The Jeff and Marieke Rothschild Foundation makes a small number of very large gifts focused on institutional capital and operating needs, primarily in the Bay Area and in conservation. Their funding flows to food security (major support for Second Harvest of Silicon Valley), land and species protection (local land trust and international rewilding), and higher‑education campus infrastructure and operations. Grants are multi‑million and targeted to established organizations rather than many small projects.
Jeff and Marieke Rothschild Foundation gives a small number of very large grants, with several awards at or above $5 million in the latest file. The clearest pattern is institutional support: Second Harvest of Silicon Valley received $5.5 million for capital campaign and operating support in 2025, while the University of California San Francisco Foundation and Colby College each received $5 million that same year for campus operations or residence life. That scale continues across the portfolio, where the foundation pairs major operating and capital gifts with project-specific support for conservation, food systems, and research. Environmental and land-protection work is a recurring thread. The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County received $8.1 million for nature conservation in 2023 and another $1 million for general support in 2025, and Rewild received $2.5 million for the Guafo Island project. The foundation also funds organizations tied to food security and human services, including school feeding and dairy development, as well as selected medical, climate, and advocacy projects. Overall, the grants point to an established funder that works through large, targeted awards to organizations with substantial operating or infrastructure needs.
Food security appears in both Bay Area and international-linked work. Second Harvest of Silicon Valley received $5.5 million for capital campaign and operating support, and Food for Education Foundation Inc received $1.6 million for school feeding programs in Africa. In conservation, the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County received $8.1 million for nature conservation, while Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship received $250,000 for the Cotoni-Coast Dairies project. The foundation also backed Rewild with $2.5 million for the Guafo Island project and Great Barrier Reef Foundation USA Inc with $500,000 for solutions for protecting coral reefs. Education and campus infrastructure are another clear theme. The University of California San Francisco Foundation received $5 million for Parnassus campus and operations, and President & Trustees of Colby College received $5 million for a residence hall and residence life.
Typical grants are large: the 25th percentile is $178,900, the median is $225,000, and the 75th percentile is $1,618,750. The pattern is highly concentrated at the top, with multiple multi-million-dollar grants in 2025. Recurring awards show up in several relationships: Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, and Kenyan Kids Foundation each received more than one grant across different years. The foundation is a grantmaker, not an individual-giving or program-related-investment funder. The recent record also shows targeted support types such as operating support, capital campaign funding, and project-specific grants.
$68.3M
$428.2M
$62M
$71.8M
Most grants fall between $179K and $1.6M, with a median of $225K.
25th Percentile
$179K
Median
$225K
75th Percentile
$1.6M
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Highly concentrated, large-dollar grants to a handful of institutional grantees; preference for capital campaigns and core operating support, with occasional repeat grants to the same organizations and a regional (Bay Area/Santa Cruz) emphasis alongside select national/international conservation investments.
Notable grantees: Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, University of California San Francisco Foundation, President & Trustees of Colby College, Rewild
Grant recipients are overwhelmingly in the United States, with 26 grants listed to U.S. organizations. California is the most frequent recipient state, and several awards land in the Bay Area and nearby coastal counties: San Jose, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Palo Alto, and Greenbrae all appear in the recent grants list. Outside California, awards went to organizations in Waterville, Maine; New York, New York; Washington, DC; Orlando, Florida; Boulder, Colorado; Seaford, New York; and Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. The recipient country distribution in the data shows U.S. grants only.
The distribution is skewed toward large awards: the 25th percentile is $178,900, the median grant is $225,000, and the 75th percentile is $1,618,750. The recent file also includes several grants in the $5 million range.
Yes. Second Harvest of Silicon Valley received grants in 2023 and 2025, Land Trust of Santa Cruz County received awards in 2023 and 2025, and Kenyan Kids Foundation appears multiple times across 2023 and 2025.
The grant record shows support for food security, conservation, campus infrastructure, school feeding programs, climate work, medical research, and advocacy. Named examples include Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, UCSF Foundation, Rewild, and Every Cure Inc.
California is the top state by grant count, and 50% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state. Recent recipients include organizations in San Jose, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Palo Alto, and Greenbrae.
No. The provided data says the foundation funds individuals is false and makes program-related investments is false, so its activity is shown through grants to organizations rather than direct individual support or PRIs.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SECOND HARVEST OF SILICON VALLEY | SAN JOSE, CA | $5,500,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN/OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000,000 | 2025 | PARNASSUS CAMPUS AND OPERATIONS |
| PRESIDENT & TRUSTEES OF COLBY COLLEGE | WATERVILLE, ME | $5,000,000 | 2025 | RESIDENCE HALL/RESIDENCE LIFE |
| REWILD | AUSTIN, TX | $2,500,000 | 2025 | GUAFO ISLAND PROJECT |
| NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST | JENKINTOWN, PA | $2,000,000 | 2025 | ICONIQ IMPACT OCEAN CO-LAB |
| FOOD FOR EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,600,000 | 2025 | SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMS IN AFRICA |
| AVINA AMERICAS INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000,000 | 2025 | MAPBIOMAS WORK ON CLIMATE |
| HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH INC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CLEAN SLATE INITIATIVE INC | ORLANDO, FL | $1,000,000 | 2025 | AUDACIOUS PROJECT |
| LAND TRUST OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY | SANTA CRUZ, CA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EVERY CURE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2025 | AI PLATFORM FOR DRUG REPURPOSING |
| RAINBOW WORLD FUND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREAT BARRIER REEF FOUNDATION USA INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $500,000 | 2025 | SOLUTIONS FOR PROTECTING CORAL REEFS |
| LIFESPAN EXTENSION ADVOCACY FOUNDATION INC | SEAFORD, NY | $263,000 | 2025 | RAPAMYCIN AND EXERCISE PERFORMANCE FOR LONGEVITY RESEARCH PROJECT |
| KENYAN KIDS FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $250,000 | 2025 | CO-OPERATIVE DAIRY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT |
| NP2 | GREENBRAE, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KENYAN KIDS FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $150,000 | 2025 | TRANSCEND RUNNING ACADEMY |
| INKOMOKO | CLINTON, WA | $100,000 | 2025 | IMPROVE LIVES IN ETHIOPIA, KENYA AND SOUTH SUDAN |
| SECOND HARVEST OF SILICON VALLEY | SAN JOSE, CA | $7,100,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN/OPERATING SUPPORT |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000,000 | 2024 | PARNASSUS CAMPUS AND OPERATIONS |
| SAN FRANCISCO OPERA ASSOCIATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST | JENKINTOWN, PA | $2,000,000 | 2024 | ICONIQ IMPACT OCEAN CO-LAB |
| RAINBOW WORLD FUND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,500,000 | 2024 | AMERICANS FOR AFGHANS CAMPAIGN |
| LIFE LAB SCIENCE PROGRAM | SANTA CRUZ, CA | $1,000,000 | 2024 | GIANT STEPS: GROWING MORE SCIENTISTS & ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS CAMPAIGN |
| NEW VENTURE FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000,000 | 2024 | CLEAN SLATE INITIATIVE |
| HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH INC | NEW YORK, NY | $300,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT & LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE PROJECT |
| KENYAN KIDS FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $285,000 | 2024 | TRANSCEND RUNNING ACADEMY |
| NEXTGEN CLIMATE AMERICA INC | SACRAMENTO, CA | $250,000 | 2024 | CIVIC SPACE FOUNDATION PROJECT |
| MONTEFIORE MEDICAL CENTER | BRONX, NY | $250,000 | 2024 | ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE RESEARCH |
| SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS TRAIL STEWARDSHIP | SANTA CRUZ, CA | $250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NP2 | GREENBRAE, CA | $200,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FIAT LUX FOUNDATION | PALO ALTO, CA | $200,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE AMERICAS HEPATO-PANCREATO-BILIARY FOUNDATION INC | PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS | $182,400 | 2024 | LATIN AMERICAN HPB SURGERY FELLOWSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $150,000 | 2024 | CHANCELLOR'S CIRCLE |
| HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | VOICES FOR JUSTICE SILICON VALLEY CELEBRATION |
| KENYAN KIDS FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $90,000 | 2024 | CO-OPERATIVE DAIRY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT |
| LAND TRUST OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY | SANTA CRUZ, CA | $8,114,245 | 2023 | NATURE CONSERVATION |
| SECOND HARVEST OF SILICON VALLEY | SAN JOSE, CA | $5,500,000 | 2023 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN/OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE WILD FOUNDATION | BOULDER, CO | $325,000 | 2023 | BAY OF LIFE PROJECT |
| SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS TRAIL STEWARDSHIP | SANTA CRUZ, CA | $250,000 | 2023 | COTONI-COAST DAIRIES PROJECT |
| KENYAN KIDS FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $200,000 | 2023 | SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM |
| KENYAN KIDS FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $196,866 | 2023 | EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE MILK PROCESSING |
| FIAT LUX FOUNDATION | PALO ALTO, CA | $125,000 | 2023 | KENYA CHERANGANY HILLS EYE HOSPITAL |
| KENYAN KIDS FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $75,000 | 2023 | TRANSCEND RUNNING ACADEMY |
SECOND HARVEST OF SILICON VALLEY
$5,500,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN/OPERATING SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION
$5,000,000PARNASSUS CAMPUS AND OPERATIONS
PRESIDENT & TRUSTEES OF COLBY COLLEGE
$5,000,000RESIDENCE HALL/RESIDENCE LIFE
REWILD
$2,500,000GUAFO ISLAND PROJECT
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST
$2,000,000ICONIQ IMPACT OCEAN CO-LAB
FOOD FOR EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC
$1,600,000SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMS IN AFRICA
AVINA AMERICAS INC
$1,000,000MAPBIOMAS WORK ON CLIMATE
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH INC
$1,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CLEAN SLATE INITIATIVE INC
$1,000,000AUDACIOUS PROJECT
LAND TRUST OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
$1,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
EVERY CURE INC
$1,000,000AI PLATFORM FOR DRUG REPURPOSING
RAINBOW WORLD FUND
$1,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GREAT BARRIER REEF FOUNDATION USA INC
$500,000SOLUTIONS FOR PROTECTING CORAL REEFS
LIFESPAN EXTENSION ADVOCACY FOUNDATION INC
$263,000RAPAMYCIN AND EXERCISE PERFORMANCE FOR LONGEVITY RESEARCH PROJECT
KENYAN KIDS FOUNDATION
$250,000CO-OPERATIVE DAIRY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
NP2
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
KENYAN KIDS FOUNDATION
$150,000TRANSCEND RUNNING ACADEMY
INKOMOKO
$100,000IMPROVE LIVES IN ETHIOPIA, KENYA AND SOUTH SUDAN
SECOND HARVEST OF SILICON VALLEY
$7,100,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN/OPERATING SUPPORT
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
$5,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION
$5,000,000PARNASSUS CAMPUS AND OPERATIONS
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA ASSOCIATION
$5,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST
$2,000,000ICONIQ IMPACT OCEAN CO-LAB
RAINBOW WORLD FUND
$1,500,000AMERICANS FOR AFGHANS CAMPAIGN
LIFE LAB SCIENCE PROGRAM
$1,000,000GIANT STEPS: GROWING MORE SCIENTISTS & ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS CAMPAIGN
NEW VENTURE FUND
$1,000,000CLEAN SLATE INITIATIVE
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH INC
$300,000GENERAL SUPPORT & LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE PROJECT
KENYAN KIDS FOUNDATION
$285,000TRANSCEND RUNNING ACADEMY
NEXTGEN CLIMATE AMERICA INC
$250,000CIVIC SPACE FOUNDATION PROJECT
MONTEFIORE MEDICAL CENTER
$250,000ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE RESEARCH
SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS TRAIL STEWARDSHIP
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NP2
$200,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FIAT LUX FOUNDATION
$200,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE AMERICAS HEPATO-PANCREATO-BILIARY FOUNDATION INC
$182,400LATIN AMERICAN HPB SURGERY FELLOWSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION
$150,000CHANCELLOR'S CIRCLE
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH INC
$100,000VOICES FOR JUSTICE SILICON VALLEY CELEBRATION
KENYAN KIDS FOUNDATION
$90,000CO-OPERATIVE DAIRY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
LAND TRUST OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
$8,114,245NATURE CONSERVATION
SECOND HARVEST OF SILICON VALLEY
$5,500,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN/OPERATING SUPPORT
THE WILD FOUNDATION
$325,000BAY OF LIFE PROJECT
SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS TRAIL STEWARDSHIP
$250,000COTONI-COAST DAIRIES PROJECT
KENYAN KIDS FOUNDATION
$200,000SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM
KENYAN KIDS FOUNDATION
$196,866EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE MILK PROCESSING
FIAT LUX FOUNDATION
$125,000KENYA CHERANGANY HILLS EYE HOSPITAL
KENYAN KIDS FOUNDATION
$75,000TRANSCEND RUNNING ACADEMY