Private foundation · EIN 27-2999037 · Menlo Park, California · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Melvin and Geraldine Hoven Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 22 grants paid, $321K total, median $5,000. 77% of grants stayed in California.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
22
$321K
Median grant
$5,000
Stays in CA
77%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$4.1M

How to apply

Contact: Barry Elkins, 64 Willow Place 200, Menlo Park, Ca, 6503638510, barryelkins58@yahoo.com

Quoted from Part XV of the foundation's 2025 Form 990-PF; the full text is in the filing. Confirm on the foundation's website before you write.

Grants paid in 2025

22 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Michael J Fox FoundationNew York, NYUnrestricted$70K
PostPalo Alto, CAUnrestricted$70K
Second Harvest Food BankSan Jose, CAUnrestricted$25K
Yosemite ConservancySan Francisco, CAUnrestricted$20K
Cta Disaster Relief FundBurlingame, CAUnrestricted$20K
Sweet Home Alumni FoundationSweet Home, ORUnrestricted$17K
University of Oregon FoundationEugene, ORUnrestricted$15K
Silicon Valley Education FoundationSan Jose, CAUnrestricted$10K
Los Altos Mountain View Community FLos Altos, CAUnrestricted$10K
Wildland Firefighter FoundationBoise, IDUnrestricted$10K
Save the Redwoods LeagueSan Francisco, CAUnrestricted$5,000
St Nicholas and St William ParishLos Altos, CAUnrestricted$5,000
Guide Dogs for the BlindSan Rafael, CAUnrestricted$5,000
Land Trust for Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CAUnrestricted$5,000
Special Operations Warrior FoundatiTampa, FLUnrestricted$5,000
Los Altos Education FoundationLos Altos, CAUnrestricted$5,000
Mountain View Educational FoundatioMountain View, CAUnrestricted$5,000
Mvla High School FoundationMountain View, CAUnrestricted$5,000
American Red CrossSan Rafael, CAUnrestricted$5,000
East Palo Alto Kids FdnPalo Alto, CAUnrestricted$5,000
Norcal Boxer RescueDavis, CAUnrestricted$2,000
Ventana Wildlife SocietyMonterey, CAUnrestricted$2,000

By state: California 17 · New York 1 · Oregon 2 · Idaho 1 · Florida 1

About this foundation

Melvin and Geraldine Hoven Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Menlo Park, California, administered in care of Robert Nigra, tax-exempt since 2025. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Melvin and Geraldine Hoven Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Melvin and Geraldine Hoven Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $321K across 22 grants, a median of $5,000.

Where does Melvin and Geraldine Hoven Foundation give?

California (17 grants), New York (1 grants), Oregon (2 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Menlo Park that accept applications

All in California
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
William & Flora Hewlett Foundationsince 1968 Menlo Park, CA $625M2,001 grants · 2024 $150KYes $13B
H&h Evergreen Foundationsince 2015 Menlo Park, CA $178M5 grants · 2025 $78KPreselected only $4.2B
King Philanthropies Incsince 2016 Menlo Park, CA $10M4 grants · 2024 $875KPreselected only $669M
Flora Family Foundationsince 1999 Menlo Park, CA $5.0M200 grants · 2024 $19KPreselected only $128M
Sand Hill Foundationsince 1995 Menlo Park, CA $11M99 grants · 2024 $40KYes $93M
Arrow Impactsince 2019 Menlo Park, CA $11M25 grants · 2024 $300KPreselected only $68M
Hrh Foundationsince 2001 Menlo Park, CA $4.1M60 grants · 2025 $25KPreselected only $45M
Hopper-Dean Foundationsince 2011 Menlo Park, CA $6.8M67 grants · 2024 $15KPreselected only $44M
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