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John & Amy Griffin Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$3.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,054,703 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable - by invitation only
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Varies (average ~$92,000 based on 2023 data)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York, particularly New York City
  • Application Status: Does not accept unsolicited proposals

Contact Details

Address: 660 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10065 Phone: Not publicly listed Email: Not publicly listed Website: None

Note: The foundation does not maintain a website or accept unsolicited grant proposals. Funding is by invitation only to preselected charitable organizations.

Overview

The John & Amy Griffin Foundation Inc. was established in 2001 by John A. Griffin, founder of the hedge fund Blue Ridge Capital (which closed in 2017), and his wife Amy Mitchell Griffin. As of 2023, the foundation holds approximately $29 million in assets and distributed $3.05 million in grants to 33 organizations that year. The foundation operates as a private family foundation supporting causes personally selected by the Griffins, with no formal application process or public guidelines.

John Griffin's philanthropic philosophy is deeply rooted in his Wall Street background and focus on measurable impact. He is particularly known for his leadership role at the Robin Hood Foundation, where he served as Chairman, and for founding iMentor, a nonprofit that builds mentoring relationships for students in low-income communities. The foundation prioritizes education reform, poverty alleviation (especially in New York City), healthcare (with emphasis on cancer research), and arts organizations. The Griffins' giving reflects both their personal connections—including substantial support to their alma mater, the University of Virginia—and a strategic focus on organizations addressing urban poverty and educational equity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with defined application cycles. Instead, it makes strategic grants to preselected organizations based on the founders' priorities and relationships. Recent funding patterns indicate:

  • Education Grants: Support ranges from moderate to substantial gifts for education reform organizations, mentoring programs, and university endowments
  • Poverty Relief Grants: Funding for antipoverty organizations, particularly those serving New York City
  • Healthcare Grants: Support for cancer research and treatment centers
  • Arts & Culture Grants: Grants to New York City cultural institutions

Based on 2023 data, the foundation made 33 grants totaling $3.05 million, suggesting an average grant size of approximately $92,000, though individual grants vary significantly based on the organization and project.

Priority Areas

Education

  • Education reform initiatives, particularly charter schools and school choice
  • Mentoring programs for low-income students
  • Scholarship programs for students with financial need
  • University endowments and facilities, especially at the University of Virginia

Poverty Alleviation

  • Organizations serving low-income communities in New York City
  • Social innovation and technology-based solutions to poverty
  • Programs promoting economic opportunity and social mobility

Healthcare

  • Cancer research and treatment centers
  • Breast cancer research and support services
  • Medical facilities serving underserved populations

Arts & Culture

  • New York City theaters and performing arts organizations
  • Cultural institutions with community impact

Recent Grantees

Historical grantees have included:

  • Robin Hood Foundation (poverty alleviation in NYC)
  • iMentor (mentoring for low-income students)
  • KIPP New York (charter schools)
  • Teach for All (education reform)
  • Prep for Prep (educational opportunity program)
  • Harlem Children's Zone (comprehensive community development)
  • University of Virginia (multiple initiatives)
  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
  • Breast Cancer Research Foundation
  • Mt. Sinai Dubin Breast Cancer Center
  • Signature Theatre Company
  • The Apollo Theater
  • New 42nd Street
  • Ronald McDonald House of New York

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's giving patterns suggest they do not fund:

  • Organizations outside their strategic focus areas
  • Projects unrelated to education, poverty relief, healthcare, or arts
  • Organizations without established track records
  • International programs (focus is primarily domestic, especially NYC)
  • General operating support for organizations they don't have existing relationships with

Governance and Leadership

John A. Griffin - Founder and Trustee John Griffin is a University of Virginia graduate (B.S. in Finance from McIntire School of Commerce) and Stanford University MBA. He founded Blue Ridge Capital in 1996, one of the successful "Tiger Cub" hedge funds mentored by Julian Robertson, which he operated until closing it in December 2017. The fund managed up to $9 billion at its peak and averaged returns of 15.4% annually over its 21-year history.

Griffin's philanthropic leadership roles include:

  • Chairman of Robin Hood Foundation (elected 2020)
  • Founder and Chairman of iMentor
  • Founder of Blue Ridge Foundation New York (later became Blue Ridge Labs @ Robin Hood)

Amy Mitchell Griffin - Co-Founder and Trustee Amy Griffin is a 1998 University of Virginia graduate and former volleyball player. She is actively involved in education reform, serving on the boards of KIPP Academy and KIPP NY, Inc., and is also involved with iMentor.

The Griffins conduct their philanthropy with a focus on measurable outcomes and social innovation, reflecting John Griffin's background in finance and his belief in applying private-sector strategies to social problems.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: The John & Amy Griffin Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals or applications. The foundation has indicated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

There is no formal application process, website, or published guidelines for grantseekers. Organizations seeking funding from this foundation would need to:

  • Develop relationships with the foundation trustees or board members
  • Receive an invitation to submit a proposal
  • Connect through mutual contacts in the nonprofit or philanthropic community
  • Demonstrate alignment with the foundation's established giving priorities

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation making grants to preselected organizations, decision timelines likely vary based on individual circumstances and relationships.

Success Rates

Not applicable. Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, there is no traditional success rate for applicants.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-only funding model.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that have received funding from the John & Amy Griffin Foundation typically share these characteristics:

Relationship-Based Funding

  • Existing relationships with the Griffin family or foundation leadership
  • Connections through board service (particularly Robin Hood Foundation, iMentor, KIPP)
  • Introductions through trusted mutual contacts in the philanthropic community

Organizational Characteristics

  • Established track record and proven impact
  • Strong focus on measurable outcomes and data-driven approaches
  • Leadership in education reform, poverty alleviation, or related fields
  • New York City location or significant NYC presence (for most grants)
  • Alignment with the Griffins' personal interests and values

Strategic Focus Areas Organizations most likely to receive support demonstrate:

  • Innovative approaches to education for low-income students
  • Evidence-based strategies for poverty alleviation
  • Scalable models with potential for broader impact
  • Strong governance and financial management
  • Connection to causes the Griffins have personally championed

John Griffin's Philanthropic Philosophy Based on his public statements and giving patterns, Griffin values:

  • Social innovation and entrepreneurial approaches to social problems
  • Measurable impact and data-driven decision making
  • Organizations that can demonstrate efficiency and effectiveness
  • Programs that promote equal opportunity and social mobility
  • Technology-enabled solutions to social challenges

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-Only Model: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Do not send cold applications or letters of inquiry.

  • Relationship Development: The only viable path to funding is through personal relationships with the Griffins, their network, or organizations they actively support (especially Robin Hood Foundation, iMentor, and KIPP).

  • Geographic Focus: While some grants go to national organizations, there is a strong preference for New York City-based organizations or those serving NYC communities.

  • Education & Poverty Priorities: The foundation's clearest funding priorities are education reform (especially for low-income students) and poverty alleviation in urban areas.

  • Personal Connection Matters: The Griffins support organizations where they have personal involvement—John Griffin's board service at Robin Hood and his founding of iMentor are key indicators of deep commitment.

  • Strategic vs. Responsive: This is a strategic funder making proactive grants to chosen organizations, not a responsive funder considering incoming proposals.

  • Network Through Grantees: Organizations seeking funding might consider building relationships with current grantees or exploring partnership opportunities that could lead to introductions.

References

  1. Inside Philanthropy - "John & Amy Griffin Foundation" profile (https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/new-york-grants/john-amy-griffin-foundation) - Information on giving priorities, geographic focus, and application policy

  2. Inside Philanthropy - "John and Amy Griffin" donor profile (https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/major-donors/john-griffin-html) - Details on philanthropic priorities and major gifts

  3. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - "John & Amy Griffin Foundation Inc" (https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/20562020) - IRS Form 990 filings showing annual giving and assets

  4. Hedge Fund Alpha - "Here's Where John Griffin Invests His Foundation's Money" (https://hedgefundalpha.com/foundations/john-griffin-foundation-990-filing-2023/) - 2023 financial data and grant information

  5. Bloomberg - "Blue Ridge's John Griffin Elected Next Chairman of Robin Hood" (January 30, 2020) - Leadership role at Robin Hood Foundation

  6. Experience McIntire (University of Virginia) - "John Griffin '85, Founder of Blue Ridge Capital, is the next chairman of the Robin Hood Foundation" - Background on education and philanthropic leadership

  7. UVA Today - "$10M Endowment Establishes John A. Griffin Dean's Chair at McIntire School of Commerce" - Major gift to University of Virginia

  8. Bloomberg - "John Griffin to Shut Blue Ridge Capital Hedge Fund After 21 Years" (December 15, 2017) - Background on Blue Ridge Capital closure

  9. iMentor website - "John A. Griffin" team profile (https://imentor.org/team/john-a-griffin) - Role as founder and chairman

  10. Stanford Social Innovation Review - "A Legacy of Leverage" - Information on Blue Ridge Foundation New York and social innovation approach

  11. PR Newswire - "Blue Ridge Labs Moves to Robin Hood" (April 21, 2015) - Evolution of Blue Ridge Foundation's work

  12. Candid Foundation Directory - "John & Amy Griffin Foundation" profile (Foundation code: GRIF081) - Grant data and foundation information

All sources accessed November 2025.

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