Silicon Valley Luminary Society

Private foundation · Grantmaker Redwood City, CA EIN: 77-0484546

Silicon Valley Luminary Society is a private foundation focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Redwood City, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $898K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $26K. Net investment income was $47K.

Key facts about Silicon Valley Luminary Society

In short: Silicon Valley Luminary Society gave $26K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $4K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
77-0484546
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$26,250
Grants made (2024)
7
Average grant
$3,750
Median grant
$5,000
Total assets
$897,563
Primary geography
California (81% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$898K

+19.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$26K

+1400.0% YoY

Grant Count

7

+133.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$4K

+542.9% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Silicon Valley Luminary Society reported a distributable amount of $41K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How Silicon Valley Luminary Society gives

  • Giving grew 150% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 65% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Silicon Valley Luminary Society?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.

Cities

Palo AltoMountain ViewAthertonMenlo ParkBrookingsColorado SpringsMontereyPierrePlankintonSan DiegoSan JoseStanford

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$10K$20K$30K4 grants2020 4 grants2021 3 grants2022 3 grants2023 7 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2K (2023) to $26K (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $26K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 7 recipients in 2024

Museum of American Heritage: $5KMuseum of American Heritage$5KSouth Dakota State University Foundation: $5KSouth Dakota State UniversityFoundation$5KThe Tech Interactive: $5KThe Tech Interactive$5KSouth Dakota Discovery Center: $5KSouth Dakota Discovery Center$5KStanford University: $5KStanford University$5KScholarship Funds of the University Club of Palo Alto: $1KScholarship Funds of theUniversity Club of Palo Alto$1KComputer History Museum: $250Computer History Museum$250

The largest 2024 recipient was Museum of American Heritage ($5K). Together the top 7 received $26K.

Grant Size Distribution

21 grants across all recorded years

21<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 21 grants of 21 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Museum of American Heritage Palo Alto, CACharities$5,000
South Dakota State University Foundation San Diego, CACharities$5,000
The Tech Interactive San Jose, CACharities$5,000
South Dakota Discovery Center Pierre, SDCharities$5,000
Stanford University Stanford, CACharities$5,000
Scholarship Funds of the University Club of Palo Alto Palo Alto, CACharities$1,000
Computer History Museum Mountain View, CACharities$250

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$20K$40K$60K2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$897,563$754,528$550,147
Revenue$47,397$1,746$1,524
Expenses$28,049$5,070$4,320
Qualifying Distributions$27,125$1,750$4,250
Net Investment Income$47,397$1,746$1,524
Distributable Amount$41,486$31,454$27,435

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Silicon Valley Luminary Society is led by Timothy Williams, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Timothy Williams

    President

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Douglas C. Hohbach

    Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Frequently asked questions about Silicon Valley Luminary Society

How much does Silicon Valley Luminary Society give each year?

Silicon Valley Luminary Society gave $26K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2K across 3 grants.

What is Silicon Valley Luminary Society's typical grant size?

Silicon Valley Luminary Society's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $3,750, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does Silicon Valley Luminary Society give grants?

Silicon Valley Luminary Society gives mostly in California: 81% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was South Dakota (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were Palo Alto, CA (2 grants).

Does Silicon Valley Luminary Society give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Silicon Valley Luminary Society's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charities" (7 grants).

Who are Silicon Valley Luminary Society's largest grantees?

Silicon Valley Luminary Society's largest 2024 grantees include Museum of American Heritage ($5,000), South Dakota State University Foundation ($5,000) and The Tech Interactive ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Silicon Valley Luminary Society?

Silicon Valley Luminary Society reported $898K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $27K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $41K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.

What is Silicon Valley Luminary Society?

Silicon Valley Luminary Society is a private foundation focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Redwood City, CA. It holds $898K in total assets as of 2024.

What is Silicon Valley Luminary Society's EIN?

Silicon Valley Luminary Society's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0484546. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Silicon Valley Luminary Society by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Silicon Valley Luminary Society's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Silicon Valley Community Foundation

Mountain View, CA

Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$12.3B

Grants

3,576

Total Given

$3.2B

Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundation

Palo Alto, CA

The foundation funds scientific research, environmental conservation, and work supporting the San Francisco Bay Area, alongside initiatives in regions such as the Andes-Amazon and Arctic Ocean. Its 2024 grants had a median of $200,000, with awards ranging from $50 to $20 million. It does not accept unsolicited proposals for its Andes-Amazon and Wildfire Resilience initiatives, but invites brief inquiries of about 100 words.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$11.5B

Grants

920

Total Given

$403.0M

South Dakota Community Foundation

Pierre, SD

The South Dakota Community Foundation funds public nonprofits and charitable projects benefiting South Dakota, including work in education, health, human services, culture, economic development, and community problem-solving. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $18,600, though awards varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$939.2M

Grants

390

Total Given

$39.7M

Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco the Peninsula Marin & Sonoma

San Francisco, CA

Jewish Federation Bay Area funds programs that strengthen Jewish life, combat antisemitism, respond to crises, support people in need, and advance justice and inclusion. Its work focuses on the Bay Area, Israel, and beyond; 2025 grants had a median of $22,750, though amounts varied widely. It frequently issues requests for proposals and welcomes inquiries about its process, but no current opportunities are listed.

Assets

$2.0B

Grants

1,032

Total Given

$94.5M

The Patrick J McGovern Foundation Inc

Boston, MA

The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation funds social-impact work using AI and data science, including digital health, climate, digital access, and nonprofit technology. Its 2024 grants ranged from $150 to $1.5 million, with a median of $395,000; recipients were located across the U.S. and internationally, with no stated geographic restriction. It does not accept unsolicited funding requests and supports preselected organizations through an invitation-only process.

Assets

$1.5B

Grants

165

Total Given

$66.2M

Nachtsheim Family Foundation

Atherton, CA

The Nachtsheim Family Foundation supports charitable organizations across varied fields, with 2025 grants ranging from $500 to $10,000 (median $2,000). Its giving was concentrated in California and Minnesota, with a small amount in New York. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$484K

Grants

10

Total Given

$31K

California Community Foundation

Los Angeles, CA

The California Community Foundation funds work in education, health, housing, immigration, and other community needs, primarily in Los Angeles County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, though amounts varied widely; it does not accept unsolicited funding requests.

Assets

$2.3B

Grants

2,174

Total Given

$326.6M

The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation

Menlo Park, CA

The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, gender equity, governance, democracy, and philanthropy, with work in the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, nationally, and internationally. Its 2024 grants had a median of $150,000, though awards ranged from $50 to more than $11 million; it often provides long-term general operating support. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, except through invited open processes.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$14.2B

Grants

2,001

Total Given

$625.0M

Marin Community Foundation

Novato, CA

Marin Community Foundation funds equity-focused work, including affordable housing, homelessness, community resilience and power, and arts; its Buck Family Fund supports organizations serving Marin County, including those based elsewhere. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000 and ranged from $5,050 to $10 million; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$1.3B

Grants

1,573

Total Given

$186.1M

Direct Relief

Santa Barbara, CA

Direct Relief funds community health centers, free and charitable clinics, educational institutions, and other organizations addressing health inequities, and provides medical supplies for healthcare facilities serving underserved communities and people affected by emergencies. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,500 to $4.34 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work across the U.S. and more than 80 countries. The available information does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.

International, Foreign Affairs & National Security

Assets

$1.3B

Grants

1,367

Total Given

$337.4M

Conrad N Hilton Foundation

Westlake Village, CA

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation funds nonprofits working to improve lives and alleviate poverty, with initiatives including early childhood development, homelessness, refugees, safe water, and support for foster and opportunity youth. Its work is global, and its 2024 grants had a median award of $76,000. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, except through its Good Neighbor Program for eligible local nonprofits and Title 1 schools.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$7.4B

Grants

1,339

Total Given

$287.7M

The San Diego Foundation

San Diego, CA

The San Diego Foundation supports nonprofits advancing racial and social justice, equity of opportunity, and resilient communities, with grants for projects, capacity building, or general support. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $25,000, with awards ranging from $5,100 to nearly $5 million; it generally funds organizations serving San Diego County residents, though some grants reach beyond the county. Applications are made through posted funding opportunities, and the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$1.7B

Grants

1,158

Total Given

$94.3M

More Funders in California

Silicon Valley Luminary Society down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?