The Catherine Jefferson Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,003,352 (2023)
• Total Assets: $30,583,118 (2024)
• Number of Grants: 37 grants awarded (2023)
• Average Grant Size: $54,145
• Geographic Focus: National
• Foundation Type: Private Family Foundation

Contact Details

Address: 108 Edward Booth Lane, Durham, NC 27713 Phone: (917) 509-9359 Connecticut Office: 225 Tokeneke Road, Darien, CT 06820

Note: No public website or email address available. This is a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

Overview

The Catherine Jefferson Foundation was established in April 2014 by Brett and Cathy Jefferson as a private family foundation. Named after Brett Jefferson's wife and mother (both named Catherine), the foundation has grown substantially since its founding, expanding from initial assets of $2.7 million in 2013 to over $30 million by 2024. Brett Jefferson is the Founder and President of Hildene Capital Management, an asset management firm specializing in structured finance investments that has been listed among The Wall Street Journal's Top 100 Annual Hedge Funds for seven consecutive years.

The foundation supports a variety of causes including education, sports and recreation, human services, health, and public safety. The foundation has demonstrated a particular commitment to educational access and diversity, exemplified by its $2.5 million gift to New Canaan Country School in Connecticut to establish the Chien and Taina Chao Scholarship Fund, named in honor of Cathy Jefferson's parents, who immigrated to the U.S. to pursue advanced education and earned PhDs in chemistry.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Education & Educational Access

• Private school scholarship programs supporting diversity and financial accessibility
• University athletics programs, particularly lacrosse
• Educational endowment funds
• Support for educational institutions across multiple states

Sports & Recreation

• Strong focus on lacrosse programs at the collegiate level
• Support for Syracuse University Men's and Women's Lacrosse programs
• Contributions to coaching endowments and athletic facilities

Human Services, Health, and Public Safety

• Documented as foundation priorities, though specific programs not publicly detailed

What They Don't Fund

• The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications
• Organizations must be aligned with the trustees' personal interests and connections
• Focus appears to be on established institutions rather than grassroots organizations

Governance and Leadership

Brett Jefferson - Trustee and Founder

• Founder and President of Hildene Capital Management
• Syracuse University alumnus (Class of 1988)
• Former lacrosse player at Syracuse University
• Board member of the Tewaaraton Foundation and Premier Lacrosse League
• Received Avon Old Farms School's 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award

Catherine Jefferson - Trustee and Co-Founder

• Active volunteer at New Canaan Country School
• Serves as Annual Fund Ambassador at NCCS

Karen Carlisle - Trustee

All trustees serve without compensation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. According to the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings, The Catherine Jefferson Foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

The trustees proactively identify and select organizations they wish to support based on their personal interests, connections, and philanthropic priorities.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded through trustee discretion to preselected organizations.

Success Rates

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

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot apply directly to the foundation.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, understanding their grant-making patterns reveals:

• Syracuse University connections: Multi-year support including Men's Lacrosse Coaches Endowed Fund, 100 Years Men's Lacrosse Fund, Women's Lacrosse Head Coach's Fund, and Women's Lacrosse Locker Room Fund
• Educational access focus: $2.5 million scholarship endowment at New Canaan Country School for diversity and financial accessibility
• Personal connections essential: All documented grants flow to organizations with which the trustees have direct personal involvement
• Values alignment: The foundation's vision statement emphasizes "identifying and supporting outstanding students who do not have the economic means" and helping them "pursue the American Dream"

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Cannot apply directly: This foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited grant proposals and only funds preselected organizations
• Lacrosse and athletics focus: Sustained support for collegiate lacrosse programs, particularly at Syracuse University
• Education and access central: Both higher education and K-12 private school support, emphasizing diversity and opportunities for students lacking financial means
• Family foundation with personal connections: Grants flow to organizations where the Jefferson family has direct involvement
• Substantial giving capacity: Over $30 million in assets with annual giving exceeding $2 million, averaging $54,145 per grant
• Multi-year commitment capability: Demonstrated ability to make major multi-million dollar commitments

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Catherine Jefferson Foundation. Retrieved from https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/357004054

2. Charity Navigator - The Catherine Jefferson Foundation Profile. EIN: 357004054. Retrieved from https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/357004054

3. New Canaan Country School (2021). "$2.5 Million Gift from the Jefferson Family will Support Diversity and Financial Accessibility." Retrieved from https://www.countryschool.net/news-detail?pk=1415270

4. Syracuse University News (October 14, 2020). "Philanthropic Spirit that Never Loses Sight of the Goal." Retrieved from https://news.syr.edu/blog/2020/10/14/philanthropic-spirit-that-never-loses-sight-of-the-goal/

5. The Hedge Fund Journal. "50 Giants: Hildene's Brett Jefferson." Retrieved from https://thehedgefundjournal.com/50-giants-hildenes-brett-jefferson/

6. IRS Form 990-PF filings for The Catherine Jefferson Foundation (2023)

Date Accessed: January 24, 2026