Judy and Gordon Faulkner
/SOURCE OF WEALTH: Epic Systems
FUNDING AREAS: Healthcare, Early Childhood, Basic Needs, Human Rights
OVERVIEW: Judy Faulkner and her husband Gordon do their grantmaking through the Roots & Wings Foundation, which was founded in 2019. The foundation makes grants nationally, but prioritizes Wisconsin, Washington, and Oregon, where the family has homes. The foundation awarded $15 million in grants in 2020 to 120 different groups. Faulkner is a Giving Pledge signatory.
BACKGROUND: Judy Faulkner graduated from Dickinson College and received her master’s in computer science from University of Wisconsin-Madison. She went on to found America's leading medical-record software provider, Epic, in the basement of an apartment house with $70,000 in start-up money. In a recent year, Epic Systems posted $2.9 billion in sales.
ISSUES:
ROOTS & WINGS FOUNDATION: Founded in 2019, the Roots & Wings Foundation is steered by Faulkner's daughter, Shana, who serves as Executive Director. The foundation’s website states that it “supports nonprofit organizations that help low-income children and families reach their full potential through prevention, early intervention, and in-depth programming that changes lives.” Roots & Wings is particularly interested in empowering low-income individuals and families, and its focus areas include Education, Healthcare, Human Rights, and Human Services. It does make grants across the U.S. but will not fund national organizations without a Wisconsin presence. Grantees have included ACLU Madison Foundation, Planned Parenthood, Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health, and Rise Wisconsin.
LOOKING FORWARD: Giving out of the Roots & Wings Foundation has just begun to ramp up. Faulkner signed the Giving Pledge in 2015 and agreed to eventually gift 99% of her stake in Epic to a private charitable foundation. This is likely just the beginning for this billionaire family.
