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Lucas Brothers Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.7M
Grant Range
$140K - $1.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,712,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $140,000 - $1,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: California, primarily Bay Area and Silicon Valley
  • Total Assets: $39,854,646 (2024)

Contact Details

Address: San Jose, CA 95155

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. They only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Overview

The Lucas Brothers Foundation was established in 1982 and is named after two brothers: Donald Leo Lucas (1930-2019) and John W. Lucas (1923-2021). Donald L. Lucas was a pioneering venture capitalist widely regarded as the "godfather of Silicon Valley," serving as the first chairman of Oracle Corporation and investing in numerous iconic technology companies. John W. Lucas had a distinguished career at Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The foundation manages assets of approximately $39.9 million and distributed $1,712,000 in charitable grants in 2024. The foundation reflects the Lucas family's commitment to education, particularly in ethics and venture capital, and support for first-generation college students. The family's philanthropic philosophy emphasizes the belief that venture capital can be a force for positive social change, and they have been instrumental in creating the world's first institute focused on ethics in venture capital.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis with no public application process. Recent grants include:

  • Lucas Institute for Venture Ethics at Santa Clara University: $1,000,000 over three years (2022) to support the Lucas Program in Venture & Equity Ethics and the Institute for Technology, Ethics, & Culture
  • Santa Clara University: $300,000 (2024) for "Study and Promotion of Applied Venture Ethics"
  • The Peninsula College Fund: $162,000 (2024) for "Funds To Help 15 First Generation College Students Emergency Funds for Students Facing Financial Hardship"
  • Stanford University (SIEPR): Ongoing support for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and endowed professorships
  • Caltech: Support for the John W. Lucas Adaptive Wall Wind Tunnel

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants, the foundation prioritizes:

  • Ethics in Venture Capital and Technology: Support for research, education, and practical applications of ethical principles in the venture capital and technology sectors
  • First-Generation College Students: Financial support and emergency funding for students from underrepresented backgrounds
  • Higher Education: Support for universities, particularly those in California with connections to technology and business
  • Economic Research: Funding for research institutes and academic programs in economics and business

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations outside their pre-selected network
  • Unsolicited proposals from any organization
  • General operating support for organizations without established relationships
  • Organizations outside California (based on available grant data)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors (as of 2024):

  • Alexandra L. Ertola, Chairman - Daughter of Donald L. Lucas
  • Christopher B. Lucas, Director - Son of John W. Lucas; nephew of Donald L. Lucas
  • Mark Lucas, Director - Son of John W. Lucas; nephew of Donald L. Lucas
  • John Shoven, Director - Trione Director of Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR) and Charles R. Schwab Professor of Economics at Stanford University
  • Eric Ball, Director - Founding Managing Partner of CerraCap Ventures; former CFO and Treasurer of Oracle Corporation
  • Paul Joas, Director
  • Melissa Findley, Secretary

The board composition reflects the foundation's deep ties to Stanford University, Silicon Valley venture capital, and the Lucas family's commitment to maintaining their philanthropic legacy. All board members serve without compensation.

Key Quote: According to the Lucas Institute for Venture Ethics mission, the foundation aims to "engage investors and entrepreneurs throughout Silicon Valley and around the world through the creation of a collaborative space for individuals to explore how to harness the power of investing and innovation to build a more humane, just, and sustainable world."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Lucas Brothers Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation has explicitly indicated that it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

All grants are made at the discretion of the board of trustees to organizations with which they have established relationships or strategic alignment with the foundation's mission.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications from organizations outside their pre-selected network.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application strategies do not apply. However, understanding what the foundation values can provide insight:

The Foundation's Documented Interests:

  • Ethics in Venture Capital: The foundation made its largest known grant ($1 million) to establish the world's first institute focused on applied ethics in venture capital, demonstrating a strong commitment to ethical business practices in the technology and investment sectors.

  • First-Generation Students: The foundation's support for The Peninsula College Fund shows commitment to removing barriers for first-generation college students, particularly through emergency funding for students facing financial hardship.

  • Academic Excellence: Grants consistently support prestigious institutions (Stanford, Santa Clara University, Caltech) with strong connections to technology, business, and economics.

  • Long-term Relationships: The foundation's support for Stanford's SIEPR and Santa Clara University spans multiple years, suggesting they value sustained partnerships rather than one-time grants.

  • Measurable Impact: Grants specify clear purposes, such as "help 15 first-generation college students" or "study and promotion of applied venture ethics," indicating interest in concrete, measurable outcomes.

  • Silicon Valley Connection: All identified grants support organizations or programs connected to Silicon Valley, venture capital, or the technology sector, reflecting Donald L. Lucas's legacy.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is an invitation-only foundation - they do not accept unsolicited applications or proposals
  • The foundation is deeply rooted in Silicon Valley venture capital culture and the Lucas family's legacy in technology investment
  • Primary focus areas are ethics in venture capital, higher education, and support for first-generation college students
  • Grant amounts range significantly from $140,000 to $1,000,000, with multi-year commitments common
  • The foundation values academic institutions with strong ties to technology and business, particularly Stanford and Santa Clara University
  • Family governance remains central, with second and third-generation Lucas family members serving as board leadership
  • The foundation's giving reflects Donald L. Lucas's belief that "profit and social change can exist together" and that venture capital can be a force for good
  • Organizations already in their network may receive ongoing, multi-year support rather than one-time grants

References

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