Virginia Friedhofer Charitable Trust
Preselected recipients only
Virginia Friedhofer Charitable Trust is a private foundation in Palo Alto, California. In tax year 2025 it gave $581,000 in 26 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $100,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$581,000
- Number of grants26
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$100,000
- Assets$16.9 million
- New grantees65%
Giving in 2025 was up from $467,500 the year before.
65% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $497,500 | 27 | $15.2 million |
| 2024 | $467,500 | 24 | $15.3 million |
| 2025 | $581,000 | 26 | $16.9 million |
How to apply
Virginia Friedhofer Charitable Trust 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.
What Virginia Friedhofer Charitable Trust funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 4 states, the most to California.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 22 | $436,000 |
| New York | 2 | $110,000 |
| Maryland | 1 | $25,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $10,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Society for Technion | General | $100,000 |
| Uc Berkeley - Rausser College of Natural Resources | General | $100,000 |
| Second Harvest Silicon Valley | General | $50,000 |
| American Cancer Society | General | $25,000 |
| Canine Companions | General | $25,000 |
| Lucille Packard Child Health | General | $25,000 |
| Oshman Family JCC | General | $25,000 |
| Planned Parenthood | General | $25,000 |
| San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance | General | $25,000 |
| San Francisco Opera | General | $25,000 |
| Young Musicians' Foundation | General | $20,000 |
| Los Angeles Philharmonic Association | General | $15,000 |
| California Academy of Sciences | General | $10,000 |
| California Science Center Foundation | General | $10,000 |
| Discovery Eye Center | General | $10,000 |
| Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo | General | $10,000 |
| Hias | General | $10,000 |
| Jewish Film Institute | General | $10,000 |
| Living Desert Zoo & Gardens | General | $10,000 |
| Metropolitan Opera the | General | $10,000 |
| Our Big Kitchen la | General | $10,000 |
| San Diego Zoo | General | $10,000 |
| Special Olympics | General | $10,000 |
| Berkley Repertoire Theatre | General | $5,000 |
| Skirball Cultural Center | General | $5,000 |
| Monterey Bay Aquarium | General | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Donna Seidel
- Joan Seidel
Questions people ask
Does Virginia Friedhofer Charitable Trust accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Virginia Friedhofer Charitable Trust give?
$581,000 in tax year 2025, across 26 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs Virginia Friedhofer Charitable Trust?
Its 2025 filing lists Donna Seidel (Trustee) and Joan Seidel (Trustee).
What does Virginia Friedhofer Charitable Trust fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, arts and culture and animals.