Drew Foundation

OVERVIEW:  The Drew Foundation invests in cancer research, higher education, veterans and military families, human services and the arts.  

IP TAKE: The Drew Foundation is not a transparent funder. It maintains a low public profile, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. Tax records show that it tends to support many of the same groups year after year, and new grantseekers will struggle to get their foot in the door here. Inaccessible as well, it does not provide a clear way for grantseekers to get in touch; however, contact information is provided below.

PROFILE: Founded in 2000, the Drew Foundation was established by tech mogul John Drew and his wife Ellen. Drew has a B.S. in engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and an M.S. from Columbia University. He started his business career at CF Software Corporation after serving as a captain in the army. He was vice president and general manager at Unisys Corporation and worked at International Network Services, and Lucent Technologies, where he was a CEO. Drew serves as a general partner of TCV, an investor in growth-stage private and public companies in the technology industry. The Drew Foundation’s grantmaking includes support of cancer research, higher education, veterans and military families, human services and the arts.   

Grants for Diseases, and Brain and Cell Research

The Drews do not name specific goals for their disease-related grantmaking, but their foundation’s tax filings indicate an interest in this area, and much of this funder’s giving is centered on cancer research and treatment. They are on the leadership council of the Canary Foundation, an organization that focuses on early cancer detection. Support has gone to Prostate Cancer Foundation, which has received millions over the years, and the Simmons Cancer Institute.

Aside from cancer, this is a disease-focused funder that supports other well-established health organizations, such as the Alzheimer’s Association. 

Grants for Higher Education

Education has been the Drew Family Foundation’s largest area of giving in recent years. Ellen Drew is a graduate of Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and the couple has provided ongoing support to the college and its affiliated secondary school, Salem Academy. In Vermont, the Drews support Norwich University’s Todd Lecture Series, which is named in Ellen’s parents. John Drew is a former member of the board of trustees at Norwich. Other recent education grantees include the West Point Association of Graduates, California College of the Arts and Columbia University in New York.

Grants for Military and Veterans

The Drew Foundation supports veterans and military families, which is not surprising given Drew’s military service. Grantees include the Veterans Health Research Institute, the Army Historical Foundation, and the Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation, which aims to “assist severely wounded and injured, post-9/11 veterans in their efforts to become productive and self-sufficient members of their communities as they transition back into civilian life.”

Grants for Community Development, Housing and Homelessness

The Drew Foundation has given regularly to Austin’s Rework Project, a nonprofit that helps homeless people secure work and housing. The Drew Foundation also supports the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.

Grants for Arts and Culture

Arts and media represent a smaller area of giving for the Drews. Northern California Public Broadcasting has enjoyed ongoing support from the foundation. Other grantees include Narrative Magazine, an online literary publication and the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.

Grants for Bay Area and NorCal

The Drews make frequent grants to local institutions in the Bay Area. The foundation has supported the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley which “uses the law as a tool for change to address programs linked to social injustices,” All Stars Helping Kids, Meals on Wheels SF, KQED, the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, and POST, which aims to shape “a vibrant ecosystem for Silicon Valley.”

Important Grant Details

Grants range from $5,000 to $1 million, but the most common amount is $25,000. Learn more about past grantees in the funder’s tax records.

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

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CONTACT:

Drew Family Foundation

250 Middlefield Road

Menlo Park, CA 94025