The Sobrato Family Foundation
The Sobrato Family Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 1996 by John A. Sobrato and members of the Sobrato family. Based in Mountain View, California, the foundation operates as the primary grantmaking vehicle of Sobrato Philanthropies, a multi-generational family philanthropic enterprise. The foundation is committed to building a strong and vibrant Silicon Valley community through strategic philanthropy focused on education, economic opportunity, and human services.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$886.3M
+1.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$69.3M
+10.9% YoY
Grant Count
526
+20.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$132K
-8.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sobrato Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $54.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The Sobrato Family Foundation is committed to partnering with communities to meet immediate needs, address systemic barriers, and pursue social justice to build a more equitable and sustainable world. The foundation seeks to make Silicon Valley a place of opportunity for all its residents by promoting access to high-quality education, career pathways, and essential human services.
Primary Program Areas:
Silicon Valley Economic Opportunity — Expanding access to small business and entrepreneurship opportunities, middle-skill jobs, college completion, and career potential to increase economic mobility for low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and families.
English Learner Program — Improving educational outcomes for low-income and English learner students in persistently underperforming schools, enabling students of all backgrounds to pursue higher academic achievement as a means to economic self-sufficiency. The Sobrato Early Academic Language (SEAL) program provides professional development and support for teachers and educational leaders working with Spanish-speaking students in pre-K to 3rd grade.
21st Century Education — Supporting educational initiatives aligned with contemporary learning needs.
Pathways for Success — Targeting programs that develop career ladders to middle-skill jobs and organizations working with industry employer partners to expand the number of middle-skill jobs available to the workforce.
Family Initiatives and New Opportunities — Individual and collaborative investments in areas of interest to family members as well as new areas of collective grantmaking.
General Operating Support — Providing flexible support for Silicon Valley-based nonprofits that promote self-reliance and economic independence and positively contribute to quality of life for those facing deep challenges.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Prospective grantees must receive an invitation or email introduction to apply. Decisions are made on a rolling basis with no fixed timeline.
Grant Range
$50,000 to several million, with the majority under $500,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary Service Area: Silicon Valley, including Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Southern Alameda counties.
Secondary Service Area: California statewide for English Learner programs.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- Total assets: $886.3 million (2024)
- Total assets: $876.7 million (2023)
Annual Activity:
- Total revenues: $129.3 million (2023)
- Total expenses: $93.9 million (2023)
- Total giving: $69.3 million (2024)
- Total giving: $62.5 million (2023)
Staffing:
- 5 employees (2023)
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since April 1994
- EIN: 77-0348912
- Required to file IRS Form 990-PF
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $886,341,498 | $876,730,998 | $843,704,124 |
| Revenue | $72,233,422 | $129,273,885 | $101,138,114 |
| Expenses | $103,563,577 | $93,979,462 | $73,261,971 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $209,126,560 | $102,714,536 | $100,129,484 |
| Net Investment Income | $69,113,907 | $111,253,233 | $94,330,017 |
| Distributable Amount | $54,339,504 | $43,969,256 | $33,590,829 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Sunnyvale Community Services ($500,000), Somos Mayfair Inc ($350,000), Start Small Think Big Inc ($255,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 10000 DEGREES SAN RAFAEL, CA | TO SUPPORT 10,000 DEGREES' COLLEGE SUCCESS SOUTH BAY PROGRAMMING | $250,000 |
| ST MARY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION LOS GATOS, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR ST. MARY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL | $15,000 |
| ST MARY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION LOS GATOS, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR ST MARY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL | $10,000 |
| STARSHIP ORION REDWOOD CITY, CA | EMPLOYEE MATCHING GIFT | $4,106 |
| START SMALL THINK BIG INC NEW YORK, CA | TO PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $255,000 |
| STARVISTA SAN CARLOS, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| STEP INTO A JOB SAN FRANCISCO, CA | TO SUPPORT CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MARGINALIZED WORKERS THROUGH CAREERS IN HEALTHCARE | $200,000 |
| STRIVE FOR COLLEGE COLLABORATIVE MILPITAS, CA | TO PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| ST JOSEPH'S FAMILY CENTER GILROY, CA | TO PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $150,000 |
| SUNDAY FRIENDS FOUNDATION SAN JOSE, CA | TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE CASE STUDY THAT DETERMINES THE VALUE PROPOSITION OF SUNDAY FRIENDS IN THE REGION AND WILL CLEARLY ARTICULATE THE IMPACT OF SUNDAY FRIENDS IN THE ECOSYSTEM OF PROVIDING DIRECT SERVICES TO 1,100 INDIVIDUALS ANNUALLY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUPPORTS. | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board Chair: Ms. Lisa Sobrato Sonsini
The foundation is guided by three generations of Sobrato family leadership actively engaged in grantmaking, advocacy, and impact investing.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN A SOBRATO | CHAIR EMERITUS | 1 | — |
| LISA SONSINI | BOARD CHAIR | 5 | — |
| JOHN M SOBRATO | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| BRYAN POLSTER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GREG AVIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CAROL LARSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEFF SOBRATO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOSE QUINONEZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| D VALENTINE | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 13 | — |
| CHRISTY RICHARDSON | CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER | 6 | — |
| TONY MESTRES | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 13 | — |
| ALEXA CORTES CULLWELL | CHIEF IMPACT OFFICER & PRESIDENT | 20 | — |
| TAMARA LEWIS | CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER | 13 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues to expand its grantmaking impact with recent announcements including:
$3.5 million awarded to support a strong multiracial democracy initiative
Sobrato Philanthropies Awards $3.5M to Support a Strong Multiracial Democracy$3.5 million in responsive grants for education
Sobrato announces $3.5M in Responsive Grants for Education, and $3.45M in$3.45 million in general operating support for education and youth development programs
Sobrato announces $3.5M in Responsive Grants for Education, and $3.45M inGrantee spotlight featuring organizations like the Gilroy Youth Impact Center
Grantee Spotlight: Gilroy Youth Impact Center | SobratoThe foundation remains committed to long-term community partnership and investment, with active engagement from multiple generations of the Sobrato family in strategic philanthropic decision-making.
Contact Information
Address: 599 Castro St Ste 400, Mountain View, CA 94041-3009
Phone: 650-876-7010
Email: grants@sobrato.org
Website: www.sobrato.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Sobrato Family Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** The Sobrato Family Foundation is committed to partnering with communities to meet immediate needs, address systemic barriers, and pursue social justice to build a more equitable and sustainable world. The foundation seeks to make Silicon Valley a place of opportunity for all its residents by promoting access to high-quality education, career pathways, and essential human services. **Primary Program Areas:** • **Silicon Valley Economic Opportunity** — Expanding access to s…
How do I apply for a grant from The Sobrato Family Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Grant range: $50,000 to several million, with the majority under $500,000 • Annual giving: $62.5 million (2023) • Total giving: $69.3 million (2024) **Application Process:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Prospective grantees must receive an invitation or email introduction to apply. Decisions are made on a rolling basis with no fixed timeline. **Grantmaking Approach:** The Sobrato Family Foundation is recognized as a leader in general oper…
Where does The Sobrato Family Foundation make grants?
**Primary Service Area:** Silicon Valley, including Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Southern Alameda counties. **Secondary Service Area:** California statewide for English Learner programs.
What size grants does The Sobrato Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Sobrato Family Foundation awarded 526 grants totaling $69.3M — an average of about $132K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Sobrato Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Sobrato Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $54.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Sobrato Family Foundation's EIN?
The Sobrato Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0348912. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Sobrato Family 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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