Avis Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2.3-3.1 million
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable - preselected organizations
• Grant Range: Varies widely (average ~$514,000)
• Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on California Bay Area and Montana

Contact Details

• Phone: (650) 210-5300
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 10195, Dept. 35, Palo Alto, CA 94303
• Website: None
• Email: Not publicly available
• Note: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

The Avis Family Foundation, established in 2000 by Greg and Anne Avis, is a private family foundation with over $36 million in assets that distributes $2.3-3.1 million annually through strategic, relationship-based philanthropy. Greg Avis co-founded Summit Partners, one of the nation's leading private equity firms that has raised over $43 billion in capital, and now manages Bangtail Partners, a private impact investing firm. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, making approximately 5-6 grants per year to preselected organizations where family members have deep personal involvement through board service, volunteering, or existing relationships. Their approach exemplifies engaged philanthropy, focusing on arts and media, education, and organizations where they can have direct impact through active participation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but makes strategic grants averaging $514,000 to preselected organizations. All grants are by invitation only.

Priority Areas

• Arts & Media: Public media organizations (KQED, NPR), contemporary arts institutions (Mass MOCA), independent journalism
• Education & Youth Development: Higher education (especially Williams College), youth mentoring programs, outdoor/experiential education, K-12 education serving underserved communities
• Strategic Philanthropy: Significant use of donor-advised funds through Fidelity Charitable and Schwab Charitable

What They Don't Fund

• Unsolicited proposals
• Organizations without existing relationships to the Avis family
• Organizations outside their core interest areas
• Emergency or crisis funding requests

Governance and Leadership

Gregory M. Avis - President

• B.A. Political Economy, Williams College (1980); MBA, Harvard Business School (1984)
• Co-founded Summit Partners (1984), Managing Partner of Bangtail Partners
• Teaches mathematics at Eastside College Preparatory School for 20+ years
• Extensive board service including: Williams College (chair), James Irvine Foundation (chair), Silicon Valley Community Foundation (chair), NOLS (chair), Earthjustice

Anne R. Avis - Vice President

• Williams College graduate
• Focus on arts, media, independent journalism, and human rights
• Current boards: Global Press Institute, Internews, KQED Public Media, First Amendment Coalition
• Quote: "I believe in the power of the best information and storytelling to motivate and bring out the best in people."

Additional Directors: Emily R. Avis (CFO), Charles D. Avis (Secretary), Frederic K. Avis (Director)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are made exclusively to preselected charitable organizations based on existing relationships, board service connections, and personal involvement of family members. The foundation explicitly states it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations become grant recipients through:

• Board connections where Avis family members serve or have served
• Educational institutions with alumni ties (particularly Williams College)
• Organizations where family members actively volunteer or teach
• Bay Area organizations with opportunities for direct engagement
• Existing relationships through their extensive nonprofit board network
• Connections through organizations like Silicon Valley Community Foundation, James Irvine Foundation, or Schwab Charitable

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made to preselected organizations on the foundation's timeline.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only foundation.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only foundation, traditional application success factors don't apply. However, organizations that receive funding typically demonstrate:

• Deep personal connection: Family members serve on the board or are actively involved
• Mission alignment: Clear focus on arts/media, education, or youth development
• Geographic relevance: Bay Area presence or Montana connections through Bangtail Partners
• Long-term relationship: Multi-year engagement rather than transactional funding
• Leadership quality: Organizations where Greg or Anne Avis have taken leadership roles tend to receive sustained support
• Impact potential: Demonstrated ability to create meaningful change in their focus areas

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only foundation - do not submit unsolicited proposals
• Focus on relationship building through board connections and shared networks
• Greg and Anne Avis are deeply engaged philanthropists who support organizations where they personally serve
• The foundation channels significant giving through donor-advised funds at Fidelity and Schwab
• Best pathway to funding is through board service overlap or connections via organizations like KQED, Williams College, or NOLS
• Montana-based organizations may find opportunities through Bangtail Partners' impact investing work
• Education organizations serving underserved Bay Area youth align with their demonstrated interests

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990-PF filings for Avis Family Foundation (2022-2024)
• Cause IQ Foundation Profile - Avis Family Foundation overview and financial data
• Inside Philanthropy - Avis Family Foundation funder profile
• KQED Board of Directors Biography - Anne R. Avis profile
• Earthjustice Press Release - Greg Avis board appointment (2024)
• Milton Magazine - Anne Avis profile on media and journalism work
• Summit Partners Website - Greg Avis founding partner history
• Candid Foundation Directory - Avis Family Foundation listing
• InfluenceWatch - Avis Family Foundation profile
• Various nonprofit board listings and annual reports (2020-2024)