Roux Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $15.8 million (2024)
• Success Rate: N/A - Invitation only
• Decision Time: N/A - Trustee discretion
• Grant Range: $15,000 - $15,000,000
• Geographic Focus: Maine, Massachusetts, and national

Contact Details

• Website: Not available
• Phone: Not available
• Email: Not available
• Note: Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

The Roux Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in March 2017 by technology entrepreneur David Roux and his wife Barbara Roux. Based in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, the foundation has emerged as a significant philanthropic force, particularly in Maine and the Northeast. With annual giving that has reached $15.8 million in 2024, the foundation focuses primarily on education, healthcare and biomedical research, and environmental conservation. The Rouxs have made transformative gifts including establishing the Roux Institute at Northeastern University in Portland, Maine, and the Roux Family Center for Genomics and Computational Biology at The Jackson Laboratory. The foundation operates through trustee discretion with no public application process.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes discretionary grants with no formal programs:

• Major transformative gifts: $10,000,000 - $15,000,000 (university institutes, research centers)
• Large strategic grants: $1,000,000 - $3,000,000 (educational initiatives)
• Medium grants: $50,000 - $500,000 (supporting various causes)
• Smaller grants: $15,000 - $50,000 (community organizations)

Priority Areas

• Higher education and research (particularly digital and life sciences)
• Healthcare and biomedical research
• Environmental conservation and sustainability
• Global public health initiatives
• Veterans organizations
• Community development
• Social justice
• Arts and culture
• Animal welfare
• Hunger relief

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation making only preselected grants, they do not fund:

• Unsolicited requests
• Organizations without pre-existing relationships
• Individual requests

Governance and Leadership

President and Treasurer: David Roux (serves without compensation)

• Technology entrepreneur and investor
• Chairman of The Jackson Laboratory Board
• Former board member of National Audubon Society and Environmental Defense Fund

Vice President and Secretary: Barbara Roux (serves without compensation)

David Roux has stated about their philanthropic approach: "We practice our philanthropy in three primary realms: education, environmental conservation, and global health."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation's 990-PF filing explicitly states they "only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations" and do not accept unsolicited funding requests. Grants are made at the discretion of David and Barbara Roux to organizations they have identified through their networks and interests.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and David Roux's professional background:

• David Roux serves as Chairman of The Jackson Laboratory Board - organizations working in genomics and computational biology may connect through this network
• The Rouxs have strong ties to Maine institutions, particularly those focused on bringing technology and innovation to the state
• David Roux previously served on boards of National Audubon Society and Environmental Defense Fund - environmental organizations with connections to these networks may be noticed
• The foundation has shown particular interest in projects that combine technology, education, and economic development in Maine
• Organizations affiliated with Northeastern University, Bowdoin College, or The Jackson Laboratory have established pathways

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants made at trustee discretion

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation only

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates by invitation only, traditional application advice doesn't apply. However, analysis of their giving patterns reveals:

• The foundation favors transformative, institution-building gifts over operational support
• Projects that combine technology innovation with social impact align with their interests
• Maine-based initiatives receive particular attention, especially those bringing high-tech jobs and education to the state
• Environmental projects with LEED Platinum or similar sustainability standards match their values (as seen with the Bowdoin gift)
• Organizations that can demonstrate potential for significant regional economic impact have received major support
• The foundation supports established institutions with strong track records rather than startups

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Roux Family Foundation does not accept applications - relationships and alignment with trustee interests are essential
• Focus areas span education, healthcare/biomedical research, and environmental conservation
• Major gifts ($10M+) go to transformative institutional projects, particularly in Maine
• The foundation practices strategic philanthropy aimed at economic development through technology and education
• David Roux's board service at The Jackson Laboratory provides one potential connection point
• Maine-based organizations or those bringing benefits to Maine receive priority consideration
• Annual giving has varied significantly from $1.7M to $15.8M depending on major commitments

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Roux Family Foundation Form 990-PF filings (2021-2024). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/814702037. Accessed January 22, 2026.
• Grantmakers.io - Roux Family Foundation Profile. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/814702037-roux-family-foundation/. Accessed January 22, 2026.
• Charity Navigator - Roux Family Foundation. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/814702037. Accessed January 22, 2026.
• Cause IQ - The Roux Family Foundation organizational data. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-roux-family-foundation,814702037/. Accessed January 22, 2026.
• Instrumentl - The Roux Family Foundation 990 Report and grant statistics. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/roux-family-foundation. Accessed January 22, 2026.
• The Jackson Laboratory - "David and Barbara Roux Provide $10 Million Gift for Genomic Medicine Research" (October 2014). https://www.jax.org/news-and-insights/2014/october/david-and-barbara-roux-provide-10-million-gift-for-genomic-medicine-researc. Accessed January 22, 2026.
• Bowdoin College - "Roux Family Gift to Transform Study of the Environment" (February 2016). https://www.bowdoin.edu/news/2016/02/roux-family-gift-to-transform-study-of-the-environment.html. Accessed January 22, 2026.
• Wikipedia - David Roux biographical information. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Roux. Accessed January 22, 2026.