Thank you for your interest in the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
The problems we seek to solve are complex, requiring long-term commitment to create lasting change. We select our partners thoughtfully, consistently evaluate our progress, and adjust strategies when needed. Our resources are small compared to these challenges, so we are unable to fund all requests we receive. In a typical year, about 15 percent of our grants are awarded to first-time grantees and less than one percent come from unsolicited proposals.
Grants are made only for charitable, educational, or scientific purposes, primarily from tax-exempt charitable organizations.
The Packard Foundation does not fund the following:
- Lobbying and activities to influence specific legislation
- Conference fees and tuition assistance
- Religious organizations
- Individuals
Submit a Request for Funding
Below you will find specific instructions for submitting a funding request. Before submitting your request, please review the strategic goals and geographic focus of your interest area. To find information about current and previous grants, visit our Grant Database.
Environment and Science
We welcome your ideas for funding requests. Please review the Environment and Science initiative pages (Global Climate, Climate Innovation, Ocean, Science, and Agriculture, Livelihoods, and Conservation). If your work is aligned with our funding priorities and geographic focus, send a short description to the relevant Program Officer and Program Associate or send the description using the form here. Please do not send a full proposal until requested.
The Packard Fellowships for Science and Engineering have a different funding process and detailed information on eligibility can be found here.
Children, Families, and Communities
The Children, Families, and Communities Program strives to ensure that all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential. This program is not accepting unsolicited proposals, but welcomes your ideas for funding requests. Before you send a request, please review the Children, Families and Communities program page. If your work is aligned with the program strategy and geographic focus, please send your request using the form below.
Reproductive Health
The Reproductive Health Program funds innovative work that promotes positive reproductive health. This program is not accepting unsolicited proposals, but welcomes your ideas for funding requests. Before you send a request, please review the Reproductive Health program page. If your work is aligned with the program strategy and geographic focus, please send your request using the form below.
Local Grantmaking
The Local Grantmaking Program supports an array of nonprofit organizations in geographic areas that are significant to the Packard Foundation. This includes organizations in San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey Counties in California, and in Pueblo, Colorado, the birthplace of David Packard. Information on how eligible organizations can submit a letter of inquiry can be found here.
Before you send an inquiry, please review the Local Grantmaking program page to determine if your work is aligned with our funding priorities and geographic focus.
Civil Society and Leadership
The Foundation’s Civil Society and Leadership team partners with grantees to strengthen an organization’s fundamentals so they can focus on achieving their missions. Only current Foundation grantees are eligible to apply for Civil Society and Leadership funds.
Mission Investing
In addition to making grants, we make mission investments that support the Foundation’s program goals. Please review the program areas above. If your project aligns with a program’s strategy, please follow the directions for submitting a funding request to that program.