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Swartz Foundation Trust

Annual Giving
$4.9M
Grant Range
$1K - $31.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,939,985 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $500 - $500,000+
  • Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on Martha's Vineyard, MA; Park City, UT; and New Jersey
  • Total Assets: $105.3 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: Main St CPA, 124 N Main St, Forked River, NJ 08731

Phone: (609) 242-9600

Website: None

Note: This foundation does not have a website or public application process.

Overview

The Swartz Foundation Trust was established in 1993 by James R. Swartz, co-founder of global venture capital firm Accel Partners, and his wife Susan Shallcross Swartz, an accomplished artist. With total assets of over $105 million, the foundation distributed approximately $4.9 million in grants in 2024 across 61 awards. The foundation's philanthropic approach reflects the couple's diverse interests, spanning entrepreneurship and innovation, arts and culture, Christian faith-based initiatives, human services (particularly YMCAs), environmental conservation, and health research (including Lyme disease). Their giving is strategic and personal, often driven by their connections to specific communities like Martha's Vineyard and Park City, Utah. James Swartz has received recognition including the National Venture Capital Association's 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award, and through Impact Partners, the couple has won two Academy Awards for documentary films addressing social issues.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Swartz Foundation Trust does not operate formal grant programs. Instead, grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to preselected organizations across several focus areas.

Recent Notable Grants (2023):

  • National Museum of Women in the Arts: $500,000
  • YMCA of Martha's Vineyard: $120,000
  • Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust: $110,000

Major Historic Gifts:

  • Carnegie Mellon University: $31 million for the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship
  • Harvard Divinity School: $25 million for renovations (2018) and $10 million for the Susan Shallcross Swartz Endowment for Christian Studies (2013)
  • YMCA of Martha's Vineyard: $3 million (facility named Swartz Family YMCA)

Priority Areas

1. Entrepreneurship and Innovation

  • University-based entrepreneurship centers
  • Support for technology and innovation education

2. Arts, Culture, and Documentary Filmmaking

  • Museums and arts institutions (particularly women in the arts)
  • Independent documentary cinema addressing social issues through Impact Partners
  • Film festivals and media organizations (Sundance Institute, Utah Film Center)

3. Christian Faith-Based Organizations

  • Evangelical Christian organizations and churches
  • Christian studies programs at academic institutions
  • Campus ministries (Campus Crusade for Christ)

4. Human Services

  • YMCAs (particularly Martha's Vineyard)
  • Community health and wellness facilities

5. Environmental Conservation

  • Land preservation trusts
  • Nature conservancy organizations (particularly in Utah and Martha's Vineyard)

6. Health and Medical Research

  • Lyme disease research (motivated by Susan Swartz's personal experience)

7. Education

  • Higher education institutions
  • Programs supporting academic excellence and innovation

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publicly disclose specific exclusions. However, based on their giving patterns, the foundation appears to focus on:

  • Organizations with which the Swartzes have personal connections
  • Causes aligned with their specific interests in entrepreneurship, arts, Christian faith, and community development
  • Established institutions rather than new or startup organizations

Governance and Leadership

James R. Swartz

  • Co-founder of Accel Partners (1983), a leading global venture capital firm that has invested in Facebook, Dropbox, Etsy, and other major tech companies
  • Harvard College graduate (Class of 1964)
  • Trustee: Sundance Institute, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
  • 2007 recipient of the National Venture Capital Association's Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Former chairman of the National Venture Capital Association
  • Co-chair of Christian Center of Park City (founded 2000)
  • Academy Award winner: Producer of "Icarus" (2018 Best Documentary) and Executive Producer of "Navalny" (2023 Best Documentary) through Impact Partners

Susan Shallcross Swartz

  • Accomplished artist and former artist-in-residence at Harvard Divinity School
  • Board member: Utah Film Center
  • Dean's Council: Harvard Divinity School
  • Co-chair of Christian Center of Park City
  • Personal advocate for Lyme disease awareness and research (motivated by her own experience with the disease)
  • Founded YMCA of Martha's Vineyard with James Swartz

Approach to Giving: The Swartzes take a highly personal and engaged approach to philanthropy, often supporting organizations where they have direct involvement as trustees, board members, or founders. Their giving reflects both James's background in technology and venture capital and Susan's artistic pursuits. According to Inside Philanthropy, "James Swartz and his wife Susan conduct their grantmaking through the Swartz Foundation Trust," with no separate foundation staff identified in public records.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Swartz Foundation Trust does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees (James and Susan Swartz) based on their personal interests, involvement, and existing relationships with organizations. There is no application portal, no stated deadlines, and no mechanism for submitting proposals.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable. The foundation identifies and selects grant recipients proactively rather than reviewing applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable. The foundation does not accept applications from the general public.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable. Organizations cannot apply or reapply to this foundation.

Application Success Factors

Since the Swartz Foundation Trust does not accept applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, understanding their giving patterns reveals important insights:

Organizations That Receive Funding Typically Have One or More of These Characteristics:

  1. Personal Connection to the Swartzes: Organizations where James or Susan serve as trustees, board members, or have direct involvement (e.g., Sundance Institute, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Utah Film Center, Harvard Divinity School)

  2. Geographic Ties: Strong presence in communities important to the Swartzes:

    • Martha's Vineyard, MA (where they founded the YMCA)
    • Park City, UT (where they co-chair the Christian Center)
    • Harvard University (James's alma mater)
    • Carnegie Mellon University (recipient of major entrepreneurship funding)

  3. Alignment with Core Interests:

    • Entrepreneurship education and innovation
    • Independent documentary films addressing social issues
    • Women in the arts (reflecting Susan's artistic career)
    • Christian faith-based organizations and ministries
    • Environmental conservation in their communities
    • YMCAs and community health facilities

  4. Substantial Impact Potential: The foundation has demonstrated willingness to make transformational gifts ($25-31 million) to established institutions where they can create lasting impact

  5. Established Track Record: Recipients tend to be well-established organizations with proven impact rather than startup nonprofits

Evidence from Their Giving: The Swartzes' founding of Impact Partners, which finances socially-oriented documentaries, demonstrates their preference for creating new vehicles to support their interests rather than responding to external requests. Their two Academy Awards for documentary films show their deep engagement in the causes they support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation is not accessible through traditional grant applications. The Swartz Foundation Trust operates exclusively through trustee discretion and supports only preselected organizations.

  • Personal connections and trustee involvement drive all funding decisions. Organizations that receive funding typically have James or Susan Swartz serving in governance or advisory roles.

  • Geographic focus matters. The foundation shows strong preference for communities where the Swartzes live and engage: Martha's Vineyard, Park City, and locations tied to institutions where they serve as trustees.

  • Multimillion-dollar transformational gifts are possible. The foundation has made gifts ranging from $10 million to $31 million to universities and institutions where they have strong connections.

  • Faith, arts, and entrepreneurship form the core. Christian organizations, arts institutions (especially supporting women artists), and entrepreneurship education receive consistent support.

  • They create their own funding vehicles. Rather than responding to proposals, the Swartzes proactively establish initiatives like Impact Partners to advance their interests in documentary filmmaking.

  • Susan's artistic background and health experience influence giving. Support for women in the arts and Lyme disease research reflects Susan's personal journey as an artist and Lyme disease patient.

References

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