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Pincus Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$5.7M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.2M
Decision Time
4mo

Pincus Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5.7 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $110+ million
  • Decision Time: 3-5 months from initial inquiry to approval
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $200,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primary: Greater Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey, NYC Metro, Delaware, Baltimore, Washington D.C. | Secondary: New Haven CT, Santa Fe NM, New Orleans LA, Los Angeles CA, San Diego CA
  • Total Impact: 415 grants to 156 grantees totaling $30.7 million since 2012

Contact Details

Overview

Founded in 2005 by philanthropist David N. Pincus (1926-2011) and his wife Gerry Pincus, the Pincus Family Foundation advances the founders' philosophy that "to get involved, not just think about your own life, you are supposed to do things for other people." Now led by second and third generations of the Pincus family, the foundation operates as a trust-based philanthropy committed to equity, diversity, access, and inclusion. With over $110 million in assets and $5.7 million distributed annually (2023), PFF supports nonprofit organizations developing programs that improve the lives of children, their families, and communities across four priority areas. In May 2024, the foundation appointed Danielle Y. Scott as its first President and CEO, elevating her from the executive director role she held since 2014. The foundation has distributed over $30 million to 287 grantee organizations worldwide since 2012 and was recognized for developing innovative trust-based philanthropy models, including a white paper on leveraging strategic partnerships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants: $2,500 - $10,000

  • Unrestricted operating support for grassroots organizations
  • Used to establish new relationships with the foundation
  • Ideal entry point for first-time applicants

Core Grants: $10,000 - $50,000

  • Multi-year unrestricted general operating or program support
  • For organizations whose missions align with foundation priorities
  • Average grant: approximately $10,000

Transformational Grants: $50,000 - $200,000

  • For established grantee partners looking to build capacity
  • Multi-year support to help organizations "move to the next level"
  • Invitation-only for current partners; reapplication allowed after 2 years if not renewed

Priority Areas

Creative & Performing Arts

  • Expanding arts access for low-income children and youth
  • Supporting cultural programming
  • Recent example: The Roots of Music (New Orleans): $12,500; First Person Arts (Philadelphia): $15,000

Education

  • Middle school programs preparing disadvantaged students for high school success
  • Educational equity initiatives
  • Recent example: Franklin Institute (Philadelphia): $25,000; Philadelphia Outward Bound Center: $17,500

Health & Wellness

  • Reducing health inequities for children and families
  • Addressing food insecurity and safety challenges
  • Supporting access to healthy lifestyles
  • Recent example: Leadership Education and Athletics in Partnership/LEAP (New Haven, CT): $150,000 (Transformational grant)

Play & Recreation

  • Increasing access to safe play spaces
  • Culturally relevant recreational programs
  • Sports and youth development
  • Recent example: Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation (Philadelphia): $15,000; FabYouth Philadelphia: $15,000

What They Don't Fund

  • Political activities or candidates
  • Individual grants
  • Religious doctrine promotion
  • Event promotion (telethons, galas, walk-a-thons)
  • Past operating deficits
  • Travel or conference expenses
  • Capital campaigns, building projects, or endowments
  • 509(a)(3) organizations

Governance and Leadership

Staff Leadership

Danielle Y. Scott - President & CEO (appointed May 2024)

  • With the foundation since its inception in 2005; executive director since 2014
  • First person to hold the President and CEO title
  • Quote: "I am honored to lead the Pincus Family Foundation as its president and CEO and look forward to expanding the foundation's reach and network."
  • On philanthropy approach: "Remember that no two foundations are alike. Be bold in your vision to positively impact the world and invest fearlessly in change."

Deborah James-Vance - Managing Director

  • With PFF since 2017, working on nonprofit and for-profit partnerships

Nora L. Jones - Senior Program Associate

Kyra D. Hopkins - Program Associate

Stephanie M. Pierson - Program Associate

Board of Trustees

The foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees including second and third generation Pincus family members. Leslie Pincus (daughter of founders) stated: "Danielle Scott has been with the Pincus Family Foundation since its inception. She has a deep understanding of our mission and the critical role we play in investing and partnering with the organizations that serve children."

The third generation "NextGen" committee has guided the foundation toward climate-sustainable investment strategies and encourages partner organizations to adopt sustainable practices.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Eligibility Quiz (1 minute)

  • Brief assessment to confirm organizational alignment with funding priorities
  • Must pass to proceed to LOI stage
  • Available at: fsrequests.com/pincus

Step 2: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

  • Accepted year-round on a rolling basis
  • Submit details about organization, proposed project, and funding request
  • Progress can be saved
  • "Clearly articulate your funding needs in your LOI"
  • Note: Foundation is currently temporarily pausing new LOIs while engaging in strategic planning to assess and refine priorities

Step 3: Full Application (by invitation only)

  • Staff reviews LOIs within 4-12 weeks
  • Selected applicants invited to submit comprehensive materials
  • The foundation does not accept unsolicited full proposals

Step 4: Board Review

  • Board meetings occur quarterly: February, May, September, and November
  • Applicants notified within 45 days of review regarding proposal invitation status

Organizational Eligibility

  • Must be US-based 501(c)(3) organization
  • Organizations with fiscal sponsors may apply if sponsor is US-based 501(c)(3)
  • Must serve geographic areas within foundation's primary or secondary focus regions
  • Foundation encourages organizations with diversified funding sources rather than relying on PFF for ongoing support

Decision Timeline

  • LOI Review: 4-12 weeks
  • Full Process: 3-5 months from initial inquiry to approval
  • Notification: Within 45 days of review, applicants are notified of grant proposal invitation status
  • Awards: Announced at quarterly Board meetings (February, May, September, November)

Grantee Requirements

  • Annual outcome reports required
  • Foundation staff may conduct site visits
  • For transformational partnerships not extended/renewed, grantees may reapply after 2 years

Application Success Factors

Trust-Based Philanthropy Approach

The Pincus Family Foundation has intentionally structured its grant process to eliminate power dynamics commonly present in nonprofit partnerships. This commitment includes:

  • Clear communication and transparency from partnership commencement regarding expectations, funding, and flexibility
  • Unrestricted support emphasis - Small and Core grants provide unrestricted operating support, giving organizations autonomy
  • Multi-year commitments available for Core and Transformational grants
  • Capacity building support - In 2020, the foundation sponsored Catchafire memberships for 75 grantee partners, generating over $166,000 in professional-donated services

Strategic Entry Point

According to Inside Philanthropy's research, new grantseekers should "apply for a small grant, which Pincus often uses to test the waters of a new relationship." This establishes initial connections before pursuing larger funding amounts.

Collaborative Innovation

The foundation values partnerships that can work collaboratively. In 2020, PFF brought together four Health & Wellness grant-funded institutions for a symposium to eliminate competitive silos, resulting in a white paper on leveraging strategic partnerships through trust-based philanthropy. This model is now being replicated across other program areas.

Alignment with Current Priorities

  • Focus on equity, diversity, access, and inclusion
  • Environmental sustainability (encouraged by NextGen committee)
  • Programs serving underserved and low-income children and families
  • Organizations willing to engage in open communication about challenges and successes

What Makes Applications Stand Out

  • Clear articulation of funding needs and program impact on children
  • Demonstration of mission alignment with one of the four priority areas
  • Evidence of serving target populations in foundation's geographic focus areas
  • For first-time applicants: realistic small grant requests that allow relationship building
  • For returning applicants: transparent reporting on outcomes and willingness to collaborate

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Start small: New applicants should apply for Small Grants ($2,500-$10,000) to establish relationships before pursuing larger funding
  • Embrace trust-based values: PFF prioritizes equity, transparency, and unrestricted support - emphasize how your organization shares these values
  • Plan for the long game: The 3-5 month timeline requires advance planning; board meetings are quarterly, so time your submission accordingly
  • Geographic focus matters: Primary focus on Greater Philadelphia region and surrounding areas; secondary regions receive less attention
  • Diversify funding sources: Foundation prefers partners with multiple revenue streams rather than dependence on single funders
  • Currently paused: As of recent updates, the foundation is temporarily pausing new LOIs during strategic planning - check website for current status before beginning application
  • Build authentic partnerships: The foundation values open communication, collaborative approaches, and long-term relationships over transactional grants

References

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