The David & Lucile Packard Foundation

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation is a private foundation that was founded in 1964 by David Packard and his wife Lucile. The foundation is based in Los Altos, California, and has a broad mission to improve the lives of people and promote a healthy planet. It provides funding to organizations and individuals working in a wide range of areas, including conservation, science, and children and families.

The foundation's primary areas of focus include:

- Conservation and science: The foundation is committed to protecting the natural world and promoting scientific research that can help to address environmental challenges. It provides funding to support conservation efforts, promote sustainable development, and protect endangered species.

- Children and families: The foundation is committed to promoting the health and well-being of children and families, particularly those who have been historically underserved. It provides funding to support initiatives in areas such as early childhood education, youth development, and reproductive health.

- Local communities: The foundation is committed to supporting local communities and promoting social equity. It provides funding to support initiatives that promote economic development, improve access to affordable housing, and support immigrant and refugee communities.

In addition to these primary areas of focus, the foundation is committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in the philanthropic sector. It is a member of the Philanthropy Transparency Initiative and has been recognized for its commitment to openness and transparency in its grant-making practices.

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation is dedicated to promoting positive change in the world through its support of a wide range of social and environmental initiatives. Its work is guided by a deep commitment to social justice, environmental sustainability, and the power of philanthropy to create a better future for all.

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation was founded in 1964 by David Packard and his wife Lucile. David Packard was a co-founder of the Hewlett-Packard Company, a technology company that played a significant role in the development of Silicon Valley. The foundation was established with an initial gift of $100 million from the Packards, which was one of the largest philanthropic gifts in history at the time.

In its early years, the foundation focused primarily on supporting scientific research and environmental conservation efforts. It provided significant funding to organizations such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Stanford University School of Medicine, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Over time, the foundation expanded its focus to include other areas of social and environmental impact, such as children and families, global development, and community development. It has provided funding to support initiatives in these areas around the world, including in countries such as China, India, and Mexico.

Today, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the United States, with assets of over $7 billion. It remains committed to promoting positive social and environmental change through its grant-making and other forms of support. The foundation is governed by a board of trustees, which includes members of the Packard family and other leaders in business, philanthropy, and other sectors.

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation has a broad mission to improve the lives of people and promote a healthy planet. The foundation's goals and purposes are informed by its founders' deep commitment to social and environmental issues, as well as by its history of supporting scientific research and environmental conservation efforts.

The foundation's primary areas of focus include:

- Conservation and science: The foundation is committed to protecting the natural world and promoting scientific research that can help to address environmental challenges. It provides funding to support conservation efforts, promote sustainable development, and protect endangered species.

- Children and families: The foundation is committed to promoting the health and well-being of children and families, particularly those who have been historically underserved. It provides funding to support initiatives in areas such as early childhood education, youth development, and reproductive health.

- Local communities: The foundation is committed to supporting local communities and promoting social equity. It provides funding to support initiatives that promote economic development, improve access to affordable housing, and support immigrant and refugee communities.

In addition to these primary areas of focus, the foundation is committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in the philanthropic sector. It is a member of the Philanthropy Transparency Initiative and has been recognized for its commitment to openness and transparency in its grant-making practices.

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation has had a significant impact on a wide range of social and environmental issues over the years. Some of the key impacts of the foundation's work include:

- Environmental conservation: The foundation has been a leader in promoting environmental conservation efforts, providing significant funding to support initiatives to protect and preserve natural ecosystems and endangered species. The foundation has helped to establish numerous protected areas, such as the Palau National Marine Sanctuary and the Great Bear Rainforest in Canada.

- Science and technology: The foundation has supported groundbreaking scientific research in a wide range of fields, including oceanography, climate science, and reproductive health. It has also played a key role in supporting the development of new technologies, such as the use of satellite data to monitor deforestation and other environmental changes.

- Children and families: The foundation has made significant investments in programs and initiatives to support the health and well-being of children and families, particularly those from underserved communities. It has helped to establish high-quality early childhood education programs, support youth development initiatives, and provide access to reproductive health services.

- Philanthropic transparency: The foundation has been a leader in promoting transparency and accountability in the philanthropic sector. It has developed innovative tools and strategies to promote greater openness in grant-making practices, such as the Grantee Perception Report, which provides feedback on the foundation's grant-making process.