Li-Hegeman Family Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to organisations it has preselected, so an unsolicited application is not the right route; a warm introduction or an existing relationship is the realistic way in.
- Its recorded grants chiefly support nonpartisan election reform and democratic processes, with some local food assistance and school-linked education, so your work fits only if it sits in one of those areas.
- The filing states no geographic focus, though its grants have mainly gone to California, Colorado and Hawaii.
- Its grants are modest: the median was $30,000 and half of its six organisation grants were $30,000 or less, though its largest was $150,000, so a request near the median is a sensible starting point.
- Most of its grant dollars to organisations in the latest filing went to organisations it had also funded in the filing before, at 89%, so a relationship with the foundation is likely to matter a great deal.
Overview
Li-Hegeman Family Foundation is a US private foundation based in Palo Alto, CA.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation's recorded grants chiefly support organisations working on nonpartisan election reform and democratic processes. Their stated purposes include empowering voters through voting methods intended to strengthen democracy, and fostering a more representative and functional government. Its other recorded grants have supported a community food pantry providing healthy food, personal care items and pet supplies to people and families in need, and a Montessori education fund. The grant record therefore spans election-focused organisations as well as local food assistance and school-linked education. The filing says that contributions go only to preselected charitable organisations and that unsolicited requests are not accepted.
Themes
From its grants, not stated by the foundation:
- Election reform
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in California, Colorado and Hawaii.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 89% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 6 grants to organisations were $30,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 66% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 89% of grant dollars went to organisations Li-Hegeman Family Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Center for Election Science · Nonprofit dedicated to empowering voters with voting methods that strengthen democracy.$150,0002024 tax year
- Unite America · Invests in nonpartisan election reform to foster a more representative and functional government.$100,0002024 tax year
- Kaua'i North Shore Food Pantry · Nonprofit that provides healthy food, personal care items, and pet supplies to individuals and families in need, with a focus on fresh, local produce and community support.$30,0002024 tax year
- Centennial Montessori Children's Fund · Centennial montessori school provides montessori education to support each child's development in a nurturing and structured environment.$2,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- John Hegeman — Trustee
- Susan Li — Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $0 | $0 | $3,614,360 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $191,827 | $175,000 | $12,082,129 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $312,492 | $282,000 | $31,899,864 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Li-Hegeman Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Palo Alto, CA
Applying to Li-Hegeman Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Palo Alto, CA