The Joseph and Vera Long Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $5,220,800
Success Rate: Not publicly available
Decision Time: Two-stage review process (timeline not specified)
Grant Range: $10,000 - $800,000
Geographic Focus: Northern California and Hawaii

Contact Details

Website: https://www.jvlf.org/
Phone: (925) 935-4138
Address: 500 Ygnacio Valley Rd, Suite 330, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Application Portal: https://jvlf.smapply.io/

Overview

Established in 1966, The Joseph and Vera Long Foundation is a private family foundation formed from the 2011 merger of The JM Long Foundation (created by Joseph M. Long, co-founder of Longs Drug Stores) and The Vera M. Long Foundation (established by Vera M. Long, a philanthropist and board activist). With assets totaling $115.2 million, the foundation annually distributes approximately $5.2 million through 71 grants. The foundation's vision is to cultivate a society that safeguards natural resources, fosters flourishing opportunities for children and youth, ensures compassionate care for the vulnerable, and champions support for women. Their primary approach is investing in organizations dedicated to strengthening communities through the responsible and effective use of foundation assets.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Spring Cycle (April deadline): $60,000 - $150,000 for established partners
Fall Cycle (September deadline): $10,000 - $40,000 (recommended for first-time applicants)
Applications accepted on a competitive basis with two-stage review process
Organizations may submit only ONE application per calendar year

Priority Areas

Four Core Program Areas:

Connecting Youth with Nature - Funding supports organizations providing meaningful, hands-on experiences for school-age children to get outside and learn in the natural world. Strong preference given to organizations with high outreach to economically disadvantaged communities.
Fostering Creativity Through the Arts - Supporting growth, learning, and development through visual, literary, and performing arts. Preference given to innovative organizations with high outreach to families in low-income communities.
Maternal Healthcare Access and Education - Supporting women's health initiatives with preference for organizations demonstrating health equity commitment.
Promoting Healthy Aging Through Social Connection - Supporting programs for seniors and aging populations.

Additional focus on environment and conservation, with recent major grants supporting climate initiatives.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not publicly documented, but funding limited to:

Organizations with 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1 or 2) status or fiscal sponsors
Programs benefiting Northern California or Hawaii communities only

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Milton E. Long
The foundation operates as a private family foundation maintaining the philanthropic legacy of Joseph M. Long (co-founder of Longs Drug Stores) and Vera M. Long (philanthropist and board activist). Board members volunteer their time without compensation, with the Executive Director working 32 hours weekly.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications submitted through online portal at https://jvlf.smapply.io/

Spring Cycle (April deadline): Larger grants $60,000 - $150,000
Fall Cycle (September deadline): Smaller grants $10,000 - $40,000
Two-stage competitive review process
All applicants notified via email if selected as Stage Two finalists

Decision Timeline

Two-stage review process with email notifications after each stage. Specific timeline from submission to final decision not publicly available.

Success Rates

The foundation notes receiving more requests than they can fund annually, with only a small percentage advanced to Board of Trustees for final review. Made 75 awards in 2024 and 71 awards in 2023.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations limited to one application per calendar year. Specific waiting period for unsuccessful applicants not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values:

Innovation in program design and delivery
Measurable effectiveness with clear outcomes
Cost effectiveness demonstrating efficient use of funds
Broad impact reaching diverse populations vs. narrow groups
Diverse funding streams showing sustainability
Time-limited projects where fundraising can be completed with their contribution

Program-Specific Preferences:

Youth programs: High outreach to economically disadvantaged communities
Arts programs: Innovation and service to low-income families
All programs: Commitment to promoting health equity

First-Time Applicant Strategy: Foundation strongly recommends new organizations apply during Fall Cycle for smaller grants to improve likelihood of success.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• First-time applicants should target Fall Cycle ($10K-$40K) rather than Spring Cycle for better success chances • Emphasize measurable outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and diverse funding sources in proposals • Highlight reach to economically disadvantaged or low-income communities for youth and arts programs • Ensure close alignment with one of four core program areas - foundation reviews alignment strictly • Limited to one application per year, so choose timing and amount strategically • Foundation receives significantly more requests than it can fund - competition is high • Environmental/climate initiatives receive substantial support ($800K grants to climate organizations in 2023)

References

The Joseph and Vera Long Foundation Official Website (https://www.jvlf.org/) - Accessed January 2025
Foundation Application Portal (https://jvlf.smapply.io/) - Accessed January 2025
Instrumentl Foundation Profile and 990 Reports - Accessed January 2025
Foundation Directory/Candid Profile - Accessed January 2025
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer Form 990 Data - Accessed January 2025
US FundsforNGOs Grant Information - Accessed January 2025
GrantStation Funder Profile - Accessed January 2025