Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) connects people, ideas and resources to ensure equity and opportunity for all.
- Income
- $4.9 billion
- Spending
- $3.4 billion
- Spent on programs
- 98%
- Reserves
- 35.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 64%
- Employees
- 110
- Volunteers
- 45
- Highest pay
- $1.3 million, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, over $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 35.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 14% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 206% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1598% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 18 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $3.3 billion spent. Emergency and Disaster Relief Fund To respond to our changing world and evolving climate, SVCF in 2023 created the Emergency and Disaster Relief Fund, an ongoing effort that will support immediate and long-term local disaster recovery efforts. The historic local rainfalls of the 2022-23 winter season and previous fires catalyzed the fund's launch. The fund has distributed grants totaling more than $744,000 since inception, including to organizations serving those affected by storms and floods and those affected by fatal shootings at two local farms. Community Action Grants Program SVCF's Community Action Grants program funds our local organizations that nurture and build community and advance community-led solutions that alleviate ingrained problems. In 2024, Community Action Grants totaling more than $3 million were awarded to over 104 organizations across different issue areas, including arts and culture, faith and neighborhoods, local journalism, civic participation, the environment, and health. Convening Leaders to Improve Farmworker Housing In 2024, SVCF made strides toward addressing the critical housing challenges facing farmworker communities along San Mateo County's coastline. Through research, convenings and collaborative action, SVCF is working with diverse stakeholders to help develop holistic solutions for those who harvest the region's food but struggle to find safe, affordable housing. SVCF published "Homes for Those Who Harvest: Housing San Mateo County's Farmworkers," a comprehensive report detailing the housing challenges farmworkers face and proposing actionable solutions. Advancing Local Journalism with the Press Forward Initiative In 2024, SVCF deepened its commitment to supporting local journalism that amplifies community voices and ensures the region's residents have access to accurate, relevant information about issues that impact their lives every day. SVCF was selected to house the local chapter of the national Press Forward initiative, a movement investing more than $500 million to strengthen local newsrooms, close gaps in journalism coverage, and expand access to trustworthy local news. As Press Forward Silicon Valley, SVCF is cultivating a network of funders dedicated to enhancing local journalism and increasing available resources.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2006.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.