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The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation

Annual Giving
$22.6M
Grant Range
$8K - $0.6M
Decision Time
5mo

The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $22.6 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $623+ million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 4-6 months
  • Grant Range: $7,500 - $600,000
  • Geographic Focus: Washington, DC metro area (DC, Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in MD, Arlington and Fairfax Counties and cities of Alexandria and Falls Church in VA)
  • Number of Awards: 432 grants in 2024

Contact Details

Address: 1825 K Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20006

Phone: 202-223-3100

Email: info@cafritzfoundation.org

Website: https://cafritzfoundation.org

Pre-Application Support: Virtual Q&A sessions with staff are offered to prospective applicants before each deadline

Overview

Established in 1948 by real estate developer and civic leader Morris Cafritz, The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation is the largest private foundation exclusively focused on the Washington, DC metropolitan area. With assets exceeding $623 million, the Foundation has awarded over $641 million since 1970, including $232 million to more than 787 organizations in the last 10 years. The Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life for DC-area residents through strategic grantmaking in five priority areas: Arts & Humanities, Community Services, Education, Environment, and Health & Wellness. Leadership transitioned in 2022 to Jane Lipton Cafritz as Board Chair, President and CEO, following the legacy of Morris Cafritz (founder), Gwendolyn Cafritz (President 1964-1988), and Calvin Cafritz (Board Chairman 1989-2022). The Foundation emphasizes creating a more equitable region with particular focus on vulnerable and underserved communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation awards grants through three annual cycles with the following characteristics:

General Operating Support (Preferred): Varies widely from $7,500 to $600,000

  • Most common range: $30,000-$115,000
  • Typically does not exceed 10% of an organization's annual budget
  • Application requires organization narrative only
  • Allows maximum flexibility for resource allocation

Project-Specific Support: $15,000 - $500,000

  • Required for national organizations with local affiliates
  • Required for large institutions seeking restricted funding
  • Application requires both organization and project narratives
  • Can cover all associated project costs

Capital Projects: $600,000+ (by invitation only)

  • Organizations must contact a program officer first
  • Pre-proposal call required before invitation to apply
  • Recent examples: Building Bridges Across the River ($600,000 for construction and operations)

Matching Grants: 1:1 match ratios common

  • Example: Shakespeare Theatre Company ($75,000 match)

Priority Areas

Arts & Humanities Focus on artistic disciplines and humanities organizations that "meaningfully engage communities that have been historically underrepresented." Recent grants range from $7,500 to $330,000.

  • Recent examples: Arena Stage ($60,000), The Washington Ballet ($110,000), Shakespeare Theatre Company ($75,000 match)

Community Services (Five subcategories)

  • Children, Youth & Families: Programs improving academic performance and youth advocacy
  • Community Development: Affordable housing, economic development, civic engagement
  • Justice: Civil legal aid, violence survivor services, criminal justice reform (e.g., Ayuda, Inc. and CASA each received $125,000)
  • Workforce Development: Career pathways and job-readiness training
  • Capacity Building: Organizational sustainability improvement
  • Grant range: $15,000 - $600,000 (Washington Area Women's Foundation received $600,000 over two years)

Education Emphasizes "high-quality and equitable education" from early childhood through technical certificates/degrees. Supports early learning, K-12 programs, and post-secondary pathways.

  • Recent examples: ASPIRE! Afterschool Learning ($95,000), City Teaching Alliance ($100,000)
  • Grant range: $20,000 - $500,000

Environment Focuses on "restoring and protecting our region's natural resources" including river restoration, watershed protection, and environmental education.

  • Grant range: $15,000 - $60,000

Health & Wellness Takes a holistic approach to health access regardless of "income or zip code." Includes healthcare provision, nutrition programs, and advocacy.

  • Recent examples: Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington ($400,000), La Clinica del Pueblo ($115,000)
  • Grant range: $15,000 - $400,000

What They Don't Fund

Ineligible Organizations:

  • Organizations lacking 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Private foundations
  • Public charities with 509(a)(3) status
  • Individuals
  • Organizations with missions outside their five funding priorities
  • Organizations primarily serving areas outside their geographic region

Ineligible Purposes:

  • Endowments
  • Multi-year grants (rarely funded)
  • Special events (rarely funded)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Jane Lipton Cafritz - Board Chair, President and CEO (elected 2022)

Directors:

  • Nazir Ahmad
  • Susan Blumenthal
  • John E. Chapoton
  • Dorothy Kosinski
  • Patricia McGuire
  • Eric Motley
  • Whayne Quin
  • Robert Sloan

Advisory Board

  • Anthony W. Cafritz
  • Elliot S. Cafritz
  • The Honorable Constance A. Morella
  • Elizabeth M. Peltekian

Executive Leadership

  • Corlis Felder - Vice President
  • Gretchen Greiner-Lott - Co-Executive Director
  • Mary Mulcahy - Co-Executive Director
  • Rohan Rodrigo - Vice President of Finance

Program Staff

  • Ann Marie Foley - Program Officer
  • Sarah Hashmall - Program Officer
  • Jessica Plocher - Senior Program Officer
  • Mike Schwartz - Program Officer
  • Naomi Smouha - Program Officer
  • Samantha Wechsler - Program Officer
  • Nailah Hart - Grants Manager
  • Alejandro Marquez - Program Associate
  • Katherine McGonagle - Grants Associate

Quote from Leadership

Jane Lipton Cafritz, speaking about the Foundation's work at the 21st Annual Calvin Cafritz Awards Gala: "At the foundation, we realized this was the most meaningful program that the foundation supports. He loved giving back to the city just as you all have done, and you are the embodiment of that legacy."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Deadlines (three annual cycles):

  • March 1 (5:00 PM ET)
  • July 1 (5:00 PM ET)
  • November 1 (5:00 PM ET)

If a deadline falls on a weekend, applications are accepted the following Monday.

Online Portal Access: The grantee portal opens four weeks before each deadline:

  • February 1 (for March 1 deadline)
  • June 1 (for July 1 deadline)
  • October 1 (for November 1 deadline)

Eligible organizations access the portal using a unique link provided on the Foundation's website.

Pre-Application Process:

  • No Letter of Inquiry required
  • Virtual Q&A sessions with staff available before each deadline
  • Organizations considering capital requests must schedule a pre-proposal call with a program officer before applying

Application Components:

  • General Operating Support: Organization narrative only (4-6 single-spaced pages)
  • Project-Specific Support: Organization and project narratives (8-12 single-spaced pages total)
  • Financial attachments following specific instructions
  • All documents should be submitted at once; if unavailable, upload explanatory statements

Technical Details:

  • Portal auto-saves entries
  • Accepts most file types (PDFs preferred)
  • File size limit: 20MB per attachment
  • Submitted applications cannot be edited and become binding upon receipt

Decision Timeline

Review Process: 4-6 months from submission deadline to funding decision

During Review: Staff may schedule meetings with applicants before making Board recommendations

Notification: All applicants receive written notification of funding decisions

Success Rates

The Foundation made 432 awards in 2024 with total annual giving of $22.6 million. Specific success rates and total application numbers are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may submit one application per 12-month period, regardless of funding outcome. For example, if an application is submitted for the November 1 deadline, the organization must wait until the following November 1 deadline to submit another application, even if funding was denied.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Looks For

According to the Foundation's guidance, they seek to support organizations that:

1. Address Systemic Change: "The Foundation searches for nonprofits that...work towards systemic change, which addresses all levels of, and all who are affected by, the issue. The goal is that all in the region become self-sufficient and lead healthy, fulfilling lives."

2. Demonstrate Effective Partnerships: Organizations that employ effective partnering with other agencies and stakeholders.

3. Show Cultural Competence: "Organizations that show cultural competence in engaging effectively with communities and people of various cultures and socio-economic backgrounds."

4. Provide Comprehensive Services: The Foundation values organizations that provide comprehensive support rather than single-issue programming.

5. Focus on Vulnerable Populations: The Foundation emphasizes creating a more equitable region with particular focus on vulnerable and underserved individuals.

Strategic Guidance

Preference for General Operating Support: The Foundation states it "prefers to give general operating support grants whenever possible," allowing organizations maximum flexibility in resource allocation.

Emphasis on Equity: Recent funding patterns show strong emphasis on organizations "meaningfully engaging communities that have been historically underrepresented."

Recent Funding Patterns:

  • Arts & Humanities received the most grants in 2025
  • Community Development showed significant activity, particularly affordable housing and economic development
  • Justice and Health & Wellness both emphasized access for underserved populations

Contact Staff Early: The Foundation encourages prospective applicants to contact them directly if they have questions about alignment with funding priorities or the application process. Virtual meetings with staff members are available.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Emphasize general operating support requests when possible - the Foundation prefers this approach and it increases flexibility for both applicant and funder
  • Geographic focus is critical - ensure your organization serves residents in DC, Montgomery or Prince George's Counties (MD), or Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria, or Falls Church (VA)
  • Don't exceed 10% of budget - typical grants do not exceed 10% of an organization's annual budget, so calibrate requests accordingly
  • Plan for 4-6 month timeline - build this into your funding pipeline as decisions take substantial time
  • One shot per year - with only one application permitted per 12-month period regardless of outcome, make your application count
  • Demonstrate equity commitment - explicitly show how your work creates a more equitable region and engages historically underrepresented communities
  • Show systemic impact - the Foundation values comprehensive approaches that address root causes rather than symptoms
  • Attend pre-application Q&A sessions - take advantage of virtual meetings with staff to ensure strong alignment before applying

References

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