The Selander Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $5,911,980 (13 grants in 2024)
• Average Grant Size: $454,768
• Total Assets: $37.1 million
• Geographic Focus: National (US) and international, with emphasis on Connecticut, California, Florida, and New York
• Foundation Type: Private family foundation (no public application process)
• Application Process: Does not accept unsolicited proposals

Contact Details

Website: http://theselanderfoundation.org

Address: Greenwich, CT 06830

EIN: 20-2024998

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or materials. There is no publicly available email or phone number for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Selander Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2004 by Robert W. Selander, former President and CEO of MasterCard Incorporated (1997-2010), and Nancy Cross Selander, a certified executive coach. With assets of $37.1 million, the foundation invested in projects and organizations that create meaningful impact in local communities where the family resides, as well as initiatives that enhance quality of life for individuals both in the United States and overseas.

The foundation's mission is to make a sustainable difference in communities by educating children, sheltering the homeless, promoting accessible healthcare, advancing state-of-the-art medical equipment, and protecting the lives of animals through clinics and educational outreach. In 2007, the foundation broadened its charitable giving to include national and global initiatives, expanding beyond their local Connecticut community.

The foundation operates as a private family foundation with the founders and their four children serving on the board of trustees. All trustees serve without compensation, reflecting a commitment to passing on values of volunteerism and civic engagement to the next generation. The foundation awarded 13 grants totaling nearly $6 million in 2024.

Funding Priorities

Primary Focus Areas

Health and Medical Care

• Brain and nervous system disorders research and treatment
• Healthcare access for underserved populations
• State-of-the-art medical equipment
• Clinical services delivering quality healthcare
• Access to medicine and medical supplies

Victim Aid and Emergency Services

• Victims of violence or disasters
• Emergency programs helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters
• Crisis response initiatives
• Basic and emergency aid

Youth Development

• Boys & Girls Clubs
• Educational programs for children
• Youth services and development initiatives

Animal Welfare

• Animal protection through clinics
• Educational outreach for animal welfare
• Humane education programs

Community Support

• Homeless shelter services
• Sustainable programs strengthening community health

Geographic Scope

The foundation provides funding across various cities in the United States, including major metropolitan areas such as:

• Los Angeles, California
• New York, New York
• Miami, Florida
• Greenwich, Connecticut

The foundation also supports international initiatives that enhance quality of life overseas.

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation does not publish explicit exclusions, as a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited proposals, they fund only organizations identified through their own research and personal connections.

Governance and Leadership

Board Structure: The management committee includes the Chairman, President, and seven Trustees who oversee the foundation's grant-making activities.

Board Members:

• Robert W. Selander - Chairman. Former President and CEO of MasterCard Incorporated (1997-2010). Previously held numerous leadership positions at Citibank over 20 years, including managing Consumer Financial Services in the United States, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom. Holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Cornell University and an M.B.A. from Harvard University. Currently serves as non-executive chairman of the Board of HealthEquity, Inc. and as a director of Western Union Company. He is also a trustee at Cornell University.

• Nancy Cross Selander - President. Certified executive coach who has spent two decades helping managers build leadership skills. Has been instrumental in philanthropic support for leadership initiatives at Cornell University's College of Engineering and Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life.

• Jessica Lundgren - Trustee (Daughter)

• Crosby Selander - Trustee (Son)

• Russell Selander - Trustee (Son)

• Tracey Lundgren - Trustee (Daughter)

All trustees serve without compensation, reflecting the foundation's commitment to maximizing resources for charitable giving.

Philanthropic Philosophy: The foundation emphasizes passing on a legacy to the next generation that includes values of volunteerism and civic engagement to create and support positive change around the world. Robert and Nancy Selander have also been key supporters of leadership initiatives, including establishing the Selander Center for Engineering Leadership at Cornell University.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Selander Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or materials. This is a private family foundation that identifies grant recipients through its own research, networks, and personal connections.

The foundation does not provide a public application process, grant application forms, or published guidelines for prospective grantees. Organizations cannot apply for funding through their website or by contacting the foundation directly.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable, as the foundation operates by invitation only. Grant decisions are made by the management committee based on organizations they have identified and approached.

Grant Payment Structure

Based on available financial data, the foundation makes substantial grants, with an average grant size of approximately $454,768. In 2024, the foundation awarded 13 grants totaling $5,911,980.

Known Grant Recipients and Funding Examples

Confirmed Recipients

Helen Woodward Animal Center (San Diego, California)

• Major capital grant supporting the $7.5 million Humane Education Village project
• The project includes two buildings totaling 10,500 square feet and 20,000 square feet of outdoor space
• The campus opened in 2025 and serves more than 13,000 children annually
• This demonstrates the foundation's commitment to both animal welfare and educational outreach

Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich (Greenwich, Connecticut)

• Robert Selander serves on the board of directors
• The Selanders appear on the donor recognition list
• Reflects the foundation's focus on youth development and local community impact

Grant Size Range

• Average grant: $454,768
• Total annual giving: Approximately $6 million
• The foundation makes relatively large grants to a small number of organizations (13 grants in 2024)

Understanding the Foundation's Approach

Selection Criteria (Inferred from Mission and Known Grants)

Based on the foundation's stated mission and confirmed grant recipients, the foundation appears to prioritize organizations that:

1. Create Sustainable Impact: The foundation emphasizes making "a sustainable difference in communities" rather than providing one-time support

2. Align with Multiple Mission Areas: The Helen Woodward grant, for example, addresses both animal welfare and children's education

3. Demonstrate Excellence: Recipients appear to be well-established organizations with strong track records and leadership

4. Serve Underserved Populations: Focus on victims, the homeless, and those without access to healthcare

5. Connect to Family Values: Youth development and education reflect the foundation's commitment to passing values to the next generation

Board Connections Matter

Robert Selander's service on the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich board suggests that board member involvement and personal knowledge of organizations plays a role in grant decisions. The foundation appears to support organizations where trustees have direct engagement and can witness impact firsthand.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications. They identify and approach grant recipients, not the other way around.

• Large, Strategic Grants: With an average grant of nearly $455,000, this foundation makes substantial investments in a small number of organizations rather than distributing many small grants.

• Focus on Excellence and Sustainability: The foundation appears to support well-established organizations with strong reputations and sustainable programs.

• Multi-Generational Family Involvement: The entire Selander family serves on the board, suggesting decisions reflect shared family values and long-term commitment.

• Geographic Connections: While the foundation has national and international reach, there appears to be particular interest in Connecticut (where the family resides) and major metropolitan areas.

• Board Relationships Are Critical: Robert Selander's board service at organizations the foundation supports suggests that personal connections and direct trustee involvement matter significantly.

• Mission Alignment Across Multiple Areas: Organizations that can demonstrate impact across multiple foundation priorities (e.g., youth development AND health, or animal welfare AND education) may be particularly attractive.

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: The Selander Foundation (EIN 20-2024998). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/202024998 (Accessed March 3, 2026)

• The Selander Foundation official website. http://theselanderfoundation.org (Accessed March 3, 2026)

• Grantable Foundation Profile: The Selander Foundation. https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/the-selander-foundation-us-foundation-202024998 (Accessed March 3, 2026)

• GuideStar Profile: Selander Foundation. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/20-2024998 (Accessed March 3, 2026)

• Helen Woodward Animal Center. Selander Foundation donor acknowledgment. https://animalcenter.org/hopetelethon/attachment/selander-foundation (Accessed March 3, 2026)

• Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. Board leadership and donors. https://bgcg.org/who-we-are/our-leadership.html (Accessed March 3, 2026)

• Western Union Company. "Robert W. Selander Appointed to Western Union Board of Directors." Press release, 2014. https://ir.westernunion.com/news/archived-press-releases/press-release-details/2014/Robert-W-Selander-Appointed-to-Western-Union-Board-of-Directors/default.aspx (Accessed March 3, 2026)

• Cornell Chronicle. "New and recently elected trustees to join Cornell board." June 2021. https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2021/06/new-and-recently-elected-trustees-join-cornell-board (Accessed March 3, 2026)

• Robert Selander Wikipedia profile. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Selander (Accessed March 3, 2026)

• Foundation Directory Online (Candid): The Selander Foundation. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=SELA004 (Accessed March 3, 2026)