About Larry L Hillblom Foundation
The Larry L HILLBLOM Foundation makes large, targeted gifts to major California research universities and independent biomedical institutes, prioritizing translational and basic biological science. Grants are concentrated among a handful of repeat recipients (particularly UC campuses and San Diego research centers), suggesting support for sustained research programs, centers, or endowed initiatives rather than many small community projects. Its portfolio is strongly California-focused and heavily weighted toward medical and life‑science research institutions.
Focus Areas
Biomedical and translational research at California public universities (UCSF, UC San Diego, UC system)Neuroscience and aging-related research at independent institutes (Salk Institute, Buck Institute)Establishment or support of research centers and endowed programs within major research universitiesHigh-capacity research infrastructure and major program support for life sciences in Southern California and the Bay Area
Giving Approach
Concentrated, large-dollar grants to a small set of repeat grantees—multi‑grant relationships with major universities and research institutes rather than many smaller awards. Mostly one-time large commitments or multi‑grant support aimed at sustaining research centers or programs.
Funding Style
About Larry L Hillblom Foundation
The Larry L Hillblom Foundation Inc gives large general-support grants to a small set of California biomedical research institutions, with funding that often reaches the six-figure and seven-figure range. Its recent awards show repeated support for University of California campuses, independent institutes, and major life-science centers, especially in San Francisco, La Jolla, and Los Angeles. One of the largest recent grants went to Regents University of Calif in San Francisco for $2,249,401 in 2023, followed by another $1,605,000 award to the same recipient in 2024. The foundation also backed University of California San Diego with $1,545,000 in 2025 and $1,045,000 in 2024, indicating sustained support for major research programs rather than isolated project grants. The portfolio points to translational and basic biological science, with a strong emphasis on institutions working in diabetes, aging, brain disorders, vision disorders, and metabolic syndrome. Recent grants include support for The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, the Buck Institute, Stanford University, and City of Hope, showing a mix of university-based and independent research settings. The pattern is consistent with funding that helps established research organizations maintain or expand scientific capacity.
What Larry L Hillblom Foundation Funds
Biomedical research is central to the foundation’s giving. It awarded $300,000 in 2024 to J Craig Venter Institute in La Jolla and another $300,000 in 2023, both as general support. Aging research is another clear thread. The Buck Institute for Research on Aging received $520,000 in 2024 and $175,000 in 2023, while the Buck Institute in Novato received $545,000 in 2025. The foundation also supports major laboratory institutions in San Diego and San Francisco. It gave $665,000 in 2024 to The Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, then $600,000 in 2025 to Salk Institute, and $170,000 in 2025 to Gladstone Research Institute in San Francisco. Its research support extends to universities as well. Stanford University received $280,000 in 2024 and $260,000 in 2023, both listed as general support.
How Larry L Hillblom Foundation Gives
Typical grant size is concentrated in the midrange, with a p25 of $10,000, a median of $25,000, and a p75 of $96,448. The recent grant list shows a much larger operating pattern at the top end, where awards often reach several hundred thousand dollars and, in a few cases, more than $1 million. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Recipients appear repeatedly across years, especially among California research institutions, which suggests ongoing support rather than one-time awards. Its active programs in the dataset use set grant sizes and do not accept unsolicited requests.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$8.6M
Total Assets
$152.5M
Total Revenue
$8.2M
Total Expenses
$11.1M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $10K and $96K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$96K
Geographic Reach
Local5 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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