Twelve Stars Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,003,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $25,000 - $666,667
• Geographic Focus: Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, with international focus on Caribbean and developing nations

Contact Details

• Address: 576 Island Drive, Palm Beach, FL 33480
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Email: Not publicly available
• Website: None
• Pre-application Support: Not available - invitation-only foundation

Overview

The Twelve Stars Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2021 by Glenn M. Creamer and Mary Jane Creamer. With assets of approximately $43 million, the foundation distributes around $2 million annually through trustee-discretion grants. Glenn Creamer, co-founder of Providence Equity Partners and a prominent Catholic philanthropist, leads the foundation alongside his wife Mary Jane. Their giving reflects deep commitments to Catholic institutions, arts and culture, higher education, and services for vulnerable populations, particularly disabled children in developing nations. The foundation has rapidly scaled its grant-making from one award in 2020 to ten awards totaling over $2 million in 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee discretion without formal grant programs. Recent giving patterns suggest typical grants of $200,000-$250,000, with a range of $25,000 to $666,667.

Priority Areas

Based on the Creamers' documented philanthropic interests:

• Catholic education and ministry support
• Arts institutions, particularly museums with medieval and Renaissance collections
• Higher education endowments and program support
• Services for disabled and abandoned children
• International development in Jamaica, Latin America, and Africa
• Healthcare institutions and maternal/child health programs
• Irish cultural preservation

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's pattern suggests they do not fund:

• Individual requests
• General operating support for secular social services
• Political advocacy
• For-profit ventures

Governance and Leadership

Chairman/Treasurer: Glenn M. Creamer - Senior Managing Director Emeritus at Providence Equity Partners, co-founder of the firm with $32 billion under management. Brown University BA (1984), Harvard MBA (1988). Serves as Chairman of Catholic Relief Services Foundation, President of Thomas Becket Foundation at Brown University, Chairman of World Affairs Councils of America, and trustee/board member of Norton Museum of Art, RISD Museum, Mustard Seed Communities, and American Friends of Jamaica.

President/Secretary: Mary Jane Creamer - Active philanthropist with particular interests in arts and culture. Co-funded the Creamer Medieval and Early Renaissance Galleries at RISD Museum. Irish heritage with roots in County Roscommon.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on the Creamers' personal relationships and board affiliations.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations aligned with the foundation's priorities may connect through:

• Catholic networks: Catholic Relief Services connections, Thomas Becket Foundation events at Brown University
• Alumni relationships: Brown University and Harvard Business School networks
• Arts community: RISD Museum Board of Governors events, Norton Museum of Art trustee gatherings
• International development sector: Mustard Seed Communities board connections, American Friends of Jamaica network
• Ireland Funds: Annual Nantucket Celebration and Irish heritage events where the Creamers are honored guests
• Rhode Island philanthropy circles: Rhode Island Foundation events, local Catholic diocese activities

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available - decisions made at trustees' discretion

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only funding

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no formal application process

Application Success Factors

Organizations most likely to receive support demonstrate:

• Catholic institutional ties - The Creamers have deep commitments to Catholic education and international relief
• Brown or Harvard connections - Both alma maters feature prominently in their giving
• Focus on disabled children - Glenn's decade-long service with Mustard Seed Communities shows particular commitment to this population
• Arts and cultural preservation - Especially medieval and Renaissance collections, given their RISD Museum gallery
• Caribbean connections - Strong ties through American Friends of Jamaica board service
• Rhode Island or Massachusetts base - Home state preference evident in giving patterns
• Board member relationships - Most grants likely flow through organizations where the Creamers serve in leadership

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a relationship-based foundation without public applications - connections through Catholic networks, alumni associations, or board service are essential
• The Creamers' Catholic faith strongly influences their giving, particularly supporting Catholic education and international relief
• They favor established institutions where they have personal involvement or board positions
• International development focus centers on Jamaica and Caribbean nations through American Friends of Jamaica
• Arts support emphasizes educational missions and medieval/Renaissance periods
• Average grants of approximately $250,000 suggest they prefer substantial, transformational gifts over smaller program support
• Organizations serving disabled children in developing nations align closely with their values

References

• Foundation Directory Online - Twelve Stars Foundation Profile (Accessed February 2025)
• IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search - EIN 832902136 (Accessed February 2025)
• "Glenn and Mary Jane Creamer Support RISD Museum Renovation" - RISD Museum Press Release, 2010
• Harvard Business School Faculty Profile - Chiara Farronato, Glenn and Mary Jane Creamer Associate Professor
• Catholic Relief Services Foundation - Board of Directors
• Mustard Seed Communities - Board Member Profiles
• American Friends of Jamaica - 2024 Annual Report
• Thomas Becket Foundation at Brown University - Leadership
• The Ireland Funds - 2025 Nantucket Celebration Honorees
• World Affairs Councils of America - Board Leadership
• Norton Museum of Art - Board of Trustees
• Providence Equity Partners - Senior Leadership Profiles