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Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation

Annual Giving
$9.8M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.3M
Decision Time
13mo

Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $9.76 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $315 million (2023)
  • Award Amounts: $100,000 per award (individual awards); $10,000-$252,000 (institutional grants)
  • Decision Time: Varies by program; awards announced annually
  • Geographic Focus: United States (Resilient Ecosystems limited to California and Hawaiʻi)
  • Founded: 2018

Contact Details

Website: https://www.maxwell-hanrahan.org

Email: info@maxwell-hanrahan.org

Physical Address: 1517 N Point St # 516, San Francisco, CA 94109

Submission Portal: themaxwellhanrahanfoundation.submittable.com

Overview

The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation was established in 2018 by Delle Maxwell and Patrick Hanrahan to support individual scientists, teachers, conservationists, and creators whose diverse perspectives enable discovery. With total assets of $315 million and annual charitable disbursements of $9.76 million (2023), the foundation focuses on hands-on, field-based work across six program areas: Field Biology, Craft, Diversity & Inclusion in Art/Design/Computing, Resilient Ecosystems, Food, and Public School Teachers. The foundation has grown substantially since its founding, with assets increasing from $8.4 million in 2018 to $315 million by 2023. In November 2024, Delle Maxwell and Patrick Hanrahan received the Association of Fundraising Professionals Outstanding Philanthropist Award for their transformative giving, including a $20 million endowment to the Gardens of Golden Gate Park.

Funding Priorities

Award Programs (Nomination-Based, No Public Application)

Awards in Field Biology (launched 2020)

  • $100,000 unrestricted awards to early-career field researchers
  • Five awards annually from global nominations
  • Recognizes impact, originality, and critical career junctures
  • Self-nominations NOT accepted; expert nominators confidentially identify candidates

Awards in Craft (launched 2022, administered with United States Artists)

  • $100,000 unrestricted awards to US-based craftspeople
  • Five awards annually
  • Among the nation's largest craft awards
  • Selection based on unique material-based practice, potential contributions, and career momentum
  • Self-nominations NOT accepted; rotating panels of practitioners, curators, and educators identify nominees

Awards in Food

  • $100,000 unrestricted awards to US-based food system innovators
  • Up to five awards annually
  • Focus on nutrition, education, access, environmental sustainability, and cultural knowledge
  • Self-nominations NOT accepted; invited nominators identify candidates

State Teacher of the Year Awards

  • $10,000 to each State Teacher of the Year
  • Three-year commitment to this program

Grant Programs (Select Programs Accept Applications)

Field Biology Grants

  • Field Research Fellowships & Internships for undergraduate/graduate students at US institutions
  • Small Grants for Field Biologists: quick-turnaround funding for equipment, materials, access needs
  • Grant range: $10,000-$252,000 over 1-3 year periods

Craft Grants

  • Craft Fellowships/Scholarships for ceramics, woodworking, fiber arts workshops
  • Small Grants for Craftspeople: studio equipment, safety, professional development
  • Awards and Prizes through established craft guilds and associations

Public School Teachers

  • Partnership with Fund for Teachers: fellowships for science/craft experiences for teachers serving underserved or rural students
  • Classroom supplies, learning materials, professional development
  • Examples: classroom libraries, AP Biology lab resources, caps and gowns for graduation

Resilient Ecosystems (California and Hawaiʻi only)

  • Protecting Important Places: ecosystem restoration, coastal habitat protection, native plant reestablishment ($150,000 over 2 years for native plant programs)
  • Connecting People and Nature: K-12 environmental education and outdoor access for underrepresented communities

Food Systems Fellowships and Internships

  • Early-career support through nonprofit organizations
  • Focus on food production, education, and nourishment work

Diversity & Inclusion in Art, Design and Computing

  • Expanding representation in creative and technical fields

What They Don't Fund

The foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds" for most programs. Self-nominations are explicitly prohibited for all award programs.

Governance and Leadership

Founders/Board:

  • Delle Maxwell - President/Co-Founder. Former animator and designer working at the intersection of design and computing. Served as Board Chair of the Gardens of Golden Gate Park in 2022.
  • Patrick Hanrahan - Secretary, Treasurer & Co-Founder. CANON Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering (emeritus) at Stanford University. Turing Award recipient, three-time Academy Award winner, co-founder of Tableau Software.

Executive Leadership:

  • Rachel Strader Chen - Executive Director ($212,674 compensation, 2023)

Senior Staff:

  • Miriam Billinger - Operations Director ($179,763 compensation, 2023)
  • Rebekah Frank - Program Officer
  • Sherry Palacios - Program Officer
  • Parwana Ayub - Program Associate
  • Christian Gallegos-Alarcón - Program Associate
  • Ada Glucksman - Operations Associate
  • Katherine Porras - Finance and Investment Officer

Foundation Values (per website): "As we do this work, we honor curiosity and continuous learning, inclusion, innovation and risk-taking, flexibility, collaboration, and fun."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Award Programs (Field Biology, Craft, Food): The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation does NOT accept public applications or self-nominations for its major award programs. According to their website, "The Foundation makes grants by inviting external experts and staff from relevant fields to recommend projects and institutions for funding."

  • Nomination-only process: External experts are invited to confidentially identify candidates
  • No self-nominations: Individuals cannot nominate themselves
  • Selection committees: Rotating panels of field experts review nominations and recommend awardees
  • Criteria vary by program: Generally based on impact, innovation/originality, and career timing

For Select Grant Programs: Some institutional grant programs may accept applications through their Submittable portal (themaxwellhanrahanfoundation.submittable.com). However, as of recent checks, "there are presently no open calls for submissions" on the portal. Organizations interested in specific programs (e.g., Field Biology Fellowships, Craft Scholarships, Teacher programs) should monitor the foundation website or contact info@maxwell-hanrahan.org for opportunities.

For Partnership Programs:

  • Fund for Teachers fellowships (teacher programs) may have separate application processes through the partner organization
  • United States Artists administers the Awards in Craft with its own nomination infrastructure

Getting on Their Radar

For Award Programs: Since awards are nomination-based and self-nominations are prohibited, potential candidates should focus on:

  • Build relationships within your field: Expert nominators are professionals active in field biology, craft, food systems, etc. Being known and respected in your field increases chances of being nominated
  • Engage with partner organizations: For Craft awards, United States Artists administers the program. Field biologists might connect with organizations that partner with the foundation (e.g., OBFS, specific field stations)
  • Document your work publicly: Maintain visibility through publications, exhibitions, presentations, and social media so nominators can discover your work
  • Understand selection criteria: Awards recognize individuals at critical career junctures whose work demonstrates impact, originality, and potential for future contributions

For Institutional Grants: The foundation states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations." Building a relationship requires:

  • Alignment with program areas: Organizations must work in field biology, craft, education, ecosystems (CA/HI), or food systems
  • Expert recommendations: The foundation relies on expert recommendations rather than unsolicited proposals
  • Partnership approach: Existing grantees and partners may provide pathways to introduction

Note: The foundation emphasizes "trust-based philanthropy principles" and values "an inclusive, trust-based and positive work environment," suggesting relationship-building and alignment with their values are important.

Decision Timeline

Award programs announce recipients annually, typically in the spring. For example:

  • 2025 Awards in Craft announced in May 2025
  • 2025 Field Biology and Food awards announced in 2025

Institutional grants are awarded throughout the year with varying timelines (1-3 year terms).

Success Rates

With five awards per program annually and global/national nominations, success rates are extremely competitive. For the Awards in Field Biology, "only five awards are made each year from nominations received from around the globe."

Application Success Factors

Since most funding is nomination-based, direct application success factors are limited. However, based on the foundation's stated priorities:

For Award Nominees:

  1. Field-based, hands-on work: The foundation explicitly values hands-on engagement. As stated on their website, field research "encourages scientists and students to confront challenges that require hands-on engagement with nature."

  2. Critical career juncture: Awards target "early-career scientists or at critical professional junctures" and individuals "whose contributions have been overlooked or who are at pivotal career stages."

  3. Innovation and originality: Selection criteria emphasize "creativity and innovation," "originality," and "unique and visionary approach to material-based practice."

  4. Impact potential: Awards consider "impact in the field," "potential to make significant contributions," and "the momentum an award could provide at a critical career point."

  5. Diverse perspectives: The foundation seeks individuals "whose diverse perspectives enable us to discover new things about ourselves and our world" and emphasizes "supporting underrepresented groups."

  6. Cultural traditions and stewardship: Particularly for Craft and Food awards, the foundation values "stewardship of cultural traditions" and work preserving cultural knowledge.

For Institutional Grant Applicants:

  1. Expert recommendation: Grants are made through recommendations from external experts and staff from relevant fields, not unsolicited proposals.

  2. Program alignment: Clear alignment with one of six program areas (Field Biology, Craft, Diversity & Inclusion, Resilient Ecosystems, Food, Public School Teachers).

  3. Values alignment: Demonstrated commitment to "curiosity and continuous learning, inclusion, innovation and risk-taking, flexibility, collaboration, and fun."

  4. Direct service delivery: Preference for organizations providing direct fellowships, internships, hands-on experiences, and individual support.

  5. Geographic focus: For Resilient Ecosystems grants, must work in California or Hawaiʻi.

  6. Underserved populations: Teacher programs prioritize "teachers serving underserved or rural students."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Understand the nomination model: This is NOT a traditional grant-making foundation for most programs. You cannot submit unsolicited proposals or self-nominate for awards. Success requires being visible and respected in your field so expert nominators identify you.

  2. Individual vs. institutional funding: The foundation emphasizes supporting individual scientists, teachers, conservationists, and creators. Even institutional grants often fund fellowships/internships for individuals rather than general operating support.

  3. Field-based and hands-on work is paramount: The foundation values direct engagement—field research, hands-on craft, classroom teaching, ecosystem restoration. Theoretical or office-based work is less aligned.

  4. Critical career timing matters: Awards target early-career professionals or those at pivotal moments where $100,000 could provide significant momentum. Mid-to-late career established professionals are less likely to be selected.

  5. Partnership pathways: Some programs are administered through partners (United States Artists for Craft, Fund for Teachers for teacher fellowships). Understanding these partnerships may provide access points.

  6. Geographic limitations: Resilient Ecosystems grants are restricted to California and Hawaiʻi. Other programs are US-focused, though Field Biology awards consider global nominees.

  7. Expert networks are key: The foundation's approach—inviting experts to recommend candidates—means being known within professional networks (field stations, craft guilds, food system networks, educational associations) is essential.

References

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