Private foundation · EIN 68-0299542 · San Francisco, California

Oberndorf Family 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: 52 grants paid, $21M total, median $45K. 63% of grants stayed in California.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
52
$21M
Median grant
$45K
Stays in CA
63%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$64M

Grants paid in 2025

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
American Federation for Children Growth FundDallas, TXGeneral charity$7.5M
UCSF (chancellor Circle Challenge)San Francisco, CAGeneral charity$5.0M
University of California SF Foundation (department of Neurology)San Francisco, CAGeneral charity$1.7M
Enviromental Defense FundSan Francisco, CAGeneral charity$1.0M
California Academy of SciencesSan Francisco, CAGeneral charity$1.0M
Edgewood Center for Children and FamiliesSan Francisco, CAGeneral charity$1.0M
Neighbors for a Better San FranciscoSan Rafael, CAGeneral charity$500K
Stanford University (dept of Otolaryngology )Stanford, CAGeneral charity$500K
St Benedicts Preparatory School IncNewark, NJGeneral charity$500K
Save the ChildrenFairfield, CTGeneral charity$250K
Balanced Budget NowTysons Corner, VAGeneral charity$250K
Dish SF (delivering Innovation in Supportive Housing)San Francisco, CAGeneral charity$250K
Education Reform NowNew York, NYGeneral charity$250K
Spark SF Public SchoolsSan Francisco, CAGeneral charity$175K
Draper Richards Kaplan FoundationMenlo Park, CAGeneral charity$100K
Salvation ArmySan Francisco, CAGeneral charity$100K
San Francisco Marin Food BankSan Francisco, CAGeneral charity$100K
University SchoolShaker Heights, OHGeneral charity$100K
Ica Cristo ReySan Francisco, CAGeneral charity$100K
San Francisco SymphonySan Francisco, CAGeneral charity$100K
Tipping PointSan Francisco, CAGeneral charity$100K
Chronicle Season of Sharing FundSan Francisco, CAGeneral charity$50K
UCLA FoundationLos Angeles, CAGeneral charity$50K
Williams College Alumni Fund (class of 1975)Williamstown, MAGeneral charity$50K
St Vincent de Paul Society San FranciscoSan Francisco, CAGeneral charity$50K
UCSF ( Future of the Brain Summit)San Francisco, CAGeneral charity$50K
Cathedral School for BoysSan Francisco, CAGeneral charity$40K
American Enterprise InstituteWashington, DCGeneral charity$25K
San Francisco Education FundSan Francisco, CAGeneral charity$25K
Success Academy Charter SchoolsNew York, NYGeneral charity$25K
Common Sense MediaSan Francisco, CAGeneral charity$25K
Institute for Excellence in EducationMount Pleasant, MOGeneral charity$25K
Leadership Roundtable IncWashington, DCGeneral charity$25K
Manhattan Institute for Policy ResearchNew York, NYGeneral charity$25K
UCSF (cardiology Council)San Francisco, CAGeneral charity$25K
Wildfire FoundationMount Pleasant, SCGeneral charity$25K
San Francisco Museum of Modern ArtSan Francisco, CAGeneral charity$20K
Aspen InstituteWashington, DCGeneral charity$15K
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew York, NYGeneral charity$15K
Fine Arts Museums of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CAGeneral charity$10K
Reproductive Freedom for All FoundationWashinton, DCGeneral charity$10K
Stanford University (the Stanford Fund)Stanford, CAGeneral charity$10K
Charcot Marie Tooth AssociationGlenolden, PAGeneral charity$10K
San Francisco Free ClinicSan Francisco, CAGeneral charity$5,000
Ten StrandsSan Francisco, CAGeneral charity$5,000
Ukiah Junior AcademyUkiah, CAGeneral charity$5,000
Future Vision FoundationDover, DEGeneral charity$5,000
San Francisco Host CommitteeSan Francisco, CAGeneral charity$5,000
Make a WishOakland, CAGeneral charity$2,000
Stanford University (business School Fund)Stanford, CAGeneral charity$2,000
Williams College Alumni Fund (class of 2008)Williamstown, MAGeneral charity$1,000
Napa Valley Community FoundationNapa, CAGeneral charity$1,000

By state: California 33 · Texas 1 · New Jersey 1 · New York 4 · Connecticut 1 · Virginia 1

About this foundation

Oberndorf Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in San Francisco, California, administered in care of William E Oberndorf, tax-exempt since 1993. 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 Oberndorf Family 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 Oberndorf Family Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $21M across 52 grants, a median of $45K.

Where does Oberndorf Family Foundation give?

California (33 grants), Texas (1 grants), New Jersey (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

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