Hillview Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $40,000
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Unknown
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $20,000
• Geographic Focus: Los Altos, CA / Silicon Valley

Contact Details

No public contact information available. No website or published contact details.

Overview

The Hillview Charitable Foundation is a private family foundation based in Los Altos, California, with approximately $1.0-1.2 million in assets. The foundation distributes approximately $40,000 annually through 9 grants, with a median grant size of $2,000. Operating as a Delaware-registered private foundation, it files Form 990-PF and maintains an address at 183 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos, CA. The foundation appears to have connections to the Chen family based on grant patterns and operates without any public-facing presence or application process.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes annual grants typically ranging from $1,000 to $20,000, with most grants at $2,000-$3,000. Based on 2023 giving:

• Education Support: $2,000 - $5,000 (supporting local schools and educational foundations)
• Community Organizations: $2,000 - $3,000 (local Los Altos nonprofits)
• Emergency Relief: $2,000 (disaster and humanitarian response)
• Special Initiatives: Up to $20,000 (for larger strategic grants)

Priority Areas

• Education (particularly K-12 and STEM programs)
• Local Los Altos/Silicon Valley community organizations
• Food security and food banks
• Library services
• Emergency and disaster relief
• Parent-teacher associations

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's giving history shows no support for:

• Individual requests
• International organizations (focus is local/regional)
• Religious organizations
• Political causes
• Organizations outside California

Governance and Leadership

Limited public information is available about the foundation's leadership. Evidence suggests the foundation is connected to the Chen family, based on a grant made to the Schwab Charitable Fund's Chen Family Fund. The foundation operates from 183 Hillview Avenue in Los Altos, which is also associated with other local foundations, though they are separate entities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Hillview Charitable Foundation operates as a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Grants are made at the discretion of the foundation's trustees to pre-selected organizations, typically those with existing relationships to the foundation or its principals.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's grant patterns, organizations that receive funding typically share these characteristics:

• Located in or serving the Los Altos/Mountain View area of Silicon Valley
• Have board members or leadership with connections to the Los Altos community network
• Partner with other organizations the foundation already supports (Los Altos Community Foundation, Los Altos Educational Foundation)
• The foundation appears to identify beneficiaries through its trustees' involvement in the local community

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation-only funding.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors don't apply. However, based on funding patterns:

• The foundation consistently supports the same core group of organizations year after year, suggesting relationship-based giving
• All funded organizations have strong local presence in Los Altos or broader Silicon Valley
• Educational organizations receive the most consistent support, particularly those serving K-12 students
• The foundation appears to value organizations with direct community impact rather than advocacy or research groups
• Grant amounts are relatively modest and consistent, suggesting the foundation values reliable annual support over one-time large grants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is not a foundation that accepts unsolicited grant applications - relationship cultivation is essential
• Focus area is extremely local to Los Altos, CA - organizations outside this geography are unlikely to be considered
• The foundation provides consistent, annual support rather than one-time grants
• Education, particularly K-12 and STEM programs, appears to be the strongest funding priority
• With only $40,000 in annual giving across 9 grants, this is a small family foundation with limited capacity
• Best pathway to funding would be through board connections or partnerships with currently funded organizations
• The foundation values established, stable organizations over startups or new initiatives

References

• GrantExec Foundation Database. "Hillview Charitable Foundation (EIN: 853306447)." Accessed March 11, 2026. https://grantexec.com/foundations/853306447
• IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. "Hillview Charitable Foundation." Accessed March 11, 2026. https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Database search for EIN 85-3306447. Accessed March 11, 2026.
• GuideStar/Candid. Foundation profile search. Accessed March 11, 2026.
• Form 990-PF filing requirements, IRS Publication 578. Referenced for foundation classification.