Stamps Family Charitable Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $19.4 million (2024)
Total Assets: $75.5 million (2024)
Decision Time: Varies by partner institution
Grant Range: Institutional partnerships (cost-sharing model)
Geographic Focus: United States and United Kingdom
Partner Institutions: 39 active partner colleges and universities

Contact Details

Address: 21 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02116-2102
Phone: 401-667-0504
EIN: 04-2943910
Website: stampsscholars.org

For Universities Seeking Partnership: Contact the Foundation directly to discuss partnership opportunities.

Overview

The Stamps Family Charitable Foundation Inc was established in Massachusetts in October 1988 by E. Roe Stamps IV, founder of private equity firm Summit Partners, and his late wife Penelope (Penny) Stamps. With assets of $75.5 million and annual giving of $19.4 million (2024), the foundation focuses exclusively on education through its signature Stamps Scholars Program. Launched in 2006 at the University of Michigan and Georgia Tech, the program has expanded to 39 active partner institutions across the United States and the United Kingdom. To date, the foundation has funded multi-year scholarships and fellowships for more than 3,600 current and alumni scholars, representing over 1,600 students who have completed the program. The foundation operates as a private independent foundation and directs 97.6% of its expenses to charitable disbursements. Penny Stamps passed away on December 13, 2018, but the foundation continues her and Roe's legacy of giving talented students opportunities to explore their talents and pursue their dreams.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Stamps Scholars Program (Institutional Partnerships Only)

The foundation makes grants exclusively through institutional partnerships with select colleges and universities
Partnership costs are shared evenly between the foundation and partner institutions
Individual scholarship values vary by institution, ranging from $6,000 to $94,000 per year
Four-year scholarship totals average $24,000 to $376,000 per student
Enrichment funds of $6,000 to $16,000 per scholar for study abroad, research, internships, and other educational experiences

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses exclusively on:

Merit-based undergraduate scholarships for students demonstrating academic excellence, strong leadership potential, and exceptional character
Leadership development programs and opportunities for scholars
Educational enrichment including study abroad, undergraduate research, unpaid internships, academic conferences, and leadership training
Scholar community building through biennial National Conventions, regional conferences, and networking opportunities

What They Don't Fund

Individual student applications (scholarships are administered by partner universities)
Institutions without formal partnership agreements
Graduate-level programs (except limited graduate fellowships at UVA's Darden School of Business, University of Illinois, University of Michigan, and Queens' College Cambridge - currently not accepting applications)
Organizations outside of higher education

Governance and Leadership

Current Officers (all uncompensated):

E. Roe Stamps IV - President and Founder
Elizabeth A. Stamps - Vice President
David H. Hopfenberg - Treasurer & Clerk

The foundation is led by the Stamps family and operates with minimal overhead, directing nearly all resources to charitable programs. As E. Roe Stamps IV has stated about their philanthropic mission: "What they clearly enjoy most is giving bright young people the opportunity to explore their talents and pursue their dreams." The foundation's approach reflects this philosophy, with Roe and Penny having "partnered with excellent schools to provide scholarships and fellowships, and to ensure that the students have outstanding educational experiences."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not accept direct grant applications. The Stamps Family Charitable Foundation operates exclusively through formal partnerships with invited colleges and universities. Grants are made to institutions, not to individual students or other organizations.

For Universities Seeking Partnership: Institutions interested in becoming partner schools should contact the Foundation directly at 401-667-0504 or through the address above. The foundation selectively invites universities to join the partnership network based on institutional excellence and capacity to support scholar development.

For Students: Students cannot apply directly to the foundation. Instead, prospective students must:

Apply for undergraduate admission to one of the 39 active partner institutions
Meet the institution's application deadline (often the early or "scholarship" deadline)
Be automatically considered for the Stamps Scholarship through the regular admissions process (most partner schools do not require a separate scholarship application)
Participate in interviews if selected as a semifinalist

Partnership Requirements

Universities interested in partnering with the Stamps Foundation must demonstrate capacity to:

Share costs evenly: Partner schools and the foundation split scholarship costs 50/50
Support leadership development: Leadership development is central to the program
Facilitate enrichment opportunities: Support meaningful use of enrichment funds for study abroad, research, and experiential learning
Enable network participation: Support scholar participation in biennial National Conventions and alumni network activities
Conduct rigorous selection: Partner schools identify candidates and conduct semifinalist interviews; the Foundation conducts final interviews
Maintain long-term commitment: The Foundation maintains ongoing relationships with partner schools and scholars

Partner Institutions

Currently Accepting Applications (39 institutions): University of Arizona, Barry University, College of William and Mary, Dartmouth College, Elizabethtown College, Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Morehouse College, LSU, Mercer University, Purdue University, Ohio State University, Tulane University, US Air Force Academy, West Point, Naval Academy, University of Chicago, UConn, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Miami, Ole Miss, University of Missouri, Notre Dame, University of Oregon, University of Pittsburgh, University of South Carolina, UT Austin, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Boston College, Northeastern University, North Carolina State University, New York University, and others.

Not Currently Accepting Applications: UVA's Darden School of Business, University of Illinois, University of Michigan, United States Naval Academy, Queens' College Cambridge

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by partner institution. Each university administers its own selection process and timeline, typically aligned with their regular admissions cycle. Students should consult individual partner schools for specific deadlines and notification dates.

Success Rates

The program is highly competitive. In the 2023 cycle (18th class), 272 Stamps Scholars were selected across 36 partner institutions. Each institution typically awards between 4-10 scholarships annually, depending on the partnership agreement. Thirty Stamps Scholars have gone on to receive other prestigious national awards, including Rhodes Scholarships, Marshall Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships, Fulbright Fellowships, Gates Cambridge Scholarships, Churchill Scholarships, and NSF Graduate Research Fellowships.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - grants are made to institutions through ongoing partnerships, not through annual application cycles.

Application Success Factors

For Universities Seeking Partnership:

The foundation selectively partners with institutions that demonstrate:

Institutional excellence: The foundation partners with top-tier colleges and universities with strong honors programs or similar high-achievement student communities
Commitment to leadership development: Partner schools must have infrastructure to support scholar leadership growth beyond academics
Capacity for enrichment: Institutions must facilitate meaningful study abroad, research, and experiential learning opportunities
Long-term partnership vision: The foundation seeks lasting relationships, not one-time grants
50/50 cost-sharing capability: Partner schools must commit to funding half of scholarship costs

Evidence from Recent Partnerships:

The foundation has expanded from 2 partner schools in 2006 to 39 active partners as of 2024, adding institutions gradually as it identifies universities that align with its mission. Recent additions in 2009-2010 included Barry University, California Institute of Technology, University of Florida, University of Illinois, and University of Virginia, demonstrating the foundation's interest in both highly selective research universities and strong regional institutions with demonstrated commitment to undergraduate excellence.

The partnership model prioritizes quality over quantity - the foundation maintains deep engagement with each partner institution rather than distributing smaller grants widely.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No direct applications accepted: This foundation operates exclusively through invited institutional partnerships; individual organizations and students cannot apply directly
Invitation-only model: Universities are selected by the foundation based on institutional excellence and alignment with program values
50/50 cost-sharing required: Partner institutions must commit to funding half of scholarship costs, representing a significant financial commitment
Leadership development is central: Partner schools must demonstrate robust capacity to support scholar leadership growth, not just provide financial aid
Long-term relationship focus: The foundation seeks lasting partnerships with deep engagement, not one-time grants
Elite scholar outcomes: The program has produced Rhodes Scholars, Marshall Scholars, and other nationally recognized achievers, reflecting the highly selective nature
For universities interested in partnership: Contact the foundation directly at 401-667-0504 to explore partnership possibilities

References

Information accessed December 2024