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Lopker Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.2M

Lopker Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Total Assets: $69.4 million (2024)
  • Annual Giving: $3,232,983 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Not publicly available
  • Geographic Focus: California, with emphasis on Central California and Santa Barbara County

Contact Details

Address: 27 W Anapamu St # 347, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-3107

Application Information: Application letters should include the name of organization and purpose of grant, along with a copy of organization's federal tax exemption letter.

Overview

The Lopker Family Foundation was established in 1996 by Pamela and Karl Lopker, co-founders of QAD (a software company that sold to Thoma Bravo for $2 billion). With total assets of $69.4 million as of 2024, the foundation distributed $3,232,983 in grants during 2023 across 37 awards. The foundation has evolved its focus over time, with early emphasis on STEM education, technology in K-12 schools, higher education (particularly UCSB's engineering and computer science programs), and the arts. Following Karl Lopker's death from prostate cancer in 2018, the foundation has increasingly focused on cancer research and complementary therapies. In 2005, the Lopkers were named Distinguished Alumni of UCSB in recognition of their generous giving through the foundation.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The foundation supports nonprofit organizations in California, with emphasis on central California, in the following areas:

STEM Education

  • Higher education support (particularly UCSB engineering and computer science programs)
  • Student scholarships and fellowships in STEM fields
  • K-12 technology initiatives in Santa Barbara County schools
  • Support for students transferring from community colleges to four-year universities

Cancer Research

  • Research focusing on complementary therapies for cancer
  • Prostate cancer research initiatives

Arts

  • Programmatic and scholarship support for arts education

Specific Programs

  • Lopker Family Foundation Scholarship Fund (established 2016): Supports children of QAD employees who are college upperclassmen, with preference for STEM majors
  • Karl Lopker Memorial Scholarship Fund (established 2018): Supports students transferring from Santa Barbara City College to California public universities majoring in STEM fields
  • UCSB Endowed Chair: In 2005, helped establish the first endowed chair in computer science in UCSB's College of Engineering (Venkatesh "Venky" Narayanamurti Chair)
  • Project Upgrade and TeachNet: Technology grants to Santa Barbara County schools (since 2005)

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly available; requires direct inquiry with the foundation.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team:

  • Pamela M. Lopker - President/CEO and Founder; UCSB alumna, founder and former chairman of QAD software company; STEM education advocate
  • Karl Bo Lopker - Vice President
  • Juliana L. Lopker - Vice President
  • Anita H. Blakemore - Secretary/CFO

Pamela Lopker has stated: "I'd like more students to become STEM majors." Following her husband's death from prostate cancer, she has turned significant attention to cancer research, stating that his death "lit a fire" in her to support research on complementary cancer therapies.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation does not maintain a formal public application process. Application submissions are accepted by letter format.

Application requirements:

  • Letter should include the name of the organization and purpose of the grant
  • Copy of the organization's federal tax exemption letter (501(c)(3) documentation)

Mail to: Lopker Family Foundation, 27 W Anapamu St # 347, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-3107

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. Grant decisions appear to be made on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation made 37 awards in 2023, 29 in 2022, 33 in 2021, 30 in 2020, 29 in 2019, 41 in 2018, and 25 in 2017.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available; recommend contacting the foundation directly.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's funding history and documented priorities:

Strong Alignment Areas:

  • STEM Education Focus: The foundation has demonstrated consistent support for STEM education initiatives, particularly those involving computer science, engineering, and technology. Projects that promote STEM education from K-12 through graduate level align well with their mission.

  • Santa Barbara/Central California Connection: The foundation shows strong geographic preference for Central California, particularly Santa Barbara County. Organizations based in or serving this region appear to receive priority consideration.

  • University-Level Programs: The foundation has a proven track record supporting higher education, particularly at UCSB. Endowed chairs, fellowships, and scholarship programs at universities (especially in engineering and computer science) align with their interests.

  • Cancer Research: Given Pamela Lopker's increased focus on cancer research following her husband's death, organizations conducting research on complementary cancer therapies represent a growing priority area.

  • Education Technology: The foundation's longstanding support for Project Upgrade and TeachNet demonstrates commitment to integrating technology into education.

Demonstrated Grant Recipients Include:

  • UC Santa Barbara College of Engineering (endowed chair, fellowships, programmatic support)
  • UCSB Art Department (scholarships and programmatic support)
  • Santa Barbara County schools (technology grants through Project Upgrade and TeachNet)
  • Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara (Karl Lopker Memorial Scholarship Fund, Lopker Family Foundation Scholarship Fund)

Application Tips:

  • Clearly articulate how your project aligns with STEM education, cancer research, or arts education
  • Emphasize California location and community impact, particularly in Central California
  • Include specific outcomes and measurable impacts
  • Keep the application concise and focused on the purpose and impact of the requested grant
  • Ensure all required documentation (including 501(c)(3) letter) is included

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Family foundation with focused interests: While the foundation accepts letter applications, their funding patterns show clear preferences for STEM education, cancer research, and California-based organizations
  • Strong UCSB connection: As UCSB alumni and Distinguished Alumni honorees, the Lopkers have demonstrated sustained commitment to supporting the university, particularly engineering and computer science
  • Geographic preference matters: Central California location, especially Santa Barbara County, appears to be an important factor in funding decisions
  • STEM education is core: From K-12 technology initiatives to graduate fellowships, STEM education runs through most of their philanthropic work
  • Personal mission drives focus: Karl Lopker's death from prostate cancer has shifted foundation priorities toward cancer research and complementary therapies
  • Long-term relationships: The foundation has maintained multi-year commitments to organizations (e.g., support for UCSB since 2005, school technology grants since 2005)
  • Simple application process: Unlike many foundations, they accept letter applications rather than requiring lengthy formal proposals

References

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