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Jennie K. Scaife Charitable Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$5.8M
Grant Range
$90K - $1.8M
Decision Time
3mo

Jennie K. Scaife Charitable Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5.8 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: Approximately $90,000 - $1,800,000+ (based on recent grants)
  • Median Grant Size: $90,000
  • Average Grant Size: $218,900
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily South Florida and Western Pennsylvania; not limited to these areas
  • Total Assets: $136 million (2024)
  • 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 $136 million and distributed $5.8 million in charitable grants in 2024. While headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, the foundation maintains strong ties to its Pittsburgh roots, historically prioritizing South Florida and Western Pennsylvania, though its service area extends throughout the United States. The foundation continues Jennie's legacy of supporting programs that strengthen families, protect vulnerable populations, and promote the beneficial interaction between humans and animals.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation accepts grant proposals on a twice-yearly cycle with board meetings held in Spring and Fall. Grants typically range from $90,000 to over $1 million, with the median grant at $90,000 and average grant at $218,900 (based on 2022 data). 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: Programs 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: Organizations promoting animal welfare, including "no-kill" shelters and programs supporting the humane treatment of animals.

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

  4. Addiction Prevention and Early Intervention: Programs 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 Program, Healthy Food Centers (providing 500,000+ meals to 56,000+ patients), Humane Health Coalition, and Intimate Partner Violence Program
  • UPMC Magee-Womens Research Institute: $9.5 million since 2021 supporting Magee CARES, UPMC Birth Doula program, and UPMC Wraparound Services
  • Crime Victims Treatment Center: $1.5 million (2019)
  • Puppies Behind Bars: $250,000 (2019)
  • Hazelden Betty Ford Center: $305,000 (2019)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does not process:

  • Letters of intent (full proposals only)
  • Event sponsorship requests
  • Individual funding requests
  • Organizations 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 organization letterhead detailing the purpose and intent of the grant, dated and signed by an authorized representative, President, or Board Member, clearly indicating whether requesting operating or program support
  2. Current 501(c)(3) certification from the IRS
  3. Complete operating budget and program budget (if applicable)
  4. Most recent filed IRS Form 990 signed by an organizational 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. Organizations in these regions may receive priority consideration.

Comprehensive Documentation: The foundation emphasizes 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 programs 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 program support. The foundation reviews both operating budgets and program-specific budgets, suggesting careful financial planning and transparency are valued.

Programs Serving Vulnerable Populations: The foundation's recent grants emphasize programs 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 program addresses critical needs of at-risk individuals.

Innovation in Human-Animal Interaction: The foundation shows particular interest in programs 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 organizations, though the foundation considers applications nationwide
  • Grant sizes vary significantly (median $90,000, average $218,900), suggesting the foundation tailors awards to program scope; larger, well-documented requests are possible
  • Multi-year funding available for programs demonstrating measurable impact, as evidenced by sustained support to AHN and Magee-Womens programs
  • 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 programs should emphasize therapeutic benefits and service outcomes, particularly for veterans and first responders

References

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