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Clarke Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.0M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.2M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $958,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (trustee-directed grants)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Grant Range: $3,000 - $200,000
  • Geographic Focus: National (with connections to Texas and Tennessee)

Contact Details

Address: 707 Crystal Creek Dr, Austin, TX 78746-4731

Note: This foundation does not maintain a publicly available website or public contact information for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Clarke Family Foundation was established in 2005 in Texas as a private independent foundation. With total assets of approximately $12.7-13.1 million, the foundation distributed $958,000 in grants during 2023 across 7 awards. The foundation is managed by family trustees Jeffrey Clarke and Loretta Clarke and operates without any full-time employees. As a private family foundation, grants are made at the discretion of the trustees rather than through a competitive public application process. Recent grants demonstrate diverse philanthropic interests spanning arts and culture, community development, and youth services.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but rather makes trustee-directed grants based on the interests and priorities of the family trustees.

Recent Grant Activity (2023)

Based on available data, recent grants include:

  • Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: $200,000
  • Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley: $50,000
  • Austin YMBL Sunshine Camp: $3,000

The foundation made 10 grants total in the most recent reporting period, with grants ranging from $3,000 to $200,000.

Priority Areas

Based on grant history, the foundation has supported:

  • Arts and culture institutions
  • Community foundations
  • Youth development and camping programs
  • Educational initiatives

What They Don't Fund

As a private family foundation with trustee-directed giving, the foundation does not publish explicit exclusions. However, the grant pattern suggests selective giving aligned with trustee interests rather than broad sector support.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • Jeffrey Clarke
  • Loretta Clarke

The foundation operates as a family foundation with family members serving as trustees. No staff compensation is reported, indicating the foundation is managed entirely by volunteer trustees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Clarke Family Foundation is a private family foundation that makes grants at the discretion of its trustees. Grants appear to be made to organizations and causes selected by the family members who serve as trustees, rather than through an open application process.

Organizations cannot submit unsolicited proposals for funding consideration.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion throughout the year based on family priorities.

Application Success Factors

As this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, there is no application success strategy. Grants are made exclusively through trustee initiative to organizations and causes selected by the Clarke family.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation does not accept grant applications from organizations.
  • Trustee-directed giving: All grants are made at the discretion of family trustees Jeffrey and Loretta Clarke.
  • Diverse interests: Grant history shows support across arts/culture, community development, and youth services.
  • Variable grant sizes: Awards range significantly from $3,000 to $200,000, suggesting flexibility based on project scope.
  • Selective portfolio: With only 7-10 grants per year, this foundation supports a limited number of carefully selected organizations.
  • Private operation: No website, public contact information, or published guidelines are available.
  • Not a suitable target: Grant writers should not invest time pursuing this foundation as it does not accept unsolicited proposals.

References

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