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Foley Family Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.5M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,466,858 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $42.6 million (2024)
  • Average Grant Size: $161,671
  • Number of Grants: 40 grants awarded in 2023
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Northeast region (67% of funding), with connections to Florida and Montana
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $470,000

Contact Details

Address: 284 Flathead Ave Ste 200, Whitefish, MT 59937-2672
Phone: 904-854-8928
Website: No public website
Note: No public application process available

Overview

The Foley Family Charitable Foundation was established in 1997 in California by Carol J. Foley and William P. Foley II, receiving IRS tax-exempt status in March 1999. As of 2024, the foundation manages total assets of $42.6 million and distributed over $6.4 million in grants in 2023. William P. Foley II is Chairman of Fidelity National Financial Inc. and Executive Chairman of Fidelity National Information Services, Inc., bringing significant business leadership to the foundation's strategic approach. The foundation operates as a private grantmaking foundation with offices historically connected to Jacksonville, FL, and currently based in Whitefish, Montana. Lindsay E. Foley serves as President, managing the foundation's grantmaking operations. The foundation has demonstrated strong growth, with a 59.3% increase in giving between 2021 and 2023.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-discretionary grantmaking rather than structured grant programs. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $470,000, with an average grant size of approximately $161,671.

Priority Areas

  • Education: Primary focus area for the foundation's giving
  • Arts and Culture: Support for theater and performing arts organizations
  • Youth Development: Commitment to serving youth and future generations with support and resources to help them overcome challenges

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. This means they do not fund organizations outside of their existing network or strategic relationships.

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel:

  • Lindsay E. Foley, President (Compensation: $125,000): An equities trader who manages the day-to-day operations of the foundation and oversees the grantmaking strategy
  • Carol J. Foley, Secretary: Co-founder of the foundation (serves without compensation)
  • William P. Foley II, Director: Co-founder, Chairman of Fidelity National Financial Inc., and Executive Chairman of Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (serves without compensation)

The foundation's leadership brings significant business acumen and strategic philanthropy experience. William P. Foley II has been noted as "generous with the time he devotes to educational and community organizations," serving on multiple educational institution boards including The Bolles School Board of Trustees, Chapman University School of Law Dean's Council, and The University of Washington School of Law advisory board.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filing explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on the Foley family's philanthropic priorities and existing relationships with charitable organizations. All grantees are selected by the foundation's leadership without a formal application or proposal process.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded on a discretionary basis by trustees rather than through application cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications from organizations outside its preselected network.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis for preselected organizations.

Application Success Factors

Since the Foley Family Charitable Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations that benefit from this foundation are:

  • Preselected by trustees: Organizations are chosen based on the personal interests and strategic priorities of the Foley family
  • Focused on education and youth: The foundation's documented priority areas include education and serving youth with resources to help them overcome challenges
  • Aligned with family interests: Theater and performing arts organizations receive support, indicating cultural interests within the family's philanthropic vision
  • Geographically relevant: While the foundation has connections to Florida (Jacksonville) and Montana (Whitefish), 67% of funding flows to Northeast region organizations

Organizations hoping to be considered by the foundation would need to cultivate relationships with the Foley family or foundation leadership through their existing networks in education, business (particularly title insurance and financial services), and the arts.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation exclusively funds preselected organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited grant requests
  • Private family foundation model: All grantmaking decisions are made at trustee discretion based on family philanthropic priorities
  • Strong education focus: Education remains the primary area of giving, particularly initiatives that serve youth
  • Substantial grant capacity: With an average grant of $161,671 and total annual giving exceeding $6.4 million, the foundation makes meaningful contributions to selected organizations
  • Business-connected philanthropy: William P. Foley II's leadership positions at major financial services companies may influence organizational selection
  • Growth trajectory: The foundation has shown significant growth (59.3% increase 2021-2023), indicating expanding philanthropic capacity
  • Relationship-based giving: Success depends entirely on existing relationships with foundation leadership rather than proposal quality

References

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