Jean & E Floyd Kvamme Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $14,659,028 (2024)
Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation/pre-selection only)
Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)
Grant Range: $100 - $30,000,000+
Geographic Focus: Primarily Northern California, with national and international Christian organizations
Total Assets: $1,004,505 (2024)

Contact Details

Address: P.O. Box 2494, Saratoga, CA 95070
Phone: (408) 395-2829
Website: None
Email: Not publicly available

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website and does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

Overview

Established in 1993 by Silicon Valley technology pioneer E. Floyd Kvamme and his late wife Jean, the Jean & E Floyd Kvamme Foundation is a private family foundation that has distributed approximately $14.7 million annually in recent years through 60+ grants. Floyd Kvamme is a partner emeritus at Kleiner Perkins venture capital firm, served as co-chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (2001-2008), and was an early executive at Apple Computer. The foundation conducts its grantmaking through a Christian theological lens with a conservative orientation, supporting faith-based organizations, medical research and care (particularly focused on cancer, Alzheimer's, leukemia, arthritis, and spondylitis), education institutions with Christian values, and conservative policy organizations. The foundation made headlines in 2024-2025 with a transformational $30 million commitment to Sutter Health for the Jean and E. Floyd Kvamme Advanced Cancer Center in Santa Cruz, inspired by Jean Kvamme's battle with cancer before her passing in 2020. The foundation is now managed by Floyd Kvamme and his sons Todd and Damon Kvamme, who serve as trustees, with all three working to continue Jean's legacy of Christian-centered philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with defined application cycles. All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees based on pre-existing relationships and organizational alignment with the family's values.

Grant Size Range:

Small grants: $100 - $5,000 (most common)
Medium grants: $5,000 - $100,000
Major gifts: $100,000 - $30,000,000+ (transformational projects)

Priority Areas

Christian Religious Organizations (Largest Focus Area)

Evangelical ministries and evangelism support
Church operations and Christian outreach programs
International Christian missions and relief organizations
Christian education and discipleship programs

Medical and Health

Cancer research and treatment facilities (particularly following Jean's experience)
Alzheimer's research and support
Leukemia and blood cancer research
Arthritis and spondylitis research (Damon Kvamme connection to Spondylitis Association of America)
Medical relief organizations with Christian missions

Education

Christian colleges and universities (particularly Wheaton College and Hillsdale College)
Christian K-12 schools
Science education (planetariums, STEM facilities)
Educational institutions with conservative values

Policy and Public Affairs

Conservative and libertarian policy organizations
Free market and economic freedom advocacy
Limited government initiatives

Arts and Community

Northern California community projects with family connection
Therapeutic riding and adaptive recreation

What They Don't Fund

Organizations without a Christian foundation or conservative orientation
Progressive or liberal policy advocacy
General operating support for organizations outside their pre-selected circle
Unsolicited proposals from unknown organizations
Projects that conflict with Christian values or conservative principles

Notable Recent Grants

Sutter Health - $30 million for Jean and E. Floyd Kvamme Advanced Cancer Center in Santa Cruz (2024-2025)
West Valley College - $3.9 million for Jean and E. Floyd Kvamme Planetarium renovation
Wheaton College - Endowment for Jean Kvamme Distinguished Chair of Biblical Evangelism
The Jean Kvamme Center for Adaptive Riding - Founding support for therapeutic equestrian center in Felton, CA
Cityteam Ministries, San Jose
Gateway Bible Church, Scotts Valley
Luis Palau Evangelistic Association
Mercy Ships
Spondylitis Association of America
American Enterprise Institute
Pacific Legal Foundation
Hillsdale College
Baymonte Christian Schools
Campus Crusade for Christ
Elam Ministries
Emmaus Inn Ministries

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

E. Floyd Kvamme (Founder and Trustee)

Silicon Valley technology pioneer and venture capitalist
Former Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Apple Computer
Partner Emeritus at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
Former co-chair of President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (2001-2008)
Co-founder of TechNet, bipartisan network of tech CEOs
Advisory board member, Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics and Economics
Married to Jean for over 60 years until her passing in 2020

Todd Kvamme (Trustee)

Son of Floyd and Jean Kvamme
Works in technology industry
Active in foundation grantmaking decisions

Damon Kvamme (Trustee)

Son of Floyd and Jean Kvamme
Works in technology industry
Board member, Spondylitis Association of America
Active in foundation grantmaking decisions

Note: Floyd and Jean have a third son, Mark Kvamme, who works in technology but is not listed as a foundation trustee.

Foundation Philosophy

In announcing the $30 million cancer center gift, Floyd Kvamme stated: "We did not want to sit on the sidelines when we can be part of the solution." He further emphasized: "Our hope is that this center not only brings comfort and care to those in need but also helps accelerate the journey toward a cure."

The foundation operates with minimal overhead, dedicating 99.7% of expenses to charitable disbursements. No compensation is paid to trustees, reflecting a pure philanthropic commitment.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation operates exclusively through trustee discretion and pre-selected charitable organizations. According to foundation statements, they "only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations and do not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

All grants are made to organizations with:

Pre-existing relationships with the Kvamme family
Clear alignment with Christian values and conservative principles
Personal connections to family members or their networks
Demonstrated effectiveness in their mission areas

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's closed application process, building awareness requires strategic relationship development:

Wheaton College and Conservative Christian Networks: Floyd Kvamme serves on the advisory board of the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics and Economics. Organizations connected to Wheaton College (IL) or similar conservative Christian institutions may have indirect access to the family's philanthropic networks.

Silicon Valley and Kleiner Perkins Networks: As a partner emeritus at Kleiner Perkins and a prominent figure in Silicon Valley technology circles, Floyd Kvamme maintains extensive professional networks. Organizations working at the intersection of technology, faith, and education may find natural connection points.

Spondylitis and Medical Research Communities: Damon Kvamme's involvement with the Spondylitis Association of America indicates the family's commitment to specific medical causes. Organizations working in cancer care, arthritis research, or related medical fields may find opportunities through medical philanthropy networks in Northern California.

Northern California Community Connections: The family has deep roots in Saratoga and the greater Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay area. Local organizations serving these communities with missions aligned to Christian values and conservative principles have historically received support.

Conservative Policy and Think Tank Networks: The foundation's support for American Enterprise Institute and Pacific Legal Foundation suggests engagement with conservative intellectual and policy circles. Organizations within these networks may have indirect pathways to foundation awareness.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion throughout the year based on family priorities and relationships.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications. All 60+ annual grants (61 in 2024, 59 in 2023, 56 in 2022) are made to pre-selected organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - there is no formal application process. Organizations that have received grants in the past may receive additional support based on ongoing relationships and demonstrated impact.

Application Success Factors

Since there is no public application process, the factors that lead to funding are relationship-based rather than application-based:

Alignment with Christian Values

The foundation conducts all grantmaking "through a religious lens grounded in Christian theology." Organizations must demonstrate clear Christian mission and values. Inside Philanthropy notes that "progressive groups will want to look elsewhere" due to the foundation's conservative orientation.

Personal Connection to the Kvamme Family

Virtually all grants stem from personal relationships, family interests, or networks in which the Kvammes participate. The planetarium gift to West Valley College, for example, was inspired by the interest of Kvamme sons in optics and telescope building. The cancer center gift was motivated by Jean's personal experience with cancer care.

Demonstrated Impact in Priority Areas

Organizations that have received support show clear effectiveness in areas the family cares about: Christian evangelism, medical research and care, conservative Christian education, and free-market policy development.

Northern California Geographic Connection

While the foundation supports national and international Christian organizations, there is a clear preference for supporting the Northern California community where the family has lived for over 40 years. Local organizations in Saratoga, Santa Cruz, San Jose, and the Monterey Bay area have received significant support.

Conservative and Free-Market Principles

The foundation's policy grantmaking focuses exclusively on conservative and libertarian organizations that support "individual economic freedom," limited government, and free-market capitalism. Organizations must align with these principles to be considered.

Long-term Relationship Building

The foundation's major gifts often represent the culmination of long-standing relationships. The Jean Kvamme Distinguished Chair at Wheaton College, where Floyd serves on an advisory board, exemplifies how deep institutional relationships lead to significant philanthropic commitments.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No Public Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or proposals. Do not attempt cold outreach or submit grant requests through mail, email, or phone.
Relationship-Based Giving: All funding flows through pre-existing relationships and personal connections to the Kvamme family. Organizations must have genuine connection points through shared networks, board members, or community ties.
Christian Conservative Orientation Required: The foundation operates "through a religious lens grounded in Christian theology" with "heavily conservative" giving patterns. Organizations outside this orientation will not be considered, regardless of merit.
Family-Driven Priorities: The foundation's focus areas reflect the personal experiences and interests of the Kvamme family, from Jean's cancer battle to the sons' interest in optics to Damon's connection to spondylitis advocacy. Funding follows family passion rather than strategic plans.
Transformational Capacity: While most grants are modest ($100-$5,000), the foundation has demonstrated capacity and willingness to make transformational gifts of $3-30 million for projects that deeply resonate with family values and experiences.
Northern California Community Focus: Despite supporting national Christian ministries, the foundation maintains strong commitment to the Saratoga, Santa Cruz, and Silicon Valley communities where the family has lived and worked for decades.
Medical Research Legacy: Following Jean's death from cancer in 2020, medical research and care—particularly cancer treatment—has become a central priority, creating potential opportunities for medical institutions and research organizations in the family's geographic area.

References

Inside Philanthropy. "Jean & E. Floyd Kvamme Foundation." https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-k/jean-amp-e-floyd-kvamme-foundation (Accessed January 7, 2026)
Sutter Health Vitals. "$30 Million Gift Fuels Next Chapter of Cancer Care in Santa Cruz." https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/sutter-health-receives-30-million-kvamme-foundation-gift-to-transform-cancer-care-in-santa-cruz/ (Accessed January 7, 2026)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Jean & E Floyd Kvamme Foundation." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/770359484 (Accessed January 7, 2026)
GuideStar. "Jean & E Floyd Kvamme Foundation Profile." https://www.guidestar.org/profile/77-0359484 (Accessed January 7, 2026)
West Valley-Mission Community College District Foundation. "Ribbon Cutting Celebrates Kvamme Family Generosity." https://foundation.wvm.edu/about-us/blog/2022/kvamme-planetarium-grand-opening.html (Accessed January 7, 2026)
Wheaton College. "New Chair Named in Honor of Jean Kvamme." https://www.wheaton.edu/news/recent-news/2021/june/new-chair-named-in-honor-of-jean-kvamme-/ (Accessed January 7, 2026)
Wikipedia. "E. Floyd Kvamme." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_Kvamme (Accessed January 7, 2026)
The Jean Kvamme Center for Adaptive Riding. https://www.kvammecenter.org/ (Accessed January 7, 2026)
Legacy.com. "Jean Kvamme Obituary." https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/santacruzsentinel/name/jean-kvamme-obituary?id=7487935 (Accessed January 7, 2026)
Candid Foundation Directory. "The Jean & E Floyd Kvamme Foundation." https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=KVAM001 (Accessed January 7, 2026)