Fleetwood Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,752,458 (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (preselected organizations)
• Grant Range: Varies widely based on 990 data
• Geographic Focus: Memphis, Tennessee area

Contact Details

• Phone: 901-526-9750
• Address: 1 Commerce Square, 40 S. Main St., Suite 1900, Memphis, TN 38103
• Website: No public website
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Fleetwood Foundation Inc is a private independent foundation established in 2011 by Charles and Margaret (Meg) Gerber, with total assets of approximately $38.9 million as of 2023. The foundation distributed $2,752,458 in grants during 2023 through 27 awards. Charles Gerber, co-founder and CEO of Gerber Taylor Management (an investment advisory firm managing approximately $5.5 billion), leads the foundation's strategic direction alongside his wife Meg. The foundation operates as a strategic philanthropic vehicle for the Gerber family, focusing primarily on education reform and youth development in the Memphis area, with particular emphasis on charter school development and educational innovation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but makes strategic grants to preselected organizations aligned with the Gerbers' philanthropic interests.

Priority Areas

• Charter school development and expansion in Memphis
• Educational reform and innovation
• Youth development programs
• K-12 education initiatives
• Educational infrastructure and support organizations

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation that only funds preselected organizations, they effectively do not fund:

• Unsolicited proposals
• Individual requests
• Organizations outside their established network
• Projects unrelated to their education and youth focus

Governance and Leadership

Charles Gerber - Founder and Principal

• Co-founder (1990) and CEO/CIO of Gerber Taylor Management
• University of Tennessee graduate (1979)
• Former Naval Aviator
• Former E.F. Hutton executive
• Board Chair of Promise Academy
• Board member of KIPP Memphis Collegiate Schools
• Board member of Tennessee Charter School Incubator

Margaret (Meg) Gerber - Co-founder

The Gerbers have been instrumental in Memphis's charter school movement, helping spearhead Promise Academy, one of the city's first charter schools, and supporting various educational reform initiatives through both board service and financial contributions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations chosen by Charles and Meg Gerber based on their strategic philanthropic interests and existing relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's focus on Memphis education and the Gerbers' deep involvement in the local charter school movement, organizations might build visibility through:

• Participation in Memphis education reform initiatives where Charles Gerber serves on boards (Promise Academy, KIPP Memphis, Tennessee Charter School Incubator)
• Connections through the Charter School Growth Fund network
• Engagement with Achievement Network initiatives
• Involvement in Memphis-area educational innovation efforts where the Gerbers are active participants

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made to preselected organizations on the foundation's own timeline.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the Fleetwood Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, based on their giving patterns:

• The foundation strongly favors organizations with proven track records in Memphis education
• They support both direct service providers (schools) and infrastructure organizations (incubators, support networks)
• Multi-year relationships appear common, as evidenced by Charles Gerber's board positions
• Organizations addressing systemic educational challenges in Memphis align with their interests
• The foundation values innovation in educational approaches, particularly charter school models

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Fleetwood Foundation is a significant funder in Memphis education but operates entirely through preselected grants
• Building relationships with Charles and Meg Gerber through their existing philanthropic networks is essential
• Focus areas are clearly defined around education reform and youth development in Memphis
• The foundation has substantial assets ($38.9 million) and makes significant annual distributions ($2.75 million in 2023)
• Charles Gerber's professional background in investment management and his board positions indicate sophisticated, strategic philanthropic approach
• Organizations already in the Memphis education ecosystem, particularly charter schools and their support organizations, are most likely to be considered

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990-PF filings (December 2024, December 2023) - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/275486698
• Inside Philanthropy - Charles and Margaret Gerber Profile - https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/wall-street-donors/charles-and-margaret-gerber
• GuideStar Profile - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/27-5486698
• Charity Navigator - https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/275486698
• Cause IQ - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/fleetwood-foundation,275486698/
• Instrumentl 990 Report - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/fleetwood-foundation-inc
• Candid Foundation Directory - https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=FLEE019
• Gerber Taylor Stewardship Page - https://www.gerbertaylor.com/stewardship
• New Memphis Donors List - https://www.newmemphis.org/donors