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Andre Agassi Foundation For Education

Annual Giving
$7.2M
000

Andre Agassi Foundation For Education

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,242,432 (2023)
  • Average Grant Size: $154,094
  • Number of Grants: 47 (2023)
  • Assets: $114 million+
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Nevada, with grants across California, New York, Texas, and other U.S. states
  • Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Primary Contact for Grant Inquiries:

Foundation Headquarters:

Other Key Staff:

Overview

The Andre Agassi Foundation for Education was established in 1994 by tennis legend Andre Agassi and has raised over $180 million to support its educational mission since inception. With assets exceeding $114 million, the foundation transitioned from a public charity to a private foundation in 2020, marking a strategic shift from operating its own school to focusing exclusively on grant-making activities. The foundation is dedicated to transforming U.S. public education for underserved youth through practice, policy, and partnerships that provide quality education and enrichment opportunities. From 2001 to 2017, the foundation operated the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, a tuition-free K-12 charter school in Las Vegas's Historic West Side that graduated nine senior classes with a 100% college acceptance rate for its first graduating class. The foundation now applies the knowledge and insights gained from 16 years of running the academy to inform its grant-making decisions, focusing on economically disadvantaged students and supporting elementary and secondary education initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private, invitation-only grant-maker with no public application process. In 2023, the foundation awarded 47 grants totaling $7,242,432, with an average grant size of $154,094. The foundation focuses its grant-making on organizations that align with lessons learned from operating the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy.

Geographic Reach: While primarily focused on Nevada and the Las Vegas area, the foundation funds educational initiatives in numerous cities across states including California, New York, and Texas.

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

  • Elementary and secondary education for economically disadvantaged students
  • Programs serving underserved youth populations
  • Educational opportunities that provide quality instruction combined with accountability
  • Initiatives that create environments with high expectations where excellence is the standard

Core Beliefs Driving Funding: According to Andre Agassi's perspective, the foundation believes that public schools need both enhanced resources and accountability measures working together. As Agassi states: "We believe in children. And when you say you believe, you have to act." The foundation's mission is rooted in the belief that "every child has the right to thrive" and that education provides the freedom to shape futures by giving kids options.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are outlined in their funding guidelines document (available on their website), but proposals that do not meet the established criteria will not be reviewed.

Governance and Leadership

Founder & Chairman:

  • Andre Agassi - Former world #1 tennis player who founded the organization in 1994

Leadership Team:

  • Julie Pippenger, Chief Executive Officer - Joined the foundation in 1997 and previously served as Chief Operating Officer for the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy for two years. Pippenger is the primary contact for all foundation-related questions.

  • Shawn Cable, Chief Financial Officer - Manages business and financial operations

  • May Van Cott, Controller & Office Manager - Handles accounting and general office operations

The foundation operates with a notably small staff, which influences their invitation-only application approach.

Key Quotes from Leadership:

Andre Agassi: "At a low point in my career, I figured out what mattered most. I was here to care for children and give a voice to those whose voices are rarely heard."

Andre Agassi: "Making a difference in children's lives is my life's work."

Andre Agassi: "We need to give kids the tools they'll need for their futures. With education, there is hope."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Andre Agassi Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Due to limited staff size, the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis.

For Organizations Interested in Funding:

  1. Review the foundation's funding guidelines (available as a downloadable PDF on their website: https://agassifoundation.org)
  2. Verify that your organization meets the established criteria
  3. If you believe your organization aligns with their mission, contact Julie Pippenger at julie@agassi.net
  4. Do NOT submit a grant proposal without an explicit invitation to do so

Important Note: The foundation's FAQ explicitly states: "Proposals that do not meet or follow the criteria in the funding guidelines will also not be reviewed" and "Please do not submit a grant request without an invitation to do so."

Getting on Their Radar

Since the foundation operates with a small staff and an invitation-only process, getting noticed requires strategic alignment with their mission. The foundation uses knowledge gained from 16 years of operating the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy to lead grant-making decisions, suggesting they look for organizations demonstrating similar principles that made the academy successful:

  • Programs combining enhanced resources with strong accountability measures
  • Organizations creating environments with high expectations where excellence is the standard
  • Initiatives serving economically disadvantaged students in elementary and secondary education
  • Evidence-based approaches to educational improvement

The foundation's contact person for all foundation-related questions is Julie Pippenger (julie@agassi.net), who has been with the organization since 1997 and has deep knowledge of both the foundation's school operations and grant-making priorities.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Given the invitation-only nature and small staff size, interested organizations should expect that the process may vary based on the foundation's current priorities and capacity.

Success Rates

With 47 grants awarded in 2023 from an invitation-only pool, traditional success rate metrics are not applicable. The foundation's selective approach means they likely only invite proposals from organizations that closely align with their mission and criteria.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly disclosed and would likely be communicated on a case-by-case basis through direct contact with Julie Pippenger.

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only foundation, traditional application success factors differ from open-application funders. Based on the foundation's stated priorities and history, organizations most likely to receive consideration share these characteristics:

Alignment with Academy Lessons: The foundation explicitly states it uses "knowledge garnered during the 16 years of the prep academy's operation to lead grantmaking decisions." Organizations that demonstrate the dual elements Agassi identified as essential—enhanced resources combined with accountability measures—are most likely to align with their priorities.

Focus on Underserved Populations: The foundation's entire history centers on serving economically disadvantaged students. As Agassi stated, he wanted "to care for children and give a voice to those whose voices are rarely heard." Programs serving similar populations in elementary and secondary education are core to their mission.

High Expectations and Excellence: According to Agassi's perspective, the foundation believes "children thrive when placed in environments with high expectations where excellence is the standard." Organizations that can demonstrate they set and achieve high standards for student success will resonate with the foundation's philosophy.

Evidence of Impact: The Agassi Prep academy achieved a 100% college acceptance rate for its first graduating class. The foundation likely seeks organizations that can demonstrate measurable educational outcomes and student achievement.

Geographic Considerations: While the foundation operates primarily in Nevada with a Las Vegas focus, they do fund initiatives across multiple states including California, New York, and Texas. Nevada-based organizations or those serving similar underserved communities may have strategic alignment.

Quality over Quantity: With only 47 grants awarded annually from a $114 million+ asset base, the foundation makes substantial, strategic investments rather than numerous small grants. The average grant of $154,094 suggests they support significant programmatic work.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is an invitation-only funder - Do not submit unsolicited proposals. Review their funding guidelines carefully, and only reach out to Julie Pippenger if your organization clearly meets their criteria.

  • Average grant size is substantial - At $154,094 average, the foundation makes meaningful investments in fewer organizations rather than spreading resources across many small grants.

  • The 16-year academy experience drives decisions - The foundation explicitly uses lessons learned from operating Agassi Prep to inform grant-making. Organizations that embody the academy's success factors (high expectations, accountability, resources, focus on underserved youth) have the best alignment.

  • Small staff means selective engagement - With limited staff, the foundation carefully vets organizations before requesting proposals. Demonstrating clear mission alignment in initial contact is essential.

  • Dual focus on resources AND accountability - Agassi's core belief is that schools need both enhanced resources and accountability measures working together. Organizations must demonstrate both elements.

  • Long-term commitment to education transformation - Founded in 1994 with over $180 million raised, this is a deeply committed funder with substantial resources and a clear vision for education reform.

  • Direct contact with Julie Pippenger - As CEO and a 28-year veteran of the foundation (since 1997), Julie Pippenger is the gateway to funding consideration and has intimate knowledge of what the foundation seeks to support.

References

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