Robertson Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Robertson Foundation broadly funded education, environmental efforts and medical research during the lifetime of its founder. The foundation has paused most of its operation since Julian Robertson’s death to review its grantmaking strategies.
IP TAKE: This foundation is known for its business-like approach to its grantmaking and its expectation of measurable results in the immediate and long terms. If invited to submit a proposal, make sure it’s clear and realistic. Foundation staffers are also known to conduct data-intensive studies on applicants to quantify how much social and environmental good a grant to that applicant will achieve. Robertson tends to prioritize larger organizations and does not accept unsolicited proposals.
Since the death of Julian Robertson, the Robertson Family has paused most of the foundation’s operations to review grantmaking strategy. Check back periodically for updates.
PROFILE: Founded in 1996, the New York City-based Robertson Foundation was run by Julian Robertson, the founder of Tiger Management, until his death in August 2022. The foundation’s past grantmaking worked to “utilize a proactive, disciplined grantmaking approach to measurably affect significant social change” in its three main grantmaking areas of education, environment, and medical research. After his death, the Robertson Family paused much of the foundation’s work in order to review “its strategy to guide years of impactful giving.” Although its main giving areas are unlikely to change, updates about future grantmaking strategy will be posted on the foundation’s website as decisions are made.
Grants for K-12 Education
Robertson’s past education funding aimed to improve the quality of education available to all Americans, and a majority of its grants were directed toward K-12 public school reform. Its two sub-initiatives, “reform from within” and “drive change by generating external pressure,” supported public and charter school systems, respectively. In New York City, the foundation supported the public school reform agenda Children First, as well as the New York City Charter School Center.
Grants for Science Research, Climate Change and Marine Conservation
The foundation supported scientific research through its environment program, which prioritized research on climate change, especially studies of near-term emissions reduction. Past grantees include EarthJustice, the World Resources Institute, the Energy Foundation, the Nature Conservancy, and the Environmental Defense Fund.
Grants from the environmental giving program also supported conservation initiatives, with a strong focus on marine and freshwater initiatives. Past grantees include Oceana and the Marine Stewardship Council, a UK nonprofit that works with fisheries and food distributors around the world to set standards for sustainable seafood production and certify those fisheries that live up to them.
Grants for Diseases
The Robertson Foundation’s medical research program did not name any specific disease priorities. Its grantmaking was designed to “facilitate cutting edge research by supporting scientific leadership and talent.” To that end, the foundation made “significant investments in young investigators, junior faculty, and fellowships in many disciplines.” Past grantees include the Cancer Research Institute and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Grants for Global Development and Other
The foundation maintained a funds for “other grants” to support development efforts taking place around the world. The Robertson Foundation did not state specific global development objectives or priorities.
Past grantees include the Nuclear Threat Initiative, African Leadership Foundation and Global Health Corps.
Important Grant Details:
Robertson’s grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to over $3 million, although most fall between $5,000 and $50,000.
The Robertson Foundation used the financial acumen of its founder in deciding what to fund. Foundation staffers often conducted data-intensive studies on applicants to quantify how much social and environmental good a grant to that applicant would achieve.
Funded projects were often carefully monitored in order to gauge expected results.
Past grantmaking prioritized large organizations rather than small ones, some organizations even receiving multi-year support.
The Robertson Foundation is not currently accepting unsolicited applications or requests for funding. However, it is possible that it may open itself up to proposals in the future.
This funder does not provide a direct way of getting in touch, but an address and phone number are provided below.
PEOPLE:
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LINK:
CONTACT:
Robertson Foundation
101 Park Ave Fl 48
New York City, NY 10178-4799
(212) 984-5700
