Joseph And Marie Field Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,935,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $40,000 - $150,000 (typical); can exceed $1 million for major initiatives
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Contact Details

The foundation does not maintain a public website or provide contact information for funding inquiries.

Foundation Officers:

• Joseph M. Field (President/Treasurer)
• Marie H. Field (Vice President/Secretary)
• Location: Malvern, PA
• EIN: 23-3009586

Overview

The Joseph And Marie Field Family Foundation Inc was established in 1999 by Joseph and Marie Field. With total assets of approximately $50.8 million (2024) and annual giving of $2.9 million, the foundation supports arts, education, and social service organizations primarily in the Philadelphia region. Joseph Field, founder and chairman of Entercom Communications (one of the nation's largest radio broadcasting companies), and Marie Field, a retired teacher, focus their philanthropy on institutions where they maintain personal connections and board involvement. The foundation operates as a private family foundation making 23 grants annually to preselected organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Funding is distributed through trustee-directed giving to organizations with which the Fields have personal connections.

Typical Grant Range: $40,000 - $150,000

Major Gifts: The foundation has provided transformational gifts exceeding $1 million for signature initiatives, including $10 million to Central High School's performing arts center and $1 million to Community College of Philadelphia.

Priority Areas

Arts & Culture:

• Classical music organizations (Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia Orchestra Association, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Settlement Music School, Singing City)
• Museums and cultural institutions (Philadelphia Art Museum, National Liberty Museum)
• Performing arts facilities and programs

Education:

• Scholarships for nontraditional and underserved students
• Public education infrastructure (particularly performing arts facilities)
• Higher education institutions (University of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University)
• Community colleges

Social Services:

• Children's policy and welfare (Field Center for Children's Policy at University of Pennsylvania)
• Medical research (cerebrovascular research, ovarian cancer research)
• Libraries (Free Library of Philadelphia)
• International relief (International Rescue Committee)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and exclusively funds preselected organizations. Organizations without an existing relationship with the Fields or their board connections are unlikely to receive funding.

Governance and Leadership

Joseph M. Field (President/Treasurer)

• Founder and Chairman, Entercom Communications Corp.
• Graduate of Central High School (Philadelphia), University of Pennsylvania (B.A.), Yale Law School (J.D.)
• Doctor of Music (honorary), Curtis Institute of Music
• Board memberships: Curtis Institute of Music, Mary Louise Curtis Bok Foundation, Philadelphia Orchestra Association, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Settlement Music School, National Liberty Museum, American Interfaith Institute, Field Center for Children's Policy Advisory Board
• Inducted into Radio Hall of Fame
• Age: 80s

Marie H. Field (Vice President/Secretary)

• Retired teacher
• Graduate of Barnard College
• Studied piano at Manhattan School of Music
• Board memberships: Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation (chairs One Book, One Philadelphia program), Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, Project Forward Leap, Singing City, University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice Overseers, Field Center at Penn Advisory Board

Philanthropic Philosophy: According to their 2009 Jefferson Award profile, the Fields "strive to 'make a difference' where they can," focusing on institutions where they can have meaningful impact through both financial support and personal involvement.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Joseph And Marie Field Family Foundation exclusively makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded through:

• Trustee discretion based on personal knowledge and board connections
• Invitation from the foundation
• Pre-existing relationships with the Fields or organizations where they serve on boards

Getting on Their Radar

The Fields demonstrate a clear pattern of supporting organizations where they have direct involvement. Specific pathways observed include:

Board Connections: Both Joseph and Marie Field serve on numerous boards in the Philadelphia arts, education, and social service sectors. Organizations where they hold board positions have received substantial support.

Educational Institutions: The foundation has shown particular interest in institutions that serve underserved populations. Donald Guy Generals, President of Community College of Philadelphia, noted that Joseph Field "was impressed with the work that's been done" at CCP before making his $1 million gift, suggesting that demonstrating strong outcomes for underserved populations caught his attention.

Arts & Music Organizations: Given Joseph Field's Doctor of Music degree from Curtis Institute and both Fields' deep involvement in Philadelphia's classical music scene, organizations in this sector with connections to their existing network may have opportunities for relationship building through shared board members or events.

Philadelphia Focus: The Fields maintain deep roots in Philadelphia, with Joseph Field being a native Philadelphian and Central High School alumnus. Their giving strongly favors Philadelphia-based organizations.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a private family foundation with trustee-directed giving, decisions are made throughout the year based on the trustees' discretion.

Success Rates

Not applicable. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. In 2024, the foundation made 23 grants totaling $2,935,000.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only grantmaking model.

Application Success Factors

This section is not applicable as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Organizations seeking support would need to:

1. Establish personal connections with Joseph or Marie Field through board service, sector events, or shared institutional affiliations
2. Align with demonstrated priorities: Classical music, education for underserved populations, children's policy, and Philadelphia-based causes
3. Demonstrate impact: The Fields appear to be results-oriented, with Donald Guy Generals noting Joseph Field was "impressed with the work that's been done" at CCP
4. Focus on Philadelphia: Nearly all identified grants support Philadelphia-area organizations
5. Connect to the Fields' backgrounds: Music and arts (reflecting both Fields' musical training), education (Marie Field's teaching background), broadcasting/communications (Joseph Field's career), and Jewish philanthropic causes (American Interfaith Institute)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process exists - this is an invitation-only funder that supports preselected organizations
• Personal connection is essential - the foundation funds organizations where the Fields have board involvement or personal relationships
• Major gifts are possible - while typical grants range $40,000-$150,000, the foundation has made transformational gifts exceeding $1 million for signature projects
• Philadelphia focus - geographic preference strongly favors Philadelphia and surrounding areas
• Arts and education priorities - particularly classical music institutions and educational programs serving underserved populations
• Long-term relationships matter - the foundation tends to support organizations where the Fields maintain ongoing board involvement rather than one-off grants
• Quality over quantity - with only 23 grants annually from $50.8 million in assets, the foundation is highly selective and relationship-driven

References

• Inside Philanthropy. "The Philanthropist Giving Big to His Former Public School (and More) in Philadelphia." January 6, 2018. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2018-1-6-joseph-and-marie-field-foundation-central-high (Accessed January 21, 2026)

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Joseph And Marie Field Family Foundation Inc." Form 990-PF filings 2022-2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/233009586 (Accessed January 21, 2026)

• Thomas Jefferson University. "Marie & Joseph Field - 2009 Award of Merit." https://giving.jefferson.edu/get-involved/events/gala/award-of-merit/field-2009.html (Accessed January 21, 2026)

• The Philadelphia Inquirer. "Local couple's donation will make CCP free for some nontraditional students." July 3, 2019. https://www.inquirer.com/education/ccp-scholarship-returning-students-joseph-field-philanthropy-community-college-20190703.html (Accessed January 21, 2026)

• Radio Hall of Fame. "Joseph Field." https://www.radiohalloffame.com/joseph-field (Accessed January 21, 2026)

• Inside Philanthropy. "Joseph and Marie Field Environmental Foundation." https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/glitzy-giving/joseph-and-marie-field (Accessed January 21, 2026)