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Canfield Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.2M
Grant Range
$300K - $2.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,200,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation/preselected only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $300,000 - $2,100,000
  • Grant Median: $1,100,000
  • Geographic Focus: Austin, Texas (with some support to national institutions)

Contact Details

Foundation Address: 202 Nueces Street, Unit 3201, Austin, TX 78701

Trustee: Philip A. Canfield

Note: This foundation does not have a public website or publicly listed phone/email contact information.

Overview

The Canfield Family Foundation was established in 2019 by Phil Canfield, a retired managing partner of private equity firm GTCR, and his wife Mary Beth Canfield. With assets of approximately $9.5 million and annual distributions of $4.2 million, the foundation focuses primarily on education and social services in the Austin area. The foundation reflects Phil Canfield's deep commitment to education as "the single most important investment that society makes in its members" and his belief that "if you're helping education and helping people get access to education, that is the single highest leverage and best ROI investment you can make philanthropically." The foundation makes a small number of substantial grants annually (typically 3-4 grants) to carefully selected organizations, with grants ranging from $300,000 to over $2 million.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on a discretionary basis with grants typically designated for "best use" by recipient organizations. Recent grants have ranged from $300,000 to $2,100,000, with a median grant size of $1,100,000.

Priority Areas

Based on recent grantmaking patterns and Phil Canfield's stated philanthropic philosophy, priority areas include:

Education: The foundation's primary focus, with particular emphasis on:

  • Scholarship programs and financial access to education
  • Programs serving first-generation college students
  • Public education initiatives
  • University programs (particularly UT Austin)

Social Services: Support for organizations addressing:

  • Homelessness and housing insecurity
  • Services for vulnerable populations
  • Community development programs

Recent Grant Recipients Include:

  • University of Texas (major recipient)
  • Breakthrough Central Texas ($550,000) - supports first-generation college students through a 12-year commitment from middle school through college
  • Mobile Loaves and Fishes ($1,000,000) - provides food, housing, and micro-enterprise opportunities for people experiencing chronic homelessness in Austin

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's pattern suggests:

  • Organizations outside the Austin/Texas area (with exceptions for institutions where the Canfields have personal connections)
  • Organizations not aligned with education or social services missions
  • Small grants under $300,000

Governance and Leadership

Philip A. Canfield, Trustee

  • BBA in Finance with High Honors from UT Austin (1989)
  • MBA from University of Chicago Booth School of Business (1996)
  • Managing Partner at GTCR private equity firm (2007-2015); retired 2020
  • Member, Board of Trustees, Rush University Medical Center
  • Member, Board of Governors, Rush University
  • Member, Council at University of Chicago Booth School of Business
  • Member, Polsky Center PE Council, University of Chicago
  • Compensation from foundation: $0 (volunteer trustee, 1 hour/week)

Mary Beth Canfield

  • B.S. in Marketing from Miami University of Ohio (1990)
  • Active in philanthropic decision-making, particularly through involvement with Chicago Foundation for Education

Philanthropic Philosophy (from Phil Canfield):

  • "Education is the single most important investment that society makes in its members"
  • "If you're helping education and helping people get access to education, that is the single highest leverage and best ROI investment you can make philanthropically"
  • "I think about philanthropy from an ROI perspective"
  • "Our approach to being philanthropic is to have a strategy, and to focus and concentrate our investments where they can have a pretty significant impact"
  • Emphasizes "accessibility and affordability for a public university is essential in the long run"

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. The Canfield Family Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. All grants are made at the discretion of the trustee, Philip Canfield, based on personal knowledge of organizations and strategic alignment with the foundation's priorities.

Grant awards are designated for "best use" by the recipient organization, suggesting a high level of trust in grantee leadership to deploy funds effectively.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Given the small number of annual grants (3-4) and the preselected nature of recipients, decision timelines are likely based on trustee discretion and organizational relationships rather than formal review cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Organizations are selected by the trustee rather than through a competitive application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on Phil Canfield's stated values and the foundation's grantmaking patterns, the following factors appear to drive funding decisions:

Alignment with Core Values:

  • Strong focus on education, particularly increasing access and affordability
  • Support for first-generation college students and economically disadvantaged populations
  • Commitment to public education systems
  • Programs that create long-term, sustainable impact

Organizational Characteristics the Canfields Value:

  • "Strong leadership he can trust" with "clear vision and execution capabilities"
  • Organizations that provide "high-quality, accessible education"
  • Programs with measurable impact and clear outcomes
  • Leaders who operate "with kindness and humility"

Geographic and Relationship Factors:

  • Based in Austin or serving the Austin community
  • Institutions where the Canfields have personal connections (UT Austin, Chicago Booth, Rush University, Miami University of Ohio)
  • Organizations recommended by trusted colleagues or board members

Strategic Approach:

  • Phil Canfield views philanthropy through an "ROI perspective" - seeking maximum impact per dollar invested
  • Focus on "enabling people to do productive things over their life"
  • Preference for "concentrated investments where they can have a pretty significant impact" rather than spreading resources thinly

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Not open to applications: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Organizations are selected by the trustee based on personal knowledge and strategic priorities.

  • Education is paramount: Phil Canfield explicitly states education is the "highest leverage and best ROI investment" philanthropically, with particular emphasis on access and affordability.

  • Large grants to few organizations: With 3-4 grants annually ranging from $300,000 to over $2 million, the foundation makes substantial commitments to carefully selected partners.

  • Austin focus: While the Canfields support national institutions where they have personal connections, local Austin organizations receive the majority of funding.

  • Trust in leadership: The foundation makes "best use" grants, indicating they select organizations with strong leadership and give discretion on fund deployment.

  • First-generation and access focus: Recent grants to Breakthrough Central Texas and the $20 million gift to UT Austin for scholarships demonstrate commitment to helping students who are first in their families to pursue higher education.

  • Long-term relationships: The foundation appears to build sustained relationships with grantees rather than making one-time awards (e.g., recurring support to UT Austin, multiple institutions where Canfields serve on boards).

References

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