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Adam R. Scripps Foundation

Annual Giving
$37.0M
Grant Range
$2K - $7.0M

Adam R. Scripps Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $37 million (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: U.S.-based, with emphasis on Central and South Texas (Texas Hill Country)
  • Grant Range: $2,000 (scholarships) - $7,000,000 (transformational grants)
  • Application Method: No public application process - invitation only
  • Accepts Unsolicited Applications: No

Contact Details

Website: https://arsfound.org

Contact Form: https://arsfound.org/contact-us/ (for general inquiries, grant information, and media inquiries)

Key Contacts:

Physical Address: 250 Grandview Drive, Fort Mitchell, KY 41017-5667

Note: The foundation explicitly states it does not accept unsolicited grant requests nor has an open call for applications. Contact through their online form for inquiries only.

Overview

Established posthumously in 2023, the Adam R. Scripps Foundation honors the legacy of Adam Scripps (1959-2019), great-grandson of media pioneer Edward W. Scripps. In its first two years, the foundation has distributed over $65 million across 526 organizations, reaching nearly 5 million beneficiaries. The family-led foundation emphasizes Adam's core values of "compassion, love of neighbor, humility, and generosity," prioritizing flexible general operating support over restricted grants. The foundation's philosophy centers on "philanthropy about fulfillment, not fanfare," with board members proactively researching and identifying nonprofits that align with Adam's vision rather than accepting applications. Governed entirely by Adam's siblings, nieces, and nephews, the foundation focuses primarily on Central and South Texas while supporting U.S.-based charitable organizations across five key pillars.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Major Grant Program (invitation only)

  • Range: $30,000 - $7,000,000
  • Type: Primarily general operating support and multi-year commitments
  • Focus: Transformational gifts with flexible funding

Adam Scripps Foundation Scholars

  • Amount: $2,000 per student (up to 100 awards annually)
  • Eligibility: High school seniors at Fredericksburg High School or Gillespie County High School in Texas
  • Administered by: Scholarship America

Community Grant & Loan Program

  • Includes both grants and below-market rate loans
  • Focus: Community infrastructure and capacity building
  • Example: Llano, Texas received $3.5M grant + $3.5M 30-year loan for water infrastructure

Adam's Automotive

  • Specialized program supporting transportation access

Priority Areas

Self-Sufficiency ($9.9M in 2024)

  • Employment programs
  • Food security initiatives
  • Housing and homelessness services
  • Critical human needs

Scripps Legacy ($7.6M in 2024)

  • Journalism and media initiatives
  • Projects honoring Adam's personal giving history

Health ($5.4M in 2024)

  • Healthcare access and delivery
  • Mental wellness programs
  • Medical research
  • Workforce development (e.g., nursing recruitment/retention)

Education ($5.1M in 2024)

  • Scholarships and college preparedness
  • Early childhood education
  • Literacy programs
  • STEM education

Catalyzing Family Philanthropy ($4.2M in 2024)

  • Supporting collaborative philanthropic initiatives
  • Scripps Family Impact Fund contributions

Local Community ($2.6M in 2024)

  • Civic infrastructure
  • Community strengthening initiatives
  • Emergency response (e.g., flood relief)

Animal Welfare ($1.8M in 2024)

  • Habitat conservation
  • Animal care facilities
  • Therapy programs
  • Wildlife protection

What They Don't Fund

While explicit exclusions are not publicly documented, the foundation's approach indicates:

  • Organizations outside the five priority pillars
  • Non-U.S.-based organizations
  • Projects not aligned with servant-leadership values
  • Organizations without demonstrated community impact

Governance and Leadership

Advisory Board

The Advisory Board is comprised entirely of Adam Scripps' family members—his siblings, nieces, and nephews. Board members proactively research nonprofits aligned with Adam's values and make all funding decisions.

Publicly Identified Board Members:

  • Maggie Scripps Klenzing - Adam's sister and foundation board member
  • Raymundo Granado - Charter member of the charitable advisory board
  • Monica O. Holcomb - Charter member of the charitable advisory board; Founding director of the Scripps Family Impact Fund

Staff

Alex Bakkum - Chief Philanthropic Officer for the Scripps family

Bakkum has stated: "Adam Scripps was born with many advantages in life, but he didn't live with any swagger. He was humble." This philosophy guides the foundation's approach to grantmaking, emphasizing that "philanthropy was about fulfillment, not fanfare."

Trustee

Miramar Fiduciary Corporation serves as trustee for the foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Adam R. Scripps Foundation explicitly states: "ARSF does not accept unsolicited grant requests nor do we have an open call for applications."

How Grants Are Awarded:

  • The Advisory Board proactively researches and identifies organizations whose work aligns with Adam's values
  • Board members conduct independent research to discover nonprofits across different geographic areas
  • As Alex Bakkum notes: "We don't have any family members in Georgia...until last year when a board member's research turned up this great nonprofit."
  • Grants reflect trustee discretion and board member initiative

Contact Form Available: While the foundation doesn't accept unsolicited applications, they maintain a contact form at https://arsfound.org/contact-us/ for general inquiries and grant information. This transparency is noted as "distinctive among family foundations."

Scholarship Program Exception: The Adam Scripps Foundation Scholars program does accept applications, but only from eligible students at Fredericksburg High School or Gillespie County High School in Fredericksburg Independent School District, Texas.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly documented, as the foundation operates on a proactive identification model rather than application cycles. Grants appear to be awarded on a rolling basis as the board identifies aligned organizations.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not applicable given the invitation-only model. The foundation supported 283 grantees in 2024 and 243 in 2023, all identified proactively by the board.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept applications. However, the foundation emphasizes multi-year support for grantees, suggesting ongoing relationships with funded organizations.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's proactive identification model, organizations cannot directly "apply" for funding. However, the foundation's documented preferences reveal what attracts their attention:

Alignment with Core Values: The foundation seeks organizations demonstrating:

  • Servant-leadership principles
  • Humility in approach
  • Focus on fulfillment over recognition
  • Genuine community impact

General Operating Support Philosophy: The foundation strongly prefers providing flexible, unrestricted funding. Alex Bakkum and the board believe general operating support "unleashes nonprofits to address urgent, emerging issues" rather than restricting them to predefined project parameters. Organizations that can articulate how flexible funding enables adaptive, responsive programming may be more attractive.

Direct Community Impact: Recent grants show preference for:

  • Programs serving individuals, households, and communities with measurable outcomes
  • Scalable, durable solutions addressing systemic needs
  • Organizations directly serving beneficiaries (not just intermediaries)
  • Projects with clear connection to one of the five priority pillars

Geographic Considerations: While the foundation accepts proposals from U.S.-based organizations nationally, there is a marked emphasis on Central and South Texas (Texas Hill Country region). Organizations in this area, particularly serving underserved communities, appear to receive priority attention.

Participatory Philanthropy: The foundation emphasizes "listening to communities served" and funding "diverse impact producers." Organizations with strong community engagement, beneficiary voice, and participatory program design align with this philosophy.

Recent Funded Projects as Examples:

  • All Terrain Georgia: Free all-terrain wheelchair rentals enabling outdoor access for people with mobility challenges
  • Clear Texas Lakes: Environmental cleanup removing 200,000+ pounds of trash
  • Dell Children's Hospital: Nursing workforce recruitment and retention
  • Wilderness Inquiry + Blue Star Families: "Military Families Outdoors" partnership
  • Austin Habitat for Humanity: Affordable housing programs
  • City of Llano: $7M grant-and-loan package for critical dam rehabilitation

What Makes Organizations Stand Out:

  • Innovative approaches to persistent challenges
  • Capacity to leverage foundation funding to unlock additional resources (state, federal, or other funders)
  • Strong operational infrastructure that can effectively steward flexible funding
  • Clear alignment with Adam Scripps' personal values and giving history

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: You cannot submit an unsolicited proposal. The board proactively identifies and approaches organizations.

  • General operating support preferred: The foundation strongly favors flexible, unrestricted funding over project-specific grants. If approached, be prepared to articulate how general operating support would enable your organization's most urgent needs.

  • Values-driven identification: Organizations embodying humility, servant-leadership, and community-centered approaches align with Adam Scripps' legacy and attract board attention.

  • Geographic sweet spot: While national in scope, Central and South Texas organizations receive significant focus. Organizations in this region working in priority areas may have higher visibility.

  • Multi-year partnerships: The foundation emphasizes sustained relationships over one-time grants. They seek grantees capable of long-term impact with ongoing support.

  • Contact form exists: While you can't apply, the foundation maintains a contact form for inquiries—unusual transparency for a family foundation. Consider using this to introduce your organization if there's strong alignment.

  • Transformational scale: Recent grants range from $30,000 to $7 million, with the foundation moving $65+ million in two years. They have capacity for significant partnerships and aren't limited to small grants.

References

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