Wollenberg Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,796,500 (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $400,000
• Geographic Focus: California, Washington, Virginia

Contact Details

Location: Menlo Park, CA EIN: 946072264 Phone: Not publicly available Email: Not publicly available Website: No public website

Overview

The Wollenberg Foundation is a private family foundation established by Harry Wollenberg in 1952. With assets of approximately $32.7 million, the foundation distributed $1,796,500 through 76 grants in 2023. The foundation was created by Harry Wollenberg, who co-founded Longview Fibre Company in 1926 with Monroe Wertheimer. Today, the foundation is managed by three family trustees who continue Harry's philanthropic legacy with a strong focus on educational initiatives, particularly early childhood education programs that provide foundational support for lifelong success.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Education Grants: $1,000 - $400,000 (supporting K-12, higher education, and early childhood education)
• Human Services: Variable amounts (community support programs)
• Arts & Culture: Variable amounts (selective support for arts organizations)

Priority Areas

• Early childhood education programs (particularly Head Start initiatives)
• Higher education institutions
• K-12 educational programs
• Human services organizations
• Community development initiatives
• Arts and cultural institutions (selective)

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation that only works with preselected organizations, they do not fund:

• Unsolicited grant requests
• Individual applicants
• Organizations outside their established network
• Programs outside their geographic focus areas

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by three family trustees:

• Richard H. Wollenberg (CEO/Trustee)
• David A. Wollenberg (Trustee)
• Christopher Wollenberg (Trustee)

These third-generation family members maintain the foundation's commitment to education and community support, with particular emphasis on programs that create lasting impact across generations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organizations with which they have established relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on their giving patterns, organizations may come to the foundation's attention through:

• Long-term community presence in their focus regions (California, Washington, Virginia)
• Demonstrated excellence in early childhood education programs
• Existing relationships with other Wollenberg family philanthropic activities
• Strong track records in educational innovation and community impact

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available - decisions are made at the trustees' discretion

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation only foundation

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process

Application Success Factors

Since the Wollenberg Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, the following factors appear to influence their grant-making decisions based on their giving history:

• Long-term relationships: The foundation has maintained support for organizations like Lower Columbia College for over 30 years, demonstrating their preference for sustained partnerships
• Educational focus: Organizations with strong educational missions, particularly those serving early childhood populations, align with the foundation's core values
• Geographic alignment: Being located in or serving communities in California, Washington, or Virginia increases relevance
• Proven impact: The foundation supports organizations that demonstrate measurable outcomes and community benefit
• Named giving opportunities: The foundation has shown interest in capital projects where their support can be recognized (e.g., the Wollenberg Auditorium at Lower Columbia College's Rose Center)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Wollenberg Foundation is a closed funder that does not accept unsolicited applications
• Focus areas strongly emphasize education, particularly early childhood programs like Head Start
• The foundation values long-term partnerships, as evidenced by their 30+ year support of select institutions
• Geographic focus is primarily California, Washington, and Virginia
• Grant sizes range from $1,000 to $400,000, with typical support falling in the mid-range
• Building relationships with trustees or their existing grantees may be the only path to consideration
• The foundation appears to favor established institutions with proven track records over new or emerging organizations

References

• Candid Foundation Directory profile for Wollenberg Foundation (accessed March 2024)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Wollenberg Foundation Form 990-PF filings
• Lower Columbia College Foundation - "Benefactor of the Year: Wollenberg Foundation (2022-2023)"
• The Wahkiakum County Eagle - "LCC Foundation names The Wollenberg Foundation as Benefactor of the Year" (February 16, 2023)
• Cause IQ - The Wollenberg Foundation organizational profile
• Instrumentl - Wollenberg Foundation 990 Report data