The Jack & Dorothy Byrne Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $11.0 million (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed (informal process)
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $25,000,000
• Geographic Focus: Upper Valley of New Hampshire and Vermont

Contact Details

Address: Box 599, Etna, NH 03750 Phone: (603) 643-7799 Website: None Email: Not publicly available

Application Contact: Send a one-page letter outlining your needs to Dorothy Byrne at the address above. No telephone calls please.

Overview

The Jack & Dorothy Byrne Foundation was established in 1999 by Dorothy Byrne and her late husband John J. "Jack" Byrne, a legendary insurance industry executive who led the turnaround of GEICO and founded White Mountains Insurance Group. Since 2003, the foundation has distributed over $72 million to hundreds of organizations in the Upper Valley region. Following Jack's death from cancer in 2013, Dorothy Byrne has continued to lead the foundation with a characteristically humble and informal approach. The foundation reported $1.68 million in assets and $11.0 million in grant distributions for fiscal year 2023. In 2022, Dorothy Byrne made a historic $25 million gift to establish the Byrne Family Cancer Research Institute at Dartmouth and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health—the largest joint gift ever made to both institutions. The foundation operates with remarkable simplicity, requiring only a one-page letter application and no post-grant reporting, demonstrating a trust-based approach designed to reduce administrative burden on nonprofits.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with specific application cycles. Instead, it reviews requests on a rolling basis through a simple letter-based application process.

Grant Amounts:

• Small to medium nonprofits: Typically $5,000 - $10,000
• Major institutional gifts: $10 million - $25 million
• 2023 grants totaled: $10,951,465
• Historical annual giving: $11-12 million (with peaks of $23 million in 2014)

Application Method: Rolling basis via one-page letter

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on three primary areas:

1. Dartmouth College Community: General support for Dartmouth College programs and facilities. Major gifts have funded the Jack Byrne Scholars Program in Math and Society, Byrne Hall at Tuck School of Business, and other campus facilities.

2. Cancer Research: A deeply personal priority following Jack Byrne's death from cancer. Major funding includes the $25 million Byrne Family Cancer Research Institute, the $10 million Jack Byrne Center for Palliative & Hospice Care, and ongoing support for the Norris Cotton Cancer Center.

3. Upper Valley Community Organizations: Broad support for nonprofits serving the Upper Valley region of New Hampshire and Vermont, including:

   • Arts and culture (Northern Stage theater, New Hampshire Music Festival, community theaters)
   • Social services (Upper Valley Haven, Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity)
   • Education and youth programs (CHaD HERO fundraiser, makerspaces)
   • Public health (Public Health Council of the Upper Valley)
   • Environment and recreation (Storrs Hill ski area)
   • Media (Vermont Public Radio)
   • Emergency services (Red Cross northern New England region)

Matching Grants: The foundation sometimes offers matching grants to incentivize additional community fundraising efforts.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's geographic focus is tightly limited to the Upper Valley region of New Hampshire and Vermont, with the exception of Dartmouth College-related projects. Organizations outside this region are unlikely to receive funding.

Governance and Leadership

Dorothy M. Byrne - President and Director Dorothy Byrne leads the foundation from her home in Etna, New Hampshire. Known for her humility and privacy, she has never sought publicity for her philanthropy. As Dartmouth government professor Russell Muirhead noted, "The Byrne Foundation does not seem to be about claiming credit or bringing attention to itself." Dorothy continues her late husband's legacy while making the foundation distinctly her own, particularly through her commitment to cancer research and the Upper Valley community.

Robert E. Snyder - Secretary, Treasurer, and Director Snyder serves as the foundation's accountant and director. In 2017, he stated: "There's no intention for anything to change from the pattern that's been going on for the past 30 years."

Katie Collins - Assistant to the President Collins assists Dorothy Byrne with foundation operations (compensation: $34,193 as of 2023).

The foundation operates with minimal staff and overhead, directing the vast majority of its expenses (98.8% in 2023) to charitable disbursements.

Background on Jack Byrne (1932-2013): John J. "Jack" Byrne was one of the most respected figures in the insurance industry. After earning a mathematics degree from Rutgers University and serving in the U.S. Air Force, he led the legendary turnaround of GEICO in 1976, saving the company from near-bankruptcy. Warren Buffett, whose Berkshire Hathaway eventually acquired GEICO, called Byrne the "Babe Ruth of insurance." Byrne later turned around Fireman's Fund and founded White Mountains Insurance Group. He served on the Board of Overseers at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business, where his three sons—John '81, Patrick '85, and Mark '85—all attended. Jack died at his Etna home on March 7, 2013, after a long battle with cancer.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation maintains an exceptionally simple and informal application process designed to minimize administrative burden on nonprofits:

1. Write a one-page letter outlining your organization's needs
2. Mail the letter to: Dorothy Byrne, Box 599, Etna, NH 03750
3. No telephone calls please
4. No application deadline - requests accepted on a rolling basis
5. No required application forms or lengthy proposals
6. No post-funding reporting or outcome metrics required

This streamlined approach reflects the foundation's trust-based philosophy and Dorothy Byrne's preference for simplicity over bureaucracy.

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not publicly disclose typical decision timelines. Given the informal process and small staff (essentially Dorothy Byrne, one assistant, and an accountant), timing likely varies based on the volume of requests and the scale of the grant being considered.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, several factors suggest competitive application environment:

• The foundation receives requests from hundreds of organizations annually
• In peak years (2015-2016), the foundation supported 323-358 different nonprofits
• The foundation has finite resources, with assets of only $1.68 million (as of 2023)
• Annual giving sustained through a combination of ongoing contributions from Dorothy Byrne and asset sales

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publish a formal reapplication policy. Many organizations have received funding multiple years, suggesting that:

• Previous grantees can reapply
• No specific waiting period appears to be enforced
• The foundation values ongoing relationships with trusted community organizations

Application Success Factors

Strategic Insights

Geographic Alignment is Critical: The foundation's focus on the Upper Valley region is absolute. Organizations outside this geographic area (except Dartmouth College-related projects) should not apply.

Simplicity and Brevity Matter: The one-page letter requirement is not arbitrary—it reflects Dorothy Byrne's values and operating style. Keep your request concise, clear, and focused on genuine community need.

Relationship-Based Grantmaking: While the foundation has no formal pre-application process, it has supported many organizations over multiple years. Building awareness of your work in the Upper Valley community may be beneficial.

Trust-Based Approach: The foundation's willingness to provide funding without requiring extensive reporting or outcome metrics suggests they value organizational autonomy and trust grantee expertise. Your letter should demonstrate competence and integrity.

Matching Grant Opportunities: The foundation has offered matching grants to incentivize broader community support. If your organization is conducting a fundraising campaign, this could be an appealing approach.

Recent Grant Examples

• Byrne Family Cancer Research Institute (2022): $25 million to Dartmouth and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health
• Jack Byrne Center for Palliative & Hospice Care: $10 million to Dartmouth-Hitchcock
• Jack Byrne Scholars Program: $20 million (2015) to Dartmouth College for mathematics scholars
• Norris Cotton Cancer Center Prouty: $100,000 sponsorship plus $500,000 matching grant
• Storrs Hill ski area (2024): Grant to cover all admission costs for winter season
• Multiple Upper Valley nonprofits (2015): $11.7 million distributed to 323 organizations

Foundation's Stated Priorities

From their Form 990 and public statements:

1. General support of the Dartmouth College community
2. Cancer research
3. General philanthropy benefiting the Upper Valley of New Hampshire and Vermont

Understanding the Sustainability Question

A 2017 Valley News investigation raised important questions about the foundation's long-term sustainability. Key facts to understand:

• The foundation lacks a traditional endowment
• It relies on ongoing contributions from Dorothy Byrne and asset sales
• Assets have fluctuated dramatically: from $40.8 million (2013) to $42,337 (2022) to $1.68 million (2023)
• Multiple nonprofits reported hearing the foundation is in "spend-down mode"
• No formal succession plan has been communicated

This context suggests that organizations should:

• Not assume multi-year funding commitments
• Value current support while it's available
• Avoid building long-term budget dependencies on foundation grants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Keep it simple: Your entire case should fit in a one-page letter. Focus on clear communication of your mission, specific needs, and community impact.

• Geographic fit is non-negotiable: Unless you're Dartmouth College or serving the Upper Valley region of NH/VT, don't apply. The foundation's local focus is absolute.

• Cancer research and Dartmouth connections: These two areas represent the foundation's deepest commitments. If your work connects to either, emphasize it.

• Demonstrate community rootedness: The foundation has consistently supported organizations embedded in Upper Valley community life. Show your local connections and impact.

• Respect the process and privacy: Follow the instructions exactly—send a letter, don't call. The foundation values privacy and operates informally by design.

• Think beyond traditional grants: The foundation has offered matching grants and multi-year major gifts. If you're conducting a capital campaign or have a transformational opportunity, the foundation may consider larger requests.

• No reporting burden: Unlike most funders, the foundation doesn't require outcome reporting. This trust-based approach suggests they value demonstrated track record and community reputation over formal metrics.

References

1. Valley News. "Byrne Family Philanthropy Has Given $72 Million Since 2003; Can It Continue?" September 10, 2017. https://www.vnews.com/Nonprofits-face-funding-challenge-after-Byrne-Foundation-12038214

2. The Dartmouth. "Ahead of Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation-sponsored CHaD HERO fundraiser, feature on their generosity to Upper Valley." October 2023. https://www.thedartmouth.com/article/2023/10/friel-ginger-ahead-of-jack-and-dorothy-byrne-foundation-sponsored-chad-hero-fundraiser-feature-on-their-generosity-to-upper-valley

3. Cause IQ. "The Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation." Accessed November 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-jack-and-dorothy-byrne-foundation,030363118/

4. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "The Jack & Dorothy Byrne Foundation Inc." Form 990-PF filings 2011-2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/30363118

5. Grantmakers.io. "The Jack & Dorothy Byrne Foundation Inc. Profile." Accessed November 2024. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/030363118-the-jack-and-dorothy-byrne-foundation-inc/

6. Dartmouth News. "Dartmouth, D-HH Launch Major Cancer Research Institute." January 2022. https://home.dartmouth.edu/news/2022/01/dartmouth-d-hh-launch-major-cancer-research-institute

7. Dartmouth Health & Geisel School of Medicine Giving. "Dorothy Byrne's Generosity Continues to Inspire Cancer Philanthropy." Accessed November 2024. https://dhgeiselgiving.org/dorothy-byrnes-generosity

8. Insurance Hall of Fame. "Jack Byrne." Accessed November 2024. https://www.insurancehalloffame.org/jack-byrne-simple

9. Insurance Journal. "Former White Mountains' Chair, GEICO Rescuer Byrne Passes Away." March 11, 2013. https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2013/03/11/284185.htm

10. The Dartmouth. "$25 million gift launches new cancer research institute at Dartmouth, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health." January 2022. https://www.thedartmouth.com/article/2022/01/25-million-gift-launches-new-cancer-research-institute-at-dartmouth-dartmouth-hitchcock-health