Sarah Ketterer Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,815,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $750,000
• Geographic Focus: National with Los Angeles emphasis

Contact Details

• Website: None
• Email: Not publicly available
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Address: 15900 Alcima Ave, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Overview

The Sarah Ketterer Family Foundation, established in 2013 by Sarah H. Ketterer, CEO of Causeway Capital Management, is a private foundation with over $50 million in assets that distributed $2.8 million in grants in 2023. The foundation operates through a proactive grantmaking approach, identifying and selecting recipients without accepting unsolicited applications. Ketterer's leadership positions at Stanford University, Dartmouth's Tuck School, and various Los Angeles cultural institutions heavily influence the foundation's giving patterns. The foundation supports a diverse portfolio spanning education, arts and culture, conservative policy organizations, youth development, and environmental conservation, with education receiving the largest share of funding.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but makes strategic grants in the following ranges:

• Major institutional support: $200,000 - $750,000 (primarily to Stanford and Dartmouth)
• Mid-level organizational support: $50,000 - $150,000 (arts and policy organizations)
• Community grants: $5,000 - $25,000 (local nonprofits and schools)

Priority Areas

• Higher Education: Stanford University, Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business, financial education initiatives
• K-12 Education: Private schools (Village School, Lawrenceville School), charter networks (Alliance College-Ready Public Schools), college readiness (CollegeSpring)
• Arts & Culture: Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Broad Stage, Music Center Foundation, PS Arts
• Conservative/Libertarian Policy: Stand Together Trust, Americans for Prosperity
• Women's Leadership: Girls Who Invest
• Environmental Conservation: The Nature Conservancy
• Community Services: Food Forward, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, analysis shows they do not typically fund:

• Individual requests or scholarships
• International organizations outside the US
• Small grassroots organizations without established track records
• Organizations without connections to board members or existing relationships

Governance and Leadership

Founder & President: Sarah H. Ketterer - CEO of Causeway Capital Management LLC, a $40+ billion investment management firm. Ketterer serves on the Board of Trustees at Stanford University and as a Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. She previously chaired the LA World Affairs Council and served on the Music Center Foundation's investment committee.

Board Affiliations Influencing Giving:

• Stanford University Board of Trustees
• Los Angeles Philharmonic (Director)
• Girls Who Invest (Advisory Board)
• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center President's Advisory Board
• Dartmouth's Tuck School (alumna and supporter)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation operates through a "proactive grantmaking approach" where they identify and select grantees based on existing relationships and strategic priorities. They do not accept unsolicited Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) or grant applications.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on grant patterns, organizations most likely to receive consideration have:

• Direct connections to Sarah Ketterer through her board service at Stanford University, Los Angeles Philharmonic, or other organizations where she serves
• Affiliations with Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business where Ketterer earned her MBA
• Participation in Los Angeles arts and cultural scene, particularly organizations where Ketterer or board members are involved
• Leadership in financial education or women's investment initiatives aligned with Ketterer's professional focus at Causeway Capital
• Existing relationships with current grantees who might facilitate introductions

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available

Success Rates

N/A - invitation-only foundation

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to proactive grantmaking model

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates by invitation only, traditional application strategies don't apply. However, analysis of grant patterns reveals:

• Institutional connections matter: Stanford and Dartmouth consistently receive the largest grants, reflecting Ketterer's personal affiliations
• Los Angeles cultural organizations are favored: The foundation regularly supports major LA arts institutions where Ketterer has board involvement
• Alignment with founder's values: Support for both progressive causes (Planned Parenthood) and conservative organizations (Americans for Prosperity) suggests ideological diversity but strategic selection
• Track record and scale: Recipients are typically established organizations with proven impact rather than startups
• Network effects: Many grantees are interconnected through LA's philanthropic and cultural community

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only foundation with no public application process - traditional grant applications will not be considered
• Building relationships with Sarah Ketterer or organizations where she serves on the board is essential for consideration
• The foundation shows strong loyalty to institutions - Stanford and Dartmouth receive ongoing major support year after year
• Geographic presence in Los Angeles, particularly in arts and culture, increases likelihood of support
• The foundation supports both progressive and conservative causes, suggesting decisions are relationship-driven rather than ideologically uniform
• Education initiatives, particularly those focused on college readiness and financial literacy, align strongly with foundation priorities
• Organizations seeking support should focus on building authentic relationships within Ketterer's professional and philanthropic networks

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Sarah Ketterer Family Foundation Forms 990-PF (2019-2023). Accessed March 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/466959013
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Sarah Ketterer Family Foundation Analysis. Accessed March 2024. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/sarah-ketterer-family-foundation
• Cause IQ - Sarah Ketterer Family Foundation Profile. Accessed March 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/sarah-ketterer-family-foundation,466959013/
• Causeway Capital Management - Sarah H. Ketterer Biography. Accessed March 2024. https://www.causewaycap.com/person/sarah-h-ketterer/
• Inside Philanthropy - Various articles on Ketterer Family Foundation grants (2019-2023)
• Stanford University - Board of Trustees listing
• Los Angeles Philharmonic - Board of Directors listing