Learn About Our Story
20 Years: From Idea to Impact
For two decades, Project Redwood has shown what’s possible when Stanford GSB alumni unite to address one of humanity’s greatest challenges: poverty.
Founded at the Class of 1980’s 25th Reunion, Project Redwood is a volunteer-driven venture philanthropy fund that pools alumni resources, expertise, and networks to support small, high-impact nonprofits, often those too early-stage or under-resourced to attract major funders. By filling this critical gap in philanthropy, we help proximate leaders bring innovative, lasting solutions to life.
In 20 years, we’ve awarded in excess of $6.5 million in grants and in-kind support to more than 80 organizations across 33 countries, improving over one million lives. Just as meaningful, we’ve built a vibrant, intergenerational community of over 350 alumni who are redefining what collaborative, hands-on, alumni-led philanthropy can achieve.
Our Timeline
2005 – 2007
The Spark
- Gathered at Stanford and formed an all-volunteer partnership focused on alleviating poverty
- Chose our name: Project Redwood (PRW), and selected Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors as our fiscal sponsor
- Received contributions from classmates and awarded our first $100,000 in grants to five social entrepreneurs
2008 – 2010
Building Momentum
- Engaged directly with grantees through partner visits to projects in Uganda and Kenya
- Inspired giving through a pay-to-play basketball game that raised $197,000, along with other appeals
- Awarded 18 grants, surpassing a cumulative $500,000 in total grantmaking
2011 – 2017
Scaling Our Impact
- Narrowed focus areas to education, job training, job creation, and entrepreneurship
- Refined grant review processes, impact measurement methods, and long-term strategic planning
- Transitioned to Tides Foundation as fiscal sponsor
- Awarded 61 grants during these years and reached $2 million in cumulative giving by 2017
2018 – 2021
Strengthening Our Organization
- Invited all GSB alumni to join PRW, emphasizing collegiality and community as core benefits
- Hired a Director of Operations to support PRW’s expanding efforts
- Created a Racial Equity Task Force, Co-Chair Roundtable, and grantee Leadership Circles
- Improved evaluation and reporting of grantee results to the Board
- Expanded membership and engagement with the GSB
- Reached $3.5 million in cumulative grants by 2021
2022 – 2023
Maturing as a Nonprofit
- Achieved 501(c)(3) nonprofit certification, validating PRW’s model and growth
- Issued a combined Impact Report for 2022–23, reflecting the new fiscal year
- Added a virtual Changemaker Spotlight series featuring prominent GSB alumni speakers
- Expanded development strategies leading to increased donations and cumulative giving of $4.3 million through 2023
2024
Deepening Our Engagement
- Piloted trust-based “Impact Building” grants, meeting a philanthropy-wide need for unrestricted funding
- Strengthened analysis of post-PRW grantee performance, growth, and ability to attract additional funding
- Expanded virtual programs to welcome and engage additional alumni
- Celebrated leadership from classes outside of the founding class
- Awarded grants totaling $1.1 million, and reached $5.6 million in cumulative grants and 1 million in the number of cumulative lives improved, all major milestones
2025
Investing in Our Future
- Broadened our reach through digital tools, community engagement, and partnerships
- Launched Class Ambassadors program to deepen volunteer engagement
- Confirmed that many PRW "graduates" earn major awards and recognition as they scale
- Expanded in-person annual meetings with presentations and discussions on how to share PRW’s story
- Highlighted PRW as an intergenerational community united in our mission to fight poverty, with active GSB alumni from 40 classes spanning 50 years
- Exceeded $6.5 million in cumulative grants and continued our transition to more unrestricted funding
