The Scott Foundation is a private independent foundation based in Palo Alto, California, established in 2014. Operating as a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation functions as a grantmaking entity dedicated to supporting community organizations and social impact leaders. The foundation provides Bay Area children and young adults with opportunities and resources through active partnerships with community organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.1M
+11675.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.7M
-4.8% YoY
Grant Count
21
+10.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$82K
-13.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Scott Foundation reported a distributable amount of $60K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Scott Foundation was founded with the desire to give back to the Silicon Valley community. The foundation's mission centers on providing children and young adults with opportunities and resources that have a lasting impact on their lives through active partnerships with community organizations and steadfast support of social impact leaders.
The foundation's funding priorities have evolved since inception. Initial focus areas included:
- Childhood hunger
- Early childhood education
- Women and girls in technology
Current funding areas include:
- Educational equity
- Social entrepreneurship
- Civic engagement
- Social and reproductive justice
- Primary school education
- Higher education policy
Grantmaking
The Scott Foundation distributed over $5 million to grantees since its inception through 2024.
Grant Range
$2,500–$863,880
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Scott Foundation maintains deep local giving and partnerships in Silicon Valley, California. The foundation also works to drive impact and create systemic change at the national level, with grantmaking extending to organizations in California, the District of Columbia, and Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 2024:
- Total Assets: $6,133,096
- Total Revenue: $9,587,697
- Total Expenses: $1,770,368
- Net Income: $7,817,329
- Total Liabilities: $0
Staffing: The foundation employs 5 people as of the most recent data, representing 50% year-over-year growth.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,133,096 | $52,082 | $10,216 |
| Revenue | $9,587,697 | $2,860,274 | $2,247,623 |
| Expenses | $1,770,368 | $1,828,903 | $1,710,416 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,722,380 | $1,810,000 | $1,686,800 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,950,708 | $1,012,915 | $557,865 |
| Distributable Amount | $59,698 | — | — |
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
97 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Hillbrook School ($863,880), Human Rights Watch ($161,000), Ace Charter Schools ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACE CHARTER SCHOOLS SAN JOSE, CA | TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO EDUCATE STRUGGLING STUDENTS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH THE SKILLS AND WILL TO SUCCEED IN COLLEGE AND BEYOND. | $150,000 |
| HILLBROOK SCHOOL LOS GATOS, CA | TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO PROVIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL EDUCATION. | $863,880 |
| HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH SAN FRANCISCO, CA | TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO RAISE AWARENESS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, AND PROMOTE JUSTICE. | $161,000 |
| MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA SAN FRANCISCO, CA | TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO MONITOR AND CORRECT JOURNALISTIC MISINFORMATION. | $100,000 |
| PENINSULA BRIDGE PALO ALTO, CA | TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO SUPPORT AND PROVIDE EDUCATION TO PREPARE UNDERPRIVILEGED STUDENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION. | $35,000 |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD MAR MONTE SAN JOSE, CA | TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND THE MEANS TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS IN REGARDS TO PLANNING A FAMILY. | $50,000 |
| SCIENCE IS ELEMENTARY LOS ALTOS, CA | TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO IMPROVE AND INCREASE ACCESS TO SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ALL THROUGH TEACHING STUDENTS, TRAINING TEACHERS AND ENGAGING THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY. | $35,000 |
| SHARE OUR STRENGTH WASHINGTON, DC | TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO END HUNGER AND POVERTY IN THE U.S. AND ABROAD. | $50,000 |
| SILICON VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION SAN JOSE, CA | TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO WORK WITH PARTNERS TO CHAMPION SOLUTIONS THAT INSPIRE UNDERSERVED STUDENTS TO SUCCEED IN COLLEGE AND CAREERS. | $5,000 |
| THE AMERICAN INDEPENDENT FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO REPORT ON PROGRESSIVE POLITICAL NEWS AND ISSUES. | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Shannon Hunt-Scott — President and Co-Founder
Shannon is an active philanthropist who brings extensive experience in fundraising and strategic planning. She is committed to understanding community challenges and needs, identifying changemakers who impact children and young adults, and working collaboratively with grantee organizations. She serves on the boards of Educare California at Silicon Valley and The Tech Interactive.
Kevin Scott — Co-Founder and Husband
Kevin Scott co-founded The Scott Foundation alongside Shannon Hunt-Scott in 2014.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHANNON E HUNT-SCOTT | CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND | 5 | — |
| JAMES KEVIN SCOTT | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AN | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Scott Foundation continues to expand its grantmaking activities, with 25 grants distributed in 2024. The foundation maintains active involvement with community organizations and continues to evolve its strategy to address systemic challenges in education, social justice, and community development across both local and national levels.
BMCC receives $9 million donation from Mackenzie Scott FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Scott Foundation fund?
The Scott Foundation was founded with the desire to give back to the Silicon Valley community. The foundation's mission centers on providing children and young adults with opportunities and resources that have a lasting impact on their lives through active partnerships with community organizations and steadfast support of social impact leaders. The foundation's funding priorities have evolved since inception. Initial focus areas included: • Childhood hunger • Early childhood education • Women a…
How do I apply for a grant from The Scott Foundation?
The Scott Foundation distributed over $5 million to grantees since its inception through 2024. **Recent Grant Activity (2024):** • Total giving: $1,722,380 • Number of grants: 25 • Grant range: $2,500–$863,880 **Notable 2024 Grants:** • Hillbrook School: $863,880 (to support primary school education) • Planned Parenthood Mar Monte: $50,000 (to support family planning information and decision-making) • The Tech Interactive: $50,000 (to inspire innovation) The foundation employs a hands-on, highl…
Where does The Scott Foundation make grants?
The Scott Foundation maintains deep local giving and partnerships in Silicon Valley, California. The foundation also works to drive impact and create systemic change at the national level, with grantmaking extending to organizations in California, the District of Columbia, and Texas.
What size grants does The Scott Foundation award?
In 2024, The Scott Foundation awarded 21 grants totaling $1.7M — an average of about $82K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Scott Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Scott Foundation reported a distributable amount of $60K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Scott Foundation's EIN?
The Scott Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4644295. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Scott Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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