W. Clement & Jessie V. Stone Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $5.1 million (2025)
Total Assets: $123.39 million
Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
Grant Range: $10,000 - $100,000
Geographic Focus: Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, New York City, San Francisco Bay Area

Contact Details

Website: www.wcstonefnd.org
Phone: (312) 366-2263
Email: info@wcstonefnd.org
Address: 70 East Lake Street, Suite 1020, Chicago, IL 60601

Overview

The W. Clement & Jessie V. Stone Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1965 with a mission to "make the world a better place for this and future generations." With assets of $123.39 million, the foundation distributes approximately $5.1 million annually in grants. The foundation concentrates its efforts on education, early childhood development, and youth development across five major urban areas: Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The foundation takes a strategic approach focused on systems change, collaboration, and positioning affected communities as leaders in solutions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates several grant categories:

General Grants: $10,000 - $100,000 for operating support and specific projects
Scholarship Grants: Support for youth leadership organizations
Trustee Designated Grants: Board-directed funding
Field Building Grants: Sector-strengthening initiatives
Special Opportunity Grants: Responsive funding for emerging opportunities

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on three primary portfolios:

Early Childhood Development: Supporting innovative programs, initiatives, and policies for children ages 0-8
Education: Improving teacher effectiveness, principal leadership, and school system talent management
Youth Development: Amplifying youth voices in community issues and providing leadership opportunities

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's narrow geographic focus and invitation-only process indicate they do not fund:

Organizations outside their five target cities
Unsolicited proposals from new organizations
Individual requests

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership:

Amy Stone: President & Board Chair
Sara R. Slaughter: Executive Director ($258,173 compensation)
Chris Huaracha: Finance/Operations Director ($137,754)
Brandon Thorne: Senior Program Officer ($137,736)

The foundation operates with a strategic approach emphasizing policy and systems change, leveraging best practices, and positioning affected people as contributors and leaders in solutions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. "The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals." Grants are made through trustee discretion and invitation only to organizations identified through the foundation's networks and strategic initiatives.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's strategic approach, organizations may become known to the foundation through:

Participation in the foundation's annual grantee convenings focused on racial equity
Collaboration with existing grantees in the five target cities
Recognition as leaders in early childhood development, education, or youth development sectors
Alignment with the foundation's focus on policy and systems change initiatives

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As an invitation-only funder, timelines likely vary based on trustee meetings and strategic planning cycles.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed due to invitation-only process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the W. Clement & Jessie V. Stone Foundation operates by invitation only, organizations cannot directly apply. However, based on their strategic priorities, organizations that align with the following characteristics are more likely to be considered:

Geographic alignment: Must operate in Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, New York City, or San Francisco Bay Area
Systems-level impact: Projects that pursue policy or systems change rather than direct service alone
Community leadership: Programs that position affected people as contributors and leaders
Collaborative approach: Organizations that extend impact through partnerships with public and private sectors
Focus on equity: Strong commitment to racial equity and equitable outcomes for children and young people
Evidence-based practices: Use of best practices and data-driven approaches
Professional development focus: Investment in staff development that considers non-cognitive factors

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

This is an invitation-only funder - do not submit unsolicited proposals
Focus on building visibility in one of the five target cities through sector leadership
Align work with systems change rather than only direct service provision
Participate in racial equity initiatives and convenings in your sector
Build relationships with current grantees to understand foundation priorities
Demonstrate collaborative approaches with public and private partners
Position affected communities as leaders in your solutions, not just beneficiaries

References

W. Clement & Jessie V. Stone Foundation official website (www.wcstonefnd.org) - Accessed December 2024
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - W Clement & Jessie V Stone Foundation (EIN: 36-2498125) - 2024 financial data
GuideStar Profile - W. Clement & Jessie V. Stone Foundation (36-2498125) - Accessed December 2024
Foundation strategic priorities and about pages - Accessed December 2024