Arrillaga Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

• EIN: 94-2460896
• Annual Giving: $8-15 million (varies annually)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Varies widely - from smaller grants to multi-million dollar gifts
• Average Grant Size: $701,292
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Bay Area (Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Francisco), with some support in Hawaii and Rhode Island
• Application Method: Letter of inquiry (LOI) accepted; no formal deadlines

Contact Details

Address: 2450 Watson Court, Palo Alto, CA 94303

Phone: 650-618-7000

Website: None

Note: The foundation does not have a public website or published application guidelines. Direct contact by phone is recommended for inquiries.

Overview

Established in 1978 by the late John Arrillaga, a prominent Silicon Valley real estate developer, the Arrillaga Foundation has been a significant philanthropic force in the Bay Area for over four decades. The foundation has assets totaling approximately $50.9 million (2024) and distributes between $8-15 million annually in charitable grants, though giving levels fluctuate based on significant major gifts. The foundation is currently led by Co-Presidents Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen (John's daughter) and John Arrillaga Jr. (John's son), with Marc Andreessen serving as Treasurer and Justine Stamen Arrillaga as Secretary.

Following John Arrillaga's death in January 2022, the foundation continues to operate, with recent tax filings submitted as of November 2025. The foundation maintains a deliberately low profile and does not publish detailed information about its grantmaking activities. John Arrillaga donated more than $300 million to Stanford University during his lifetime and was known for his hands-on approach to philanthropy, combining financial resources with his extensive expertise in real estate, construction, and project management.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with designated funding amounts. Instead, it considers requests on a rolling basis through letters of inquiry. Grant amounts vary significantly:

• Small to Medium Grants: Support for local nonprofits in health, human services, and community programs
• Major Institutional Gifts: Multi-million dollar grants, primarily to higher education institutions
• Capital Projects: Significant funding for building projects and facility development, particularly at Stanford University

Recent annual giving figures from 990 forms:

• 2024: $9,451,000
• 2023: $8,415,503
• 2022: $15,528,071
• 2021: $10,126,000

The foundation typically makes between 25 and 50 grants per year.

Priority Areas

Higher Education: The foundation's strongest area of support, with particular emphasis on Stanford University (John Arrillaga's alma mater). Major gifts have included $100 million in 2006 and $151 million in 2013 to Stanford. Other educational institutions supported include Menlo College (over $13 million) and Brown University ($2 million).

Student Scholarships: Endowed scholarships supporting 50 Stanford students annually, plus a $90 million challenge gift toward eliminating medical school debt for students with financial need over 10 years.

Athletics and Recreation: Funding for sports facilities and recreation centers, including the Arrillaga Family Sports Center, the Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center, and the Arrillaga Center for Sports and Recreation at Stanford.

Health Organizations: Support for healthcare and medical institutions in the Bay Area.

Human Services: Local community organizations, particularly those serving Menlo Park and Palo Alto, including:

• Christmas Bureau of Palo Alto
• Vista Center For The Blind and Visually Impaired
• Embarcadero Media Foundation

Arts and Culture: Limited support, with grants to organizations such as the San Francisco Ballet.

Geographic Focus: Strong emphasis on Menlo Park and Palo Alto communities, broader Bay Area (San Francisco), with occasional support in Hawaii and Rhode Island.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, based on grantmaking patterns:

• Organizations outside the Bay Area (with rare exceptions)
• Organizations not qualifying as 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities
• Given the founder's focus on major institutions and established organizations, very new or unproven nonprofits may face challenges

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

Co-Presidents:

• Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen: Daughter of founder John Arrillaga; lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business; founder of the Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen Foundation (a separate operating foundation); author of "Giving 2.0: Transform Your Giving and Our World"
• John Arrillaga Jr.: Son of founder John Arrillaga

Treasurer: Marc Andreessen (husband of Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen; co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz venture capital firm)

Secretary: Justine Stamen Arrillaga (wife of John Arrillaga Jr.)

All officers serve without compensation.

Founder's Philanthropic Philosophy

John Arrillaga believed that "one should always give as much as one can, for the more one gives, the more life gives one in return." His approach to philanthropy was highly hands-on and strategic.

According to Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen, her father's philosophy was that "writing a check is not enough. He sees philanthropy as marrying financial resources with intellectual, network and human capital." He applied his "vast knowledge of architecture, construction, landscape design, real estate and project management to all his philanthropic projects, making the most of everything he has to give."

John Arrillaga believed that successful philanthropy means "combining financial resources with brainpower, skills, and networks" to amplify impact and transform lives. He dedicated at least half of his time to philanthropic efforts over four decades, working seven days a week until his death at age 84.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Arrillaga Foundation accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry (LOIs) according to its tax filings, though some sources suggest the foundation may operate more selectively. There is conflicting information about the openness to unsolicited applications, which reflects the foundation's low-profile approach.

Application Method: Submit via letter with any applicable brochures to:

• Arrillaga Foundation
• 2450 Watson Court
• Palo Alto, CA 94303

Requirements:

• Must be a qualified 501(c)(3) organization
• No specific LOI format is prescribed
• No application deadlines

Important Notes:

• The foundation does not have a website or published application guidelines
• Given the foundation's small number of annual grants (25-50) relative to its significant giving amounts, many grants appear to go to organizations with which the foundation has existing relationships
• Contact the foundation directly at 650-618-7000 for current guidance

Decision Timeline

No specific decision timeline is publicly available. Given the foundation's structure and the absence of deadlines, the review process likely varies depending on the nature of the request and existing relationships with the applicant organization.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publish success rates. However, given that it makes only 25-50 grants per year while accepting unsolicited LOIs, competition is likely to be significant, particularly for organizations without prior connection to the foundation or its areas of priority interest.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented. Organizations should contact the foundation directly to inquire about reapplication after an unsuccessful submission.

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public information available, success factors must be inferred from the foundation's grantmaking patterns and the documented philanthropic philosophy of founder John Arrillaga:

1. Strong Connection to Priority Geographies: Organizations based in or serving Palo Alto, Menlo Park, or the broader Bay Area are most likely to receive support. The city of Menlo Park holds particular importance to the foundation.

2. Alignment with Core Focus Areas: Higher education institutions, particularly those with connections to Stanford or the Bay Area; health organizations; human service programs with demonstrated community impact.

3. Institutional Credibility and Track Record: The foundation's major grants go to well-established institutions. Organizations should demonstrate strong governance, financial stability, and proven impact.

4. Capital and Infrastructure Projects: The foundation has a history of supporting building projects and facilities, reflecting John Arrillaga's expertise in real estate and construction. Organizations with well-planned capital projects that align with the foundation's mission may find receptive consideration.

5. Opportunity for Hands-On Engagement: John Arrillaga's philosophy emphasized combining financial support with expertise and networks. Projects that could benefit from strategic guidance in areas like real estate, construction, or facility management may align with this approach.

6. Measurable Impact and Sustainability: While not explicitly stated, the foundation's support for endowed scholarships and major capital projects suggests interest in creating lasting, sustainable impact rather than short-term program funding.

7. Personal Connection or Relationship: Given the foundation's low profile and small number of annual grants, existing relationships with the Arrillaga family, Stanford University connections, or previous grantee relationships may significantly influence funding decisions.

Examples of Funded Organizations:

• Stanford University (athletics facilities, student scholarships, medical school debt relief)
• Menlo College (over $13 million)
• Brown University ($2 million)
• Christmas Bureau of Palo Alto
• Vista Center For The Blind and Visually Impaired
• San Francisco Ballet
• Embarcadero Media Foundation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Arrillaga Foundation is a significant but low-profile funder with annual giving of $8-15 million, primarily focused on Bay Area organizations with emphasis on higher education, health, and human services.

• No website or formal application process exists - reach out directly by phone (650-618-7000) or submit a letter of inquiry to explore potential fit before investing significant time in proposal development.

• Geographic alignment is critical - the foundation strongly prioritizes Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Bay Area organizations, with Stanford University receiving the largest share of support.

• Relationship-based grantmaking appears to predominate - with only 25-50 grants annually and major multi-million dollar gifts going to established institutions, existing connections likely matter significantly.

• The foundation values strategic, hands-on philanthropy - proposals that demonstrate how the organization could benefit from the foundation's expertise (not just financial support) may align better with the Arrillaga family's philanthropic philosophy.

• Capital projects have strong appeal - given John Arrillaga's real estate background and the foundation's history of funding building projects, well-planned facility development or major capital campaigns may receive favorable consideration.

• Consider the legacy and current leadership - while the foundation continues after John Arrillaga's 2022 death, understanding his hands-on, impact-focused approach and the current leadership's priorities (particularly Laura's expertise in strategic philanthropy) can inform how you position your request.

References

1. Arrillaga Foundation - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Form 990-PF filings 2021-2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/942460896. Accessed February 7, 2026.

2. Arrillaga Foundation Profile - Inside Philanthropy. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/bay-area-grants/arrillaga-foundation. Accessed February 7, 2026.

3. "John Arrillaga, longtime Stanford philanthropist and Silicon Valley real estate developer, dies at 84." Stanford Report, January 25, 2022. https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2022/01/john-arrillaga-longtime-stanford-philanthropist-silicon-valley-real-estate-developer-dies-84. Accessed February 7, 2026.

4. "Where Is John Arrillaga's Philanthropy Headed?" Inside Philanthropy, June 9, 2014. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2014-6-9-where-is-john-arrillagas-philanthropy-headed-html. Accessed February 7, 2026.

5. "Stanford University Receives $151 Million Gift From Real Estate Mogul." Philanthropy News Digest, May 22, 2013. https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/stanford-university-receives-151-million-gift-from-real-estate-mogul. Accessed February 7, 2026.

6. Arrillaga Foundation - Cause IQ Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/arrillaga-foundation,942460896/. Accessed February 7, 2026.

7. "Transformational gift helps eliminate medical school debt for students with financial need." Stanford Medicine News Center, February 28, 2020. https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2020/02/transformational-gift-helps-eliminate-medical-school-debt.html. Accessed February 7, 2026.

8. "Remembering longtime Stanford philanthropist John Arrillaga." Stanford Giving, 2022. https://giving.stanford.edu/stories/longtime-stanford-philanthropist-john-arrillaga-dies/. Accessed February 7, 2026.