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - as the foundation does not accept applications, there is no formal reapplication process. However, the foundation has demonstrated willingness to make multiple grants to organizations it trusts (e.g., three documented grants to Colorado Public Radio), suggesting they build long-term relationships with selected grantees.

Working with the Foundation

Grant Partnership Experience

Based on grantee feedback from GrantAdvisor (2016 review):

Positive Attributes:

• Provides guidance - Foundation staff offer substantial support to grantees
• Minimizes bureaucracy - "Doesn't require any needless documentation"
• Sector expertise - Staff demonstrate "deep understanding of the nonprofit sector"
• Beyond funding - "Gives more than money" including providing introductions and resources
• General operating support - Willing to provide flexible, unrestricted funding
• Partnership approach - "Littlefield partners in a way that adds value"

Key Staff: Nicole (Secretary) is described as "fantastic" and serves as the primary contact for grantees.

Reporting Requirements: The foundation is noted for not requiring excessive documentation, suggesting a streamlined reporting process focused on outcomes rather than process.

Grant Characteristics

• Multi-year commitments - The foundation makes substantial multi-year grants (e.g., 5-year grant to CPR)
• Repeat funding - Organizations can receive multiple grants over time
• Varying grant sizes - From smaller awards to $1+ million multi-year commitments
• Operating support available - Not restricted to project-specific funding
• Relationship-based - Foundation builds ongoing partnerships with grantees

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications - They only fund pre-selected organizations, so traditional grant writing strategies do not apply

2. Geographic limitation is strict - Focus is exclusively on California and Colorado; organizations outside these states should not expect consideration

3. Three main funding interests - First-generation college students, climate/environmental journalism, and sustainable community improvements are the documented priority areas

4. Relationship-driven grantmaking - The foundation makes multiple grants to organizations it trusts, suggesting that once selected, there are opportunities for ongoing partnership

5. Board members have personal connections - David Littlefield's attendance at UC Santa Cruz appears to have influenced the foundation's support of first-generation initiatives there, suggesting board members' experiences shape funding decisions

6. Values innovation and impact - The foundation is attracted to "forward-looking, insightful, and creative" approaches that create broader public benefit

7. If you do receive funding - Expect a supportive, low-bureaucracy partnership with staff who understand nonprofit challenges and provide value beyond money

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Jacques M Littlefield Foundation (EIN 46-4198085). Form 990-PF filings 2014-2024. Accessed February 9, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/464198085

• Cause IQ - Jacques M. Littlefield Foundation profile. Financial data and organizational information. Accessed February 9, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/jacques-m-littlefield-foundation,464198085/

• Colorado Public Radio. "Colorado Public Radio To Launch Climate Solutions Reporting Team With $1.21 Million Investment From The Jacques M. Littlefield Foundation." Press release, April 2019. https://www.cpr.org/press-release/colorado-public-radio-to-launch-climate-solutions-reporting-team-with-1-21-million-investment-from-the-jacques-m-littlefield-foundation/

• UC Santa Cruz News. "First generation, lasting impact." October 2019. https://news.ucsc.edu/2019/10/littlefield-gift/

• GrantAdvisor. Review of Jacques M Littlefield Foundation. 2016 grantee feedback. Accessed February 9, 2026. https://grantadvisor.org/profile/46-4198085/jacques-m-littlefield-foundation

• Candid (Foundation Directory Online). Jacques M Littlefield Foundation Grantmaker Profile. Accessed February 9, 2026.

• Grantmakers.io. Jacques M Littlefield Foundation Profile. Grant activity data 2014-2023. Accessed February 9, 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/464198085-jacques-m-littlefield-foundation/

• Wikipedia. "Jacques Littlefield." Biographical information. Accessed February 9, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Littlefield

• Tax Exempt World. Jacques M Littlefield Foundation - 501C3 Nonprofit profile. Contact information. Accessed February 9, 2026.