← Back to US Funders Directory

Philanthropic Ventures Foundation

Annual Giving
$16.7M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.1M
Decision Time
0.3w

Philanthropic Ventures Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $16.7 million (2021 record)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 48 hours for immediate-response grants
  • Grant Range: $250 - $10,000 (Teacher/Community programs); up to $100,000 for donor-advised initiatives
  • Geographic Focus: San Francisco Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano counties)
  • Total Grants Awarded: $187.4 million from 1991-2021

Contact Details

Philanthropic Ventures Foundation (PVF) 1222 Preservation Park Way Oakland, CA 94612

Phone: (510) 645-1890 Email: info@venturesfoundation.org Website: https://www.venturesfoundation.org

Program-Specific Contacts:

Overview

Philanthropic Ventures Foundation (PVF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 1991 by Bill Somerville, a pioneering philanthropist known for challenging traditional grantmaking practices. With over 34 years of innovative work, PVF has distributed $187.4 million in grants, reaching a record $16.7 million in 2021. The foundation operates as a "living lab" for testing creative grantmaking approaches, focusing on grassroots Bay Area organizations working in education, youth development, arts, housing, and environment. PVF administers 46 donor-advised funds and maintains a staff of eight, emphasizing rapid response (48-hour decisions), minimal paperwork, and trust-based philanthropy. The foundation has earned a 4/4 Star rating from Charity Navigator and is recognized for its "radical collaboration" approach, bringing together tech companies, foundations, and community organizations to address inequality in the Bay Area.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Teacher Resource Grants (Rolling basis, email applications)

  • Excursion Grants: Up to $1,000 for K-5 teachers in Alameda and San Mateo counties for field trips
  • After-School Program Grants: Up to $2,500 for grades 6-12 teachers in Oakland, Redwood City, and select Santa Clara County districts
  • Science Resource Grants: Up to $500 for hands-on classroom materials
  • Mathematics Resource Grants: Up to $500 for K-8 teachers
  • Technology/Engineering/Design Thinking Grants: Up to $500 for classroom materials
  • Special Education Resource Grants: Up to $500 for special-needs classroom supplies and professional development
  • Arts Resource Grants: Up to $500 for K-8 classroom and after-school arts programs
  • Visiting Artist in the Classroom: Up to $1,000 for artist residencies
  • Environmental Science Resource Grants: Up to $500 for K-12 environmental education materials

Social Services Grants (Rolling basis, email applications)

  • Social Worker/CASA Resource Grants: Up to $250 per grant (maximum 4 per year) for foster youth needs including medical care, dental/vision care, clothing, school supplies, summer camps, music lessons, sports activities

Community Initiatives (Varies by program)

  • Meta Local Community Fund: Up to $10,000 for nonprofits serving East Palo Alto and Belle Haven (Menlo Park), with preference for organizations with budgets under $1.5 million
  • Discretionary Grants: Variable amounts for nonprofit directors and principals doing excellent work
  • Bay Area Inspire Awards: Recognition and funding program
  • Women of Courage Awards: Recognition program

Donor-Advised Fund Grants (By donor recommendation)

  • Range: $5,000 - $100,000 typically
  • Areas: Arts, housing, environment, education across the Bay Area and beyond

Priority Areas

  • Education: Public school classroom resources, after-school programs, student enrichment
  • Youth Development: Foster youth support, youth opportunity scholarships, summer programs
  • Arts & Culture: Arts integration in schools, cultural programs
  • Housing: Affordable housing initiatives
  • Environment: Environmental education and sustainability
  • Grassroots Community Organizations: Small Bay Area nonprofits with budgets under $1.5 million
  • Immediate Needs: Critical, time-sensitive needs identified through trusted community partners

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly listed, but based on their program focus:

  • Organizations outside the San Francisco Bay Area (for direct grant programs)
  • Private schools (teacher grants are for public schools only)
  • Overnight trips (excursion grants are day trips only)
  • Scholarships (Bill Somerville advises caution due to administrative complexity)
  • Rescue funding for failing organizations
  • Large, well-established nonprofits for community initiative programs

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

  • Moira Walsh, Chair - Attorney and former Managing Attorney of San Francisco City Attorney's office
  • U.S. Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA) - Board Member
  • Additional board members and advisors actively involved in local philanthropy

Foundation Staff

  • James Higa, Executive Director - 28 years of Silicon Valley executive experience, worked directly with Steve Jobs at Apple on the original Macintosh team, involved in iTunes negotiations and iTunes University development
  • Dawn Hawk, Chief Operating Officer - Provides leadership for operations, program design, fund development, communications, grants management, evaluation, and fiscal oversight
  • Sheryl Young, San Mateo County Program Director - Former CEO of Community Gatepath and AbilityPath.org, 25+ years in operations and finance
  • Savannah Lira, Program Manager - Develops and manages grant programs and community initiatives
  • Aly Quiroz-Perez, Grants Administrator - Processes grants and manages Excursion and Mathematics programs
  • Cayman Bentley, Gifts Administrator/Social Media Manager - Administrative support and social media
  • Andrea Smith, Program and Communications Associate - 10+ years working with youth and nonprofits
  • Kari Jo Bliss, Accountant - 20+ years in nonprofit accounting

Leadership Philosophy

Founder Bill Somerville's approach is captured in his statement: "What we do is trust 'em and fund 'em." He emphasizes funding "people rather than paper" and has been described by the Financial Times as "A philanthropic force of nature" whose grantmaking is "a leap forward towards high-impact, efficient giving that embraces imagination and risk-taking."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Teacher Resource Grants:

  1. Write a one-to-two page request on school letterhead
  2. Include: date, school/district information, teacher name/email/grade, Title 1 status or free/reduced lunch percentage, amount requested, project description, number of students benefiting, itemized budget, principal signature, check payee and mailing address
  3. Email to the appropriate program contact (see Contact Details section)
  4. Include vendor quotes for bus transportation if requesting excursion funding

Social Worker/CASA Grants:

  1. Email application describing the youth's need
  2. Send to the foundation
  3. Up to 4 applications per year per social worker/CASA

Community Initiative Grants (Meta Local Community Fund and similar):

  1. Guidelines vary by program
  2. Contact info@venturesfoundation.org or (510) 645-1890 for current opportunities
  3. Follow social media for funding announcements

Donor-Advised Fund Grants: PVF does not accept unsolicited applications for donor-advised fund grants. These are made based on donor recommendations, though PVF staff can identify high-impact programs and introduce donors to organizations working in their areas of interest.

General/Discretionary Grants: These are primarily invitation-only. PVF identifies nonprofit directors and school principals doing excellent work and provides unrestricted grants at their discretion. Bill Somerville's philosophy: "Hunt for and find outstanding people and fund them."

Decision Timeline

  • Immediate-Response Grants (Teacher and Social Worker programs): 48 hours from email submission
  • Community Initiatives: Varies by program
  • Donor-Advised Funds: Varies based on donor decision-making

Notification Method: Email followed by check mailed to recipient

Success Rates

PVF does not publicly disclose approval/denial statistics. However:

  • In 2023, there were 165 awards made
  • The foundation emphasizes finding and funding outstanding work rather than competitive grant processes
  • Teacher programs have per-school limits (5 grants maximum per school for excursion grants), suggesting selective but accessible funding

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Teacher grant programs have annual application cycles, and social workers/CASAs can apply up to 4 times per year, suggesting regular reapplication is welcomed for these programs. For general inquiries about reapplying, contact info@venturesfoundation.org or (510) 645-1890.

Application Success Factors

What PVF Values (Based on Founder Bill Somerville's 25 Philanthropic Principles):

  1. Trust and Outstanding People: "Trust people – trust yourself" and "Hunt for and find outstanding people and fund them." PVF invests in talented individuals and leadership capability rather than just organizational track records.

  2. Urgency and Real Need: "Give funds when they are needed, move quickly." Applications demonstrating immediate, concrete needs are prioritized.

  3. Simplicity Over Bureaucracy: One teacher noted the application was "too good to be true" because of its straightforward nature. Keep applications concise (1-2 pages), specific, and written in plain language.

  4. Momentum and Potential: "Don't do rescue funding – there is no momentum to it." Show your program's forward movement and growth potential, not just survival needs.

  5. Grassroots Focus: PVF specifically seeks small organizations with budgets under $1.5 million for community initiatives. Emphasize your grassroots connections and community roots.

  6. Discretionary Use: "Give discretionary money for use as they see fit." When possible, show how flexible funding enables responsive, adaptive work.

  7. Collaboration: PVF values "radical collaboration" and convening people around issues. Demonstrate partnerships and community connections.

Recent Funded Projects Examples:

  • Young girls on the Coastside connecting with heritage through A.L.A.S.'s Folklorico dance classes
  • Volunteers building a playground in one day at Cesar Chavez Academy (K-8 school in East Palo Alto)
  • Running clubs, dance clubs, ecology clubs, yearbook clubs, school choirs, skateboarding clubs, drama clubs, chess clubs for after-school programs
  • Pogo Park received $5,500 matching funds based on a 15-minute meeting demonstrating their work

Common Success Factors:

  • Clear description of student/youth benefit
  • Specific, itemized budgets
  • Principal or supervisor endorsement
  • Title 1 status or high free/reduced lunch percentage (for teacher grants)
  • Demonstrated community impact
  • Focus on hands-on, experiential learning
  • Emphasis on serving underserved populations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Speed Matters: With 48-hour decisions on immediate-response grants, PVF prioritizes urgent needs over lengthy planning. Apply when you have a timely opportunity that needs quick funding.

  2. Keep It Simple: One-to-two pages on school letterhead is sufficient. This is not a place for elaborate proposals or extensive supporting documentation.

  3. People Over Paper: PVF funds outstanding individuals doing excellent work. Ensure your application highlights the talented teacher, social worker, or program director driving the initiative, not just the organizational structure.

  4. Grassroots is Good: If you're a small organization (under $1.5 million budget) doing community-based work, you're in PVF's sweet spot. Emphasize your grassroots connections.

  5. Public Sector Focus: PVF has specific programs for public school teachers, social workers, and CASAs. If you work in the public sector serving Bay Area communities, explore their targeted programs.

  6. Build Relationships Through Results: For larger discretionary grants, PVF identifies and approaches organizations rather than accepting unsolicited proposals. Demonstrate excellent work in the community and you may get on their radar through their extensive local networks.

  7. Follow the Formula: For teacher grants especially, include all required elements (Title 1 status, itemized budget, principal signature, vendor quotes for transportation). Missing pieces may slow the 48-hour process.

References

← Back to US Funders Directory