# James Irvine Foundation

James Irvine Foundation is an Endowment / Foundation based in San Francisco, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** San Francisco, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** One Bush Street Suite 800, San Francisco, CA 94104, United States
- **Founded:** 1937
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** irvine.org
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-james-irvine-foundation

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

The James Irvine Foundation was established in 1937 by James Harvey Irvine Sr. after his death. The original endowment derived from his controlling stake in The Irvine Company, which the foundation held until 1977. Today the foundation operates as an independent grantmaker focused on economic mobility for low-income workers in California. The portfolio allocates approximately 41 percent to private equity, 30 percent to venture capital and 10 percent to private real estate. Confirmed holdings include limited partnership interests in Sequoia Capital funds and Denham Capital Management. Geographic exposure centers on the United States with additional commitments to global venture and private equity vehicles. The foundation also maintains direct real estate holdings in California. Staff totals 89 professionals with offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles. External managers include Primecap Management Company and Dodge & Cox for public equity sleeves. In June 2024 the foundation sponsored its annual Leadership Awards program recognizing California leaders. The foundation maintains membership in the Council on Foundations and the Institutional Limited Partners Association. Governance separates investment decisions from grantmaking through a distinct CIO role reporting to the board. This structure allows the investment team to maintain long-duration LP commitments while the program team directs annual distributions exceeding $150 million.

## Sectors

- Private Equity
- Venture Capital
- Real Estate

## Offices

- Los Angeles, CA

## People

- Don Howard — President and CEO
- Timothy Recker — Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer
- Maria Anguiano — Chair of the Board of Directors

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at the James Irvine Foundation?

Timothy Recker serves as Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer. He previously chaired the Institutional Limited Partners Association.

### Does the James Irvine Foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The foundation commits as a limited partner to venture capital and private equity funds including Sequoia Capital and Madrona Venture Group.

### What investment stages does the James Irvine Foundation typically target?

The portfolio includes early-stage venture through Sequoia and Madrona alongside buyout and growth strategies in private equity.

### How is the James Irvine Foundation related to The Irvine Company?

The foundation was the primary stockholder of The Irvine Company until 1977 when it sold its stake and converted the proceeds into a diversified endowment.

### What is the James Irvine Foundation's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?

The foundation maintains fund commitments and separate direct real estate holdings but does not disclose a formal co-investment program.

## Related profiles

- [Avior Wealth Management](https://altss.com/profile/avior-wealth-management)
- [John Templeton Foundation](https://altss.com/profile/john-templeton-foundation)

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

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