Taylor Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.3M
Grant Range
$8K - $1.0M

Taylor Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • EIN: 90-0686250
  • Annual Giving: $6.3 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: $7,500 - $1,000,000
  • Median Grant: $10,000
  • Total Assets: $143 million
  • Geographic Focus: St. Louis, Missouri
  • Application Process: No public application - preselected organizations only

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 16620, St. Louis, MO 63105-1120
Phone: 314-512-2253
Website: Not publicly available

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or requests for funding.

Overview

The Taylor Family Foundation was established in 2011 by the Taylor family, founders of Enterprise Holdings (Enterprise Rent-A-Car). With total assets of $143 million, the private family foundation distributed $6.3 million in grants in 2023 through approximately 18-20 grants annually. The foundation is led by trustees Andrew C. Taylor (Executive Chairman of Enterprise Holdings) and his wife Barbara B. Taylor. The foundation focuses its support primarily on St. Louis-area cultural, educational, healthcare, and community development organizations. The Taylors have been recognized in the Chronicle of Philanthropy's Philanthropy 50 for their significant charitable contributions, with the family and their various foundations having donated over $1 billion to charitable causes throughout their history. The foundation operates alongside the Crawford Taylor Foundation (another Taylor family foundation with broader application opportunities) and the Enterprise Holdings Foundation (the corporate foundation).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on a preselected organizations only basis with no formal grant programs or public application process. Grants are distributed annually to organizations with established relationships to the Taylor family.

Grant Characteristics:

  • Grant Range: $7,500 to $1,000,000
  • Median Grant: $10,000
  • Number of Grants: 18-20 annually
  • Grant Type: Most grants are designated as "Annual Fund - Support"

Priority Areas

Based on recent grant distributions, the foundation prioritizes:

Cultural & Parks:

  • Forest Park Forever (major multi-million dollar recipient)
  • Saint Louis Art Museum
  • Saint Louis Zoo
  • Missouri Botanical Garden
  • Gateway Arch National Park projects

Education:

  • Washington University in St. Louis (major supporter through various Taylor family gifts)
  • Ranken Technical College
  • St. Louis Public Schools Foundation
  • KIPP St. Louis

Community & Social Services:

  • United Way of Greater St. Louis
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis
  • American Red Cross of Eastern Missouri

Healthcare:

  • St. Louis Children's Hospital Foundation
  • Washington University neuroscience and psychiatric research

International Affairs & Policy:

  • Center for Strategic & International Studies

What They Don't Fund

Based on the foundation's stated policy and giving patterns:

  • Organizations without an established relationship to the Taylor family
  • Unsolicited applications from any organization
  • Organizations outside the St. Louis region (with rare exceptions for national policy organizations)
  • Individual scholarships (these are handled through other Taylor family mechanisms)

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Andrew C. Taylor (0.25 hours/week, $0 compensation)

  • Executive Chairman of Enterprise Holdings
  • Son of Enterprise founder Jack C. Taylor (1922-2016)
  • Awarded the St. Louis Award for philanthropy and civic leadership
  • Led major donations to renovate Gateway Arch National Park and Soldiers Memorial Military Museum
  • Father of Chrissy Taylor, current President and CEO of Enterprise Holdings

Barbara Broadhurst Taylor (0.25 hours/week, $0 compensation)

  • Wife of Andrew C. Taylor
  • Active philanthropist in St. Louis community
  • Received honorary degree from Washington University in 2022
  • Co-donor with Andrew on numerous major gifts to Washington University and other St. Louis institutions

Foundation Philosophy

According to Jack C. Taylor's legacy, the family's philanthropic approach focuses on creating lasting impact in their home community of St. Louis. Andrew C. Taylor has stated the family's commitment to supporting institutions that preserve beauty, enhance quality of life, and strengthen the community's cultural and educational infrastructure. The family has donated over $860 million personally (Jack Taylor during his lifetime) plus additional hundreds of millions through family foundations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Taylor Family Foundation does not have a public application process.

According to their Form 990-PF filing, "The foundation has indicated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

This means:

  • No application forms are available
  • No letters of inquiry are accepted
  • Grant decisions are made by trustees based on organizations they have selected
  • Unsolicited proposals will not be reviewed

Getting on Their Radar

NOTE: The following information is specific to how the Taylor Family Foundation has historically identified and supported organizations:

Established Relationships: The foundation's giving pattern shows consistent multi-year support to the same core group of St. Louis institutions. New organizations appear to enter the portfolio through:

  1. Major St. Louis Civic Initiatives: The Taylor family has demonstrated interest in landmark St. Louis projects that have broad community impact, such as Forest Park renovations, Gateway Arch improvements, and major cultural institution campaigns. Organizations leading significant civic improvement projects may attract attention.

  2. Enterprise Holdings Employee Connections: While the Taylor Family Foundation is separate from the Enterprise Holdings Foundation, there may be overlap in awareness. The Enterprise Holdings Foundation (led by Jo Ann Taylor Kindle, Andrew's sister) receives 98% of grant requests from Enterprise employees. Building relationships with Enterprise employees who serve on nonprofit boards could create awareness.

  3. Board Service and Personal Connections: Both Andrew and Barbara Taylor serve on various nonprofit boards in St. Louis. Organizations where family members or close associates serve in governance roles are more likely to be known to the foundation.

  4. Washington University Connections: The Taylor family has an exceptionally strong relationship with Washington University, having donated over $100 million. Organizations connected to Washington University initiatives or where university leadership is involved may have better visibility.

  5. Collaborative St. Louis Efforts: The Taylors have supported organizations working on collaborative community improvement, such as United Way of Greater St. Louis, suggesting an interest in organizations that bring multiple stakeholders together for community benefit.

Important Note: Even with these connections, there is no guarantee of funding consideration, and the foundation maintains full discretion over all grant decisions without obligation to review any proposals.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process. The foundation makes grant decisions annually based on trustee discretion.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

This section applies only to organizations that have already been selected or invited by the foundation.

Based on the Taylor family's documented philanthropic priorities and public statements:

  1. Long-term Community Impact: The Taylors focus on projects that create lasting legacies in St. Louis. Andrew Taylor's quote about the Gateway Arch renovation: "This is about creating something that will benefit St. Louis for generations to come."

  2. Excellence and Leadership: The foundation supports premier institutions in their fields - the region's leading zoo, art museum, parks, hospitals, and universities. Organizations should demonstrate leadership position and excellence in their sector.

  3. Alignment with Family Values: The Taylor family has emphasized support for:

    • Family values and programs supporting families
    • Education and youth development
    • Senior citizen care
    • Healthcare quality
    • Cultural preservation
    • American heritage and civic institutions
  4. St. Louis Focus: Nearly all grants go to St. Louis area organizations. The foundation's giving reflects a deep commitment to their home community where Enterprise Holdings is headquartered.

  5. Capital and Endowment Giving: Major Taylor family gifts often support capital projects (buildings, renovations) or endowments rather than annual operating support, though the foundation does provide some annual fund support.

  6. Financial Stewardship: As successful business leaders, the Taylors likely value organizations with strong financial management, clear strategic planning, and measurable outcomes.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - this foundation only supports preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited proposals
  • St. Louis focus is paramount - virtually all funding stays in the greater St. Louis metropolitan area
  • Relationship-driven grantmaking - the foundation supports organizations where trustees have established connections through board service, family relationships, or major civic involvement
  • Consider the Crawford Taylor Foundation instead - if you're a St. Louis organization seeking Taylor family support and don't have an existing relationship, the Crawford Taylor Foundation (EIN 43-1790817) has a public Letter of Inquiry process and broader accessibility
  • Think legacy, not annual needs - the Taylor family's major gifts focus on transformative projects that create lasting community benefit
  • Enterprise Holdings connection may help - while separate from this foundation, the Enterprise Holdings Foundation (led by Jo Ann Taylor Kindle) does accept employee-initiated requests
  • Long-term cultivation required - organizations appearing in the foundation's grant list show multi-year repeat support, suggesting that if you do establish a relationship, sustained funding may be possible

References

  1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Taylor Family Foundation (EIN 90-0686250)
    https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/900686250
    Accessed: January 2026
    Source for: Financial data, Form 990-PF filings, organizational structure

  2. Grantmakers.io - Taylor Family Foundation Profile
    https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/900686250-taylor-family-foundation/
    Accessed: January 2026
    Source for: Grant ranges, recipient organizations, application policy ("only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds"), trustee information

  3. Cause IQ - Taylor Family Foundation
    https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/taylor-family-foundation,900686250/
    Accessed: January 2026
    Source for: Annual giving amounts, number of grants, contact information

  4. GuideStar - Taylor Family Foundation Profile
    https://www.guidestar.org/profile/90-0686250
    Accessed: January 2026
    Source for: IRS determination date, NTEE classification, contact details

  5. St. Louis Post-Dispatch - "Taylors give $92.5 million to 13 recipients, including Arch, Forest Park"
    https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/taylors-give-million-to-recipients-including-arch-forest-park/article_e1a103e9-ff87-5fa1-a620-a1af3aa6b912.html
    Accessed: January 2026
    Source for: Major grant recipients, family philanthropy approach

  6. St. Louis Post-Dispatch - "Enterprise chief Andy Taylor wins St. Louis Award for philanthropy"
    https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/enterprise-chief-andy-taylor-wins-st-louis-award-for-philanthropy/article_87efdfd1-0daf-5296-a869-2e175c039e10.html
    Accessed: January 2026
    Source for: Andrew Taylor's philanthropic recognition, quotes about civic commitment

  7. Washington University The Source - "Taylor Family Center for Student Success to set 'new standard' for universities"
    https://source.washu.edu/2023/03/taylor-family-center-for-student-success-to-set-new-standard-for-universities/
    Accessed: January 2026
    Source for: Taylor family giving to Washington University, education priorities

  8. Washington University The Source - "$10 million gift for scholarships from Andrew and Barbara Taylor lifts campaign to $2 billion"
    https://source.washu.edu/2015/10/10-million-gift-for-scholarships-from-andrew-and-barbara-taylor-lifts-campaign-to-2-billion/
    Accessed: January 2026
    Source for: Barbara and Andrew Taylor's joint philanthropy, education focus

  9. St. Louis Public Radio - "Enterprise founder and philanthropist Jack Taylor dies at 94"
    https://www.stlpr.org/economy-business/2016-07-02/enterprise-founder-and-philanthropist-jack-taylor-dies-at-94
    Accessed: January 2026
    Source for: Jack Taylor background, family structure (children Andrew and Jo Ann), family foundations, $860 million in personal donations

  10. St. Louis Public Radio - "Enterprise family gives $50 million to Wash U neuroscientists"
    https://www.stlpr.org/news-briefs/2024-12-13/enterprise-family-gives-50-million-to-wash-u-neuroscientists
    Accessed: January 2026
    Source for: Recent major gifts, healthcare priorities, family giving patterns

  11. Forest Park Forever - "Forest Park Forever Receives $30 Million Endowment Gift from Jack C. Taylor and Family"
    https://www.forestparkforever.org/news/2015/6/10/forest-park-forever-receives-30-million-endowment-gift-from-jack-c-taylor-and-family
    Accessed: January 2026
    Source for: Major grants to Forest Park, parks and civic beautification priorities

  12. Wikipedia - "Andrew C. Taylor"
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_C._Taylor
    Accessed: January 2026
    Source for: Andrew Taylor biography, family relationships, Enterprise Holdings leadership

  13. Washington University Commencement - "Barbara Broadhurst Taylor"
    https://commencement.wustl.edu/may-2022-graduates/2022-speaker-and-honorary-degrees/barbara-taylor/
    Accessed: January 2026
    Source for: Barbara Taylor's civic involvement and recognition