Shapiro Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $11.1 million (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Varies (invitation only)
• Grant Range: $31,000 median (up to $1.285 million)
• Geographic Focus: International (six continents)

Contact Details

Website: https://theshapirofoundation.org/ Phone: 818-610-2900 Address: 339 Chestnut St Unit 2, Needham, MA 02492-2408 Note: No public application process - invitation only

Overview

The Shapiro Foundation was established in 2000 by Edward and Barbara Shapiro and has been tax-exempt since October 2001. With approximately $133 million in assets, the foundation serves the world's most vulnerable populations, focusing specifically on the more than 75 million refugees, internally displaced people, and asylum-seekers globally. Since 2015, when Edward Shapiro retired from his 27-year career as managing partner at PAR Capital Management, the foundation has significantly intensified its focus on refugee resettlement and integration, investing in initiatives across six continents. The foundation distributed over $11 million in grants across 74 awards in 2023.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis with no specific grant programs open for public application. Grants range from $31,000 (median) up to $1.285 million for major initiatives. Multi-year funding is available to minimize long-term funding uncertainty for selected partners.

Priority Areas

• Refugee resettlement and integration
• Creating lawful pathways for displaced people's arrival, welcome, and integration
• Increasing community-driven resettlement opportunities
• Support for children from underserved communities
• Healthcare initiatives, including children's hospitals
• Human services for vulnerable populations
• Education access for homeless children
• Feeding and housing disaster survivors

What They Don't Fund

The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Edward Shapiro - Managing Trustee and co-founder. Former Managing Partner at PAR Capital Management (retired 2016 to focus on philanthropy). Serves on boards of RefugePoint, International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), and Social Finance.
• Barbara Shapiro - Co-founder and trustee. Described as "a tireless community volunteer, and an advocate for the rights of refugees and the support of children from underserved communities." Serves on boards of Horizons for Homeless Children and Beaver Country Day School.

Staff:

• Larry Tobin - Director since 2017, works closely with Ed and Barbara on strategic direction, partnerships, and philanthropic gifts
• Sarah - Point of contact for Canadian activities (since 2021)

Edward Shapiro has stated about his approach: "As an investor willing to make concentrated commitments to organizations/management teams he believes in, Ed has spent the past several years immersing himself in all aspects of the refugee crisis–from understanding the causes of migration, legal and political responses, the impact on the economies of settlement countries, the history of resettlement, the role of UN agencies, national and local governments."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. All grants are made to preselected organizations through invitation only. The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications or proposals.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations may establish connections through:

• Ed Shapiro's extensive board service (RefugePoint, IRAP, Social Finance, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, United Airlines)
• Barbara Shapiro's involvement with JFS of Metrowest, Horizons for Homeless Children, and Beaver Country Day School
• Partnership opportunities through existing grantee organizations including Partners in Health, HIAS, UNICEF, International Rescue Committee, Jewish Family Service of Metrowest, and others
• The foundation indicates that Ed Shapiro "immerses himself in all aspects of the refugee crisis" before making commitments, suggesting thorough research and relationship building is essential

Decision Timeline

Not applicable for public applications. Invitation-only process with varying timelines.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation only basis

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation only basis

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only funder, organizations should focus on:

• Building credibility in refugee resettlement and integration work across multiple continents
• Demonstrating measurable impact on vulnerable populations, particularly refugees and displaced persons
• Developing relationships with current grantee organizations and board connections
• Showing capacity to handle significant multi-year funding (grants range up to $1.285 million)
• Aligning with the foundation's focus on "win-win" opportunities for bottom-up, community sponsorship approaches
• Being prepared for thorough vetting of programs, leadership, and impact metrics
• Demonstrating innovative approaches to creating lawful pathways and community-driven resettlement

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process - all funding is by invitation only, making relationship building essential
• The foundation has dramatically increased its refugee focus since 2015, making this their primary funding priority
• Multi-year commitments are available for organizations that demonstrate significant impact
• Ed Shapiro takes a hands-on, deeply researched approach to philanthropy, expecting thorough preparation from potential partners
• Board connections and existing grantee partnerships provide the most viable pathways to funding consideration
• The foundation partners with major international organizations (UNICEF, HIAS, Partners in Health) as well as local groups
• Canadian initiatives receive special attention through dedicated staff support

References

• The Shapiro Foundation official website: https://theshapirofoundation.org/ (Accessed February 2024)
• Instrumentl 990 Report for Shapiro Foundation: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/shapiro-foundation (Accessed February 2024)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Shapiro Foundation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/43541595 (Accessed February 2024)
• InfluenceWatch Profile - Shapiro Foundation: https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/shapiro-foundation/ (Accessed February 2024)
• JFS of Metrowest article: "JFS, The Shapiro Foundation and others team up with a new innovative program for Ukrainian resettlement" (May 2023)
• Inside Philanthropy: Edward and Barbara Shapiro profile: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/wall-street-donors/edward-and-barbara-shapiro (Accessed February 2024)
• UCLA Anderson School profile on Ed Shapiro: https://www.anderson.ucla.edu/alumni/ed-shapiro-90 (Accessed February 2024)