Robert And Virginia Shiller Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $500,000-$600,000
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: N/A (no public application)
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $350,000
• Geographic Focus: Primarily U.S. (emphasis on Connecticut/Northeast), some international

Contact Details

• Phone: 203-787-2182
• Address: PO Box 136, Belmont, MA 02478-0906
• Website: None
• Note: Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

The Robert And Virginia Shiller Foundation is a private family foundation established by Nobel Prize-winning economist Robert Shiller and clinical psychologist Virginia Shiller. With assets of approximately $14.2 million, the foundation distributes $500,000-$600,000 annually in grants ranging from $5,000 to $350,000. The foundation operates as an invitation-only funder, making contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations without accepting unsolicited requests. For the Shillers, sharing their wealth and supporting social programs is described as "a core part of their life philosophy," though Virginia Shiller notes the foundation is "still evolving" in its mission and focus.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but makes discretionary grants to preselected organizations. Recent grants include:

• Yale University: $350,000 (charitable purposes and health equity programs)
• Public Broadcasting (WETA): $350,000
• Investigative Journalism: $25,000-$30,000 grants
• Community Health Programs: $5,000-$50,000

Priority Areas

Based on recent grantmaking patterns:

• Public health and health equity, particularly maternal health
• Family planning and reproductive health (explicitly noted as "worthy and often underfunded")
• Education and fellowship programs
• Public interest journalism and media
• Community-university partnerships
• Social services, particularly in Connecticut

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and only funds preselected organizations identified by trustees.

Governance and Leadership

Robert J. Shiller, PhD - Trustee

• Sterling Professor of Economics at Yale University
• 2013 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences
• Pioneer of behavioral finance research
• Author of "Finance and the Good Society" discussing "creative philanthropy"

Virginia M. Shiller, PhD - Trustee

• Licensed clinical psychologist
• Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale Child Study Center
• Specializes in child and family therapy
• Noted: "We've always felt that family planning organizations were very worthy and often underfunded"

Derek Shiller - Trustee

• Son of Robert and Virginia Shiller

All trustees serve without compensation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are made exclusively to organizations preselected by the trustees. The foundation explicitly states it "does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Getting on Their Radar

Based on documented grantmaking patterns, organizations gain the foundation's attention through:

• Yale University connections (both Robert and Virginia are Yale-affiliated)
• Established reputation in public health equity, maternal health, or family planning sectors
• Geographic presence in Connecticut or the Northeast region
• Recognition in public interest journalism or media sectors
• The foundation has supported organizations like ProPublica, Center for Public Integrity, and WETA through trustee identification

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation only funding.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates by invitation only, traditional application success factors don't apply. However, organizations that have received funding demonstrate:

• Strong alignment with the Shillers' interests in health equity and social justice
• Established track records and national recognition in their fields
• Yale connections or Connecticut/Northeast presence (though not exclusively)
• Focus on underserved populations and systemic change
• Virginia Shiller specifically noted the foundation is "still evolving," suggesting openness to new areas aligned with their values

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a grant-making foundation but does NOT accept applications - all grants are trustee-initiated
• Strong focus on public health equity, maternal health, and family planning based on recent grants
• Yale University connections appear significant given both founders' affiliations
• Annual grantmaking of $500K-$600K with individual grants from $5K to $350K
• The foundation supports both large institutions (Yale, WETA) and smaller community organizations
• Virginia Shiller described the foundation as "still evolving," suggesting flexibility in future priorities
• Organizations cannot proactively seek funding but may position themselves through excellence in the foundation's interest areas

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990-PF filings for Robert And Virginia Shiller Foundation (EIN: 460538779)
• GuideStar/Candid Foundation Directory profile
• Yale School of Public Health announcements regarding Health Equity Fellowship Program support
• Nobel Prize official records for Robert J. Shiller (2013 Economics)
• "Finance and the Good Society" by Robert J. Shiller (2012)
• Virginia M. Shiller professional profiles - Yale Child Study Center
• Instrumentl Foundation database
• CauseIQ nonprofit intelligence platform
• Charity Navigator organizational profile
• Grantmakers.io foundation data
• Accessed: March 2024