The Pitch Foundation

Quick Stats

• EIN: 82-1541555
• Annual Giving: Not publicly available
• Total Assets: $94.5 million (2023)
• Foundation Type: Private Independent Foundation
• Application Process: No public application process (trustee discretion)
• Geographic Focus: Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and beyond
• Established: 2017

Contact Details

Address:
C/O David and Vicki Craver
152 Indian Field Road
Riverside, CT 06878

Note: No public website, phone number, or email address available.

Overview

The Pitch Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 2017 and based in Riverside, Connecticut. With total assets of approximately $94.5 million (2023 tax year), the foundation represents a significant philanthropic vehicle managed by trustees Vicki U. Craver and David F. Craver. David Craver serves as Co-Chief Investment Officer at Lone Pine Capital, whilst Vicki Craver is a prominent community leader and co-founder of Impact Fairfield County, a collective giving organisation that has provided over $2.6 million in grants to local nonprofits since its initial grant year in 2016.

The foundation operates with minimal public presence and appears to make grants at trustee discretion rather than through an open application process. The Cravers are deeply committed philanthropists with a particular focus on education—having made transformational gifts to UNC-Chapel Hill, including endowing the Craver Family Dean position in the College of Arts & Sciences—and community development in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The Pitch Foundation does not operate formal grant programmes with published guidelines. Available evidence suggests the foundation makes grants through trustee discretion, focusing on areas aligned with trustee interests, particularly education and community development.

Public 990-PF data shows minimal grants paid in recent years (2021: $4), suggesting the foundation may primarily operate through donor-advised fund vehicles or has significantly varied grant-making patterns across years.

Priority Areas

Based on the trustees' demonstrated philanthropic interests:

• Higher Education: The Cravers have made multiple major gifts to UNC-Chapel Hill supporting faculty, students, and infrastructure across nine departments
• Community Development: Through Impact Fairfield County, focus on unmet needs in local communities and supporting nonprofits creating impactful change
• Collective Philanthropy: Interest in collaborative giving models that pool resources for greater impact

What They Don't Fund

No specific exclusions are published. As a private foundation operating primarily through trustee discretion, the foundation likely does not fund:

• Organisations outside the trustees' areas of interest or geographic focus
• Unsolicited requests from organisations unknown to the trustees

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• David F. Craver: Co-Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director at Lone Pine Capital, LLC; 1992 UNC-Chapel Hill graduate; member of UNC-Chapel Hill Foundation Investment Fund Board of Directors
• Vicki U. Craver: Community leader in Riverside, Connecticut; 1992 UNC-Chapel Hill graduate (chemistry degree); co-founder of Impact Fairfield County; Campaign for Carolina co-chair; Carolina Women's Campaign cabinet member

Both trustees serve without compensation and are longtime advocates for education and community-based philanthropy.

Philanthropic Philosophy:
The Cravers' broader philanthropic work demonstrates a commitment to:

• Long-term institutional support
• Collective impact (co-founding Impact Fairfield County in 2015, which asks members to contribute $1,000 annually to make $100,000 impact grants)
• Identifying unmet needs and providing grants capable of creating meaningful change

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Pitch Foundation operates as a private independent foundation where grants are made at the discretion of the trustees, David and Vicki Craver.

The foundation does not maintain a public website, published application guidelines, or open request for proposal (RFP) process. Grants appear to be made to organisations and causes identified by the trustees through their networks, philanthropic activities, and personal interests.

Application Success Factors

For organisations that might come to the attention of the Pitch Foundation trustees through networking or philanthropic circles, the following factors appear important based on the Cravers' demonstrated interests:

Alignment with Trustee Interests:

• Educational Excellence: The Cravers have shown sustained commitment to higher education, particularly supporting faculty leadership, student success, and academic infrastructure
• Community Impact: Through Impact Fairfield County, the Cravers seek to fund "unmet needs" and "grants worthy of impactful change" in local communities
• Long-term Relationships: The Cravers' philanthropy demonstrates commitment over time, not one-time transactions

Geographic Connections:

• Connecticut (particularly Fairfield County/Riverside area)
• North Carolina (especially UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Areas where trustees have professional or personal connections

Collaborative Approaches:

• The Cravers' involvement with Impact Fairfield County suggests interest in collective giving models
• Evidence of community partnerships and collaborative problem-solving may resonate

Measurable Impact:

• Impact Fairfield County's model emphasises making grants "worthy of impactful change"
• Demonstrated ability to create meaningful outcomes with philanthropic investment

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Not Open to Cold Applications: This is a private foundation without a public application process—traditional grant seeking approaches will not be effective
• Trustee-Driven Grantmaking: All decisions are made at the discretion of David and Vicki Craver based on their interests and networks
• Education and Community Focus: The trustees have demonstrated deep commitment to higher education (especially UNC-Chapel Hill) and community development in Connecticut
• Sophisticated Philanthropic Approach: The foundation's structure suggests strategic, tax-efficient giving
• Long-term Commitment: The Cravers' giving history shows sustained support over time rather than short-term funding
• Relationship-Based: Organisations known to the trustees through their extensive nonprofit board service, community involvement, and professional networks have the best chance of consideration
• Substantial Resources: With approximately $94.5 million in assets (2023), this foundation has significant capacity when engaged

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Pitch Foundation (EIN 82-1541555). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/821541555 (Accessed January 1, 2026)

2. Charity Navigator - Pitch Foundation Profile. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/821541555 (Accessed January 1, 2026)

3. Grantable - The Pitch Foundation Profile & Grants. https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/the-pitch-foundation-us-foundation-821541555 (Accessed January 1, 2026)

4. Cause IQ - The Pitch Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-pitch-foundation,821541555/ (Accessed January 1, 2026)

5. GuideStar - Pitch Foundation Profile. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/82-1541555 (Accessed January 1, 2026)

6. UNC College of Arts & Sciences. "New gift endows and names the College of Arts & Sciences deanship." November 2020. https://college.unc.edu/2020/11/craver/ (Accessed January 1, 2026)

7. The Well (UNC). "The heart of the University." November 17, 2020. https://thewell.unc.edu/2020/11/17/the-heart-of-the-university/ (Accessed January 1, 2026)

8. Lone Pine Capital - David Craver Profile. https://www.lonepinecapital.com/team/david-craver/ (Accessed January 1, 2026)

9. Impact Fairfield County - Who We Are. https://www.impactffc.org/who-we-are (Accessed January 1, 2026)