What Does the Louis DeJoy and Aldona Wos Family Foundation Support?
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Greensboro, North Carolina. Photo: Sean Pavone/shutterstock
Since 2005, Louis DeJoy and Aldona Wos have been channeling their philanthropy through a family foundation based in Greensboro, North Carolina. DeJoy, a real estate investor, entrepreneur and political fundraiser, serves as the Postmaster General of the U.S. Postal Service. Wos, originally from Poland, is a retired internal medicine and pulmonary medicine physician who is now the president of the Institute of World Politics.
Nonprofits operating in this part of the Southeast may benefit from reaching out to this funder to make a connection. Here’s a quick overview of the four different areas of giving that the Louis DeJoy and Aldona Wos Family Foundation engages in.
1. Education and youth
The foundation’s support for education and youth extends from the pre-K level through graduate school. The funder provides grants, capital campaign gifts and scholarships to organizations and individuals. It takes a broad approach to education funding and supports non-classroom activities as well, such as study abroad programs and athletics. Local grantees in Greensboro include Bennett College and the DeJoy Primary Education Center at St. Pius X.
2. Community engagement
Community engagement is an important issue for the foundation, and it supports projects that improve physical, social and economic success in communities. These grants typically go to Greensboro organizations, including the Family Service of the Piedmont, Greensboro Science Center and Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum. Recently-funded organizations work in the fields of arts and culture, youth athletics, children’s health, historical preservation, police programs and basic needs.
3. Health and wellness
DeJoy and Wos’ support for healthy communities centers on North Carolina and often involves capital funding. For example, Cone Health received a foundation grant for a cancer center expansion, and Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro received a grant for a capital campaign. The funder has also provided funding for nursing scholarships and services for older adults.
4. Public policy
The Louis DeJoy and Aldona Wos Family Foundation’s activities also tap into its founders’ passion for politics and involve funding for public policy. These grants often have a national focus, including the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in Washington D.C. and the George W. Bush Foundation and Bush Center in Dallas, Texas.
There are two important things to note about this funder before reaching out to request support. First, DeJoy and Wos identify as Republicans and are known for being Trump donors and for funding right-of-center causes. The couple is highly engaged in politics as well as philanthropy. Second, DeJoy and Wos do not accept unsolicited funding requests sent to their foundation. However, the foundation is accessible by online form if nonprofits have general questions or simply want to introduce themselves.
Learn more about this funder in IP’s full profile of the Louis DeJoy and Aldona Wos Family Foundation, which is part of our North Carolina grantmaking guide.
