Jennie K. Scaife Charitable Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $5.9 million (based on 2023 990 filing)
• Grant Range: Approximately $50,000 - $1,800,000+ (based on recent grants)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily South Florida and Western Pennsylvania; not limited to these areas
• Total Assets: $120.3 million (2023 990 filing)
• Decision Time: Decisions made at Spring and Fall board meetings

Contact Details

Address: 777 S. Flagler Drive, Suite 909 East Tower, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 659-1188
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://jkscharitablefoundation.org

Overview

The Jennie K. Scaife Charitable Foundation was established in 2020 through the estate of the late Jennie K. Scaife, who passed away in November 2018. A descendant of the Mellon banking family of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jennie previously served as president and chairperson of the Scaife Family Foundation, dedicating her work to helping women and children in desperate or dangerous situations. The foundation maintains total assets of approximately $120.3 million and distributed $5.9 million in charitable grants in 2023. While headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, the foundation maintains strong ties to its Pittsburgh roots, historically prioritising South Florida and Western Pennsylvania, though its service area extends throughout the United States. The foundation continues Jennie's legacy of supporting programmes that strengthen families, protect vulnerable populations, and promote the beneficial interaction between humans and animals.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation accepts grant proposals on a twice-yearly cycle with board meetings held in Spring and Fall. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with priority given to proposals arriving by deadline dates.

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on four main areas:

1. Women and Children's Health, Safety, and Welfare: Programmes addressing maternal health, perinatal care, intimate partner violence prevention, food security for vulnerable families, and support services for women and children in crisis situations.

2. Animal Welfare: Organisations promoting animal welfare, including "no-kill" shelters and programmes supporting the humane treatment of animals.

3. Beneficial Interaction Between Humans and Animals: Service animal programmes, including training service dogs for wounded troops, service people, first responders, and programmes demonstrating therapeutic benefits of human-animal interaction.

4. Addiction Prevention and Early Intervention: Programmes focused on early intervention and prevention efforts addressing drug and alcohol addiction, including support for pregnant and postpartum individuals with opioid use disorder.

Recent Grant Examples:

• Allegheny Health Network: Multi-year support for Perinatal Hope Programme, Healthy Food Centres (providing 500,000+ meals to 56,000+ patients), Humane Health Coalition, and Intimate Partner Violence Programme
• UPMC Magee-Womens Research Institute: Multi-year support from Scaife foundations supporting Magee CARES, UPMC Birth Doula programme, and UPMC Wraparound Services
• AHN Medicine Institute: $1.8 million grant supporting Centre for Inclusion Health programmes

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does not process:

• Letters of intent (full proposals only)
• Event sponsorship requests
• Individual funding requests
• Organisations without 501(c)(3) status

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

• David A. Zywiec - Chairman, President, and Treasurer
• Josh Armstrong - Director
• Ashley Gouker - Secretary
• Laurie Moritz - Director
• Claudia Saenz - Director

The board meets twice annually (Spring and Fall) to review grant proposals and make funding decisions on a case-by-case basis.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts complete grant proposals submitted either by mail or email:

Mail: Jennie K. Scaife Charitable Foundation, 777 S. Flagler Dr., Suite 909 East Tower, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Email: [email protected]

Required Documentation:

1. A proposal letter on organisation letterhead detailing the purpose and intent of the grant, dated and signed by an authorised representative, President, or Board Member, clearly indicating whether requesting operating or programme support
2. Current 501(c)(3) certification from the IRS
3. Complete operating budget and programme budget (if applicable)
4. Most recent filed IRS Form 990 signed by an organisational officer
5. Current Board of Directors listing
6. Latest independent audited financial statement and annual report (or timeline for availability if not yet available)

Important: Incomplete applications may face delays with requests for additional documentation.

Decision Timeline

Application Deadlines:

• February 1: For Spring Board Meeting
• August 1: For Fall Board Meeting

Submissions meeting these cutoff dates receive priority processing. The foundation reviews proposals twice annually at Spring and Fall board meetings, with all grants determined by the Directors on a case-by-case basis.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Jennie Scaife's Legacy: The foundation carries forward Jennie's personal commitment to helping women and children in desperate or dangerous situations. During her lifetime, she "worked diligently to help women and children, struggling in desperate or dangerous situations, find safety and care." Applications demonstrating this protective, crisis-intervention approach align closely with the foundation's core values.

Geographic Considerations: While the foundation's service area is not limited to any single geographical area within the United States, it historically considers South Florida and Western Pennsylvania first. Organisations in these regions may receive priority consideration.

Comprehensive Documentation: The foundation emphasises the importance of complete proposals. Incomplete applications face delays and requests for additional documentation, which can affect competitiveness. Ensure all required materials are submitted together.

Multi-Year Impact Potential: Recent grants to Allegheny Health Network demonstrate the foundation's willingness to provide sustained, multi-year support for programmes showing measurable impact. Highlighting capacity for long-term outcomes and ongoing measurement of results can strengthen applications.

Clear Budget Justification: Applications must clearly indicate whether requesting operating or programme support. The foundation reviews both operating budgets and programme-specific budgets, suggesting careful financial planning and transparency are valued.

Programmes Serving Vulnerable Populations: The foundation's recent grants emphasise programmes serving food-insecure patients, victims of intimate partner violence, individuals with opioid use disorder, and other highly vulnerable populations. Applications should clearly articulate how the programme addresses critical needs of at-risk individuals.

Innovation in Human-Animal Interaction: The foundation shows particular interest in programmes demonstrating therapeutic or beneficial interactions between humans and animals, particularly service animal training for veterans, first responders, and others in need.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Submit complete proposals by February 1 or August 1 deadlines to receive priority processing for Spring and Fall board meetings
• Geographic advantage for South Florida and Western Pennsylvania organisations, though the foundation considers applications nationwide
• Multi-year funding available for programmes demonstrating measurable impact, as evidenced by sustained support to AHN and Magee-Womens programmes
• Foundation values comprehensive documentation - incomplete applications face delays; submit all required materials together
• Focus on crisis intervention and protecting vulnerable populations aligns with founder's legacy of helping women and children in desperate situations
• Human-animal interaction programmes should emphasise therapeutic benefits and service outcomes, particularly for veterans and first responders

References

• Jennie K. Scaife Charitable Foundation Official Website: https://jkscharitablefoundation.org
• Jennie K. Scaife Charitable Foundation Application Process: https://jkscharitablefoundation.org/our-funding-process
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Jennie K Scaife Charitable Foundation Inc: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/844738066
• Cause IQ - Jennie K Scaife Charitable Foundation: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/jennie-k-scaife-charitable-foundation,844738066/
• AHN All for Good: "Jennie K. Scaife Charitable Foundation": https://www.ahndevelopment.com/articles/jennie-k-scaife-charitable-foundation?article_id=4600355&i=795051
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: "Obituary: Jennie K. Scaife / Philanthropist and daughter of late billionaire publisher": https://www.post-gazette.com/news/obituaries/2018/11/30/Jennie-Richard-Mellon-Scaife-dies-Palm-Beach/stories/201811300442
• InfluenceWatch: "Scaife Family Foundation": https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/scaife-family-foundation/
• Scaife Family Foundation Website: https://scaifefamily.org/
• Florida Department of State Division of Corporations: https://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/corporationsearch/SearchResultDetail?inquirytype=EntityName&directionType=Initial&searchNameOrder=JENNIEKSCAIFECHARITABLEFOUNDAT+N200000015140
• UPMC Media: "Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation Receives $9.5 Million": https://www.upmc.com/media/news/031725-scaife-mwri-donation
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: "AHN receives $1.8 million gift from Jennie K. Scaife Charitable Foundation": https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2025/02/20/ahn-scaife-foundation-grant/stories/202502200089