Foundation for Truth, Justice, and Compassion

Quick Stats

• EIN: 84-3774234
• Annual Giving: $2,355,000 (2023)
• Net Assets: $24,586,758 (2023)
• Grant Range: $100,000 - $2,191,000
• Average Grant Size: Approximately $785,000 per grant (based on 3 grants in 2023)
• Geographic Focus: National (California, Washington D.C., New York, Texas, Virginia)
• Foundation Type: Private foundation
• Application Process: No public application process

Contact Details

Mailing Address: c/o Foundation Source, 55 Walls Dr Fl 3, Fairfield, CT 06824

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website, email address, or phone number. The Fairfield address is the administrative office of Foundation Source, a philanthropic services company that provides support to private foundations.

Overview

The Foundation for Truth, Justice, and Compassion was established in 2020 by tech entrepreneur Kenneth Duda, co-founder and President/CTO of Arista Networks, and his wife Dr. Jennifer Duda, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist and Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford Medicine. Registered in Delaware, the foundation focuses on supporting health and community-based organizations, with a particular emphasis on progressive causes and social justice initiatives. In 2023, the foundation distributed $2,355,000 in grants to three organizations, with net assets of approximately $24.6 million. The foundation is characterized as a left-of-center grantmaking organization that provides primarily unrestricted grants to organizations aligned with its founders' values in healthcare, human rights, voting rights, and media accountability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private foundation without formal grant programs or public application cycles. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees based on their philanthropic interests and values.

Recent Grant Activity:

• 2023: 3 grants totaling $2,355,000
• 2022: 5 grants totaling approximately $4.7 million
• 2021: 6 grants totaling at least $1.4 million (partial data)

Priority Areas

Based on documented giving patterns from 2020-2023, the foundation focuses on:

Healthcare and Children's Health

• Pediatric healthcare organizations
• Children's hospitals and foundations
• Medical research and treatment facilities

Human Rights and Social Justice

• Organizations protecting human rights globally
• Civil liberties and justice advocacy
• Democratic participation and voting rights

Media and Information Integrity

• Media accountability organizations
• Fact-checking and truth-in-media initiatives

Community Support

• Local community-based organizations
• Social services and emergency assistance programs

Known Grant Recipients

Major recipients identified through IRS Form 990-PF filings include:

• Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health (Palo Alto, CA)

  • 2023: $2,191,000
  • 2022: $2,055,000
  • 2021: $1,400,000

• Human Rights Watch Inc (New York, NY)

  • 2023: $1,000,000
  • 2022: $100,000

• Media Matters for America (Washington, DC)

  • Multiple grants documented

• Voter Registration Project

  • Regular recipient (amounts not publicly disclosed in summary data)

• Amalgamated Charitable Foundation (New York, NY)

  • Grant recipient (amount not disclosed)

• Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund (San Francisco, CA)

  • Grant recipient (amount not disclosed)

Geographic Focus

The foundation has made grants to organizations in:

• California (Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Portola Valley, San Francisco, Richmond)
• New York (New York City)
• Washington, DC
• Texas (Houston)
• Virginia (Richmond)

Grant Characteristics

Nearly all grants are classified as general and unrestricted, giving recipient organizations maximum flexibility in how they use the funds.

Governance and Leadership

Jennifer Duda - Director, President, and Chair of the Board

• Pediatric hematologist-oncologist specializing in pediatric cancer and blood disorders
• Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, Stanford Medicine, Department of Pediatrics - Hematology/Oncology
• Affiliated with Stanford Medicine Children's Health
• Education: Stanford University School of Medicine (MD, 1996); Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, UC San Francisco (1999-2003)
• Serves without compensation

Kenneth Duda - Treasurer, Secretary, and Director

• Co-founder, President, and Chief Technology Officer of Arista Networks
• Pioneer in high-performance networking software and lead architect of Arista Networks EOS
• Education: MIT and Stanford
• Tech entrepreneur and donor to Democratic candidates and political committees
• Serves without compensation

The foundation has no paid employees and is administered through Foundation Source, a third-party philanthropic services provider.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. As a private foundation, grants are made at the trustees' discretion based on their personal philanthropic interests and strategic priorities. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or maintain an open application system.

How Grants Are Typically Awarded

Based on the foundation's structure and giving patterns:

• Trustee-Directed Giving: The board of directors (Jennifer and Kenneth Duda) identify organizations aligned with their values and interests
• Pre-existing Relationships: Major grants go to established institutions where the founders may have personal or professional connections (e.g., Stanford-affiliated organizations)
• Multi-Year Support: Some recipients receive funding over multiple consecutive years, indicating long-term commitment
• Invitation Only: Organizations are selected by the foundation rather than through a competitive application process

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process exists. Grants appear to be approved throughout the year rather than on a fixed schedule.

Success Rates

While some grant databases report statistics suggesting the foundation is "open to new applicants" with a 12% success rate, these figures should be treated with caution. As a private foundation without a public application process, there is no formal mechanism for organizations to apply independently.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to lack of public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since there is no application process, success factors relate to organizational alignment and positioning:

Alignment with Founders' Values

The foundation's documented giving reflects the personal values and professional backgrounds of its founders:

• Progressive Political Orientation: The foundation is explicitly described as "left-of-center" and supports organizations aligned with progressive values. Both founders are documented donors to Democratic candidates and committees.

• Healthcare Focus Through Dr. Duda's Work: The largest grants go to the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, directly connected to Dr. Jennifer Duda's pediatric oncology work at Stanford. Organizations in pediatric healthcare, children's hospitals, or medical research may align with this priority.

• Tech Industry Perspective: Kenneth Duda's background in technology may influence interest in organizations using innovative approaches or operating at scale.

Evidence of Impact

Based on grant patterns:

• Established Organizations: All documented recipients are well-established organizations with national reach or significant regional presence
• Professional Management: Recipients are sophisticated nonprofits with strong governance and financial management
• Multi-Year Relationships: The foundation provides sustained support over multiple years rather than one-time grants

Unrestricted Support Philosophy

The foundation provides general and unrestricted grants, suggesting:

• Trust in grantee leadership and decision-making
• Focus on organizational capacity and mission alignment rather than specific projects
• Interest in supporting overall organizational effectiveness

Issue Areas Demonstrating Consistency

• Children's Health: Massive, sustained support for Lucile Packard Foundation
• Human Rights: Significant funding for Human Rights Watch
• Democratic Participation: Regular support for voter registration efforts
• Media Accountability: Funding for media watchdog organizations
• Community Support: Local giving in Bay Area communities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. No Public Application Process: This foundation operates through trustee discretion without accepting proposals. Traditional grant writing will not be effective.

2. Alignment is Everything: With only 3-6 grants annually, this foundation supports causes deeply connected to the founders' personal values, professional backgrounds, and geographic communities (particularly the Bay Area and Stanford connections).

3. Multi-Year Commitment Pattern: The Lucile Packard Foundation received grants three years in succession, totaling over $5.6 million. This suggests the foundation values long-term partnerships over one-time support.

4. Large Grants to Few Recipients: Rather than making many small grants, the foundation makes substantial grants (often six or seven figures) to a small number of carefully selected organizations.

5. Progressive Values Central: All documented recipients align with progressive political and social values. Organizations with different ideological orientations are unlikely to be considered.

6. Healthcare and Justice Focus: The two primary funding streams are children's healthcare (especially Stanford-connected institutions) and social justice causes (human rights, voting rights, media accountability).

7. Geographic Concentration: While some national organizations are supported, there is notable concentration in the San Francisco Bay Area, consistent with the founders' location in Menlo Park/Palo Alto.

8. Unrestricted Funding Approach: The foundation's preference for general operating support suggests they prioritize organizational excellence and trust in leadership over project-specific outcomes.

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Foundation for Truth Justice and Compassion, Form 990-PF filings for tax years 2020-2022. Accessed February 12, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/843774234

2. Cause IQ - Foundation for Truth Justice and Compassion profile. Accessed February 12, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/foundation-for-truth-justice-and-compassion,843774234/

3. InfluenceWatch - Foundation for Truth, Justice, and Compassion profile. Accessed February 12, 2026. https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/foundation-for-truth-justice-and-compassion/

4. Grantable - Foundation for Truth Justice and Compassion funder profile. Accessed February 12, 2026. https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/foundation-for-truth-justice-and-compassion-us-foundation-843774234

5. Instrumentl - Foundation For Truth Justice And Compassion 990 Report. Accessed February 12, 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/foundation-for-truth-justice-and-compassion

6. Candid Foundation Directory - Foundation for Truth Justice and Compassion grantmaker profile. Accessed February 12, 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&activity=result&key=CEI9947026

7. Stanford Medicine - Jennifer Lee Duda faculty profile. Accessed February 12, 2026. https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/jennifer-duda

8. LinkedIn - Kenneth Duda professional profile. Accessed February 12, 2026. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethduda/

9. Charity Navigator - Foundation for Truth Justice and Compassion profile. Accessed February 12, 2026. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/843774234