Fund II Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $5.7 million
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $50,000 - $50 million+
• Geographic Focus: National (United States)

Contact Details

• Website: www.fund2foundation.org
• Phone: 202-963-1233 / 202-810-0267
• Email: internx@fund2foundation.org
• Address: 633 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004-2605

Overview

Fund II Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2014 by Robert F. Smith, founder and CEO of Vista Equity Partners and one of the wealthiest African Americans in the country. The foundation received its tax-exempt status in June 2015 and has since awarded over $265 million in grants to approximately 77-80 organizations. With total assets of $138.7 million, the foundation focuses explicitly on improving the daily lives and long-term potential of those in Black and Brown communities. The foundation is known for both its transformative major gifts to universities and HBCUs, including the historic $34 million grant to Morehouse College to eliminate student debt, as well as its ongoing support for smaller community-based organizations across eight defined focus areas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation awards approximately $5.7 million annually through about 29 grants, with a median grant size of $10,000. Grant sizes vary widely:

• Small grants: $50,000 - $100,000 (community organizations and targeted programs)
• Medium grants: $500,000 - $3 million (established nonprofits and multi-year initiatives)
• Major grants: $15 million - $50 million+ (universities and transformative initiatives)

Priority Areas

Fund II Foundation focuses on eight specific areas:

1. Education - Supporting educational access and equity, particularly for minority students
2. Cultural Preservation - Preserving the African-American experience and heritage
3. Health - Addressing health disparities in minority communities
4. Music & Arts - Supporting diversity and inclusion in the arts
5. Social Justice - Safeguarding human rights and giving voice to the voiceless
6. Career Readiness - Preparing individuals for meaningful careers
7. Environment - Conservation and connecting people to the outdoors
8. Digitization - Bridging the digital divide

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's giving history suggests they do not typically fund:

• Individual scholarships (except through institutional grants)
• For-profit entities
• Organizations outside the United States
• Projects that don't align with their focus on Black and Brown communities

Governance and Leadership

Founder: Robert F. Smith, billionaire founder and CEO of Vista Equity Partners

Executive Leadership:

• Linda Wilson - Executive Director
• Wendell Layne III - Director of Operations
• Ivana Jackson - International Director

The foundation operates with a professional staff managing day-to-day operations while maintaining alignment with Robert F. Smith's broader philanthropic vision of advancing racial equity and economic opportunity.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Letters of intent and applications are submitted online through the foundation's website or can be mailed to their Washington, DC office. Applications should include:

• Introduction of the applicant's organization
• Explanation of how the organization fits with Fund II Foundation's priority mandates
• Description of why it is critical to carry out the mission
• Grant amount requested
• Details about the population the organization will serve

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. The foundation appears to make grants throughout the year rather than following fixed deadline cycles.

Success Rates

Application success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy has been published.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's grant history and stated priorities:

• Alignment with Mission: Successful applicants demonstrate clear, measurable impact on Black and Brown communities
• Scale-Appropriate Requests: The foundation funds across a wide range ($50K to $50M+), so requests should match organizational capacity and project scope
• Track Record: Many major recipients have established relationships and proven impact in their fields
• Innovation and Systems Change: Large grants often support transformative initiatives that address root causes rather than symptoms
• Educational Focus: Given Robert F. Smith's personal commitment to education (including the Morehouse grant), educational initiatives appear to receive favorable consideration
• Multi-Sector Approach: Projects that address multiple focus areas (e.g., education + career readiness) may be particularly compelling

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Fund II Foundation explicitly focuses on improving outcomes for Black and Brown communities - this mission alignment is non-negotiable
• The foundation makes both responsive grants (through applications) and proactive major gifts, suggesting relationship-building may be valuable for larger requests
• Grant sizes vary dramatically based on project scope - don't be deterred by the major university gifts if seeking smaller community grants
• The foundation's eight focus areas are clearly defined - proposals should explicitly address at least one area
• With Robert F. Smith's background in technology and business, proposals demonstrating innovation, scalability, and measurable impact may resonate
• The foundation has capacity for multi-year commitments given its $138 million in assets
• While based in DC, the foundation funds nationally, with particular attention to HBCUs and minority-serving institutions

References

• Fund II Foundation IRS Form 990 (2024)
• Fund II Foundation official website: www.fund2foundation.org
• "Robert F. Smith's Fund II Foundation Awards $50 Million Co-Founding Grant To Student Freedom Initiative" - PR Newswire, September 2020
• "Billionaire Robert Smith's surprise gift to Morehouse grads: I'll pay off your student loans" - CNN, May 2019
• Various news reports on Fund II Foundation grants (2016-2024)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer database
• Foundation Directory Online records