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Dave And Cheryl Duffield Foundation

Annual Giving
$11.7M
Grant Range
Up to $12.1M00
00

Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $11,705,381 (2023)
  • Total Assets: Approximately $873.6 million
  • Number of Grants: 33 awards in 2023
  • Average Grant Size: $354,709
  • Geographic Focus: National (with emphasis on Nevada/Lake Tahoe region)
  • Application Process: No public application process - invitation only

Contact Details

Website: https://www.duffieldfoundation.org

Location: Incline Village, Nevada

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding.

Overview

The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation (DCDF) was established in 2016 by software entrepreneur Dave Duffield (co-founder of PeopleSoft and Workday) and his wife Cheryl. With assets totaling approximately $873.6 million, the foundation distributed $11.7 million in grants in 2023 across 33 awards. DCDF focuses on three primary areas: supporting U.S. military veterans with disabilities, advancing companion animal well-being, and supporting local community organizations in the Lake Tahoe region where the Duffields have deep personal connections. The foundation operates alongside Maddie's Fund (the Duffields' separate animal welfare foundation established in 1994) as part of "The Duffield Foundation Family." The Duffields have given more of their personal wealth to animal welfare than any other individuals. In their lifetime, Dave Duffield has contributed $303 million to companion animal welfare causes, $145 million to Cornell University, $100 million to other educational institutions, $13 million to local first responders and community organizations, and $2.1 million to veterans affairs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Liberty Dogs™

  • The foundation's flagship program
  • 27-acre Service Dog training campus in Reno, Nevada (scheduled to open Summer 2026)
  • National training and placement program for U.S. military veterans diagnosed with PTSD
  • Two-week immersive program pairing veterans with service dogs - completely free to participants
  • Includes specialized training facilities, veterinary clinic, breeding/whelping facilities, and on-site accommodations
  • Liberty Dogs Wellness and Education Program: 3-day workshop currently available to Reno-based veterans

Companion Animal Well-Being

  • Partnerships with industry leaders including Maddie's Fund
  • Investments in expanding veterinary access and care
  • $12.1 million grant to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine to establish the Duffield Institute for Animal Behavior (2022)
  • Support for animal welfare agencies and pet shelters
  • Hurricane relief efforts for animal welfare organizations ($1 million committed in 2024)

Local Community Support

  • Support for Lake Tahoe/Incline Village regional organizations
  • $7.8 million grant to Incline Village Community Hospital Foundation for Surgery Enhancement Project (naming the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Surgery Center)
  • $350,000 grant to Incline Village Community Hospital for COVID-19 response (2020)
  • Support for North Lake Tahoe Boys and Girls Club (funded the BGCNLT Duffield Youth Program at Incline Elementary School, opened January 2018)
  • Local schools, parks, and first responders

Priority Areas

  1. Veterans with Disabilities: Specifically U.S. military veterans diagnosed with service-connected PTSD; service dog training and placement; veteran wellness and mental health programs

  2. Companion Animal Well-Being: Expanding access to veterinary care; animal behavior research; service dog training; no-kill shelter support; disaster relief for pets

  3. Local Public Service: Organizations in the Lake Tahoe/Incline Village region; healthcare facilities; youth programs; first responders; educational institutions

  4. Organizations with Personal Connections: Projects where the founders have direct involvement or relationship

What They Don't Fund

  • The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications from organizations
  • Focus is exclusively on preselected organizations aligned with their three priority areas
  • No indication of support for projects outside veterans, animal welfare, or their local community

Governance and Leadership

Dave Duffield, Founder

  • Co-founder of PeopleSoft (1987) and Workday (2005)
  • Cornell University graduate (BSEE '62, MBA '64)
  • Founded PeopleSoft at age 47; sold to Oracle for $10.7 billion in 2005
  • Founded Workday at age 65
  • Personal net worth built through enterprise software industry
  • Lives in the Lake Tahoe area
  • Has 10 children total (7 adopted with Cheryl, 3 from previous marriage)

Cheryl Duffield, Co-Founder

  • Co-established Maddie's Fund with Dave in 1994 with initial $200 million investment
  • Deep commitment to animal welfare stemming from promise made to their Miniature Schnauzer, Maddie
  • Active in foundation strategy and grantmaking decisions

Key Philosophy

Dave Duffield on supporting veterans and animals: "We are honored to partner with Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine on this endeavor as it ties together the two main focuses of the Foundation: aiding veterans and animal welfare. It's extraordinary to be able to enhance the lives of our nation's veterans, who have served us, by providing service-dog training programs that will serve them. Combined, the institute's service-dog training program and important behavior research and programming will improve the relationships of service dogs with their handlers and companion animals with their families – helping them to live longer, healthier and happier lives."

On pet welfare: "Pets are valued family members, and even more so during times of stress. We are providing these funds to help reunite families as quickly as possible." (Hurricane relief efforts, 2024)

Relationship to Maddie's Fund

The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation is part of "The Duffield Foundation Family," which includes Maddie's Fund and Liberty Dogs. Maddie's Fund, established in 1994, has awarded over $301.3 million in grants toward animal welfare initiatives. The DCDF was created in 2016 to allow the Duffields to expand their philanthropic efforts into veterans' causes and additional community support while Maddie's Fund continues its focused animal welfare mission.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's leadership based on:

  • Organizations where the founders have personal connections
  • Projects aligned with their three core focus areas
  • Regional organizations in the Lake Tahoe/Incline Village community
  • Strategic initiatives identified by the foundation (such as Liberty Dogs)

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation proactively identifies and approaches organizations rather than reviewing submitted applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only grantmaking model.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - there is no application process for organizations to utilize.

Application Success Factors

Understanding This Foundation's Approach

Unlike traditional foundations, DCDF operates through proactive identification of grantees rather than responsive grantmaking. However, understanding their priorities provides insight into what types of organizations might eventually be approached:

Veterans Focus - Liberty Dogs Model The foundation's approach to veterans shows their preference for:

  • Direct service delivery (building and operating Liberty Dogs campus vs. funding multiple smaller programs)
  • Evidence-based interventions (service dogs for PTSD with VA diagnosis requirement)
  • Long-term sustainable solutions (major capital investment in 27-acre campus)
  • Free services to beneficiaries (no cost to veterans for two-week program)
  • National reach with local base (Reno campus serving veterans nationwide)

Animal Welfare - Strategic Partnerships The foundation's approach to companion animals demonstrates:

  • Collaboration with established leaders (partnership with Maddie's Fund)
  • Systems-level change (expanding veterinary access industry-wide)
  • Research and education (Duffield Institute at Cornell)
  • Crisis response (hurricane relief efforts)

Local Community Support - Personal Connection Lake Tahoe/Incline Village grants show:

  • Very large transformational gifts ($7.8M to hospital)
  • Naming opportunities (Duffield Surgery Center, Duffield Youth Program)
  • Infrastructure and capital projects (surgery center enhancement)
  • Long-term community institutions (hospital, Boys & Girls Club)
  • First responders and essential services

Personal Connection Factor Dave Duffield's quote about Maddie reveals the deeply personal nature of their philanthropy: During PeopleSoft's early days, he promised his dog Maddie, "If we ever make some money, I promise we will give it back to you and your kind so others can be as happy as we are today." This emotional connection drives their giving - they support causes that personally resonate with their values and experiences.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Direct Application Route: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications. Organizations should not submit proposals or letters of inquiry.

  • Three Clear Lanes: The foundation operates in three distinct areas - veterans with PTSD, companion animal welfare, and Lake Tahoe community support. Organizations outside these areas will not be considered.

  • Scale and Ambition: When the foundation engages, they think big - $7.8M hospital renovations, $12.1M research institutes, 27-acre service dog campuses. They favor transformational over incremental change.

  • Personal Connection Matters: The foundation prioritizes organizations where Dave and Cheryl have direct relationships or personal interest. Geographic proximity (Lake Tahoe region) or connection to their life story increases likelihood of support.

  • Build Relationships in Their Ecosystem: Organizations working alongside Maddie's Fund, Cornell University veterinary programs, veterans' service providers in Nevada, or Lake Tahoe community institutions may have indirect pathways to foundation awareness.

  • Long-term Partnership Model: The foundation appears to prefer deep, sustained engagement with select organizations rather than one-time grants to many organizations (33 grants averaging $354K suggests focused portfolio vs. broad distribution).

  • Related Foundation Alternative: Organizations focused purely on animal welfare may find Maddie's Fund (the Duffields' other foundation) has different application policies - research both foundations in the Duffield Family.

References

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