Tiger Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $11,260,000 (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: 4-6 weeks for initial review
Grant Range: $50,000 - $300,000
Average Grant: $200,000
Geographic Focus: New York City (all five boroughs)
Application Method: Rolling basis

Contact Details

Address: 45 West 45th Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10036

Phone: 212-984-2565

Website: https://tigerfoundation.org

Application Portal: https://rftf.givingdata.com/portal/campaign/TigerFoundationLOI

Overview

Founded in 1989 by late hedge fund manager Julian H. Robertson Jr., Tiger Foundation has awarded more than $364 million in grants to New York City organizations working to break the cycle of poverty for individuals and families. The foundation is distinguished by its unique structure: it is not endowment-based and historically relies on donated funds from its board members and a close circle of friends and partners. With nearly forty active trustees who are directly involved in grantmaking decisions, Tiger Foundation emphasizes proven, high-impact, direct human services across three core portfolios. The foundation made 49 grants totaling $11.26 million in 2023, focusing exclusively on organizations serving low-income communities across New York City's five boroughs. In 2022, the foundation launched the Seed and Expansion Fund to support earlier-stage organizations with innovative approaches and accelerate growth for established program models.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grantmaking: $50,000 - $300,000 (average ~$200,000)

One-year grants awarded on a rolling basis
Focus on general operating support (unrestricted funding)
Renewal consideration available for organizations demonstrating continued strong performance and financial need

Seed and Expansion Fund: (launched 2022)

Supports earlier-stage organizations with innovative approaches
Accelerates growth for established program models addressing unmet needs

Priority Areas

Tiger Foundation funds organizations across three portfolios serving New York City's five boroughs:

Education

School-based initiatives
Programs serving recently immigrated, multilingual students
Academic success and professional development for language learners

Family Support

Programs assisting families in need
Access to effective, supportive, and transformative opportunities

Youth, Workforce, and Justice

Employment programs
Youth development
Services for justice-involved individuals
Programs providing pathways out of poverty

Cross-Portfolio Priorities:

Demonstrated measurable outcomes over time
Strong leadership at executive, program, and board levels
Financial efficiency and sound fiscal management
Potential for broad impact through replication and scale
Community engagement and models reflecting local needs
Organizations serving populations underserved by public systems
Preventive strategies

What They Don't Fund

Individual applicants
Annual or capital campaigns
Endowments
Fundraising benefits
Public policy or lobbying efforts
Legal assistance
Existing obligations or debt liability
Organizations without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Organizations not serving low-income communities in New York City

Governance and Leadership

President: Charles Buice (since 2012)

Previously Senior Program Officer at Tiger Foundation
Holds BA from Yale University and MBA from NYU Stern School of Business
Serves as Treasurer on Philanthropy New York's Executive Committee
Board member of The Steele-Reese Foundation and A Public Space

Managing Director: Amy Barger

Board Structure: Nearly forty trustees organized into three committees of 13-17 trustees each. Board members are actively and directly involved in grantmaking decisions, contributing their time, financial resources, passion, and professional expertise. The large, engaged board is a distinctive feature of Tiger Foundation's operational model.

Founder's Philosophy: Julian H. Robertson Jr. (1932-2022) stated: "Probably the best thing I've ever done was start the Tiger Foundation" and "Frankly, I count the Tiger Foundation as the most successful venture I have had a hand in starting." His vision was not only to address poverty in New York City but also to "create philanthropists within our company," encouraging his investment team to become engaged philanthropists themselves.

Program Staff:

Rose Schapiro – Senior Program Officer
Simon Chiew – Program Officer
Jefiny Marte – Program Associate

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Submit Letter of Inquiry (LOI) through online portal at: https://rftf.givingdata.com/portal/campaign/TigerFoundationLOI
No formal deadlines – Applications accepted year-round on a rolling basis
Initial review takes between four and six weeks
Next steps: If qualified, program staff will contact you directly for formal review

Requirements:

Must hold 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Must serve low-income communities in New York City's five boroughs
Funding needs must align with one of the three priority areas: Education, Family Support, or Youth, Workforce, and Justice

Acknowledgment: Letters of Inquiry are acknowledged upon receipt

Decision Timeline

Initial LOI review: 4-6 weeks
Full application process: Timeline not publicly specified but conducted on rolling basis
Notification method: Program staff reach out directly to organizations invited to submit full proposals

Success Rates

Tiger Foundation does not publicly disclose acceptance rates or the total number of applications received. However, the foundation made:

49 grants in 2023 ($11.26 million)
68 grants in 2022 ($14 million)
74 grants in 2021

The foundation appears to be selective, with emphasis on "strong and consistent measurable outcomes over time."

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publicly specify a reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. However, their rolling application process suggests organizations may reapply when circumstances change or programs develop. For current grantees, while all grants contractually represent a one-time commitment, the foundation considers renewal requests when organizations demonstrate "continued strong performance and continued financial need."

Application Success Factors

Tiger Foundation explicitly prioritizes the following across all program areas:

Measurable Outcomes: "Strong and consistent measurable outcomes over time" – the foundation is data-driven and focuses on proven impact
Leadership Quality: "Skilled executive, program, and board leadership" – organizational strength at all levels matters
Financial Management: "Cost-effectiveness; strong financial position and skilled fiscal management" – financial health and efficiency are critical
Scalability and Impact: "Opportunity for broad impact" through replication and scale
Community-Centered Approaches: Models reflecting local needs and community engagement
Organizational Capacity: The foundation evaluates overall organizational strength, not just program quality

Recent Grantee Example: Internationals Network for Public Schools received funding for their work supporting public schools that serve recently immigrated, multilingual students across 16 schools in New York City, focusing on academic success and professional development for language learners. This exemplifies the foundation's interest in proven models serving underserved populations with measurable educational outcomes.

Funding Philosophy: The foundation emphasizes unrestricted funding through general operating support, allowing organizations flexibility to use funds where most needed. They seek long-term partnerships with grantees to deepen impact and maintain transparent communication throughout the relationship.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Geographic specificity is non-negotiable: Only organizations serving New York City's five boroughs are eligible; the foundation has a deep, exclusive commitment to NYC
General operating support is preferred: Tiger Foundation provides unrestricted funding, so emphasize your organization's overall strength, not just a single program
Data and outcomes are paramount: Be prepared to demonstrate "strong and consistent measurable outcomes over time" with concrete evidence of impact
Leadership matters as much as programs: Highlight the strength of your executive team, program leadership, and board governance
Financial health is scrutinized: Strong financial position, fiscal management, and cost-effectiveness are explicit selection criteria
Rolling basis means apply when ready: No deadline pressure, but ensure your LOI is polished and compelling before submission
Renewals are possible: While grants are one-year commitments, strong performers with continued need may receive renewed support, suggesting value in long-term relationship building

References

Tiger Foundation Official Website: https://tigerfoundation.org (Accessed December 2024)
Tiger Foundation Funding Guidelines: https://tigerfoundation.org/funding-guidelines (Accessed December 2024)
Tiger Foundation How to Apply: https://tigerfoundation.org/how-to-apply (Accessed December 2024)
Tiger Foundation History & Mission: https://tigerfoundation.org/who-we-are/history-mission (Accessed December 2024)
Tiger Foundation Staff: https://tigerfoundation.org/who-we-are/staff (Accessed December 2024)
Tiger Foundation Our Grantees: https://tigerfoundation.org/our-grantees (Accessed December 2024)
Instrumentl 990 Report - Tiger Foundation: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/tiger-foundation (Accessed December 2024)
Grantmakers.io Profile - Tiger Foundation: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/133555671-tiger-foundation/ (Accessed December 2024)
Inside Philanthropy - Tiger Foundation: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/new-york-grants/tiger-foundation (Accessed December 2024)
Philanthropy Roundtable Interview with Julian Robertson: https://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/magazine/fall-2016-interview-with-julian-robertson/ (Accessed December 2024)
Bridgespan - Julian Robertson Jr. Inspires Other Philanthropists: https://www.bridgespan.org/insights/julian-robertson-jr-inspires-other-philanthropists (Accessed December 2024)
Cause IQ - Tiger Foundation: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/tiger-foundation,133555671/ (Accessed December 2024)