Valhalla Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Valhalla Foundation is a private foundation in Woodside, California. In tax year 2024 it gave $118 million in 80 grants; the typical grant was $650,000 and the largest $10.0 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$118 million
- Number of grants80
- Typical grant$650,000
- Largest grant$10.0 million
- Assets$527 million
- New grantees19%
Giving in 2024 was down from $128 million the year before.
19% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $128 million | 82 | $602 million |
| 2024 | $118 million | 80 | $527 million |
How to apply
Valhalla Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Valhalla Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 19 states, the most to New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 12 | $34.1 million |
| California | 32 | $32.5 million |
| District of Columbia | 10 | $21.1 million |
| Massachusetts | 7 | $9.3 million |
| Virginia | 1 | $8.3 million |
| Colorado | 2 | $8.2 million |
| West Virginia | 1 | $6.5 million |
| Illinois | 4 | $4.9 million |
| Utah | 1 | $2.4 million |
| Louisiana | 1 | $2.1 million |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Meridian Partners | Collaborative philanthropy initiative | $10.0 million |
| Rand Corporation | Project canary, an artificial intelligence safety initiative | $10.0 million |
| Environmental Defense Fund | Methane, agriculture, and clean air initiatives | $8.5 million |
| City Fund | Scaling high quality public schools | $8.3 million |
| Charter School Growth Fund | Scaling high quality public schools | $7.0 million |
| Marshall University Foundation | Post-secondary education initiative | $6.5 million |
| Windward Fund | Methane initiatives | $6.5 million |
| KIPP Foundation | Scaling high quality public schools | $6.0 million |
| Avina Americas | Mapbiomas | $5.0 million |
| UCSF Foundation | Medical research initiatives | $4.7 million |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors | Platform for agriculture and climate transformation | $4.0 million |
| Harvard Business School | Digital, data, and design institute | $3.6 million |
| Great Barrier Reef Foundation USA | Ocean conservation initiatives | $3.0 million |
| Ted Foundation | Scaling collaborative philanthropy initiatives | $3.0 million |
| One Acre Fund | Scaling international development programs | $2.9 million |
| Waterford Institute | Scaling kindergarten readiness programs | $2.4 million |
| Leading Educators | K-12 teacher professional development programs | $2.1 million |
| Code for America | Improving government programs and policies | $2.0 million |
| Crisis Text Line | Scaling mental health programs | $2.0 million |
| Global Fishing Watch | Ocean conservation initiatives | $2.0 million |
| Reach Out and Read | Early childhood literacy programs | $2.0 million |
| Uc Berkeley Foundation | Innovative genomics institute | $2.0 million |
| Zero to Three | Healthysteps, an early childhood development initiative | $2.0 million |
| International Refugee Assistance Project | Advocacy for refugees and displaced persons | $1.7 million |
| The University of Chicago | Data science education field-building initiatives | $1.5 million |
| Centering Healthcare Institute | Maternal and early childhood healthcare initiatives | $1.3 million |
| Destination Home | Homelessness prevention programs | $1.2 million |
| Nurse-Family Partnership | Scaling early childhood development programs | $1.2 million |
| Donorschoose | Support public school teachers and educational programs | $1.1 million |
| Dignitymoves | Homelessness prevention and interim shelter programs | $1.0 million |
| Every Cure | Increasing access to lifesaving medications | $1.0 million |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors | Promise venture studio, an early childhood field-building initiative | $1.0 million |
| Think of US | General support - foster youth initiatives | $1.0 million |
| Woodwell Climate Research Center | Arctic permafrost program | $1.0 million |
| Second Harvest of Silicon Valley | Hunger prevention programs | $900,000 |
| Whitehead Institute | Medical research fellows program | $900,000 |
| Alliance for Early Success | Scaling high quality public schools | $850,000 |
| National Center for Civic Innovation | Coursekata, a data science education initiative | $800,000 |
| International Medical Corps | Humanitarian relief - general operating support | $750,000 |
| Teachers College Columbia University | Baby's first years, an early childhood research initiative | $700,000 |
Officers and trustees
- H Signe Ostby
- Scott D Cook
- Alex Terman
- Amy Rodde
- Sara Allan
Questions people ask
Does Valhalla Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Valhalla Foundation give?
$118 million in tax year 2024, across 80 grants, with a typical grant of $650,000.
Who runs Valhalla Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists H Signe Ostby (Board Chair), Scott D Cook (Treasurer), Alex Terman (Secretary) and Amy Rodde (Interim President (Thru 1/2024)) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does Valhalla Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, environment and conservation and health.