9 survey respondents
Location: 10600 N De Anza Blvd Ste 200, Cupertino, 95014 CA
EIN: 77-0348912
100%
0%
8 hours
Median
70%
30%
100%
0%
2017 Deadlines:
Types of Grants Awarded:
Geographic Focus:
For Fiscal Year
Total Assets:
Total Grants:
Change in Assets FY :
Amount of Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits:
Largest Grant:
Smallest Grant:
Average Grant:
Reviewer 657 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
they will understand your needs.
Positive leader in the field, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2020
Bad
They respond quickly to emails and phone calls
Good
they are open. from my experience at least, you can talk candidly with your program officer.
Sobrato has been right there for us during the COVID era. They sent us donor advised funds that has made all the difference along with a grant award. In addition, they have strategically pushed out reporting deadlines due to covid which means they certainly understand the havoc we are dealing with here on the ground. and they have committed to making and simpler reporting system.
6
Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
The Sobrato Family Foundation is investing in some of the most important, and often overlooked, nonprofit needs. They provide office space, general support, and this year released a "grant" opportunity to get help from consultants on impact evaluation. They also quickly distributed "emergency" grant funds when the political landscape suddenly shifted against DACA recipients. We truly appreciate the action-oriented and capacity-building focus of Sobrato.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, "Gets" nonprofits and issues
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
Good
They're funding the things that nonprofits really need: office space, general support, impact evaluation, etc.
7
Reviewer 812 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2015
In general, Sobrato is very forward thinking. Supporting small organizations with space is a HUGE contribution in the Bay Area. Funding general operations is another major plus. The grant renewal interviews also felt genuine. We were asked what we would do were we given a large sum of money. Some things to note: invite only and the donor amount based formula (at least the one used back then) doesn't reward smart organizations with diverse revenue streams or ones that primarily get contract funds.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Friendly, "Gets" nonprofits and issues
California
Current or former grantee
Other
2015
Average
Great if you make it on their radar. Not great if you're waving your hands wildly trying to get their attention.
Good
Solicit anonymized feedback to get around the power dynamic that will inevitably exist in the interviews. Bonus advice: encourage income diversification, saving, and other financial savvy practices through the grants. For example, if the formula is 0.25X, X being donor funds, it might instead be 0.25X + 0.1Y, Y being either a new revenue stream or an old one that has increased from last fiscal year.
They used a formula based on donor income.
Building the centers and providing both office and meeting spaces!
10
Reviewer 668 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Sobrato is the gold standard for foundation partners. They like to support larger, well established organizations in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties with general operating support. They provide larger grants with a challenge grant to spur new and upgraded giving.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
Sobrato staff is accessible. Helps to have a connection with family donors.
Good
Our last site visit was conducted by a consultant. We would appreciate the opportunity to work with foundation staff directly, as we like the relationships.
Read Great Nonprofits by Heather McLeod. A lot of their application questions are based on the criteria.
Understanding need for operating support to address the most pressing needs. One of the few that vet organizations with their strong financial position, board involvement, etc.
10 to 15 hours
Grant Applicant
Inconsistent in what they say and do.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money
Current or former grantee
5 to 10 hours
Reviewer 592 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Though their office is space is often full, you can apply from their website and as space become available they will contact you.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
California
Current or former grantee
Other
2017
Good
Good
Keep making your impact right here locally in our community.
Sobrato Family Foundation provides inkind rental space to nonprofits in San Jose, Redwood City and Milpitas. This is a valuable and critical foundation of support to the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits and many other local nonprofits. This space allows us to put our funding into our programs and services and reduce of our overhead expenses.
Sobrato listens to our community needs and engages on critical emerging issues like housing and homelessness.
Grant Applicant
be prepared for a complicated process
Program officer was helpful, Gives more than money
Funding less than the requested amount
Applied for funding
Not so much
Not so much
Other
I have no experience with financial funding from them
"Gets" nonprofits and issues
Not so much
General operating
Grant Applicant - applied in 2010
The Sobrato Family Foundation is very committed to helping nonprofits throughout the Bay Area, through grants and space that they have available throughout the area.
Worth the time to pitch, Repeat funding, Gives more than money
Applied for funding
5
2010
Yes
Yes
50
$25,001 - $100,000
Project support
