Hutton Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,028,136
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (preselected organizations)
• Grant Range: Average $13,147
• Geographic Focus: National (United States)

Contact Details

• Address: 2 Santiago Ave, Atherton, CA 94027-5413
• Phone: (650) 327-4200
• Website: None available
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Hutton Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in Atherton, California, with assets of approximately $16.3 million. The foundation operates as a family-led philanthropic organization under the leadership of President Wende S. Hutton, who also serves as General Partner at Canaan Partners, a venture capital firm focused on healthcare and biotechnology. The foundation makes approximately 70 grants annually with an average grant size of $13,147, supporting charitable organizations across the United States. With annual giving exceeding $1 million, the foundation has funded projects in major urban centers including New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC, demonstrating a national reach in its philanthropic activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate specific grant programs or funding streams. Grants are made at the discretion of the board to preselected organizations.

Priority Areas

The foundation does not publicly specify particular areas of focus. Based on available information, the foundation supports a wide range of charitable causes across different sectors without designated priority areas.

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation that only supports preselected organizations, they do not fund:

• Unsolicited grant requests
• Organizations not already identified by the foundation
• Direct applications from the public

Governance and Leadership

President & Director: Wende S. Hutton

• Based in Atherton, California
• General Partner at Canaan Partners (venture capital firm)
• Extensive experience in healthcare innovation and biotechnology investments

The foundation operates as a family foundation with board members serving without compensation, demonstrating commitment to charitable purposes. All grant decisions are made at the board level with organizations preselected for support.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Hutton Family Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Organizations are identified and selected by the foundation's board and leadership.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's structure and the president's professional background in venture capital and healthcare/biotech, organizations in these sectors may have natural connection points through:

• Professional networks in the San Francisco Bay Area venture capital community
• Healthcare and biotechnology innovation circles where Wende Hutton is active through Canaan Partners
• Organizations may benefit from establishing connections through mutual contacts rather than direct outreach

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made to preselected organizations without a formal application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not have a formal application process.

Application Success Factors

Since the Hutton Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations seeking support should focus on:

• Building authentic relationships within the San Francisco Bay Area philanthropic community
• Demonstrating impact and effectiveness that may come to the foundation's attention through other channels
• Understanding that the foundation makes approximately 70 grants annually, suggesting they support a diverse portfolio of organizations
• Recognizing that with an average grant size of $13,147, the foundation typically provides moderate-sized grants rather than major institutional support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Hutton Family Foundation is an active grantmaker with over $1 million in annual giving, but does not accept unsolicited applications
• All grants are made to preselected organizations identified by the foundation's board
• The foundation has national reach, funding projects across multiple states and major cities
• Average grant size of approximately $13,147 suggests focus on moderate-level support rather than major institutional grants
• The president's background in venture capital and healthcare/biotech may indicate potential interest in innovative approaches and healthcare-related causes
• Organizations cannot apply directly and must focus on relationship building and visibility within relevant networks
• The foundation's broad geographic reach suggests they are open to supporting organizations nationwide, not just in the Bay Area

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Hutton Family Foundation Profile (accessed March 3, 2026)
• GuideStar Database - EIN 47-4305984 (accessed March 3, 2026)
• Grantmakers.io - Hutton Family Foundation Overview (accessed March 3, 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - Private Foundation Profile (accessed March 3, 2026)
• IRS Form 990-PF Filing Status and Classifications (accessed March 3, 2026)
• Charity Navigator - Foundation Classification Data (accessed March 3, 2026)