Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $6,244,343 (2023)
Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
Decision Time: Not applicable (invitation only)
Grant Range: $5,000 - $1,000,000
Geographic Focus: National and international (primarily US universities plus institutions in China, France, Italy, and Japan)

Contact Details

Address: 1300 Seaport Blvd, Suite 400, Redwood City, CA 94063

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications and does not provide public contact information for grant inquiries.

Overview

Established in 1996 by tech entrepreneur Thomas M. Siebel (founder and former Chairman of Siebel Systems, sold to Oracle in 2005) and his wife Stacey Siebel, this private foundation holds approximately $116.8 million in assets. The foundation's mission is to "support projects and organizations that work to improve the quality of life, environment, and education of its community members." In 2023, the foundation distributed $6.2 million across 28 grants, with a median grant of $100,000. The foundation's flagship program is the Siebel Scholars initiative, which recognizes exceptional graduate students in computer science, bioengineering, and business at 16 pre-selected universities. The foundation maintains a low profile regarding its grantmaking activities and operates through trustee discretion rather than open application processes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Siebel Scholars Program: The foundation's largest and most well-known initiative

$35,000 awards to outstanding graduate students for their final year of studies
78-83 scholars selected annually from 27 partner programs at 16 universities
Universities nominate their top graduate students; individuals cannot apply directly
Participating institutions include: Carnegie Mellon University, École Polytechnique, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, MIT, Northwestern University, Politecnico di Torino, Princeton University, Stanford University, Tsinghua University, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Tokyo
Focus areas: computer science, bioengineering, and business (MBA programs)

Siebel Stem Cell Institute: Joint research initiative

$9 million founding gift plus additional support (total $12 million with matching funds)
Supports collaborative stem cell research between UC Berkeley Stem Cell Center and Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
Provides seed funding for innovative collaborative research projects
Brings visiting scholars to campus

Montana Meth Project and Public Health Initiatives

More than $30 million committed to the Meth Project over time
Includes multi-million dollar matching grants to incentivize broader support
Focus on drug abuse prevention and addiction treatment

University Research and Operations Support

Grants to universities for academic programs and research initiatives
Recent recipients include University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, MIT, University of Chicago, and Princeton

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on three main areas:

Education and Research
- Graduate-level education in STEM and business
- University research programs, particularly in stem cell biology
- Children's scholarships and educational services
Public Health
- Drug abuse prevention and addiction treatment (particularly methamphetamine)
- Disease research and health solutions
Community and Environment
- Support for the homeless and underprivileged (particularly through the Salvation Army)
- Land conservation initiatives
- Energy solutions and alternative energy research

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly documented, the foundation:

Does not accept unsolicited applications from organizations outside their established network
Focuses exclusively on their chosen program areas and pre-selected institutional partners
Does not fund individuals directly (except through university-nominated scholarship programs)

Governance and Leadership

Thomas M. Siebel - President

Founder and former Chairman of Siebel Systems (customer service software company sold to Oracle in 2005)
Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Active philanthropist with focus on education, health, and energy

Stacey Siebel - Secretary, CFO, and Treasurer

Key Feature: Neither Thomas nor Stacey Siebel receives compensation for their leadership roles in the foundation, demonstrating their personal commitment to the foundation's mission.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation operates through trustee discretion and does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

How Grants Are Awarded:

The Siebel Scholars program operates through pre-selected university partnerships; universities nominate students according to foundation criteria
Other grants are made to organizations selected by the foundation's leadership
The foundation "makes targeted grants, does not invite applications, and supports a limited number of initiatives"

For Universities and Organizations: The foundation proactively identifies and approaches institutions and organizations for partnerships rather than accepting proposals.

For Students: If you are a graduate student interested in becoming a Siebel Scholar, contact your graduate program dean's office at one of the 16 participating universities to learn about their internal nomination process.

Getting on Their Radar

Note: Include this section with caution - the foundation's highly selective, closed approach means there are limited documented strategies for engaging them.

Based on the foundation's documented giving patterns:

For Universities: The foundation has shown interest in top-tier research institutions with strong programs in computer science, bioengineering, business, and stem cell research. Universities currently not in the Siebel Scholars network would likely need demonstrated excellence in these fields and alignment with the foundation's focus areas.

For Public Health Organizations: The foundation's significant investment in the Montana Meth Project suggests interest in evidence-based, large-scale prevention initiatives. Organizations working on drug abuse prevention with innovative approaches and measurable outcomes may be of interest.

For STEM Research Initiatives: The Siebel Stem Cell Institute demonstrates willingness to fund collaborative research ventures between leading institutions. Multi-institutional partnerships addressing grand challenges in stem cell biology or other cutting-edge fields could potentially align with foundation interests.

Important: There is no evidence that sending unsolicited proposals or letters of inquiry will be successful. The foundation maintains a deliberately low profile and selective approach.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not operate on published grant cycles or decision timelines for unsolicited applications.

For the Siebel Scholars program:

Universities nominate students during their academic year
Scholars are typically announced in September for the following academic year (e.g., Class of 2025 announced September 2024)

Success Rates

Not applicable for general grants, as the foundation does not accept applications.

For Siebel Scholars: Approximately 78-83 scholars are selected annually from 27 partner programs at 16 universities, making it highly competitive within those institutions.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - there is no application process for general grants.

Application Success Factors

Given that this foundation does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, analysis of their grantmaking reveals clear patterns:

What the Foundation Values:

Academic Excellence and Leadership: The Siebel Scholars program explicitly selects students based on "outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated leadership," suggesting these qualities are central to the foundation's values.
Institutional Prestige and Research Quality: All Siebel Scholars partner universities are top-tier research institutions, indicating the foundation prioritizes excellence and reputation.
Collaborative Innovation: The Siebel Stem Cell Institute supports collaborative research between Stanford and Berkeley, demonstrating appreciation for partnerships between leading institutions addressing "grand challenges."
Evidence-Based Public Health Approaches: The Montana Meth Project represents a "private-sector response" to a public health crisis, suggesting the foundation values innovative, measurable approaches to social problems.
STEM and Business Focus: The foundation consistently supports computer science, bioengineering, business education, and energy solutions - indicating a belief in technology and innovation as drivers of social progress.

Recent Grant Recipients as Examples:

American Academy of Arts & Sciences: $100,000 (2022) for general operations
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy: $250,000 (2022) for general operations
Montana Meth Project: Multi-million dollar support including $5 million matching grants
16 universities through Siebel Scholars program: Combined millions annually

Language and Approach: The foundation's materials emphasize "excellence," "leadership," "innovation," and "collaborative research" - reflecting Thomas Siebel's background in technology and business.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No Public Application Process: Do not attempt to apply to this foundation through traditional grant proposal methods. They do not accept unsolicited applications and maintain this policy strictly.
Institutional Partnerships Only: The foundation works exclusively with pre-selected institutional partners, primarily top-tier research universities and organizations they have proactively identified.
Focus on Elite Excellence: Every aspect of the foundation's grantmaking emphasizes academic and institutional excellence at the highest levels.
Multi-Million Dollar Commitments: When the foundation commits to an initiative (Siebel Scholars, Stem Cell Institute, Meth Project), they provide sustained, substantial funding over many years.
Technology and Innovation Driven: Thomas Siebel's background in technology permeates the foundation's priorities - STEM education, cutting-edge research, and innovative solutions to social problems.
Limited Transparency: The foundation deliberately maintains a low profile and provides minimal public information about its grantmaking priorities or processes.
For Students: If you are a graduate student in computer science, bioengineering, or business at one of the 16 participating universities, work with your department and dean's office to understand their internal Siebel Scholar nomination process.

References

All sources accessed December 2025.