The Robin Hood Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $130 million
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Varies by program
• Grant Range: $100,000 - $1,600,000+
• Geographic Focus: New York City (five boroughs only)

Contact Details

Website: www.robinhood.org Phone: 212-227-6601 Email: info@robinhood.org Address: New York, NY

For relief fund inquiries: relief@robinhood.org

Overview

Founded in 1988 by hedge fund manager Paul Tudor Jones with co-founders Peter Borish and Glenn Dubin, Robin Hood has established itself as New York City's largest local poverty-fighting philanthropy. Since its inception, the foundation has invested nearly $3 billion to combat poverty in the five boroughs. In 2024, Robin Hood distributed $129.5 million in grants to 285 nonprofit organizations, and announced a 40% increase in grantmaking for the first half of 2025, awarding $49 million to 114 nonprofits. The foundation distinguishes itself through its unique funding model: board members cover all administrative costs, ensuring 100% of donations go directly to poverty-fighting programs. Robin Hood employs a rigorous, metrics-driven approach using benefit-cost ratios to evaluate grant effectiveness, earning recognition from Fortune magazine as "one of the most innovative and influential philanthropic organizations of our time" and "a pioneer in what is now called venture philanthropy." Under CEO Richard R. Buery, Jr., who joined in 2021, the foundation focuses on evidence-based interventions that create pathways to economic mobility across life stages.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Robin Hood aligns its grantmaking with lifestage milestones for economic mobility across four core program areas:

• Early Childhood: Grants ranging from $100,000 to $1,600,000+ to improve and increase access to high-quality direct services for mothers, infants, toddlers, and caregivers. Recent example: All Our Kin received $1,600,000 for a remote coaching pilot program and educator training for over 4,000 family child care providers in the Bronx.

• School-Age Children: Grants of $100,000 to $973,000+ to create higher-quality learning experiences for low-income students to help them graduate high school ready for college and careers. Recent example: Fund for Public Schools received $973,000 for NYC Reads implementation.

• Young Adults (Ages 16-29): Grants of $100,000 to $600,000+ to help low-income young adults meet basic needs, earn college degrees, and secure well-paying jobs. Recent example: Avenues for Justice received $600,000 for social services and the HIRE UP career and employment program.

• Adults & Household Supports: Grants of $250,000 to $600,000+ for workforce development, housing stability, legal services, and family support. Recent example: African Communities Together received $250,000 to launch a healthcare workforce development program.

Application Method: Strategic grantmaking approach. Robin Hood does not accept unsolicited proposals but welcomes expressions of interest through their online portal. The foundation periodically releases specific funding opportunities as Requests for Proposals (RFPs), challenges, and awards.

Priority Areas

Robin Hood actively funds programs that demonstrate measurable poverty-fighting impact across:

• High-quality early childhood education and child care provider training
• K-12 education improvement and literacy initiatives
• Workforce development and career training programs, including green jobs
• Affordable housing development and homelessness prevention (approved $17.4 million since January 2025)
• Immigration legal services for low-income populations
• Healthcare access and maternal health programs
• Technology initiatives that advance equity (AI Poverty Challenge awards $1 million per winner)
• Emergency relief during crises (activated Relief Fund for 9/11, Superstorm Sandy, COVID-19)
• Policy advocacy for federal safety-net programs

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly detailed on their website, Robin Hood has clear geographic and organizational restrictions:

• Organizations outside New York City's five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island)
• Non-501(c)(3) organizations
• Programs without measurable poverty-fighting impact
• Organizations lacking proven track records or evaluation capacity
• Capital, renovation, and general operating funds for organizations not already receiving Robin Hood support

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

Richard R. Buery, Jr., CEO (joined September 2021): A first-generation Panamanian American born and raised in Brooklyn's East New York neighborhood, Buery brings extensive experience in public service and poverty-fighting work. On Robin Hood's strategy, he states: "Robin Hood's mission is to fight poverty in New York City by investing in the most impactful organizations and effective leaders who are driving program innovations that have a demonstrable impact in moving families out of poverty." He emphasizes a dual approach: "It is impossible for anyone to focus on their long-term wellbeing if they're not stable right now...so Robin Hood's portfolio balances short-term emergency investments with longer-term programs like education." On child poverty specifically, Buery has called it "a crisis in New York, with 20% of children living below the federal poverty line – making the Empire State 40th in the nation...a moral failure, and it comes with a hefty price tag."

Kenneth G. Tropin, Board Chair (assumed role February 2025): Chairman of Graham Capital Management and Robin Hood's 14th board chair. He took over from Dina Powell McCormick, who led the organization through "one of the charity's most successful two years of fundraising."

Board Composition

The board includes leaders from finance, business, sports, entertainment, government, and philanthropy. Recent additions include Mark Bezos, Angela Glover Blackwell, Neil Blumenthal, Michael Chae, Nir Bar Dea, Scott Ferguson, Kristin Lemkau, Dave Levin, Eli Manning, Alexandra Mondre, Alexis Ohanian, and Tony Pasquariello. The board's unique contribution: covering 100% of administrative costs so all donations go directly to programs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Robin Hood employs a strategic grantmaking model rather than traditional open applications:

1. Expression of Interest: Organizations mission-aligned with Robin Hood's poverty-fighting work can submit an expression of interest through the online form at robinhood.org/programs/receive-funding/

2. Invitation-Only Full Proposals: Full proposals are accepted only by invitation after initial interest review

3. Periodic RFPs: The foundation releases specific funding opportunities as Requests for Proposals (RFPs), challenges, or awards with varying eligibility, guidelines, and due dates

4. Expert Panel Review: Robin Hood makes grantmaking decisions in collaboration with large panels of experts in the foundation's areas of interest

5. Metrics-Based Evaluation: All potential grants undergo benefit-cost ratio analysis using Robin Hood's proprietary methodology with 163 metrics

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed and vary by program type and funding opportunity. The foundation makes grants on a rolling basis as strategic opportunities are identified and evaluated.

Success Rates

Robin Hood does not publicly disclose application success rates. However, the competitive nature is evident: in 2024, the foundation funded 285 organizations from its portfolio of more than 300 active nonprofit partners. Given the strategic, invitation-based approach and rigorous metrics requirements, acceptance is highly selective.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation's strategic approach suggests that building relationships with Robin Hood staff and consultants over time may lead to future funding opportunities.

Application Success Factors

What Robin Hood Looks For

Organizations must demonstrate the following qualities to be considered:

• Proven Track Record: Demonstrated history of effective program delivery
• Bold Yet Feasible Ideas: Innovative approaches that are realistically implementable
• Clear Mission & Strategy: Well-defined goals and concrete steps to achieve them
• Strong, Committed Leadership: Dedicated executives with vision and management capability
• Evaluation Capacity: Existing procedures or willingness to measure outcomes rigorously
• Population Commitment: Deep knowledge of and connection to communities served
• High-Quality Staff: Dedicated, skilled team members
• Financial Stability: Sound financial management and organizational health
• Community Relationships: Respect and standing in the community; partnerships with other organizations

Data-Driven Approach

One reviewer recommends having "an arsenal of data when dealing with the foundation." Robin Hood uses a sophisticated benefit-cost calculator that monetizes poverty-fighting impact, comparing grants regardless of their purpose. CEO Buery explains: "We use a 'benefit-cost calculator' paradigm that tries to understand the actual poverty fighting impact of a particular dollar in a particular program."

The foundation has created a playbook of 163 metrics with equations to assess real program impact, drawing on rigorous research studies. However, "Robin Hood's mantra is to never make a grant on the basis of arithmetic alone - benefit-cost ratios serve as one, but only one, key piece of information."

Strategic Relationship Building

According to Inside Philanthropy, "Robin Hood tends to make grantmaking decisions in collaboration with large panels of experts in the foundation's areas of interest; knowing someone who consults with the foundation may be one way to gain Robin Hood's attention."

Recent Grantee Examples

Understanding who Robin Hood funds can help applicants assess fit:

• All Our Kin ($1,600,000): Remote coaching pilot and training for 4,000+ family child care providers
• Fund for Public Schools ($973,000): NYC Reads citywide literacy initiative implementation
• Docs for Tots ($926,000): Onboarding and training model for assistant child care providers
• Kingsbridge Heights Community Center ($603,000): Community programming
• Avenues for Justice ($600,000): Social services and HIRE UP career program
• African Communities Together ($250,000): Healthcare workforce development for African immigrants
• Girls Who Code ($125,000): Paidleave.ai initiative to enhance paid family leave utilization
• Solar One ($100,000): Green Workforce Program expansion for low-income young adults

Language and Terminology

Robin Hood uses specific terminology that applicants should understand:

• "Economic mobility" and "lifestage milestones"
• "Benefit-cost ratio" and "poverty-fighting impact"
• "Evidence-based interventions"
• "Venture philanthropy"
• "Strategic grantmaking"
• "Measurable outcomes"
• "Direct service providers"

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Strategic Approach Required: Robin Hood does not accept unsolicited proposals. Begin with an expression of interest and focus on building relationships with foundation staff and expert consultants in your field. Consider this a long-term relationship-building process rather than a one-time application.

2. Data is Essential: Come prepared with comprehensive data demonstrating your program's impact on poverty reduction. Understand how your work translates to measurable economic outcomes such as increased lifetime earnings, improved health status, or educational achievement. Robin Hood's metrics-driven approach means quantifiable results are not optional.

3. NYC Geographic Focus is Absolute: Robin Hood only funds programs serving New York City's five boroughs. If your work extends beyond NYC, clearly demonstrate how the requested funding will specifically support NYC residents.

4. Align with Lifestage Milestones: Frame your program within one of Robin Hood's four focus areas (early childhood, school-age, young adults, or adults/household supports) and articulate how it creates pathways to economic mobility at that life stage.

5. Demonstrate Organizational Strength: Beyond programmatic impact, show strong leadership, financial stability, evaluation capacity, community relationships, and a dedicated team. Robin Hood invests in organizations, not just programs.

6. Leverage Evidence-Based Practices: Reference rigorous research that supports your approach. Robin Hood draws on academic studies and proven interventions to assess potential impact, so grounding your work in evidence strengthens your case.

7. Think Long-Term Partnership: Robin Hood provides more than funding—including management consulting, leadership coaching, capital grants, and grant readiness training. Successful grantees become part of a portfolio of 300+ organizations. Position your organization as ready for this level of partnership and capacity-building support.

References

1. Robin Hood Foundation - Official Website. "Programs - Receive Funding." https://www.robinhood.org/programs/receive-funding/. Accessed November 2025.

2. Robin Hood Foundation - Official Website. "About Robin Hood." https://robinhood.org/about/. Accessed November 2025.

3. Robin Hood Foundation - Official Website. "Board of Directors and Governance." https://robinhood.org/about/governance/. Accessed November 2025.

4. Robin Hood Foundation - Official Website. "Staff - Richard R. Buery, Jr." https://robinhood.org/about/staff/richard-r-buery-jr/. Accessed November 2025.

5. Robin Hood Foundation Press Release. "Robin Hood Makes $35 Million in Poverty-Fighting Grants in First Half of 2024." https://robinhood.org/news/robin-hood-2024-q1-q2-grantmaking/. Accessed November 2025.

6. Robin Hood Foundation Press Release. "In the first half of 2025, Robin Hood increased overall grantmaking by 40%." https://robinhood.org/news/q1-q2-grantmaking-2025/. Accessed November 2025.

7. Robin Hood Foundation Press Release. "In Q3 2025, Robin Hood awarded over $39 million in poverty-fighting grants." https://robinhood.org/news/q3-grantmaking-2025/. Accessed November 2025.

8. Robin Hood Foundation Press Release. "Robin Hood releases $40M in poverty-fighting grants in Q4 2024." https://robinhood.org/news/robin-hood-q4-2024-grants/. Accessed November 2025.

9. Robin Hood Foundation Press Release. "Dina Powell McCormick Passes Baton to Kenneth Tropin as Chair of the Board of Directors of Robin Hood." https://robinhood.org/news/dina-powell-mccormick-passes-board-chair-baton-to-kenneth-tropin/. Accessed November 2025.

10. Denver Frederick. "Combating Poverty in NYC: A Conversation with Robin Hood Foundation's CEO." January 31, 2024. https://denver-frederick.com/2024/01/31/combating-poverty-in-nyc-a-conversation-with-robin-hood-foundations-ceo/. Accessed November 2025.

11. Inside Philanthropy. "A Conversation with Richard Buery, CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation." September 25, 2023. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2023-9-25-a-conversation-with-richard-buery-ceo-of-the-robin-hood-foundation. Accessed November 2025.

12. Robin Hood Foundation. "Robin Hood Annual Report 2024." https://online.flippingbook.com/view/881916474. Accessed November 2025.

13. Wikipedia. "Robin Hood Foundation." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Hood_Foundation. Accessed November 2025.

14. Candid (Foundation Directory). "Robin Hood Foundation Profile." https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=ROBI066. Accessed November 2025.

15. Oxford Government Outcomes Lab. "Robin Hood Foundation Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR)." https://golab.bsg.ox.ac.uk/knowledge-bank/indigo/wayfinder-assessment-resources/INDIGO-ARES-0018/. Accessed November 2025.

16. Fast Company. "Relentless Monetization: The Moneyball Approach To Fighting Poverty." https://www.fastcompany.com/2682181/relentless-monetization-the-moneyball-approach-to-fighting-poverty. Accessed November 2025.