The Chambers Family Foundation concentrates its giving on a mix of health, higher-education/research, and local Silicon Valley community causes. Large, repeat gifts fund pediatric oncology at Lucile Packard, university programs (both research/policy at Stanford and athletics at West Virginia University), and public health/charitable intermediaries; smaller awards support local needs like food security and independent K–12 education. The foundation appears comfortable using intermediaries for broad charitable purposes while also making targeted institutional investments tied to named programs or initiatives.
A $600,000 endowed professorship in pediatric cancer at Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health stands out as one of the Chambers Family Foundation’s clearest signals: this funder backs named academic and clinical posts alongside program funds and general charitable support. Across recent grants, the foundation has supported pediatric oncology, university-based research and policy work, athletic programs at West Virginia University, public health intermediaries, and local Silicon Valley community organizations. The pattern shows a mix of large institutional gifts and mid-sized annual support rather than a single-issue strategy. Recent awards include repeated funding for the Chambers Pediatric Oncology Clinical Trial Fund, recurring support for West Virginia University Foundation’s Mountaineers Athletic Club, and multiple gifts to Stanford-affiliated programs such as the Hoover Institution’s Tech Policy Accelerator. The foundation also funds intermediaries like Givinga Foundation and CDC Foundation, suggesting comfort with broad-purpose charitable vehicles as well as direct institutional grants. Local awards to Second Harvest of Silicon Valley and Castilleja School Foundation show that community needs in and around Silicon Valley remain part of the portfolio. The presence of endowment language, annual fund support, and unrestricted charitable purposes points to a flexible grantmaking approach that spans research, education, health, and direct services.
Pediatric cancer is a core theme. The foundation gave $600,000 to Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health for the Elaine and John Chambers Endowed Professorship in Pediatric Cancer, and also made $250,000 gifts in 2024 and 2025 to the Chambers Pediatric Oncology Clinical Trial Fund. Those grants pair faculty support with clinical-trial funding. Higher education and research are another major lane. In 2025, they gave $500,000 to Leland Stanford Junior University for the Hoover Institution’s Tech Policy Accelerator, and Stanford also received $300,000 for the Jonathan S. Berek Endowed Fellowship Fund. A separate Stanford grant of $100,000 supported The Technology, Economics, and Governance Working Group Fund. The foundation also supports family services and community needs. Ronald Mcdonalds House Charities received $50,000 to provide housing, meals, and specialized services to families with critically ill children. Second Harvest of Silicon Valley received $250,000 in 2024 and $150,000 in 2025 for general charitable purposes.
$3.4M
$9.6M
$1.2M
$3.5M
Most grants fall between $14K and $100K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$14K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$100K
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Concentrated, high-dollar giving to a small set of repeat institutional grantees (multi-grant support), combined with several substantial gifts to national intermediaries; mix of designated program funding and unrestricted/general charitable contributions.
Notable grantees: Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, West Virginia University Foundation, Leland Stanford Junior University / Hoover Institution, CDC Foundation, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
Typical grant size centers at $25,000, with the 25th percentile at $13,750 and the 75th percentile at $100,000. The recent record shows both recurring awards and one-time grants: West Virginia University Foundation, Stanford, Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, CDC Foundation, Duke University, and Givinga Foundation each appear in multiple years. The foundation is a family foundation, and it also funds individuals. Its grantmaking includes endowment support, annual fund support, and unrestricted charitable gifts, alongside program-specific awards.
Grants are entirely domestic in the recent sample, with 100% of recipients in the US. California captures 68% of grants, reflecting frequent awards to Palo Alto, Stanford, and San Jose. Outside California, grants reach Morgantown, West Virginia; Atlanta, Georgia; Durham, North Carolina; Dallas, Texas; and Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts. The top state by grant count is Virginia, even though the headquarters are in Palo Alto, California.
Recent grants show a mix of pediatric cancer and children's health, university research and policy, athletics support, public health intermediaries, and local Silicon Valley community needs. Named examples include Stanford’s Tech Policy Accelerator, West Virginia University’s Mountaineers Athletic Club, and Second Harvest of Silicon Valley.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including West Virginia University Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Duke University in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and CDC Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The grant-size distribution centers on a median of $25,000, with a 25th percentile of $13,750 and a 75th percentile of $100,000. Recent awards range from $50,000 to $600,000 in the grants listed here.
California receives 68% of grants in the recent data, with recipient cities including Palo Alto, Stanford, and San Jose. The recipient list is otherwise spread across Morgantown, Atlanta, Durham, Dallas, and Wellesley Hills, and all recent grants are to US organizations.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | MORGANTOWN, WV | $532,500 | 2025 | WVU COLLEGE - MOUNTAINEERS ATHLETIC CLUB |
| LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY | STANFORD, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | GIFT TO HOOVER INSTITUTION ON WAR, REVOLUTION, AND PEACE. GIFT WILL BE IN SUPPORT OF THE TECH POLICY ACCELERATOR. |
| GIVINGA FOUNDATION | WELLESLEY HILLS, MA | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CDC FOUNDATION | ATLANTA, GA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| GIVINGA FOUNDATION | WELLESLEY HILLS, MA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| GIVINGA FOUNDATION | WELLESLEY HILLS, MA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN'S HEALTH | PALO ALTO, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | THE CHAMBERS PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY CLINICAL TRIAL FUND |
| SECOND HARVEST OF SILICON VALLEY | SAN JOSE, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY | STANFORD, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | THE UNDER ONE UMBRELLA FUND |
| GIVINGA FOUNDATION | WELLESLEY HILLS, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | MORGANTOWN, WV | $100,000 | 2025 | WVU COLLEGE - ROCKEFELLER NEUROSCIENCE INSTITUTE |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY | DURHAM, NC | $75,000 | 2025 | PRATT ANNUAL FUND - UNRESTRICTED |
| CITY YEAR INC | BOSTON, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION | DALLAS, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CITY YEAR INC | BOSTON, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| RONALD MCDONALDS HOUSE CHARITIES | PALO ALTO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE HOUSING, MEALS, AND SPECIALIZED SERVICES TO FAMILIES WITH CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN |
| MENLO SCHOOL | ATHERTON, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTE TO THE 2024-2025 ANNUAL FUND |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE PENINSULA | MENLO PARK, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THERE WITH CARE OF THE BAY AREA | REDWOOD CITY, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SAVE THE CHILDREN | FAIRFIELD, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| LEADING FOR KIDS | REDWOOD CITY, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CHILDREN'S HEALTH COUNCIL | PALO ALTO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY | STANFORD, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | THE CHAMBERS FAMILY FOUNDATION AI AND MELANOMA FUND |
| CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL 11-99 FOUNDATION | COSTA MESA, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| PRESERVE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | CARMEL, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE JIM SAUNDERS FUND | KAILUA KONA, HI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| KUKI'O HO'OMANA FUND | KAILUA KONA, HI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| BEST BUDDIES | MIAMI, FL | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| WORLD WILDLIFE FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| COVENANT HOUSE CALIFORNIA | HOLLYWOOD, CA | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | MORGANTOWN, WV | $532,500 | 2024 | WVU COLLEGE - MOUNTAINEERS ATHLETIC CLUB |
| CASTILLEJA SCHOOL FOUNDATION | PALO ALTO, CA | $250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CDC FOUNDATION | ATLANTA, GA | $250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN'S HEALTH | PALO ALTO, CA | $250,000 | 2024 | THE CHAMBERS PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY CLINICAL TRIAL FUND |
| SECOND HARVEST OF SILICON VALLEY | SAN JOSE, CA | $250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY | STANFORD, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | THE CHAMBERS FUND FOR INSPIRE PROGRAM |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY | DURHAM, NC | $75,000 | 2024 | PRATT ANNUAL FUND - UNRESTRICTED |
| LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY | STANFORD, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | THE TECHNOLOGY, ECONOMICS, AND GOVERNANCE WORKING GROUP FUND |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION | DALLAS, TX | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CASTILLEJA SCHOOL FOUNDATION | PALO ALTO, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE PENINSULA | MENLO PARK, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| RONALD MCDONALDS HOUSE CHARITIES | PALO ALTO, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | PROVIDE HOUSING, MEALS, AND SPECIALIZED SERVICES TO FAMILIES WITH CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN |
| LEADING FOR KIDS | REDWOOD CITY, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITY PURPOSE |
| CHILDREN'S HEALTH COUNCIL | PALO ALTO, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL 11-99 FOUNDATION | COSTA MESA, CA | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI FOUNDATION | CINCINNATI, OH | $15,000 | 2024 | GIFT WILL BE USED TO SUPPORT THE PORTMAN CENTER FOR POLICY SOLUTIONS ENDOWMENT FUND |
| CANCER CAREPOINT | SAN JOSE, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | 2023 VERY MERRY GARDEN PARTY |
| THE JORDAN SMELSKI FOUNDATION | LAKE MONROE, FL | $1,000 | 2024 | DONATION FOR AMOEBA AWARENESS |
| COVENANT HOUSE CALIFORNIA | HOLLYWOOD, CA | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
WVU COLLEGE - MOUNTAINEERS ATHLETIC CLUB
GIFT TO HOOVER INSTITUTION ON WAR, REVOLUTION, AND PEACE. GIFT WILL BE IN SUPPORT OF THE TECH POLICY ACCELERATOR.
GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
THE CHAMBERS PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY CLINICAL TRIAL FUND
WVU COLLEGE - ROCKEFELLER NEUROSCIENCE INSTITUTE
RONALD MCDONALDS HOUSE CHARITIES
$50,000PROVIDE HOUSING, MEALS, AND SPECIALIZED SERVICES TO FAMILIES WITH CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN
MENLO SCHOOL
$30,000CONTRIBUTE TO THE 2024-2025 ANNUAL FUND
THERE WITH CARE OF THE BAY AREA
$25,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
SAVE THE CHILDREN
$25,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
LEADING FOR KIDS
$25,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
THE CHAMBERS FAMILY FOUNDATION AI AND MELANOMA FUND
CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL 11-99 FOUNDATION
$15,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
THE JIM SAUNDERS FUND
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
COVENANT HOUSE CALIFORNIA
$2,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
WVU COLLEGE - MOUNTAINEERS ATHLETIC CLUB
CDC FOUNDATION
$250,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
THE CHAMBERS PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY CLINICAL TRIAL FUND
LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY
$100,000THE CHAMBERS FUND FOR INSPIRE PROGRAM
THE TECHNOLOGY, ECONOMICS, AND GOVERNANCE WORKING GROUP FUND
RONALD MCDONALDS HOUSE CHARITIES
$25,000PROVIDE HOUSING, MEALS, AND SPECIALIZED SERVICES TO FAMILIES WITH CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN
LEADING FOR KIDS
$25,000GENERAL CHARITY PURPOSE
CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL 11-99 FOUNDATION
$15,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
GIFT WILL BE USED TO SUPPORT THE PORTMAN CENTER FOR POLICY SOLUTIONS ENDOWMENT FUND
CANCER CAREPOINT
$10,0002023 VERY MERRY GARDEN PARTY
THE JORDAN SMELSKI FOUNDATION
$1,000DONATION FOR AMOEBA AWARENESS
COVENANT HOUSE CALIFORNIA
$1,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE