Moley Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,002,872 (2024)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $530,000 - $1,000,000 (median)
• Geographic Focus: US (CA, MA, MD, NY, DC) and UK

Contact Details

Mailing Address: 1930 Bryant Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Phone: Not publicly available
Email: Not publicly available
Website: None

Overview

The Moley Family Foundation is a private independent foundation established in November 1999 with assets of approximately $22.5 million. Founded through the Estate of Elizabeth Moley, a University of Manchester alumna (BA Administration, 1960), the foundation distributes approximately $2 million annually through a small number of strategic grants. Operating without a public application process or website, the foundation focuses primarily on education and secondarily on Christian organizations. All governance is managed by Moley family members serving as unpaid volunteer trustees, reflecting the foundation's family-controlled nature and discretionary grantmaking approach.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through discretionary trustee-directed grants rather than formal programs:

• Large Strategic Grants: $530,000 - $1,000,000+ (2-5 grants annually)
• Elizabeth Moley Bursary: £8,000 annually at University of Manchester for students from low-income backgrounds

Priority Areas

• Education (primary focus)
• Christian/Religious Organizations (secondary focus)
• Programs serving low-income and underserved populations
• Educational access initiatives

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's limited grant portfolio suggests they do not fund:

• Individual requests
• General operating support for small organizations
• Programs outside their geographic focus areas
• Organizations without established relationships

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors (all unpaid volunteers):

• Richard Moley - President/Chief Executive Officer (Carmel, CA)
• Andrew Moley - Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer
• Susan Frances Moley - Secretary
• Peter Moley - Board Member
• Joanna Moley Stork - Board Member

All positions are volunteer roles with the foundation operating as a family-controlled private foundation making discretionary grants based on trustee decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion, typically to organizations with existing relationships to the foundation or by invitation only. The foundation makes 2-5 large grants annually without published guidelines or application procedures.

Getting on Their Radar

Since the foundation operates without public communications channels, potential grantees should:

• Research past grant recipients through IRS Form 990-PF Schedule I filings to understand funding patterns
• Consider sending a letter of inquiry to the Palo Alto mailing address, though responses are not guaranteed
• Build authentic relationships within Bay Area philanthropic circles where the Moley family may be active
• Focus on demonstrating strong alignment with Elizabeth Moley's legacy of educational access for underserved students

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available - decisions appear to be made at trustee discretion throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only nature.

Reapplication Policy

No public information available.

Application Success Factors

Given the private nature of this foundation, success factors are inferred from their giving patterns:

• Established track record: Recipients appear to be well-established organizations with proven impact
• Geographic alignment: Strong presence in California, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, DC, or UK connections
• Educational mission: Clear focus on educational access and opportunity, particularly for underserved populations
• Scale of impact: Capacity to effectively deploy large grants ($500K+)
• Values alignment: Connection to Elizabeth Moley's legacy and the family's philanthropic vision

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a private family foundation with no public application process - relationship building is essential
• They make very few but very large grants ($530K-$1M median) annually
• Focus areas are education (primary) and Christian organizations (secondary)
• All decisions are made by Moley family trustees at their discretion
• Without public contact information, initial outreach must be via postal mail
• Research their past grantees through 990-PF filings to understand funding patterns
• Best suited for established organizations capable of managing large strategic grants

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - IRS Form 990-PF filings (2009-2024). Accessed March 2, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/770528059
• GuideStar/Candid Foundation Directory - Moley Family Foundation Profile. Accessed March 2, 2026
• Cause IQ Foundation Database - Moley Family Foundation Overview. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/moley-family-foundation,770528059/
• Instrumentl 990 Reports - Moley Family Foundation Financial Data. Accessed March 2, 2026
• University of Manchester - Elizabeth Moley Bursary Announcement. Accessed March 2, 2026
• California Secretary of State - Business Entity Records. Accessed March 2, 2026
• IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Database - EIN 77-0528059. Accessed March 2, 2026