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Speedwell Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.9M
Grant Range
$3K - $4.4M
00

Speedwell Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6.9 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: N/A (preselected organizations)
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $4,400,000
  • Median Grant: $34,000
  • Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on Atlanta, Charleston, Pennsylvania regions
  • Total Assets: $160 million

Contact Details

Address: 75 Montgomery Ferry Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

Website: https://speedwellfoundation.org/

Note: The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Overview

The Speedwell Foundation was established in 2000 by Jenny and Michael Messner, co-founder of hedge fund Seminole Capital. With assets of $160 million and annual giving of approximately $6.9 million, the foundation works to "revitalize, enhance and connect communities through the creation of urban parks and the funding of schools and scholarships; widening individual opportunities and perspectives toward a brighter, greener world." The foundation pursues "a reimagining of urban life that connects people to nature and to each other." Since its inception, the foundation has made 517 grants across all years, demonstrating a sustained commitment to their dual focus areas. The foundation operates as a private foundation with Michael Messner (Georgia Tech alumnus, 1976) and Jenny Messner serving as the two trustees, each dedicating 5 hours per week to foundation management without compensation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation concentrates funding in two primary areas:

Urban Parks and Green Space

  • Grant Range: Varies widely, with seven-figure grants for major park projects
  • Focus on park conservancies, land trusts, and urban park development
  • Supports research initiatives on converting distressed properties to green space
  • Funds park infrastructure and community green space projects

Education and Youth

  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $4,400,000
  • School sponsorships with ongoing operational and technology support
  • Study abroad scholarships (historically)
  • University endowments and research initiatives
  • Support for innovative educational models

Priority Areas

Urban Parks and Environment:

  • Restoration and expansion of public parks and urban green spaces
  • Converting distressed real estate (vacant or foreclosed properties) into community parks
  • Park conservancies and land conservation trusts
  • Green infrastructure and reclaimed greenways
  • Documentary projects examining urban park development
  • Solar-powered park amenities

Education:

  • Technology-enriched classrooms and infrastructure
  • Corporate work-study programs
  • International exchange and study abroad programs
  • Catholic and charter schools with innovative models
  • University research and endowed chairs in urban planning and civil engineering
  • Schools serving underserved communities

Recent Major Grants Include:

  • Georgia Tech Foundation: $4.4 million (2023) - largest grant, supporting the Frederick Law Olmsted Chair in Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Cristo Rey Atlanta: Ongoing support for technology (laptops/Chromebooks since 2014) and Corporate Work Study teams
  • Stono River County Park (Charleston County): Seven-figure grant for park development
  • Multiple grants to park conservancies and land trusts in Charleston, San Francisco, and Atlanta

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's track record indicates:

  • Organizations outside their two core areas (urban parks and education)
  • General operating support for organizations not in their preselected portfolio
  • Individual requests (outside their scholarship programs)
  • Projects without clear connection to urban parks or innovative education models

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • Michael G. Messner - Co-Founder and Trustee (5 hours/week, no compensation)

    • Georgia Tech alumnus (1976, civil engineering)
    • Co-founder of Seminole Capital hedge fund (1995)
    • Strong interest in Frederick Law Olmsted's urban park philosophy

  • Jenny K. Messner - Co-Founder and Trustee (5 hours/week, no compensation)

    • Co-leader of foundation initiatives since 2000
    • Active in both education and urban parks programming

Foundation Philosophy:

The Messners maintain a "tight focus on education and civic space" going forward, demonstrating long-term commitment to their established philanthropic priorities. Their approach is responsive to major societal events:

  • Post-9/11: Created Speedwell AFS Study Abroad Scholarships to promote international understanding
  • 2008 Financial Crisis: Launched "Red Fields to Green Fields" initiative to transform distressed properties
  • COVID-19: Supported economic impact research

The foundation partners with established organizations like AFS-USA, City Parks Alliance, and Georgia Tech Research Institute to amplify impact.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are made through:

  • Trustee discretion and identification of aligned organizations
  • Pre-existing relationships with educational institutions and park organizations
  • Strategic partnerships with intermediary organizations
  • Long-term commitments to selected schools and park projects

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation identifies organizations through:

  • Georgia Tech connections: Michael Messner's alma mater receives significant support; organizations connected to Georgia Tech's urban planning, civil engineering, or architecture programs may have visibility
  • Park conservancy networks: Active involvement with park conservancies in Atlanta, Charleston, and San Francisco suggests engagement with national park alliance networks
  • Educational innovation networks: Support for Cristo Rey schools and Catholic Partnership Schools indicates interest in proven innovative education models
  • Board member professional networks: As hedge fund professionals, the Messners likely identify opportunities through their business and civic connections

Documented Approach:

  • The foundation works through long-term partnerships rather than one-off grants
  • They support specific schools with ongoing, multi-year commitments (e.g., Cristo Rey Atlanta since 2014)
  • Major park projects receive substantial, transformational grants rather than small seed funding
  • The foundation has created endowed positions (Frederick Law Olmsted Chair at Georgia Tech)

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made to preselected organizations rather than through a competitive application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation operates on a preselected, invitation-only basis.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, the following insights reflect their documented priorities:

For Organizations in Their Portfolio:

  1. Long-term Partnership Approach: The foundation demonstrates commitment through multi-year support (e.g., providing technology to Cristo Rey Atlanta "since 2014"). They prefer sustained relationships over one-time grants.

  2. Transformational Scale: Major grants are substantial - the $4.4 million to Georgia Tech Foundation and seven-figure park grants indicate preference for significant, community-changing projects rather than incremental improvements.

  3. Innovation in Model: Supported schools show innovative approaches - Cristo Rey's corporate work-study model, Carolina Voyager's personalized online learning, Allegro's music-integrated curriculum. The foundation values educational innovation that serves underserved populations.

  4. Urban Context: All supported initiatives connect to urban environments - urban parks specifically, and schools in urban areas. The foundation's mission explicitly focuses on "urban life."

  5. Alignment with Olmsted Philosophy: The creation of the Frederick Law Olmsted Chair and support for documentaries about Olmsted's work reveals deep philosophical commitment to democratic, accessible public spaces that connect people to nature and each other.

  6. Responsiveness to Crisis: The foundation has demonstrated ability to pivot and create new initiatives in response to major events (9/11, 2008 crisis, COVID-19), suggesting they value organizations that can adapt and address urgent community needs.

  7. Partnership and Collaboration: Support for collaborative efforts (City Parks Alliance partnerships, AFS-USA administration) indicates preference for working through established networks rather than creating independent programs.

Recent Grants Analysis:

  • Largest grant went to Georgia Tech Foundation for endowed academic position in civil engineering with urban focus
  • Consistent support for schools serving economically disadvantaged students
  • Multiple grants to park conservancies across different cities (Charleston, San Francisco, Atlanta areas)
  • Support for research and documentary projects that advance the field of urban parks

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - they work exclusively with preselected organizations through trustee identification and existing relationships
  • Georgia Tech connections matter - As Michael Messner's alma mater and recipient of their largest grant ($4.4M), organizations with Georgia Tech partnerships may have visibility
  • Think transformational, not incremental - Median grant is $34,000 but major initiatives receive six- and seven-figure support; the foundation funds significant impact
  • Long-term commitment required - Multi-year relationships (Cristo Rey since 2014) are the norm; they're not interested in one-time project funding
  • Urban focus is essential - All grants connect to urban environments; suburban or rural projects don't align with their "reimagining urban life" mission
  • Innovative models for education - If working in education, demonstrate a distinctive approach that serves underserved students (work-study programs, technology integration, music-centered learning)
  • Democratic access to green space - Park projects must advance the Olmsted philosophy of public spaces where "every person feels welcome"

References

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