David and Lucile Packard Foundation

David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Established in 1964 by Hewlett-Packard co-founder David Packard and his wife Lucile Packard, it is one of the largest philanthropic organizations in the United States. The foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of children, families, and communities and to restoring and protecting the planet's natural systems. With a significant endowment derived from the success of Hewlett-Packard, it operates both nationally and internationally through strategic grantmaking.

History and founding

The foundation was created with an initial gift of HP stock from its founders, David Packard and Lucile Packard. David, the co-founder of the Silicon Valley pioneer Hewlett-Packard, and Lucile, a dedicated Stanford University volunteer and nurse, were inspired by their personal experiences and success to establish a lasting philanthropic legacy. Their early giving focused on local institutions like the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and Stanford University. Following David Packard's death in 1996, a substantial portion of his estate was transferred to the foundation, dramatically increasing its assets and enabling a significant expansion of its grantmaking scope and scale under the guidance of the Packard family.

Mission and focus areas

The foundation's mission is guided by the enduring values of its founders, focusing on a limited number of areas where it believes strategic investments can create lasting change. Its core program areas are Conservation and Science, Children, Families, and Communities, and Population and Reproductive Health. Within Conservation and Science, it supports efforts to protect the Pacific Ocean, address climate change, and advance scientific research. The Children, Families, and Communities program invests in early childhood development, family economic security, and community-led solutions. The Population and Reproductive Health program aims to ensure access to rights-based family planning and sexual and reproductive health care globally, working with partners like the United Nations Population Fund.

Governance and leadership

The foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees that includes members of the Packard family as well as independent leaders from various fields. This board sets the strategic direction and oversees the foundation's operations and financial health. Day-to-day leadership is provided by a President and Chief Executive Officer, a role held since 2022 by Nancy Lindborg, former president of the United States Institute of Peace. The board's committees, such as the Investment Committee, manage the endowment in alignment with the foundation's values. The organizational structure also includes program directors for each focus area and a headquarters in Los Altos, California.

Financials and grantmaking

With an endowment of approximately $9.3 billion as of 2023, the foundation is consistently ranked among the top foundations in the U.S. by total assets. It awards hundreds of grants annually, typically totaling several hundred million dollars. Grantmaking is highly strategic, often involving multi-year commitments to organizations and initiatives. The foundation manages its endowment through the Packard Humanities Institute and other investment vehicles, seeking to preserve capital for future generations. Its financial activities and grant portfolios are detailed in annual reports and filings with the Internal Revenue Service.

Impact and notable initiatives

The foundation has funded transformative work across its focus areas. In conservation, it was a founding investor in the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and a major supporter of marine protected areas along the California coast. Its support for science includes long-term funding for the Packard Fellowships for Science and Engineering at universities nationwide. In reproductive health, it has been a pivotal funder for organizations like the International Planned Parenthood Federation. Domestically, its investments in early childhood, such as partnerships with First 5 California and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation Fellowship for public policy, have influenced state and national policy agendas.

Category:Foundations based in California Category:Organizations established in 1964 Category:Philanthropic organizations based in the United States