The Schmidt Family Foundation
The Schmidt Family Foundation is a private charitable organization based in Palo Alto, California. Founded in 1986 by Charles E. and Dorothy F. Schmidt, it supports nonprofit organizations working to strengthen families and communities, with stated interests in education, medical initiatives, and community development.
The Schmidt Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Schmidt Family Foundation gave $185.4M across 695 grants in 2024 (avg $267K), top state California. 32% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $185,440,970
- +34.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 695
- +27.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $266,822
- +5.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $130,000
- Total assets
- $1,990,498,177
- +8.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (222 of 694, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (34% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Schmidt Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The filing describes an online application process and directs applicants to the foundation’s websites for application details, materials, and award restrictions. It states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Review Cycle
- The filing directs applicants to the online process for deadline details; it does not state a specific date.
- Deadline
- The filing directs applicants to the online process for deadline details; it does not state a specific date.
- Contact
Application contact: Ellyn Peabody
Mailing address: 555 Bryant St 370, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Phone: (650) 376-7100
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Schmidt Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation ($8.0M). Together the top 10 received $38.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
2,615 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 1,037 grants of 2,615 (40%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, the largest reported shares of grant dollars by recipient state were California (34%), New York (13%), the District of Columbia (11%), and Washington (5%). The filing also lists 7% under “?” without identifying a state.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 695 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Schmidt Family Foundation open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 222 of 694 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $161K; repeat grants $317K. How we count
Medians: $100K first-time, $175K repeat.
- 59% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 117% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 220% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 $85.3M (2021) to $185.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 695 grants totaling $185.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation Monterey, CA | Ocean Stewardship and Research | $8,000,000 |
| Human Rights Watch Inc New York, NY | Capacity building, fostering youth development and leadership, protecting human rights (us or general), protecting human rights in africa | $6,665,000 |
| Sustainable Markets Foundation New York, NY | Capacity building, protecting human rights in africa, encouraging a just transition away from fossil fuels, protecting human rights (us or general) | $3,537,500 |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc New York, NY | Encouraging a just transition away from fossil fuels, protecting human rights (us or general) | $3,400,000 |
| Realize Impact Bainbridge Island, WA | Encouraging a Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels | $3,200,000 |
| Sogorea Te Land Trust Oakland, CA | Supporting indigenous communities' land stewardship, self-determination, and cultural representation | $3,175,000 |
| Kqed Inc San Francisco, CA | Strengthening Civic Engagement | $3,000,000 |
| RSF Social Finance San Francisco, CA | Protecting Human Rights in Africa | $2,679,117 |
| Grist Magazine Inc Seattle, WA | Capacity Building | $2,513,000 |
| Myriad USA New York City, NY | Protecting human rights in africa, protecting human rights (us or general), encouraging a just transition away from fossil fuels | $2,447,786 |
Ready to take the next step with The Schmidt Family Foundation?
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 | $1,990,498,177 | $103,699,636 | $227,730,180 | $185,440,970 | 695 | $209,140,998 | $126,053,240 | $95,127,396 |
| 2023 | $1,834,552,574 | $116,291,888 | $168,451,929 | $137,557,862 | 546 | $164,231,009 | $191,857,962 | $86,147,286 |
| 2022 | $1,589,082,861 | $104,956,426 | $144,654,900 | $112,763,357 | 629 | $135,979,021 | $132,541,346 | $87,965,985 |
| 2021 | $2,278,754,282 | $105,150,835 | $124,965,500 | $85,260,605 | 367 | $101,718,513 | $136,173,998 | $105,393,757 |
| 2020 | $1,804,927,974 | $171,198,618 | $112,578,367 | $95,647,311 | 378 | — | $204,292,456 | $78,651,879 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Schmidt Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $95.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated purpose is to improve life through education, human welfare, and community health initiatives, while supporting organizations that strengthen families and communities.
Its 2024 grants show support for a range of nonprofit work. For example, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation describes its mission as inspiring ocean conservation, while Human Rights Watch says it investigates abuses and presses those with power to respect rights and secure justice. Other 2024 grantees include organizations whose stated missions involve environmental protection and energy efficiency, Indigenous land return and restoration, community-supported media, regenerative finance, and climate-change reporting. These are grantees’ own descriptions of their work.
The foundation also reported direct charitable activity through the 11th Hour Project, funding events and activities related to education and awareness around climate change, renewable energy, sustainable food and agriculture, human rights, and marine technology. Other reported activities included a loan for wind-farm development for the benefit of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation and sponsored community events with social, climate, and environmental sustainability messages.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 695 grants totaling $185,440,970. Grant amounts ranged from $400 to $8,000,000, with a median of $130,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $8,000,000 to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation for ocean stewardship and research; $6,665,000 to Human Rights Watch for capacity building, youth development and leadership, and human-rights work; and $3,537,500 to Sustainable Markets Foundation for capacity building, human rights, and a just transition away from fossil fuels. Other large grants included $3,200,000 to Realize Impact for a just transition away from fossil fuels, $3,175,000 to Sogorea Te Land Trust for Indigenous communities’ land stewardship and self-determination, and $3,000,000 to KQED for civic engagement.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Wendy Schmidt as president and director; Eric Schmidt, Sophie Schmidt, Amy Rao, Maria Seferian, and Joseph Sciortino as directors; Maria Seferian as general counsel; Joseph Sciortino as executive director; Frances Babb as secretary; and Jeanne Huey as chief financial officer.
The Schmidt Family Foundation is led by Joseph Sciortino, Executive Director & Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 8 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Joseph Sciortino
Executive Director & Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$358K (2020) → $530K (2024)
Wendy Schmidt
President & Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Rao
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$59K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Eric Schmidt
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maria Seferian
General Counsel & Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sophie Schmidt
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frances Babb
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$36K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Jeanne Huey
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$313K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Carol Sacks (2020) — Director of Communications
- Former: William J. Arthur (2020) — Secretary
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 $530K, to Joseph Sciortino (Executive Director/Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Schmidt Family Foundation
How much does The Schmidt Family Foundation give each year?
The Schmidt Family Foundation gave $185.4M across 695 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $137.6M across 546 grants.
What is The Schmidt Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Schmidt Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $130,000, and its average grant was $266,822, across 695 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Schmidt Family Foundation that year got $161K on average.
Where does The Schmidt Family Foundation give grants?
The Schmidt Family Foundation's top state is California, with 34% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (13%) and District of Columbia (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (50 grants), New York, NY (34 grants), San Francisco, CA (31 grants) and Oakland, CA (24 grants).
Does The Schmidt Family Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 5% of The Schmidt Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (38 of 695) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Encouraging a Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels" (125 grants), "Working Towards a Resilient and Equitable Food System" (112 grants) and "Ocean Stewardship and Research" (107 grants).
Who are The Schmidt Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Schmidt Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation ($8,000,000), Human Rights Watch Inc ($6,665,000) and Sustainable Markets Foundation ($3,537,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 10% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Schmidt Family Foundation?
The Schmidt Family Foundation reported $2.0B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $209.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $95.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Schmidt Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to improve life through education, human welfare, and community health initiatives, while supporting organizations that strengthen families and communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Schmidt Family Foundation?
The filing describes an online application process and directs applicants to the foundation’s websites for application details, materials, and award restrictions. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Schmidt Family Foundation's EIN?
The Schmidt Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4170342. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Schmidt Family Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Schmidt Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Schmidt Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-schmidt-family-foundation-morg_add1f38b2cb64907861335bb527acd5c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_204170342_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Schmidt Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-schmidt-family-foundation-morg_add1f38b2cb64907861335bb527acd5c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Schmidt Family 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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