← Back to US Funders Directory

Charles A. Frueauff Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$6.5M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,516,916 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $65.7 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: Under $10,000 (first-time grantees) to $30,000-$50,000 (returning grantees)
  • Decision Time: Twice yearly board meetings with distributions in mid-December
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Arkansas and Southeast (South, Midwest, and Northeast regions; typically does not fund west of the Rockies)
  • Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Address: 2102 Riverfront Drive, Suite 102, Little Rock, AR 72202

Phone: (501) 324-2233

Website: https://frueauff.org

Overview

The Charles A. Frueauff Foundation (CAFF) was established in 1950 by the last will and testament of Charles A. Frueauff, a successful New York attorney who dedicated his time and resources to charitable organizations. The foundation remained in New York until leadership passed in the late 1980s to a generation born and raised in Arkansas, and is now headquartered in Little Rock. With assets of $65.7 million, the foundation has awarded over $164 million to 1,185 organizations since its inception. The foundation's mission is to improve the lives of those in need by awarding grants to nonprofits in three core areas: health, education, and human services. The average grant size has increased from $5,000 to $25,000 over the foundation's history. The foundation operates with an invitation-only approach to grantmaking, focusing primarily on supporting existing grantees during times of market volatility.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes grants in three primary areas with distributions made annually in mid-December:

  • Education: Primarily supports private four-year colleges and universities for general operations, special projects, and scholarships (does NOT fund state-supported institutions or primary/secondary schools)
  • Human Services: Career/job services, community programs, disaster relief services, food/hunger services, shelter/housing support services, and youth services
  • Health: Equipment, outreach programs, staff positions, screenings, education materials, health education programs for at-risk children and their parents, support for the critically ill, AIDS/HIV education programs, and nursing scholarships

Grant Amounts

  • First-time grantees: Typically under $10,000
  • Returning grantees: Generally $30,000 to $50,000
  • Special awards: The foundation has made multimillion-dollar grants to major institutions (e.g., $3 million to Arkansas Children's Hospital, $10.2 million to University of the Ozarks)

Priority Areas

  • Private four-year colleges and universities
  • Private and nonprofit hospitals and health agencies
  • Organizations addressing critical social needs in their communities
  • Programs that create meaningful, long-term societal impact

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals or individual scholarships
  • Multi-year grants (typically sticks to one-year grants)
  • International projects
  • State-supported colleges and universities
  • Primary and secondary schools
  • Churches
  • Fundraising drives and special events
  • Organizations located west of the Rockies

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

  • David A. Frueauff - Trustee, President & Chief Executive Officer (grandnephew of Charles A. Frueauff, elected 5th President in 1996)
  • A.C. McCully, MD - Trustee, President Emeritus
  • Sue Frueauff - Trustee, Chief Administrative Officer
  • James P. Fallon - Trustee, Chief Financial Investment Officer
  • Anna Kay Frueauff - Trustee, Vice President of Communications & Programs
  • Dan Fallon - Trustee
  • Leslie McDowell - Trustee

The trustees have selected quotes on their website that reflect the foundation's philosophy, including Franklin D. Roosevelt's statement: "The test of our progress is not whether we add to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little," and Martin Luther King, Jr.'s reminder that "Philanthropy is commendable, but it must not cause the philanthropist to overlook the circumstances of economic injustice which make philanthropy necessary."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation operates on an invitation-only basis. The foundation is not currently accepting Letters of Inquiry from first-time grant seekers, stating their goal is to "provide continued funding to the agencies and institutions we currently support" due to market volatility.

For First-Time Grant Seekers:

  • Organizations may submit an Eligibility Questionnaire on the foundation's website for future reference
  • Must meet geographic requirements: Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Texas, or Virginia
  • Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, U.S.-based organization
  • Must focus on education, human services, or health

For Invited Organizations:

  • Submit proposal as directed
  • Include photocopy of most recent IRS determination letter showing 501(c)(3) status
  • Application deadlines: March 15 and September 15 (corresponding to twice-yearly board meetings)

Decision Timeline

  • Board meets twice per year to review proposals (typically March and September meetings)
  • All awarded grant distributions are made once a year in mid-December
  • Example: November board meeting resulted in grants announced in early December

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Given the invitation-only nature, organizations are encouraged to complete the Eligibility Questionnaire and monitor the foundation's website for updates on funding status.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates by invitation only with limited public information about selection criteria, success factors are inferred from their funding patterns and publicly available information:

  • Geographic alignment: Strong preference for Arkansas and Southeast region; essential to be located in one of the nine eligible states
  • Mission alignment: Clear focus on education (private higher education), human services (particularly vulnerable populations), or health (access and quality improvements)
  • Organizational type: 501(c)(3) nonprofits that are private institutions (not state-supported)
  • Track record: Returning grantees receive significantly larger awards ($30,000-$50,000 vs. under $10,000 for first-timers), indicating the foundation values proven relationships
  • Project types: The foundation supports capital projects, endowments, matching grants, and collaborative projects
  • Scale and impact: The foundation emphasizes "profound impact today and tomorrow" and has demonstrated willingness to make significant grants to established institutions

Example Grants:

  • Oglethorpe University: $60,000 for scholarships (2023), $55,000 for student mental health/Petrel After-Hours Support System (PASS) (2023)
  • Arkansas Children's Hospital: $3 million
  • University of the Ozarks: $10.2 million
  • Methodist Family Health: Multiple grants for arts therapy programs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only access: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals; first-time seekers should complete the Eligibility Questionnaire and be patient
  • Build for the long term: Returning grantees receive 3-5x larger grants than first-time recipients, indicating relationship-building is critical
  • Geographic restrictions are firm: Must be in AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, MO, NY, TX, or VA; foundation typically does not fund west of the Rockies
  • Focus on private institutions: State-supported colleges, public K-12 schools, and government entities are explicitly excluded
  • Timing matters: With only two board meetings per year and annual distributions in mid-December, plan well ahead for funding needs
  • Current climate: The foundation has paused consideration of new first-time applicants due to market conditions, focusing on existing grantees
  • Values-driven: Leadership quotes emphasize addressing economic injustice and supporting those with the least, not just the most prestigious institutions

References

← Back to US Funders Directory