The George and Lena Valente Foundation
The George and Lena Valente Foundation is a private foundation based in El Macero, California. It supports organizations working to expand access to resources that promote improvements in the community, with a stated mission of building healthier lives and communities through family care, childcare, and education about food and the environment.
The George and Lena Valente Foundation at a glance
In short: The George and Lena Valente Foundation gave $604K across 36 grants in 2024 (avg $17K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $603,500
- +0.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 36
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $16,764
- +0.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $9,293,501
- -3.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The George and Lena Valente Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 44815 N El Macero Drive, El Macero, CA 95618-1062
Phone: (916) 832-9177
Website: https://valentefoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The George and Lena Valente Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Uc Davis School of Medicine ($60K). Together the top 10 received $350K.
Grant Size Distribution
145 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 126 grants of 145 (87%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The George and Lena Valente Foundation gives
- 89% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 49% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 104% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $121K (2020) to $1.2M (2021). In 2024 it made 36 grants totaling $604K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Uc Davis School of Medicine Sacramento, CA | Medical Researchmedical Researchmedical Researchmedical Research | $60,000 |
| Yolo Hospice Davis, CA | Program Funding | $50,000 |
| Joshua's House Sacramento, CA | Program Funding | $50,000 |
| Yolo Food Bank Woodland, CA | Program Fundingprogram Funding | $30,000 |
| Christian Brothers High School Sacramento, CA | Educational Programs | $30,000 |
| Cristo Rey High School Sacramento, CA | Educational Programseducational Programs | $30,000 |
| Okizu Foundation Novato, CA | Family Support for Cancer Patients | $25,000 |
| Thriving Pink Davis, CA | Help Breast Cancer Survivors | $25,000 |
| WIC Nutrition Woodland, CA | Program Support | $25,000 |
| Yolo Crisis Nursery Davis, CA | Program Operations | $25,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $9,293,501 | $353,610 | $711,592 | $603,500 | 36 | $603,500 | $353,610 | $580,544 |
| 2023 | $9,646,279 | $238,012 | $611,796 | $600,000 | 36 | $600,000 | $506,870 | $491,729 |
| 2022 | $10,018,092 | $379,868 | $846,178 | $728,204 | 35 | $728,204 | $282,490 | $428,488 |
| 2021 | $11,194,332 | $896,666 | $1,291,581 | $1,195,000 | 34 | — | $824,898 | $643,606 |
| 2020 | $11,582,411 | $201,747 | $203,609 | $121,000 | 4 | — | $119,822 | $645,937 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The George and Lena Valente Foundation reported a distributable amount of $581K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that it aims to build healthier lives and communities by assisting organizations that provide family care, childcare, and educational awareness of food and the environment. Its 2024 grants also supported medical research, educational programs, food and shelter programs, and services for people and families facing health or other challenges.
Examples include Yolo Hospice, whose mission is to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual care to seriously ill patients and their families, and Yolo Crisis Nursery, which says it provides early intervention services to nurture children, strengthen parents, and preserve families. Yolo Food Bank describes its work as increasing food and nutrition security in Yolo County. Davis Farmers Market Alliance says it operates community-supported farmers markets and educates consumers about agriculture, food, and nutrition.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 36 grants totaling $603,500. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $60,000, with a median of $10,000. Among the largest grants were $60,000 to UC Davis School of Medicine for medical research; $50,000 each to Yolo Hospice and Joshua’s House for program funding; and $30,000 each to Yolo Food Bank for program funding and Christian Brothers High School and Cristo Rey High School for educational programs.
Other 2024 grants included $25,000 each to Okizu Foundation, Thriving Pink, WIC Nutrition, and Yolo Crisis Nursery, and $20,000 each to Davis Community Meals and Loaves and Fishes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Linda L. Volkerts as president; Keith Volkerts as vice president and secretary; Gene Hume as treasurer; and Jared Monez, Drake Volkerts, Theresa Pepin, and Denise Rose as board members.
The George and Lena Valente Foundation is led by Linda L. Volkerts, President on every filing since 2020; 5 of 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Linda L. Volkerts
President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Denise Rose
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
$500 (2020) → $500 (2024)
Drake Volkerts
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
$500 (2020) → $500 (2024)
Gene Hume
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
$500 (2020) → $500 (2024)
Jared Monez
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
$500 (2020) → $500 (2024)
Theresa Pepin
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
$500 (2020) → $500 (2024)
Keith Volkerts
Vice President & Secretary
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $500, to Jared Monez (Board Member). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The George and Lena Valente Foundation
How much does The George and Lena Valente Foundation give each year?
The George and Lena Valente Foundation gave $604K across 36 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $600K across 36 grants.
What is The George and Lena Valente Foundation's typical grant size?
The George and Lena Valente Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $16,764, across 36 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The George and Lena Valente Foundation give grants?
The George and Lena Valente Foundation gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Sacramento, CA (17 grants), Davis, CA (9 grants) and Woodland, CA (7 grants).
Does The George and Lena Valente Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 36 grants with a stated purpose on The George and Lena Valente Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Funding" (11 grants), "Program Fundingprogram Funding" (3 grants) and "Program Funds" (3 grants).
Who are The George and Lena Valente Foundation's largest grantees?
The George and Lena Valente Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Uc Davis School of Medicine ($60,000), Yolo Hospice ($50,000) and Joshua's House ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The George and Lena Valente Foundation?
The George and Lena Valente Foundation reported $9.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $604K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $581K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The George and Lena Valente Foundation fund?
The foundation states that it aims to build healthier lives and communities by assisting organizations that provide family care, childcare, and educational awareness of food and the environment. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The George and Lena Valente Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The George and Lena Valente Foundation's EIN?
The George and Lena Valente Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 68-0370358. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The George and Lena Valente Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The George and Lena Valente Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-george-and-lena-valente-foundation-morg_7b6c7fb350964e8c990fb00b86b2c2fb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_680370358_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The George and Lena Valente Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-george-and-lena-valente-foundation-morg_7b6c7fb350964e8c990fb00b86b2c2fb},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The George and Lena Valente Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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