The Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Junior University, acting through Stanford’s Graduate School of Education (GSE), directs internal philanthropic and program funding to support graduate student wellbeing, professional development, and education research and innovation. Their resources prioritize short-term emergency and family supports for enrolled GSE students, small travel and fee grants to enable research dissemination, and programmatic investments that seed and pilot educator-facing innovations (e.g., the Stanford Accelerator for Learning). Funding is principally institutional, targeted to Stanford-affiliated students, faculty, and teams advancing equitable K–12 learning, teacher preparation, and education research.
A defining pattern in The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University’s recent grantmaking is its mix of large institutional gifts and tightly targeted support for Stanford-affiliated education work. Acting through Stanford’s Graduate School of Education, the foundation directs funding toward graduate student wellbeing, professional development, and education research and innovation, while also making sizable grants to universities, health-related institutions, and cultural organizations. In the latest grants list, the largest award is $25 million to The Morgridge Institute Foundation Inc for general support, alongside a $25 million facility-support grant to the University of Wisconsin Foundation and a $15 million future fund grant to the same institution. The portfolio also shows continued support for Stanford-based infrastructure and student services. Stanford Health Care received $3.81 million for general support in 2025, and Jewish Family and Children’s Services received $3.001 million for fund support the same year. Earlier grants include $2.5 million to Yale University for construction support and $2.5 million to Massachusetts Institute of Technology for construction support, signaling a willingness to fund major capital and institutional needs alongside programmatic work.
Within education, the foundation supports both training and innovation. Stanford’s Graduate School of Education appears in the grant profile through priorities such as emergency financial assistance for graduate students, childcare, family, and housing support for graduate students with dependents, and small travel and fee grants tied to research dissemination. The grant list also shows support for teacher preparation and early-stage education work. Grants are directed to the Stanford Teacher Education Program and the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, reflecting investment in professional development and education innovation. Beyond Stanford, the foundation has funded Aiglon College through Chapel & York US Foundation Inc with $6 million for Aiglon College, and Teach for America Inc received $500,000 for general support, showing engagement with education organizations outside the university. A separate area is research and policy. Columbia University received $1,235,500 for the Climate Policy Fund, and The Nature Conservancy received $1,250,000 for program support.
$74.6M
$63.3B
$9.5B
$8.9B
Most grants fall between $20K and $125K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$125K
About 54% of grants go to recipients in CA.
JONATHAN D LEVIN
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Institutional, program-driven awards: mostly small, need-based or one-off grants (emergency, family, health fees, travel) available to enrolled GSE students on a rolling or annual cycle, plus competitive programmatic opportunities (open calls) for Stanford-affiliated teams to pilot or scale education innovations.
Notable grantees: Stanford Graduate School of Education students (Graduate Family Grant, Emergency Grant-in-Aid), Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP), Stanford Accelerator for Learning participant teams
Typical grant size clusters around $20,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $125,000 at the 75th percentile, even though the recent list also includes multimillion-dollar institutional awards. The pattern combines recurring institutional support with one-time capital and campaign gifts; for example, several organizations appear across multiple years, including the University of Wisconsin Foundation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford Health Care, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, American Endowment Foundation, and San Francisco Opera Association. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
Giving is national, but California accounts for 54% of grants and is the top state by grant count. Recent recipient cities in California include Stanford, San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Redwood City. Outside California, the foundation has made large grants to Madison, Wisconsin; New York, New York; Cambridge, Massachusetts; and New Haven, Connecticut. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the data provided.
The typical award is $50,000 at the median, with $20,000 at the 25th percentile and $125,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grant list also includes much larger institutional gifts, ranging into the millions.
Yes. Several organizations appear more than once across the recent grants list, including the University of Wisconsin Foundation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford Health Care, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, American Endowment Foundation, and San Francisco Opera Association.
The portfolio includes universities, health-related institutions, education organizations, cultural institutions, and environmental groups. Recent recipients include The Morgridge Institute Foundation Inc, Stanford Health Care, Teach for America Inc, The Nature Conservancy, and San Francisco Opera Association.
California is the top state by grant count, with 54% of grants going to recipients in the state. Recent California recipients include Stanford, San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Redwood City.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE MORGRIDGE INSTITUTE FOUNDATION INC | MADISON, WI | $25,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $15,000,000 | 2025 | FUTURE FUND |
| CHAPEL & YORK US FOUNDATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $6,000,000 | 2025 | AIGLON COLLEGE |
| STANFORD HEALTH CARE | STANFORD, CA | $3,810,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $3,001,000 | 2025 | FUND SUPPORT |
| MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $2,500,000 | 2025 | PAVILION SUPPORT |
| SAN MATEO COUNTY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION | REDWOOD CITY, CA | $2,000,000 | 2025 | CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST | JENKINTOWN, PA | $1,529,332 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $1,250,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $1,235,500 | 2025 | CLIMATE POLICY FUND |
| HAWAII COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | HONOLULU, HI | $1,000,000 | 2025 | MAUI STRONG FUND |
| SAN FRANCISCO OPERA ASSOCIATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | MATCHING GIFT |
| AMERICAN ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION | HUDSON, OH | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BAY AREA CANCER CONNECTIONS | PALO ALTO, CA | $900,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ILLUMINATE THE ARTS | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $600,000 | 2025 | BAY LIGHTS PROJECT |
| CORO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TIPPING POINT COMMUNITY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | SF HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS |
| STANFORD JEWISH CENTER | PALO ALTO, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| LUCILE PACKARD CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | PALO ALTO, CA | $414,000 | 2025 | FUND SUPPORT |
| THE RONALD REAGAN FOUNDATION & INSTITUTE | SIMI VALLEY, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | FUND SUPPORT |
| THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | WATERFRONT PARK |
| MAKING WAVES FOUNDATION | RICHMOND, CA | $350,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY | SANTA CLARA, CA | $300,000 | 2025 | MENTAL HTH. SUPPORT |
| SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | FUND SUPPORT |
| TIPPING POINT COMMUNITY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE MALALA FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEIGHBORS FOR A BETTER SAN FRANCISCO | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| STANFORD HEALTH CARE | STANFORD, CA | $195,000 | 2025 | HEALTH CARE FUND |
| FIELD INSTITUTE OF TAOS | ARROYO SECO, NM | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE NEAR EAST POLICY | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP SUPPORT |
| PACIFIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY | PASADENA, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TAOS SPORTS ASSOCIATES INC | TAOS, NM | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| J DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICA'S CHARITIES | CHANTILLY, VA | $120,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| BUCK INSTITUTE FOR AGE RESEARCH | NOVATO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AOPA FOUNDATION | FREDERICK, MD | $100,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT |
| OSHMAN FAMILY JCC | PALO ALTO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION/CULTURAL |
| ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS | BERKELEY, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA CHALLENGE INC | NORWALK, CT | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | ITHACA, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT |
| GRADUATE THEOLOGICAL UNION | BERKELEY, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM & IT SUPPORT |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF HAWAII | HONOLULU, HI | $100,000 | 2025 | CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT |
| SANTA BARBARA FOUNDATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FUND SUPPORT |
| RIEKES CENTER FOR HUMAN ENHANCEMENT | MENLO PARK, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UCSF FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | CANCER CENTER |
| CHILENO BAY FOUNDATION INC | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $100,000 | 2025 | CLINIC SUPPORT |
| COMMONCRAWL FOUNDATION | BEVERLY HILLS, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OAKLAND CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND INC | OAKLAND, CA | $88,770 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WOMENONE LTD | NEW YORK, NY | $85,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
THE MORGRIDGE INSTITUTE FOUNDATION INC
$25,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION
$15,000,000FUTURE FUND
CHAPEL & YORK US FOUNDATION INC
$6,000,000AIGLON COLLEGE
STANFORD HEALTH CARE
$3,810,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JEWISH FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES
$3,001,000FUND SUPPORT
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
$2,500,000PAVILION SUPPORT
SAN MATEO COUNTY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
$2,000,000CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST
$1,529,332GENERAL SUPPORT
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$1,250,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
$1,235,500CLIMATE POLICY FUND
HAWAII COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$1,000,000MAUI STRONG FUND
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA ASSOCIATION
$1,000,000MATCHING GIFT
AMERICAN ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION
$1,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BAY AREA CANCER CONNECTIONS
$900,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ILLUMINATE THE ARTS
$600,000BAY LIGHTS PROJECT
CORO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INC
$500,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
TIPPING POINT COMMUNITY
$500,000SF HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS
STANFORD JEWISH CENTER
$500,000PROJECT SUPPORT
LUCILE PACKARD CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
$414,000FUND SUPPORT
THE RONALD REAGAN FOUNDATION & INSTITUTE
$400,000FUND SUPPORT
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
$400,000WATERFRONT PARK
MAKING WAVES FOUNDATION
$350,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY
$300,000MENTAL HTH. SUPPORT
SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
$250,000FUND SUPPORT
TIPPING POINT COMMUNITY
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE MALALA FUND
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NEIGHBORS FOR A BETTER SAN FRANCISCO
$200,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
STANFORD HEALTH CARE
$195,000HEALTH CARE FUND
FIELD INSTITUTE OF TAOS
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE NEAR EAST POLICY
$150,000FELLOWSHIP SUPPORT
PACIFIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TAOS SPORTS ASSOCIATES INC
$125,000GENERAL SUPPORT
J DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES
$125,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICA'S CHARITIES
$120,000PROJECT SUPPORT
BUCK INSTITUTE FOR AGE RESEARCH
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AOPA FOUNDATION
$100,000SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT
OSHMAN FAMILY JCC
$100,000EDUCATION/CULTURAL
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
INTERNATIONAL FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA CHALLENGE INC
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TEACH FOR AMERICA INC
$100,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
$100,000PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
GRADUATE THEOLOGICAL UNION
$100,000PROGRAM & IT SUPPORT
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF HAWAII
$100,000CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT
SANTA BARBARA FOUNDATION
$100,000FUND SUPPORT
RIEKES CENTER FOR HUMAN ENHANCEMENT
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UCSF FOUNDATION
$100,000CANCER CENTER
CHILENO BAY FOUNDATION INC
$100,000CLINIC SUPPORT
COMMONCRAWL FOUNDATION
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
OAKLAND CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND INC
$88,770GENERAL SUPPORT
WOMENONE LTD
$85,000GENERAL SUPPORT