Joseph E Robert Jr Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,645,850 (2022)
• Total Assets: $37,019,506 (2024)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (preselected recipients only)
• Grant Range: Varies widely based on preselected recipients
• Geographic Focus: National (DC, FL, GA, LA, MD, MI, NY, VA, WA)

Contact Details

• Location: Washington, DC
• EIN: 47-3532602
• Trustee: G. David Fensterheim
• Application Process: No public application process - grants made to preselected organizations only

Overview

The Joseph E Robert Jr Charitable Trust is a private foundation established in Washington, DC with approximately $37 million in assets as of 2024. Named after the late Joseph E. Robert Jr., a successful real estate entrepreneur and philanthropist who passed away in 2010, the trust continues his legacy of supporting children's causes. Robert was the founder of JER Partners, which managed nearly $30 billion in real estate assets worldwide, and notably established Fight For Children, which has raised over $100 million to help low-income children in Washington. The trust primarily supports preselected charitable organizations with a strong focus on children's welfare, education, and health initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust made 38 grants in one recent year and 26 grants totaling $2,043,185 in 2024. Grant amounts vary significantly based on the preselected recipient organizations. The foundation does not maintain open grant programs but rather distributes funds to organizations already identified by the trustee.

Priority Areas

• Children's welfare and development programs
• Education initiatives for disadvantaged youth
• Health and medical services for children
• Support for organizations serving low-income communities
• Youth sports and development programs

What They Don't Fund

The trust does not accept unsolicited grant applications or proposals from organizations not already in their network.

Governance and Leadership

The trust is overseen by trustee G. David Fensterheim, who manages the foundation's operations working approximately 20 hours per week without compensation. The foundation operates with minimal administrative overhead, focusing resources on grant distribution to preselected charitable organizations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Joseph E Robert Jr Charitable Trust only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustee to organizations already identified and vetted by the foundation.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation has a close relationship with Fight For Children, the organization founded by Joseph E. Robert Jr. in 1990, which continues to be a significant beneficiary. Organizations working in similar spaces - particularly those focused on children's welfare in the Washington DC metropolitan area - may be identified through existing philanthropic networks and partnerships rather than through direct application.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable as the foundation does not accept public applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation works only with preselected organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - unsolicited applications are not accepted.

Application Success Factors

Since the Joseph E Robert Jr Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations should note:

• The foundation has historically supported Fight For Children and similar youth-focused organizations
• Geographic presence in areas where the trust is active (Washington DC, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Virginia, and Washington state)
• Alignment with Joseph E. Robert Jr.'s philanthropic legacy of supporting disadvantaged children
• Established track record in children's services, education, or health

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is not a foundation that accepts unsolicited grant applications
• The trust operates as a private foundation with preselected beneficiaries
• Strong focus on children's causes, continuing the founder's philanthropic legacy
• Significant assets ($37 million) with annual grant distributions exceeding $1.6 million
• Primary relationship appears to be with Fight For Children and similar established organizations
• Geographic focus includes multiple states but with strong ties to the Washington DC area
• Grant amounts and timing are determined entirely at the trustee's discretion

References

• Cause IQ: Joseph E Robert JR Charitable Trust profile (accessed February 2024)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Joseph E Robert Jr Charitable Trust Form 990-PF filings
• Grantable.co: Joseph E Robert Jr Charitable Trust Foundation Profile
• The Chronicle of Philanthropy: "Joseph E. Robert Jr., Champion of Needy Children"
• The Washington Post: "Joseph E. Robert Jr., Washington philanthropist, dies of brain cancer at age 59" (2010)
• Fight For Children organizational history and website
• GuideStar: Joseph E Robert Jr Charitable Trust profile
• Instrumentl: Joseph E Robert Jr Charitable Trust 990 Report