← Back to US Funders Directory

Ellen And Ian Graham Charitable Foundation U-A 12182004

Annual Giving
$3.4M

Ellen And Ian Graham Charitable Foundation U-A 12182004

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,354,087 (2022)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable - invitation only
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: United States and Scotland/Ireland, with emphasis on Catholic and Christian causes
  • Application Type: Invitation only - no public application process

Contact Details

Address: 248 Bahama Lane, Palm Beach, FL 33480-3308

EIN: 55-0896134

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. All grants are made to preselected charitable organizations.

Overview

The Ellen and Ian Graham Charitable Foundation was established in 2004 by photographer Ellen Graham and her husband Ian Graham. Since inception, the foundation has made over 300 grants to fund vital work within communities across the United States and Scotland. The foundation contributed $3,354,087 in grants during 2022. The family maintains strong Scottish roots through patriarch John B. Graham (born in Bothwell, Scotland) and remains true to their Catholic heritage, supporting the sick and the poor, from marginalized mothers to struggling migrant communities. The foundation has experienced significant asset fluctuations, peaking at approximately $64.3 million in 2021. Ellen Graham is an internationally acclaimed photographer who has documented celebrities and public figures for over six decades, with her work featured in Harper's Bazaar, People, W Magazine, Time, and Newsweek.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on a preselected, invitation-only basis. All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to organizations they have identified through existing relationships and networks.

Priority Areas

Based on documented giving patterns, the foundation supports:

  • Basic Human Needs: Food assistance programs and community meals initiatives
  • Vulnerable Populations: Programs serving marginalized mothers and struggling migrant communities
  • Christian Organizations: Faith-based charities aligned with the family's Catholic values
  • The Arts: Photography programs and cultural institutions, including major support to the Norton Museum of Art
  • Irish and Scottish Communities: Organizations serving these heritage communities, including the Hibernian Community Foundation

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications from organizations outside their existing network of preselected charities.

Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees

  • Alexis Graham (Trustee/Principal, A Graham Advisors) - Grandson of the founders; received $76,303 in compensation (2024)
  • Ellen Graham (Trustee) - Co-founder; internationally acclaimed photographer born in 1929
  • John Austin Bryan (Trustee) - Received $67,383 in compensation (2024)
  • Gregg S. Fisher (Trustee)

Leadership Philosophy

According to Ian Tracy, Chief Operating Officer of the Hibernian Community Foundation (a grantee), the Graham family emphasizes: "Seeing those in need be treated with dignity and respect is important to the family." This statement reflects the foundation's commitment to supporting organizations that deliver aid with compassion and respect for beneficiaries.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to organizations identified through:

  • Pre-existing relationships with the Graham family
  • Referrals from trusted connections
  • Trustee initiative and research
  • Geographic and religious/cultural connections (Scottish, Irish, Catholic communities)

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation has been known to accept referrals through mutual connections. Specific documented approaches include:

  • Referrals Through Scottish/Irish Networks: The foundation established its relationship with Hibernian Community Foundation after being "referred through a mutual Scottish connection," demonstrating they value introductions from trusted sources within their cultural community.

  • Demonstrated Impact in Priority Areas: The foundation funded HCF's Christmas Day Lunch initiative after learning about its concrete impact - serving over 500 community members and providing winter support.

  • Alignment with Catholic Values: Organizations serving the poor and marginalized with dignity, particularly those with Catholic or Christian foundations, align with the family's documented values.

  • Arts and Photography: Given Ellen Graham's prominence as a photographer and the foundation's major support to the Norton Museum of Art photography program, organizations in this sector may find alignment.

Note: There is no evidence the foundation welcomes cold contact or unsolicited letters. Building connections through Scottish/Irish networks, Catholic charitable organizations, or mutual trustees appears to be the primary pathway.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Decisions are made at trustee discretion on a rolling basis for preselected organizations.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications from the general public.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation only works with preselected organizations.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept public applications, traditional "success factors" do not apply. However, organizations that have successfully received funding demonstrate these characteristics:

Alignment with Foundation Values:

  • Strong focus on serving the poor, sick, and marginalized with dignity
  • Catholic or Christian organizational identity or mission alignment
  • Connection to Scottish or Irish heritage communities
  • Programs addressing basic human needs (food, shelter, community support)

Documented Grantee Examples:

  • Hibernian Community Foundation (Edinburgh, Scotland): Received funding for Christmas Day Lunch initiative serving 500+ community members. The foundation valued HCF's work "treating those in need with dignity and respect."
  • Norton Museum of Art (West Palm Beach, FL): Received a comprehensive commitment including 25 works of art, an endowment for photography acquisition/exhibition/conservation, and naming rights for the museum's third floor.

Geographic Patterns: The foundation supports work in:

  • United States (particularly Florida/Palm Beach area)
  • Scotland (reflecting the Graham family's Scottish roots)
  • Ireland (supporting Irish heritage organizations)

Approach to Partnerships: The foundation appears to make multi-year, comprehensive commitments rather than one-off grants, as evidenced by the Norton Museum relationship and ongoing Hibernian Community Foundation partnership.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: Do not submit unsolicited proposals - they will not be considered
  • Relationship-Driven Grantmaking: Access requires introduction through trusted connections, particularly within Scottish/Irish or Catholic charitable networks
  • Catholic Values Central: The family "remains true to their Catholic roots" and prioritizes organizations serving the poor and marginalized
  • Heritage Connections Matter: Scottish and Irish heritage organizations have documented success in building relationships with the foundation
  • Dignity in Service: Foundation leadership emphasizes organizations that treat beneficiaries "with dignity and respect"
  • Comprehensive Commitments: When the foundation engages, they appear to make substantial, multi-faceted commitments rather than small grants
  • Arts Alignment: Given Ellen Graham's photography career, arts organizations (particularly photography-focused) may find alignment, though the foundation's primary focus is human services

References

← Back to US Funders Directory