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Mackesy Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.5M
Grant Range
$50K - $0.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,517,321 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Estimated $50,000 - $500,000+ (based on known major gifts)
  • Geographic Focus: New York area, with significant giving to educational institutions and children/family services
  • Accepts Unsolicited Applications: No

Contact Details

Mackesy Family Foundation Bronxville, NY EIN: 47-2587937

Trustees:

  • D. Scott Mackesy, Co-Trustee
  • Jennifer Tepper Mackesy, Co-Trustee

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website or published contact information for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Mackesy Family Foundation was established in 2016 by D. Scott Mackesy and Jennifer Tepper Mackesy, both 1991 graduates of the College of William & Mary and former student-athletes. With assets of $22.65 million as of 2024, the foundation distributed $3,517,321 in grants to 18 organizations in 2023. Since 2019, the foundation has awarded 89 individual grants totaling $13,281,859. The foundation operates as a private family foundation with grants made at the discretion of the trustees, focusing on athletics, education, children and family services, and organizations where the Mackesys have personal connections through board service or alumni relationships. The foundation's approach reflects the trustees' belief in "supporting the pursuit of excellence" and using athletics as a tool for social change and addressing inequities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs or published funding streams. All grants are made at trustee discretion, typically to organizations with which the Mackesys have established relationships.

Priority Areas

Based on known grants and philanthropic activities, the foundation focuses on:

  • Higher Education Athletics: Major support for William & Mary Athletics, including the Mackesy Sports Performance Center, Mackesy Tennis Center, endowed coaching positions, and soccer facilities
  • Independent Schools: Support for Brunswick School and other educational institutions
  • Children and Family Services: Organizations serving vulnerable children and families, particularly in New York City
  • Youth Sports Development: Support for squash, tennis, soccer, and other athletic programs, particularly those addressing gender equity and socioeconomic disparities
  • Women's Sports: Support for women's athletic programs and addressing gender inequities in sports

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not appear to fund:

  • Organizations outside their established network
  • General operating support for large institutions (focus is on specific projects)
  • Individual scholarships directly (though they support scholarship-granting organizations)
  • Political or advocacy organizations

Governance and Leadership

D. Scott Mackesy, Co-Trustee

D. Scott Mackesy is Managing Partner of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (WCAS), a private equity firm specializing in healthcare and technology investments. A graduate of William & Mary (1991), he was a two-time CAA Player of the Year in tennis and named one of the top 25 players in league history. He serves on multiple boards including Clearwater Analytics.

Philanthropic Philosophy: "A central tenet of our philanthropy is to support the pursuit of excellence."

On the sports performance center at William & Mary: "It's about building a culture of winning and a culture of excellence... It's about setting a new standard for athletics at William & Mary."

Jennifer Tepper Mackesy, Co-Trustee

Jennifer Tepper Mackesy is a former Vice President at Lord & Taylor and dedicated philanthropist. A William & Mary graduate (1991), she competed in women's soccer and made four NCAA Championship appearances from 1987-1990. She currently serves as Vice Chair of Graham Windham's board and as Institutional Advancement Chair for US Squash. She is also a part-owner of NJ/NY Gotham FC, a women's professional soccer team.

Philanthropic Philosophy: "I would love to be able to play a larger role in trying to help balance those inequities, whether they are gender-related or socioeconomic." She views athletics as "a way to level the playing field" and address social issues.

The Mackesys have been married and have raised two sons, dedicating significant time and resources to philanthropic work over the past 20+ years. They have given to US Squash for 14 consecutive years and maintain long-standing relationships with the organizations they support.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Mackesy Family Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation operates as a private family foundation with grants awarded at the sole discretion of the trustees. Grants are typically made to organizations where the Mackesys have established relationships through:

  • Alumni connections (particularly William & Mary)
  • Board service (Graham Windham, US Squash)
  • Personal involvement in sports and education
  • Geographic proximity (New York area)

Unsolicited grant applications are not accepted.

Getting on Their Radar

The Mackesys support organizations where they have direct, personal connections. Specific strategies that have led to their support include:

Board Leadership and Engagement: Jennifer Mackesy serves as Vice Chair at Graham Windham (NYC-based children and family services) and as Institutional Advancement Chair for US Squash. Both organizations have received support from the Mackesys, demonstrating their commitment to organizations where they provide leadership.

Alumni Network: As active William & Mary alumni and major donors, the Mackesys support their alma mater extensively. They have co-chaired the "All In" campaign for athletics and provided transformational gifts for facilities. Organizations with William & Mary connections may find opportunities through these alumni networks.

Women's Sports and Gender Equity: Jennifer Mackesy is particularly focused on using athletics to address gender and socioeconomic inequities. She is a part-owner of NJ/NY Gotham FC women's soccer team and has stated her interest in "trying to help balance those inequities, whether they are gender-related or socioeconomic." Organizations working at the intersection of women's sports and social justice may align with her interests.

New York Area Focus: With the foundation based in Bronxville, NY, and Jennifer's leadership role at NYC-based Graham Windham, there is a demonstrated commitment to New York area organizations, particularly those serving children and families.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As a private family foundation making grants at trustee discretion, there are no set decision timelines or grant cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only grantmaking.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, "success" depends on building relationships with the trustees through:

Alignment with "Pursuit of Excellence" Philosophy: The Mackesys have explicitly stated that "a central tenet of our philanthropy is to support the pursuit of excellence." Organizations should demonstrate how they pursue excellence in their field, set high standards, and aim to be transformational rather than incremental.

Athletic Programs as Vehicles for Social Change: Jennifer Mackesy has articulated a vision for "using athletics as a tool for social change" and addressing "inequities, whether they are gender-related or socioeconomic." Programs that combine athletic excellence with social impact, particularly for underserved populations, align with their interests.

Focus on Young People and Families: Support for Brunswick School (independent education) and Graham Windham (children and family services in NYC) demonstrates commitment to youth development and family support. Organizations serving children, particularly in educational or athletic contexts, fit their funding pattern.

Long-term Relationships Over One-time Grants: The Mackesys have supported US Squash for 14 consecutive years and have made multi-million dollar commitments to William & Mary over many years. They appear to favor deep, sustained partnerships with organizations where they can see long-term impact.

Board Service as Pathway to Support: Jennifer's board positions at Graham Windham and US Squash, combined with the foundation's grants to organizations where the Mackesys serve in leadership roles, suggest that board recruitment could be a pathway to foundation support.

Transformational Projects Over General Operating Support: Their major gifts to William & Mary have funded specific capital projects with naming opportunities (Mackesy Tennis Center, Mackesy Sports Performance Center). They appear interested in funding that creates lasting, visible impact.

Gender Equity in Sports: With Jennifer's ownership stake in a women's professional soccer team and her stated commitment to addressing gender inequities, organizations working to advance women's sports may be of particular interest.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. All grants are made at trustee discretion to organizations with established relationships.
  • Focus on "pursuit of excellence" - The Mackesys fund organizations that set high standards and aim for transformational impact, not incremental improvement.
  • Athletic programs with social justice components align particularly well with Jennifer Mackesy's vision of using sports to address gender and socioeconomic inequities.
  • Board service appears to be a key pathway to foundation support - both trustees serve on boards of organizations that receive grants.
  • New York area focus is evident, with support for Bronxville/NYC organizations, though national organizations (like US Squash) with local impact are also supported.
  • Long-term partnerships are valued over one-time grants - the foundation has supported organizations like US Squash for 14 consecutive years.
  • Alumni connections matter - William & Mary has been a major beneficiary, and other organizations with William & Mary connections may find opportunities through this network.

References

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