Clermont Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1.2 million
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $103,000
• Geographic Focus: United States

Contact Details

• Address: 220 Boylston St, Suite 15, Boston, MA 02116
• Website: None identified
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Clermont Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 1995 with assets of $46.2 million as of 2024. The foundation distributes approximately $1.2 million annually through 60-70 grants to organizations working to improve communities across the United States. Led by prominent venture capitalist Howard E. Cox Jr. and philanthropist Wendy Bingham Cox, the foundation operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis. Howard Cox brings extensive experience from his role as Special Limited Partner at Greylock Partners and board service on multiple NYSE companies, while Wendy Cox focuses on science education and literacy initiatives through her various philanthropic roles including Chair of the Bingham Family Foundation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes grants ranging from $1,000 to $103,000 with a median grant size of $6,000. In 2023, they distributed $1,177,025 through 67 grants. All grants are made on an invitation-only basis with no public application process.

Priority Areas

Based on trustee affiliations and documented philanthropic interests:

• Healthcare and Medical Research (particularly cancer research)
• Education (with emphasis on science education)
• Arts and Culture
• Science and Technology
• Community Development

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly documented. The foundation's invitation-only model suggests they fund only pre-selected organizations within their established network.

Governance and Leadership

Howard E. Cox Jr. - Trustee Prominent venture capitalist and philanthropist. Special Limited Partner at Greylock Partners since 1971. Serves on boards of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and Harvard Medical School Board of Fellows. Former director of Stryker Corporation (44 years) and chairman of Finance and Investment Committee at In-Q-Tel.

Wendy Bingham Cox - Director of Philanthropy Private investor and philanthropist. Principal of Bingham Family Office and Chair of Bingham Family Foundation. Board positions include Hoover Institution at Stanford, Cox Science Center and Aquarium, and Max Planck Institute. Recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor (2022) and National Philanthropy Day Award (2024).

Julie Doe - Executive Director Manages foundation operations and grant administration.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Clermont Foundation operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis. Grants are made to pre-selected charitable organizations only, and the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations seeking support from the Clermont Foundation should focus on building visibility within the trustees' existing philanthropic networks, particularly:

• Organizations connected to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute where Howard Cox serves as trustee
• Institutions within the Harvard ecosystem (Medical School, Kennedy School, Business School)
• Boston-area cultural institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts
• Science education initiatives aligned with Wendy Cox's focus through the Bingham Family Foundation
• Organizations working with Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach

The foundation's median grant of $6,000 suggests they may be more receptive to smaller, targeted requests from organizations within their network.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available due to invitation-only model.

Success Rates

Not applicable - foundation operates by invitation only.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Given the invitation-only nature of the foundation, traditional application success factors don't apply. However, organizations can increase their likelihood of being invited to apply by:

• Establishing connections with organizations already funded by the foundation
• Building relationships within Boston's philanthropic community where the trustees are active
• Demonstrating excellence in areas aligned with trustee interests (healthcare research, science education, arts)
• Maintaining visibility in sectors where Howard and Wendy Cox have documented involvement
• Focusing on programmatic work that creates community impact, particularly in education and healthcare

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Clermont Foundation is an active grant maker distributing $1.2 million annually but operates exclusively by invitation
• No public application process exists - organizations must be invited to apply
• Median grant size of $6,000 suggests focus on smaller, targeted support rather than major grants
• Strong Boston connections and affiliations with Harvard, Dana-Farber, and MFA Boston
• Leadership brings significant venture capital and philanthropic expertise
• Building relationships within their existing networks is essential for consideration
• Focus areas align with trustees' documented interests in healthcare, education, and arts

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990-PF filings and financial data. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/46772671 (Accessed February 13, 2026)
• Cause IQ - Financial summaries and grant statistics. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/clermont-foundation,046772671/ (Accessed February 13, 2026)
• Charity Navigator - Basic organizational information. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/046772671 (Accessed February 13, 2026)
• Instrumentl - Grant amounts and application policy. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/clermont-foundation (Accessed February 13, 2026)
• Wikipedia - Howard Ellis Cox Jr. biography. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Ellis_Cox_Jr. (Accessed February 13, 2026)
• Greylock Partners - Howard Cox professional background. https://greylock.com/team/howard-cox/ (Accessed February 13, 2026)
• Dana-Farber Campaign - Howard and Wendy Cox philanthropic activities. https://defycancer.dana-farber.org/donor-recognition/howard-and-wendy-cox/ (Accessed February 13, 2026)
• Palm Beach Civic Association - Wendy Cox biography. https://palmbeachcivic.org/all-members/wendy-cox/ (Accessed February 13, 2026)