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Mustang Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$4.2M
Grant Range
$1K - $1.3M
Success Rate
12%

Mustang Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4.15 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: 12% for new applicants (limited data)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,257,500
  • Geographic Focus: New York, New Jersey, Oregon

Contact Details

  • Address: 5 Blackberry Bay Dr, Oceanport, NJ 07757-1401
  • Phone: (732) 963-9145
  • Website: None found
  • Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Mustang Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2018 and supported by the Estate of Oscar Davis. With total assets of $30.4 million as of 2024, the foundation distributes approximately $4.15 million annually through 32-37 grants. Operating as a volunteer-run family foundation managed by the Turner and Arria-Devoe families, it provides funding across diverse sectors including performing arts, animal welfare, environmental causes, and social services. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, making contributions exclusively to pre-selected charitable organizations rather than accepting unsolicited applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation primarily provides general operating support grants:

  • Small Grants: $1,000 - $10,000 (general support)
  • Medium Grants: $10,000 - $50,000 (general support)
  • Large Grants: $100,000 - $500,000 (strategic partners)
  • Major Grants: $500,000 - $1,300,000 (key institutional partners)

Priority Areas

  • Performing arts and theater companies
  • Animal welfare organizations
  • Environmental and climate initiatives
  • Women's support services
  • Community-based social services
  • Arts and cultural advocacy
  • Health-related foundations

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and only funds pre-selected organizations, effectively excluding any organization not already on their radar.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a volunteer board of trustees, each dedicating approximately 0.2 hours per week without compensation:

  • Frances Turner - President
  • Paul Turner - Vice President
  • Karla L. Arria-Devoe - Treasurer
  • Andrea R. Arria-Devoe - Secretary

The foundation operates with minimal administrative overhead as a family-run organization supported by the Estate of Oscar Davis.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Mustang Foundation Inc only makes contributions to pre-selected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. All grants are awarded through trustee discretion to organizations already identified by the board.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's pre-selection approach, organizations may increase visibility through:

  • Building relationships within the New York, New Jersey, and Oregon nonprofit communities where the foundation is most active
  • Connecting with organizations currently funded by the foundation, particularly major recipients like Monmouth County SPCA or Roundabout Theater Company
  • Demonstrating excellence in areas aligned with their funding priorities (arts, environment, animal welfare, social services)
  • Establishing presence in geographic areas of focus, particularly near Oceanport, NJ

Decision Timeline

No public information available about decision timelines as grants are made at trustee discretion without a formal application process.

Success Rates

Limited data suggests approximately 12% of new organizations receive funding, though this may not reflect the true selectivity given their invitation-only approach.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the invitation-only nature of their grantmaking.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates by invitation only, success factors focus on alignment and visibility:

  • Strong presence in New York, New Jersey, or Oregon nonprofit sectors
  • Demonstrated excellence in performing arts, animal welfare, or environmental work
  • General operating support needs rather than project-specific funding
  • Track record of impact that might attract trustee attention
  • Connections to currently funded organizations in their portfolio

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The Mustang Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - all grants are by invitation only
  • Focus areas include performing arts, animal welfare, environment, and social services with strong geographic preference for NY, NJ, and OR
  • Grants range from $1,000 to over $1 million, with median grants between $10,000-$28,000
  • The foundation primarily provides general operating support rather than project-specific funding
  • Building relationships within their funded organization network may be the only path to consideration
  • As a family foundation with minimal administrative overhead, personal connections and trustee relationships are likely crucial
  • Recent major grants to Monmouth County SPCA ($1.26M) and Roundabout Theater Company ($1M) suggest capacity for transformational giving to select partners

References

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