Fthree Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,572,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $500 - $125,000
• Geographic Focus: National (20+ states)

Contact Details

Website: www.hirschphilanthropy.com (managed through Hirsch Philanthropy Partners) Phone: Not publicly available Email: Contact through Hirsch Philanthropy Partners website Location: San Francisco, CA

Overview

The Fthree Foundation is a San Francisco-based private foundation with assets totaling over $30 million, established to promote journalism, higher education, and democratic engagement. Led by President Nancy Richards Farese, daughter of Southwire founder Roy Richards Sr., the foundation distributed $1,572,000 across 91 grants in 2023. The foundation takes a trust-based philanthropy approach, providing multi-year general operating support grants with streamlined administrative requirements. Its grantmaking is professionally managed by Hirsch Philanthropy Partners, a renowned philanthropic advisory firm. In 2021, responding to threats to democracy, the foundation launched the Democracy Reform Innovation Fund to identify and invest in scalable, high-impact work.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

While specific named programs are not publicly detailed, the foundation awards grants ranging from $500 to $125,000, with an average grant of $17,150 and median grant of $5,000.

Priority Areas

• Journalism and Media: Supporting investigative journalism, public media, and news literacy
• Civic Engagement: Promoting voter participation, civic education, and democratic leadership
• Government Accountability: Reducing the influence of money in politics, supporting campaign finance reform
• Higher Education: Supporting educational institutions, particularly those advancing civic engagement

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated in available materials

Governance and Leadership

President: Nancy Richards Farese - Award-winning photographer, social entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Founder of PhotoPhilanthropy and CatchLight, board member of Southwire Company and NPR Foundation.

Secretary/Treasurer: Dr. Robert V. Farese Jr.

Board Members: Julie Shafer, Conor Farese

All key personnel serve on a voluntary basis without compensation.

Nancy Richards Farese has stated: "I believe that the health of our journalism systems is directly related to the health of our democracy. I think of journalism as the third leg of the stool that supports democracy."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation's grantmaking is managed through Hirsch Philanthropy Partners, who identify and select grantees based on strategic priorities set by the foundation's trustees. Organizations interested in funding should establish relationships through the philanthropic advisory firm.

Getting on Their Radar

• Build relationships with Hirsch Philanthropy Partners, who manage the foundation's grantmaking
• The foundation monitors ongoing programs and invites proposals from organizations aligned with their focus areas
• They practice trust-based philanthropy with emphasis on multi-year general operating support

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's approach and recent grants:

• Alignment with democracy strengthening initiatives is crucial - the foundation launched a special Democracy Reform Innovation Fund in 2021
• Organizations practicing transparency and open communication are favored, as the foundation emphasizes "two-way communication about progress and challenges"
• Multi-year impact potential is important, as they provide multi-year general operating support
• Geographic diversity may be an advantage - they fund across 20+ states
• Track record in journalism, civic engagement, or democracy work appears essential based on their grant history

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis through Hirsch Philanthropy Partners
• Focus areas are specifically journalism, civic engagement, and democracy protection - alignment is critical
• Trust-based philanthropy approach means less administrative burden for selected grantees
• Average grants are relatively modest ($17,150) but can reach up to $125,000 for major initiatives
• Recent grants show preference for established organizations with proven impact in media, civic education, and democracy work
• Building relationships with Hirsch Philanthropy Partners is essential for consideration

References

• Instrumentl 990 Report for Fthree Foundation, accessed February 2025
• InfluenceWatch profile of Fthree Foundation, accessed February 2025
• The Philanthropy Workshop interview with Nancy Richards Farese, accessed February 2025
• Third Plateau interview with Nancy Richards Farese, accessed February 2025
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Fthree Foundation Form 990-PF filings, accessed February 2025
• Grantmakers.io Profile - Fthree Foundation, accessed February 2025
• Hirsch Philanthropy Partners website, accessed February 2025
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution opinion piece by Nancy Farese on public news and democracy, accessed February 2025