Palo Hills Foundation is a private independent foundation designated as a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation is based in Cupertino, California, though it maintains operations associated with Reno, Nevada. As a private nonoperating foundation, it functions as a grantmaking organization focused on philanthropic activities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.3M
+11.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$338K
-22.9% YoY
Grant Count
23
+9.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
-29.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Palo Hills Foundation reported a distributable amount of $256K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not have a publicly available mission statement. However, its funding priorities include:
- Education
- Health and diseases/conditions
- Religion (specifically Christianity and Protestantism)
- Human services
- Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking
Recent grant activity indicates support for educational institutions, faith-based organizations, and scholarship programs.
Grantmaking
The foundation supports undesignated gifts, program support, current support, scholarships, operating needs, and ongoing needs.
Average Grant
amount: approximately $94–$119,000
Grant Types
Ready to take the next step with Palo Hills Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation provides funding across multiple U.S. states and cities, including:
- California (primary focus)
- Indiana
- Illinois
- Texas
- New York
- Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington
Specific cities funded include Austin, New York, and San Francisco.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,310,854 | 2024 |
| Total Assets | $2,981,801 | 2023 |
| Total Giving | $338,000 | 2024 |
| Total Giving | $438,119 | 2023 |
| Total Revenue | $713,795 | 2024 |
| Total Revenue | $230,264 | 2023 |
| Total Expenses | $384,742 | 2024 |
| Total Expenses | $477,802 | 2023 |
| Investment Income | $68,061 | 2024 |
| Total Liabilities | $0 | 2023 |
The foundation has no employees and maintains zero liabilities.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,310,854 | $2,981,801 | $3,242,056 |
| Revenue | $713,795 | $230,264 | $183,169 |
| Expenses | $384,742 | $477,802 | $330,453 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $338,475 | $438,674 | $293,600 |
| Net Investment Income | $671,803 | $188,555 | $153,688 |
| Distributable Amount | $256,267 | $235,353 | $282,566 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
132 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include St Nicholas School ($70,000), St Francis High School ($35,000), Life Family Church ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ST JAMES LUTHERAN MARION LAFAYETTE, IN | SCHOLARSHIPS & OPERATIONS | $5,000 |
| LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION GRANITE BAY, CA | OPERATING NEEDS | $15,000 |
| CCHAT RANCHO CORDOVA, CA | program support | $15,000 |
| ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPAIGN, IL | UNDESIGNATED | $5,000 |
| STRATUM FOUNDATIONBRIDGE CITY CHAMPAIGN, IL | CURRENT PROGRAMS | $5,000 |
| UNIVERSITY LUTHERAN CHURCH WEST LAFAYETTE, IN | GENERAL FUND | $10,000 |
| FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF HAMILTON HAMILTON, OH | GENERAL SERVICES | $5,000 |
| ST NICHOLAS SCHOOL LOS ALTOS HILLS, CA | CURRENT SUPPORT | $70,000 |
| C-U AT HOME CHAMPAIGN, IL | OPERATIONS | $5,000 |
| GRACE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SALINAS, CA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President: Don R. Scifres (serves without compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DON R SCIFRES | President | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Palo Hills Foundation fund?
The foundation does not have a publicly available mission statement. However, its funding priorities include: • Education • Health and diseases/conditions • Religion (specifically Christianity and Protestantism) • Human services • Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking Recent grant activity indicates support for educational institutions, faith-based organizations, and scholarship programs.
How do I apply for a grant from Palo Hills Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2024: $338,000 • Total giving in 2023: $438,119 • Average grant amount: approximately $94–$119,000 • Number of grants made: 29 grants in 2024 **Recent Grants (2024):** • St Nicholas School: $70,000 (Current Support) • St Francis High School: $35,000 (Scholarship) • Lutheran Church of the Resurrection: $15,000 (Operating Needs) **Grant Types:** The foundation supports undesignated gifts, program support, current support, scholarships, operating needs, and on…
Where does Palo Hills Foundation make grants?
The foundation provides funding across multiple U.S. states and cities, including: • California (primary focus) • Indiana • Illinois • Texas • New York • Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington Specific cities funded include Austin, New York, and San Francisco.
What size grants does Palo Hills Foundation award?
In 2024, Palo Hills Foundation awarded 23 grants totaling $338K — an average of about $15K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Palo Hills Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Palo Hills Foundation reported a distributable amount of $256K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Palo Hills Foundation's EIN?
Palo Hills Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0529206. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Palo Hills Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Dna 1957 Foundation
LAS VEGAS, NV
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Love Foundation for American Music
INCLINE VILLAGE, NV
Assets
$1K
Grants
4
Total Given
$125K
Haupt S Fbo Charities Tuw
LAS VEGAS, NV
Assets
—
Grants
4
Total Given
$73K
Hall Mildred C Tuw
LAS VEGAS, NV
Assets
$184K
Grants
2
Total Given
$239K
M D Close Foundation
LAS VEGAS, NV
Assets
$330K
Grants
11
Total Given
$338K
Friends of Sutro Tunnel Charity
CARSON CITY, NV
Assets
$856K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Palo Hills Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Palo Hills Foundation to a real strategy.