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Eugene B. Casey Foundation

Annual Giving
$7.6M
Grant Range
$1K - $1.0M

Eugene B. Casey Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,558,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Washington, D.C. metropolitan area (Maryland and D.C.)

Contact Details

Address: 16803 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville, MD 20855-2215

Phone: 301-948-6500 or 301-948-4595

Website: No public website

Contact Person: Mrs. Betty Brown Casey (correspondence)

Overview

The Eugene B. Casey Foundation was established in 1981 by Eugene B. Casey, a Maryland-based builder, developer, and philanthropist who served as director of the Farm Credit Administration under President Franklin D. Roosevelt from 1940 to 1941. Following Eugene Casey's death in 1986, his widow Betty Brown Casey (1927-2022) continued operating the foundation, which now holds approximately $146 million in assets. The foundation distributes approximately $7.6 million annually through 64-65 grants to support health, children, human services, education, and arts and culture organizations in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The foundation takes a straightforward approach to grantmaking, primarily supporting general operating expenses of pre-selected organizations, though occasionally funding repairs, endowments, and special events. As a private independent foundation, it operates through trustee discretion rather than public application processes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with designated amounts. Instead, it awards grants through trustee discretion:

  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,000,000
  • Median Grant: $30,000
  • Application Method: Invitation only/pre-selected organizations

Priority Areas

  • Health: Hospice care, medical research
  • Human Services: Social service organizations, particularly those serving vulnerable populations
  • Arts and Culture: Performing arts organizations, cultural institutions
  • Education: Schools and educational programs
  • Environment: Environmental quality and protection
  • Children: Programs serving children and youth

The foundation often awards grants for general operating expenses, though occasionally provides support for capital projects (repairs), endowments, and special events (galas).

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly documented, but the foundation makes contributions only to pre-selected charitable organizations in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by three trustees:

  • Donna W. Sheehan, CPA - Full-time compensated trustee
  • Mirna L. Lopez - Full-time compensated trustee
  • Brendan V. Sullivan Jr. - Trustee (serves without compensation)

The foundation was originally established by Eugene B. Casey and operated by his widow Betty Brown Casey until her death in 2022. Betty Casey was known for her "quiet philanthropy" and strategic focus on hospitals, education, the environment, and the arts. During her lifetime, she personally donated over $100 million through various channels, including the foundation that bears her husband's name.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Eugene B. Casey Foundation does not typically accept unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits and prefers to only make contributions to pre-selected charitable organizations.

However, organizations that wish to be considered may submit application materials to the attention of Mrs. Betty Brown Casey via mail at 16803 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville, MD 20855-2215. There is no specific format for applications or any deadlines. General questions can be directed to the staff at 301-948-6500 or 301-948-4595.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed as grants are made through trustee discretion rather than review cycles.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not available. The foundation made 64 grants in 2023, 53 awards in 2022, and 47 awards in 2021, indicating a relatively stable portfolio of grantees.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed.

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only funder, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, analysis of their grantmaking patterns reveals the following characteristics of funded organizations:

Geographic Alignment: All funded organizations operate in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, with particular focus on Maryland (Rockville, Olney, Potomac areas) and Washington, D.C. proper.

Funding for Stability: The foundation shows a strong preference for general operating support, which suggests they value organizational stability and sustainability over project-specific interventions.

Established Organizations: Recent major recipients (Montgomery Hospice, Salvation Army, Olney Theatre Center, Duke Ellington School of the Arts) are well-established institutions with strong reputations in their sectors.

Large Grant Recipients: The foundation appears willing to make significant commitments to organizations they support, with multiple grants of $500,000 to $1,000,000 awarded in 2023.

Diverse Sector Support: While the foundation has broad interests, recent grants suggest particular alignment with health/hospice care, arts and culture, education, and social services.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is an invitation-only funder - Do not submit unsolicited applications unless you have reason to believe the foundation is interested in your organization
  • Geographic restriction is absolute - Only organizations serving the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area (Maryland and D.C.) should consider this funder
  • General operating support is preferred - The foundation primarily funds organizational sustainability rather than specific projects
  • Grant amounts vary dramatically - From $1,000 to $1,000,000, suggesting the foundation tailors support to organizational size and need
  • Established institutions are favored - Major grants go to well-known, stable organizations with proven track records
  • Relationship-based grantmaking - Success depends on being known to the trustees or being within their network of pre-selected organizations
  • No formal deadlines or cycles - Grants appear to be made on a rolling basis through trustee discretion

References

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