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Crawford Taylor Foundation

Annual Giving
$22.7M
Grant Range
$3K - $10.0M
Decision Time
1mo

Crawford Taylor Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $22.7 million (47 grants in 2023)
  • Decision Time: 3-4 weeks after board meetings
  • Grant Range: $3,000 - $10,000,000
  • Median Grant: $30,000
  • Geographic Focus: Greater St. Louis area (primarily Missouri, accepts neighboring states)
  • Total Assets: $729.6 million

Contact Details

Address: 600 Corporate Park Dr., St. Louis, MO 63105

Phone: (314) 512-4283

Email: info@crawfordtaylorfoundation.org

Website: www.crawfordtaylorfoundation.org

Overview

The Crawford Taylor Foundation was established in 1997 by Jack C. Taylor, founder of Enterprise Rent-A-Car Company and World War II fighter pilot. Named using the maiden name of Taylor's mother, the foundation pursues "Jack Taylor's vision of a better St. Louis region." Since Taylor's passing in 2016, the foundation is governed by three generations of the Taylor family on its Board of Trustees, including director and vice president Andrew C. Taylor and board member Jo Ann Taylor Kindle. With assets totaling $729.6 million, the foundation distributes approximately $22.7 million annually through targeted grants supporting community development, education, health, animal welfare, and environmental conservation. Combined with Enterprise's corporate foundation, the Taylor family philanthropy has distributed over $418.5 million since inception. The foundation is committed to "enabling and enhancing programs that create legacies within our St. Louis communities" and supporting "initiatives that preserve beauty, prevent cruelty, create hope, and ultimately serve us all."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant program with three annual funding cycles:

  • General Grants: $3,000 - $10,000,000 (median: $30,000)
    • Rolling application through Letter of Inquiry system
    • Three decision points annually (Spring, Summer, Winter)
    • One-year grant period (no multi-year grants)

Priority Areas

Community Development

  • Programs that enhance St. Louis's national and international reputation
  • Initiatives that make St. Louis "a richer place to live"
  • Educational organizations
  • Health programs

Women and Children

  • Basic needs: food and shelter
  • Health services
  • Education programs
  • "Initiatives that improve the lives of women and children remain a top priority"

Animal Welfare

  • Animal rescue and rehabilitation organizations
  • Prevention of cruelty programs

Environment

  • Preservation of parks and places of natural beauty
  • Environmental education
  • Development of long-term environmental solutions

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly excludes:

  • Individuals
  • Political parties or candidates
  • Religious groups promoting specific doctrines
  • Organizations that discriminate based on race, sex, sexual orientation, age, or religion
  • Sports teams
  • Beauty contests
  • Conferences
  • Media productions
  • For-profit ventures
  • International organizations (focus is domestic U.S. programs)
  • Ongoing operating or salary costs
  • Budget deficits
  • Multi-year grants

Governance and Leadership

The Crawford Taylor Foundation is governed by the Taylor family, with three generations serving on the Board of Trustees. Leadership includes:

  • Andrew C. Taylor: Director and Vice President (son of founder Jack C. Taylor)
  • Jo Ann Taylor Kindle: Board Member

The Board of Directors meets three times annually to review applications and make funding decisions through what the foundation describes as "a careful, impartial evaluation process."

From the foundation's mission statement: "Since 1997, we've pursued Jack Taylor's vision of a better St. Louis region by assisting initiatives that preserve beauty, prevent cruelty, create hope, and ultimately serve us all."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Crawford Taylor Foundation uses a two-stage application process:

Stage 1: Letter of Inquiry (LoI)

  • Create an online user account at www.crawfordtaylorfoundation.org
  • Requires organization's 9-digit Federal Identification Number
  • Must be submitted by deadline dates
  • All applicants must complete this first step

Stage 2: Full Application (by invitation only)

  • If LoI meets current criteria, applicant receives email invitation with link
  • Complete formal online application
  • Only one request per charity per year allowed

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
  • Must be in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service
  • Primarily serves Greater St. Louis area (neighboring states considered)

Additional Steps (may be required)

  • Presentation to the Board
  • Site visits
  • Follow-up meetings
  • Progress reports for funded projects

Decision Timeline

Submission Deadlines:

  • January 1st (Spring meeting)
  • May 1st (Summer meeting)
  • October 1st (Winter meeting)

Decision Timeframe: 3-4 weeks after board meeting

Notification Method: Regular mail

Reapplication Policy

  • Grants are for one-year periods only
  • Organizations may submit one request per year
  • Reapplication is permitted annually
  • Previous funding does not guarantee future support
  • The foundation notes that organizations are "not guaranteed funding" each year

Application Success Factors

Based on grantee reviews and foundation guidance, successful applications demonstrate:

Geographic Alignment: The foundation is deeply committed to St. Louis. Applications should clearly articulate how the project creates "legacies within our St. Louis communities" and contributes to making St. Louis a better place to live. Projects that enhance the city's regional or national reputation are particularly valued.

Mission Alignment with Taylor Family Values: The foundation's four focus areas reflect Jack Taylor's personal values. Successful applicants connect their work to the foundation's goal to "preserve beauty, prevent cruelty, create hope, and ultimately serve us all."

Impact on Women and Children: This area "remains a top priority." Applications addressing basic needs (food, shelter), health, or education for women and children appear to receive strong consideration.

Accessibility and Relationship Building: Grantee feedback on GrantAdvisor notes the foundation is "accessible" with staff available by phone to discuss relationships and proposals. One reviewer encouraged utilizing personal connections: "If you have connections to help you reach their decision-makers, utilize those."

Recent Funding Examples (2023):

  • Cardinal Glennon Children's Foundation: $10 million (annual fund support)
  • Great Rivers Greenway Foundation: $2.5 million (annual fund support)
  • Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School: $2.5 million (annual fund support)
  • The Magic House: $1.5 million (annual fund support)
  • The Everglades Foundation Inc: $1 million (annual fund support)

Avoiding Common Pitfalls:

  • Do not request operating costs or salary support (explicitly excluded)
  • Do not request multi-year commitments (only one-year grants available)
  • Do not submit more than one request per year
  • Ensure your organization is in good standing with the IRS

Responsiveness: According to Inside Philanthropy, "The Crawford Taylor Foundation gets positive reviews for being responsive and building relationships." Applicants should expect professional communication and relationship-building opportunities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • One shot per year: Organizations can only submit one request annually, so make it count. Carefully choose which program or project to put forward.

  • Two-stage process requires patience: You must wait for an invitation to submit a full application after the LoI. Don't skip ahead or attempt to submit unsolicited full applications.

  • St. Louis legacy is paramount: Frame your work in terms of creating lasting impact and enhancing St. Louis's reputation. The foundation is invested in the city's long-term success.

  • Wide grant range but strategic giving: While grants range from $3,000 to $10 million with a $30,000 median, recent large grants suggest the foundation makes both numerous small-to-medium grants and fewer transformational large investments in established institutions.

  • No operating support: Build your budget around project costs, capital needs, or program expansion—not general operating expenses or staff salaries.

  • Meet deadlines precisely: With only three opportunities per year (January 1, May 1, October 1), missing a deadline means waiting 4+ months for the next cycle.

  • Leverage accessibility: Unlike some large foundations, Crawford Taylor Foundation staff are reachable by phone and willing to discuss proposals. Use this to clarify questions before submitting.

References

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