THE SCHMIDT FAMILY FOUNDATION
Annual Giving
$185.4M+35% YoY
Grants
695
Median Grant
$130K
Organizations Funded
749
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Foundation Overview
Mission
The Schmidt Family Foundation is dedicated to expanding opportunity for the people of California. The Foundation seeks to restore a balanced relationship between people and planet through environmental justice, clean energy, sustainable food systems, healthy oceans, and human rights protection through the 11th Hour Project.
Focus Areas
Grant Types
Funded Initiatives
$1B+ in assets, $220M+ environmental grantmaking since 2006, 11th Hour Project major environmental initiative, Schmidt Marine Technology Partners $3M ocean technology grants, over 500 grants annually to environmental organizations, focus on climate change, renewable energy, sustainable food systems, ocean conservation
How to Apply
Does not accept unsolicited proposals. All grant applications are by invitation only. Proactively seek out grant and investment opportunities through direct outreach. Contact for general inquiries: info@tsffoundation.org or staff@tsffoundation.org, phone: (650) 376-7100.
Does Not Fund
No unsolicited proposals accepted, invitation-only grantmaking approach, focus limited to environmental and climate issues aligned with 11th Hour Project priorities, majority of grants are collaborative and multi-year with specific environmental focus
Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.
Giving History
$185.4M
Grants
695
Median
$130K
States
49
$137.6M
Grants
546
Median
$102K
States
46
$112.8M
Grants
629
Median
$100K
States
45
Grant Size Distribution
$130K
Typical Grant (Median)
$400
Smallest
$75K
25th Pctile
$260K
75th Pctile
$8.0M
Largest
Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $75K and $260K.
Largest Recent Grants
$8.0M
2024
MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM FOUNDATION
CA · OCEAN STEWARDSHIP AND RESEARCH
$6.7M
2024
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH INC
NY · CAPACITY BUILDING, FOSTERING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP, PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS (US OR GENERAL), PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFRICA
$3.5M
2024
SUSTAINABLE MARKETS FOUNDATION
NY · CAPACITY BUILDING, PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFRICA, ENCOURAGING A JUST TRANSITION AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS, PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS (US OR GENERAL)
$3.4M
2024
ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS INC
NY · ENCOURAGING A JUST TRANSITION AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS, PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS (US OR GENERAL)
$3.2M
2024
REALIZE IMPACT
WA · ENCOURAGING A JUST TRANSITION AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS
Geographic Focus
Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.
Financial Overview
Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets
Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.