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)

Contact Details

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

Phone: 202-223-3100

Email: info@cafritzfoundation.org

Website: https://cafritzfoundation.org

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 organisations 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 1989-2023). The Foundation emphasises 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 organisation's annual budget
• Application requires organisation narrative only
• Allows maximum flexibility for resource allocation

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

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

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

• Organisations must contact a programme officer first
• Pre-proposal call required before invitation to apply

Priority Areas

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

Community Services (Five subcategories)

• Children, Youth & Families: Programmes improving academic performance and youth advocacy
• Community Development: Affordable housing, economic development, civic engagement
• Justice: Civil legal aid, violence survivor services, criminal justice reform
• Workforce Development: Career pathways and job-readiness training
• Capacity Building: Organisational sustainability improvement
• Grant range: $15,000 - $600,000

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

• 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 programmes, and advocacy.

• Grant range: $15,000 - $400,000

What They Don't Fund

Ineligible Organisations:

• Organisations lacking 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
• Private foundations
• Public charities with 509(a)(3) status
• Individuals
• Organisations with missions outside their five funding priorities
• Organisations 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
• 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

Programme Staff

• Ann Marie Foley - Programme Officer
• Sarah Hashmall - Programme Officer
• Jessica Plocher - Senior Programme Officer
• Mike Schwartz - Programme Officer
• Naomi Smouha - Programme Officer
• Samantha Wechsler - Programme Officer
• Nailah Hart - Grants Manager
• Alejandro Marquez - Programme 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 realised this was the most meaningful programme 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 organisations access the portal using a unique link provided on the Foundation's website.

Pre-Application Process:

• No Letter of Inquiry required
• Organisations considering capital requests must schedule a pre-proposal call with a programme officer before applying

Application Components:

• General Operating Support: Organisation narrative only (4-6 single-spaced pages)
• Project-Specific Support: Organisation 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 awards in 2024 with total annual giving of $22.6 million. Specific success rates and total application numbers are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Organisations 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 organisation 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 organisations 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: Organisations that employ effective partnering with other agencies and stakeholders.

3. Show Cultural Competence: "Organisations 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 organisations that provide comprehensive support rather than single-issue programming.

5. Focus on Vulnerable Populations: The Foundation emphasises 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 organisations maximum flexibility in resource allocation.

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

Recent Funding Patterns:

• Arts & Humanities receives significant support
• Community Development shows significant activity, particularly affordable housing and economic development
• Justice and Health & Wellness both emphasise 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.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Emphasise 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 organisation 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 organisation'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

References

• The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation official website: https://cafritzfoundation.org
• Funding Priorities: https://cafritzfoundation.org/apply/funding-priorities/
• Application Process: https://cafritzfoundation.org/apply/application-process/
• FAQ: https://cafritzfoundation.org/apply/faq/
• Eligibility: https://cafritzfoundation.org/apply/eligibility/
• About the Foundation: https://cafritzfoundation.org/about/about-the-foundation/
• Board and Staff: https://cafritzfoundation.org/about/board-staff/
• GuideStar Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/52-6036989
• GW Today, "Dedication and Innovation Celebrated at the 21st Annual Calvin Cafritz Awards Gala": https://gwtoday.gwu.edu/dedication-and-innovation-celebrated-21st-annual-calvin-cafritz-awards-gala
• GW Today, "In Memoriam: Calvin Cafritz": https://gwtoday.gwu.edu/memoriam-calvin-cafritz