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Arbour Way Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$4.1M
Grant Range
$4K - $10.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,059,757 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $4,400 - $10,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Massachusetts, Georgia, New York, Pennsylvania, and national organizations

Contact Details

Note: The Arbour Way Foundation does not have a publicly listed website, phone number, or email address for grant inquiries, as they do not accept unsolicited applications.

Foundation Location: Boston, MA
EIN: 88-1930194
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) Private Grantmaking Foundation (since January 2023)

Overview

The Arbour Way Foundation was established in spring 2022 by Marc Wolpow, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Audax Group, and his wife Robin Wolpow. The foundation has grown rapidly, with total assets reaching $112.7 million by 2024, up from $56.2 million in 2022. The foundation applies a "venture philanthropy" model to support four primary causes: health equity, educational opportunity, reproductive rights, and environmental defense. In 2024, the foundation distributed over $4 million in charitable grants across 15 awards. The foundation is governed by a family board of trustees including Marc and Robin Wolpow along with their children Nina Rosborough, Julie Wolpow, Thomas Wolpow, and Davis Rosborough. The foundation's approach emphasizes measurable outcomes and collaborative decision-making among family members.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Arbour Way Foundation does not operate formal grant programs with set funding tiers. Instead, grants are determined through a family consensus process following independent research. Grant amounts have ranged from $4,400 to $10,000,000, with multi-year commitments possible.

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses exclusively on four causes:

Health Equity: Supporting programs that reduce health disparities and expand access to care for underserved populations. Examples include funding Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's Office of Health Equity to expand clinical trial access for underserved patients, and supporting Boston Children's Hospital's diversity initiatives.

Educational Opportunity: Funding programs that create pathways for students and emerging professionals, particularly in healthcare entrepreneurship. The foundation's largest grant to date ($10 million) established the Robin S. Wolpow and Marc B. Wolpow Fund for Healthcare Entrepreneurship at the University of Pennsylvania's Venture Lab.

Reproductive Rights: Supporting advocacy and legal work to protect reproductive rights, including funding for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Environmental Defense: Supporting environmental litigation and advocacy, including grants to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) for environmental-defense litigation.

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's exclusive focus on their four priority areas (health equity, educational opportunity, reproductive rights, and environmental defense) means they do not fund organizations outside these specific causes. As a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited applications, they do not fund organizations they have not independently identified through their research process.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

  • Marc Wolpow (Chairman)
  • Robin Wolpow
  • Nina Rosborough
  • Julie Wolpow
  • Thomas Wolpow
  • Davis Rosborough

All trustees serve without compensation.

Marc Wolpow is Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Audax Group, a leading alternative investment manager. He previously served as a General Partner and Managing Director at Bain Capital. He holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School, an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, and a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He has extensive nonprofit board experience, having previously served on the boards of Boston Children's Hospital, Dartmouth Health, The Belmont Hill School, and The Park School.

Marc Wolpow has stated about the foundation's approach: "In each case, we have applied a top-down approach, starting with the worthy causes that comprise our mission followed by deep, independent research to identify the organizations and specific programs best suited to deliver positive outcomes."

On their philanthropic vision, Marc stated: "Robin and I want to provide an enduring platform that catalyzes collaboration and allows budding entrepreneurs and students to push the boundaries of what is possible and bring their most audacious ideas to life."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Arbour Way Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or inbound solicitations.

According to the foundation's public statements: "AWF doesn't accept inbound solicitations because the process that goes into grant selection is designed to be collaborative and every grant is determined through a consensus of family members."

The foundation uses a proactive, research-driven approach. Marc Wolpow explains: "We have applied a top-down approach, starting with the worthy causes that comprise our mission followed by deep, independent research to identify the organizations and specific programs best suited to deliver positive outcomes."

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the family trustees, who identify potential grantees through their own research and networks rather than through an open application process.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept applications. In 2024, the foundation made 15 grants totaling over $4 million.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the Arbour Way Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, there is no traditional application process. However, organizations that align with their mission may come to their attention through:

Alignment with Core Mission Areas: The foundation exclusively supports organizations working in their four priority areas: health equity, educational opportunity, reproductive rights, and environmental defense. Organizations must clearly demonstrate impact in one of these specific areas.

Measurable Outcomes: The foundation applies a "venture philanthropy" model focused on establishing, measuring, and reaching charitable objectives. Organizations that can demonstrate clear metrics and outcomes are more likely to align with the foundation's approach.

Innovation and Collaboration: Based on their support for the University of Pennsylvania's Venture Lab, the foundation values programs that "catalyze collaboration" and enable people to "push the boundaries of what is possible and bring their most audacious ideas to life."

Institutional Credibility: The foundation's known grantees include prestigious institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Boston Children's Hospital, ACLU, and NRDC, suggesting they support well-established organizations with strong reputations.

Multi-Year Impact Potential: Several of their grants (such as the $1 million to Memorial Sloan Kettering paid over three years) indicate they are willing to make multi-year commitments to programs with sustained impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications; they identify and approach grantees themselves
  • Family Consensus Model: All grants require agreement among family trustees, suggesting a deliberate and potentially relationship-based selection process
  • Significant Capacity: With over $112 million in assets and annual giving exceeding $4 million, this is a well-resourced foundation capable of major gifts
  • Top-Down Research Approach: The foundation conducts independent research to identify organizations rather than responding to proposals
  • Four Exclusive Focus Areas: Only organizations working in health equity, educational opportunity, reproductive rights, or environmental defense will be considered
  • Venture Philanthropy Lens: They prioritize measurable outcomes, innovation, and collaborative approaches
  • Connection to Founders: Marc Wolpow's extensive nonprofit board experience and his connections to institutions like the University of Pennsylvania, Boston Children's Hospital, and Dartmouth Health may inform grantee selection

References

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