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Jean And David W Wallace Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$6.8M
Grant Range
Up to $12.0M00
00

Jean And David W Wallace Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,778,500 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable - invitation only
  • Decision Time: Not disclosed
  • Grant Range: Varies significantly - from standard grants to multi-million dollar endowments
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Connecticut, with focus on New Haven/Fairfield County region

Contact Details

Address: Co Anne S Wallace, 687 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, CT 06840

EIN: 061626691

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Overview

The Jean And David W Wallace Foundation Inc is a private independent foundation that has been making significant philanthropic contributions to healthcare and education institutions, particularly in Connecticut. Established with ruling year 2019 for its current structure, the foundation distributed $6,778,500 in grants in 2023 through eight grants to carefully selected organizations. The foundation has demonstrated a particularly strong commitment to neuroscience, medical education, and business education, with transformative multi-million dollar gifts to institutions including Salve Regina University (more than $24.6 million across multiple generations), Greenwich Hospital ($5 million for neurovascular surgery program, plus $4.25 million for a neuroscience interventional laboratory), and Yale School of Medicine. The foundation operates with a highly selective approach, supporting preselected organizations with which they have established long-term relationships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Instead, it makes strategic grants to preselected organizations, typically through:

  • Major Endowment Gifts: Multi-million dollar endowments for institutional programs and positions (e.g., $12 million to Salve Regina University in 2025, $5 million to Greenwich Hospital in 2020)
  • Capital Projects: Significant funding for facility construction and equipment (e.g., $4.25 million for neuroscience interventional laboratory)
  • Programmatic Support: Ongoing support to established beneficiary organizations

Application Method: Invitation only - no public application process

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants, the foundation's primary interests include:

Healthcare & Neuroscience

  • Neurovascular surgery programs and neuroscience patient care
  • Medical research and education partnerships
  • Advanced medical technology and facilities
  • Stroke treatment, carotid disease, brain aneurysms, and vascular malformations treatment

Higher Education

  • Business and economics education programs
  • Medical education and research
  • Experiential learning initiatives
  • Department endowments and named chairs

Geographic Focus

  • Strong preference for Connecticut institutions
  • Particular concentration in Fairfield County and New Haven areas
  • Rhode Island (Salve Regina University as long-term beneficiary)

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations outside their preselected network
  • Unsolicited applications from any organization
  • The foundation has indicated explicitly that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds

Governance and Leadership

Contact: Anne S Wallace (listed at the foundation's address)

The foundation operates as a private independent foundation, filing Form 990-PF annually as required by the IRS. Limited information is publicly available about the board composition or decision-making structure, which is typical for smaller private foundations with preselected giving strategies.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Jean And David W Wallace Foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are made to organizations that have been selected by the foundation's leadership, typically through pre-existing relationships and strategic philanthropic partnerships that have developed over time. The foundation has demonstrated multi-generational commitment to certain institutions, such as Salve Regina University (more than $24.6 million total across numerous generations).

Getting on Their Radar

Existing Beneficiary Institutions: The foundation has demonstrated long-term relationships with:

  • Salve Regina University (Newport, Rhode Island) - most generous benefactor with $24.6+ million donated
  • Yale School of Medicine (New Haven, Connecticut) - including endowed deanship and various program support
  • Greenwich Hospital (Greenwich, Connecticut) - multiple major gifts for neuroscience programs
  • Other Connecticut healthcare and educational institutions

Geographic and Mission Alignment: Organizations in Connecticut (particularly Fairfield and New Haven counties) focused on neuroscience, healthcare innovation, medical education, or business/economics education may align with demonstrated funding patterns, though the foundation's highly selective approach means direct solicitation is not possible.

Decision Timeline

Not disclosed. Given the foundation's approach of making strategic, invitation-only grants to preselected organizations, there is no standard application-to-decision timeline.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. However, the foundation has demonstrated ongoing, multi-generational support for selected beneficiary organizations, suggesting that organizations in their portfolio receive continued consideration for future grants.

Application Success Factors

Given that this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, an analysis of their documented grants reveals clear patterns:

Long-Term Relationship Building The foundation's giving pattern shows sustained, multi-generational commitment to select institutions. Salve Regina University, for example, has received more than $24.6 million "across numerous generations," indicating that once an organization is in the foundation's portfolio, they may receive ongoing support over many years.

Transformative Impact Focus The foundation makes substantial grants designed to create lasting change:

  • Endowed positions and departments (Wallace Department of Business and Economics at Salve Regina)
  • Named programs (Jean and David W. Wallace Medical Director Neurovascular Surgery Program at Greenwich Hospital)
  • Capital projects with cutting-edge technology (neuroscience interventional laboratory with 3D technology)

Healthcare and Education Excellence All documented grants support premier institutions known for excellence:

  • Yale School of Medicine partnership
  • Greenwich Hospital's neurovascular and neuroscience programs
  • Salve Regina University's growing business and economics programs

Connecticut/Regional Connections The foundation shows strong preference for Connecticut institutions and those serving the Connecticut/Rhode Island region, suggesting geographic proximity and connection to the Wallace family's community interests.

Specific Focus Areas Documented grants cluster around:

  • Neuroscience and neurovascular medicine
  • Medical education and research
  • Business and economics education
  • Experiential learning and student development
  • Advanced medical technology and innovation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or proposals. Direct solicitation is not possible.
  • Invitation-Only Giving: Grants are made exclusively to preselected organizations chosen by foundation leadership.
  • Multi-Generational Commitment: The foundation demonstrates sustained support for organizations in its portfolio, with relationships spanning multiple generations (e.g., $24.6+ million to Salve Regina over time).
  • Major Gift Focus: Documented grants are substantial, ranging from multi-million dollar endowments ($12 million, $5 million) to significant capital project funding ($4.25 million).
  • Geographic Concentration: Strong preference for Connecticut institutions, particularly in Fairfield and New Haven counties, plus established Rhode Island connection.
  • Priority Areas: Demonstrated focus on neuroscience/neurovascular medicine, medical education (especially Yale School of Medicine partnership), and business/economics education programs.
  • Transformative Projects: Grants support endowed positions, named programs, and cutting-edge facilities that create lasting institutional impact and visibility.

References

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