Dsea Wong Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Dsea Wong Foundation invests in health, education and other causes in the Bay Area of California.

IP TAKE:  The Dsea Wong Foundation, steered by “a local power couple to watch,” is not a transparent funder and does not appear to have a clear giving strategy. It keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals. The foundation recently relocated from San Franciso to Dallas, TX, and while the Bay Area still sees support, Dallas has seen an increase in support since the move. What this means for the foundation long-term, remains unclear. The Wong Foundation does not provide a method of contact, although a mailing address and phone number are listed below.

PROFILE: Established in 2007, the Dsea Wong Foundation is an independent foundation based in San Francisco, California. Harvard graduate Dennis J. Wong co-founded San Francisco-based developer SPI Holdings, now Verbena Road Holdings. He is also part owner of the Golden State Warriors. Wong and his wife, Shannon, engage in philanthropy and move charitable contributions through the Dsea Wong Foundation, which gave away close to $2 million in a recent year. Grantmaking includes health, education, youth, arts and culture and human services.

Grants for Public Health

The foundation keeps a low public profile and does not have a website. As a result, it is unclear exactly what the Wongs seek in their grantees. In the Bay Area, it is clear that this funder broadly prioritizes health. Past grantees include the Chinese Hospital, the Lucile Packard Foundation and Asian Community Mental Health Services (ACMHS).

Grants for K-12 Education

The Wongs also invest in Bay Area schools like Garfield Elementary, KIPP Bay Area Schools, Menlo School, Moreau Catholic High School, The Nueva School (Wong is a former board chair), and Oakland Military Institute. Education grants usually go towards annual funds, holiday matching grants and general operating expenses.

Grants for Arts and Community Development

The foundation’s grantmaking has also supported arts and cultural institutions in the Bay Area, such as SF MOMA (Wong is on the board) and the San Francisco Symphony. It typically supports big-name arts organizations rather than smaller arts groups or start-ups.

In human services, grantees include San Francisco Food Bank and Tipping Point Community.

Important Grant Details:

Foundation grants tend to range from $2,000 to $400,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its tax records. San Francisco and the Bay Area of California are major geographic focuses of this foundation, although Dallas, Texas has seen a significant increase in funding as well.

The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals from nonprofits. The phone number for the foundation is 415-288-7900.

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CONTACT:

3889 Maple Ave Ste 220
Dallas, TX 75219-3917
415-288-7900