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Cornerstone Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$2.3M
Grant Range
$60K - $0.3M

Cornerstone Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,320,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Grant Range: $60,000 - $350,000
  • Median Grant: $155,000
  • Geographic Focus: National
  • Total Assets: $53,000,000

Contact Details

Address: 1828 L Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036-5104

EIN: 11-3737220

Note: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or provide public contact information for grant inquiries.

Overview

Cornerstone Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 2005 and based in Washington, DC. With total assets of $53 million and annual distributions of approximately $2.3 million, the foundation supports preselected charitable organizations across education, environmental conservation, reproductive rights, and social justice. The foundation operates as an entirely volunteer-run organization governed by five trustees from the Vogt family. All funding comes from investment returns, with zero outside contributions. The foundation maintains a closed grantmaking model, distributing grants only to organizations selected by the trustees without accepting unsolicited requests for funding. Recent grantmaking has been consistent, focusing on established national organizations working in areas aligned with the foundation's core priorities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single discretionary grant program with awards typically ranging from $60,000 to $350,000, with a median grant size of $155,000. Grants are awarded on a trustee-discretion basis throughout the year with no fixed application cycles.

Priority Areas

Based on recent grantmaking activity (2024), the foundation actively supports:

  • Environmental Conservation & Climate Action: Major support to organizations like Environmental Defense Fund ($350,000) and Island Institute ($340,000)
  • Educational Equity: Significant funding to Teach for America ($240,000) and other educational access programs
  • Reproductive Rights & Healthcare Access: Support for Planned Parenthood Federation ($200,000) and related organizations
  • Social Justice & Human Services: Grants to House of Ruth ($240,000) and other organizations serving vulnerable populations
  • Housing & Homelessness: Historical funding to homeless shelters and housing organizations
  • Scholarships & Student Financial Aid: Support for educational access programs

What They Don't Fund

Based on their closed model and focus areas, the foundation does not appear to fund:

  • Unsolicited requests from any organization
  • International organizations (focus is domestic U.S.)
  • Capital campaigns or building projects (grants appear to support programs)
  • Individual scholarships directly (works through established programs)
  • Religious organizations or faith-based initiatives
  • Arts and culture organizations

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by five family trustees who serve without compensation:

  • Katherine Vogt - Managing Trustee
  • Martin Romo - Treasurer
  • Emily Vogt - Secretary
  • Elizabeth Vogt - Trustee
  • Lucy Vogt - Trustee

Bradley J. Vogt served as President in earlier years. The foundation maintains a completely volunteer governance structure with no paid staff, keeping administrative costs minimal and maximizing funds available for grantmaking.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

Cornerstone Foundation Inc explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." All grantmaking decisions are made at the discretion of the five family trustees, who select organizations based on their own research, relationships, and philanthropic priorities.

Organizations cannot apply for funding, submit letters of inquiry, or request consideration for grants. The foundation identifies potential grantees through trustee networks and independent research rather than through an open application process.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded through trustee discretion throughout the year without a formal application or review process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - as the foundation does not accept initial applications, there is no reapplication process.

Application Success Factors

Given that this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, analyzing their recent grantmaking patterns reveals the following characteristics of organizations they support:

Scale and Reputation: The foundation consistently funds well-established national organizations with proven track records (Environmental Defense Fund, Teach for America, Planned Parenthood Federation). They do not appear to fund small or emerging organizations.

Focus Area Alignment: Based on 2024 grants, the trustees show strong commitment to:

  • Climate and environmental protection
  • Educational equity and access
  • Reproductive healthcare and rights
  • Services for vulnerable populations (domestic violence survivors, homeless populations)

Geographic Patterns: While the foundation is based in Washington, DC, it funds national organizations rather than focusing exclusively on local DC-area programs.

Grant Relationship Continuity: The foundation appears to maintain multi-year relationships with grantees, suggesting that once an organization is selected, ongoing support may continue.

Program vs. Capital Focus: Grants appear to support programmatic work rather than capital campaigns or endowments.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No application possible: This foundation operates under a strict invitation-only model and will not consider unsolicited applications, letters of inquiry, or funding requests
  • Family foundation structure: All decisions are made by five family trustees with no staff, making the grantmaking highly personal and discretionary
  • Substantial grant sizes: With a median grant of $155,000 and grants ranging up to $350,000, this foundation makes significant investments when it does fund organizations
  • Focus on established organizations: Recent grants support well-known national organizations rather than small or local groups
  • Consistent giving areas: The foundation demonstrates clear priorities in environment, education, reproductive rights, and social services
  • Multi-year potential: Organizations that receive support appear to maintain ongoing relationships with the foundation
  • Self-sustaining model: With zero outside contributions and $53 million in assets, the foundation funds grants entirely from investment returns

References

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