Bay Area grantseekers may wish to familiarize themselves with the Robert Stewart Odell and Helen Pfeiffer Odell Fund, an accessible funder with a straightforward grant application process. This foundation has been operating in the San Francisco area since 1967. It is the philanthropic legacy of Robert Odell, the president of Allied Properties, a company that owned the Clift Hotel in San Francisco and the Santa Barbara Biltmore.
Here’s what Bay Area grantseekers should know about the Odell Fund and applying for a grant.
Top interest areas
The Odell Fund’s two program areas are education and human services. Although the foundation supports a variety of charities, it focuses much of its attention on at-risk youth in the San Francisco Bay Area. Many recent grants have been going to religious-affiliated schools and churches. Odell keeps its funding close to home and almost exclusively funds local groups. Aside from San Francisco, the funder has recently supported organizations based in Petaluma, San Jose, Oakland, Moraga and Belmont.
Typical foundation giving
Most Odell Fund grants are between $10,000 and $25,000, and the foundation awards approximately 50 grants annually. It typically awards around $1.5 million to grantees each year. Recent local grantees include the Salesian Boys Club, Youth Tennis Advantage, Dominican Sisters Vision of Hope and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Oakland. Many Odell grants are for general operating support, although the foundation sets aside some funding for educational scholarships.
The application process
Wells Fargo Bank is the trustee for the foundation and administers its grantmaking process. The Odell Fund has two annual application deadlines: March 31 and September 30. Grantseekers must submit application materials online or contact Wells Fargo for an alternative accessible application.
The foundation reviews grant applications in late April or early May following the March deadline, and in late October to early November following the September deadline. Applicants should hear back about funding decisions by May and November for the respective deadlines. Grant-related questions should be directed to the Wells Fargo grants administration team by phone or email. A frequently-asked questions page on the Wells Fargo Trust Philanthropic Services Private Foundations webpage provides general information about applying for a grant and seeking technical support.
You can learn more about this funder in IP’s full profile of the Robert Stewart Odell and Helen Pfeiffer Odell Fund, part of our Bay Area and Northern California grantmaking guide.
