Sandler Foundation

Sandler Foundation is a private philanthropic organization established in the United States. It was founded by Herb Sandler and Marion Sandler, the former co-chief executives of Golden West Financial Corporation. The foundation is known for its strategic, high-impact grantmaking in specific areas of public health, scientific research, and social justice. Its approach often involves funding innovative, early-stage projects and organizations with the potential for transformative change.

History and founding

The foundation was created by Herb Sandler and Marion Sandler following the sale of their company, Golden West Financial Corporation, to Wachovia in 2006. The couple, known for their hands-on management style at World Savings and Loan Association, translated their business acumen into a focused philanthropic model. Their personal wealth, significantly increased by the Wachovia acquisition, provided the initial endowment. The founding philosophy was heavily influenced by their belief in supporting underfunded, evidence-based ventures that tackled root causes of societal problems, a principle that continues to guide its operations from its base in San Francisco.

Philanthropic focus areas

Its grantmaking is concentrated in three primary, interconnected domains. In biomedical research, it prioritizes risky, pioneering science often overlooked by traditional funders like the National Institutes of Health. A second major focus is environmental health, supporting efforts to understand and mitigate the impact of toxic chemicals and air pollution on human biology. The third core area is progressive advocacy, funding organizations working on immigration reform, criminal justice reform, and protecting civil liberties, often through strategic litigation and policy work aligned with a liberal worldview.

Major initiatives and programs

A flagship program is the Sandler Asthma Basic Research Center at the University of California, San Francisco, dedicated to fundamental research on asthma. The foundation was a crucial early funder of the Center for Responsible Lending, an organization focused on combating predatory lending. It also provided foundational support to ProPublica, the nonprofit investigative journalism newsroom. In neuroscience, it has funded the Sandler Neurogenetics Initiative, while in human rights, it has supported the ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project and the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Governance and leadership

The foundation is governed by a board of directors that has included family members and close associates. Following the deaths of Herb Sandler in 2019 and Marion Sandler in 2012, leadership transitioned to a new generation and professional staff. Key figures in its history have included Executive Director Celine Coggins and longtime advisor Susan Sandler. The board works closely with program directors who are subject-matter experts in fields like neuroscience and environmental law, ensuring grants are strategically aligned with the founders' vision for high-leverage impact.

Financials and grantmaking

As a private foundation, it is required to distribute approximately 5% of its asset value annually, as mandated by the Internal Revenue Service. Its endowment, derived from the Golden West Financial Corporation sale, has allowed for substantial annual grantmaking, often totaling tens of millions of dollars. The foundation typically does not accept unsolicited proposals, preferring a proactive approach to identifying grantees. It often provides multi-year, general operating support to its partner organizations, a practice highly valued in the nonprofit sector for fostering stability and innovation.

Impact and recognition

Its impact is most visible in the success of its core grantees, such as ProPublica, which has won multiple Pulitzer Prizes. The foundational research it funded on asthma and neurobiology has contributed to significant advances in those scientific fields. Its early and sustained funding for advocacy groups like the Center for Responsible Lending influenced national policy debates following the 2008 financial crisis. While generally avoiding public recognition, the foundation is highly regarded within philanthropic circles for its rigorous, strategic approach and willingness to fund contentious but high-potential areas of work.

Category:Foundations based in the United States Category:Philanthropic organizations