OVERVIEW: Rupert H. Johnson Jr. Foundation primarily funds grantmaking for education and the arts. It also earmarks funds for areas like policy and health.
IP TAKE: The Rupert H. Johnson Jr. Foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. It is, however, an accessible funder that welcomes unsolicited grant applications from Bay Area groups via its mailing address, which is provided below.
PROFILE: Established in 1992, the Rupert H. Johnson Jr. Foundation was established by billionaire businessman Rupert Johnson Jr., vice chairman of Franklin Resources, a global investment management firm also called Franklin Templeton Investments. He also served as a Marine. The foundation does not maintain a website, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. According to tax filings, the Rupert H. Johnson Jr. Foundation primarily funds grantmaking for education and the arts. It also earmarks funds for areas like policy and health.
Grants for Higher Education
Most of this foundation’s giving is focused on higher education, but other education grantees occassionally receive its support as well. Rupert Johnson pledged $100 million to his alma mater, Washington and Lee University, $85 million of which has been designated for scholarships. Rupert is a trustee emeritus of Santa Clara University, home to the Johnson Scholars Program, which “prepares graduates to make meaningful contributions toward a more just, humane, and sustainable world.” His wife Maryellie graduated from Radcliffe, and the couple established a $12.5 million fund to enhance the creative arts at Harvard.
Other past grantees include Hillsborough Schools Foundation, UC Davis, and the BASIC Fund, “a privately funded organization providing partial-tuition scholarships to underserved families across the Bay Area,” on whose board Johnson sits. The foundation gave $150,000 to Norwich University and has supported Hardin-Simmons University, Standford University, and the University of San Francisco.
Grants for Arts and Culture
While not as robust as its education funding, the foundation does support arts and culture in the Bay Area. Maryellie, in particular, has a strong interest in the arts and is a local artist. Rupert has served on the board of the San Francisco Zoological Society and has been active with the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. The family has given SFMOMA millions through the years.
Grants for Democracy and Civic Engagement
The foundation’s support for policy organizations is a relatively small part of its overall grantmaking. Previous grantees have included Hoover Institution; Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy; Pacific Legal Foundation; and Institute for Humane Studies, “a libertarian non-profit organization that engages with students and professors throughout the United States.” Johnsons’ policy grantmaking appears to focus on right-of-center organizations.
Rupert is also on the president’s council of United Religions Initiative, “a global grassroots interfaith network that cultivates peace and justice by engaging people to bridge religious and cultural differences and work together for the good of their communities and the world,” another grantee.
Grants for Public Health and Access
The foundation grantees have included St. Jude Children Research Hospital, Pacific Health Institute, and Focused Ultrasound Foundation. The Mills-Peninsula Hospital Foundation also received $500,000 in a recent year.
Grants for Bay Area & NorCal and Community Development
Although a few grants in each cycle support national groups based in the Washington, D.C. area or sometimes New York City, almost all Johnson grantmaking takes place in Northern California. Bay Area-based grantees that don’t fall into the categories of education or the arts, as noted above, include the Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Jumpstart for Young Children and the First Tee of San Francisco.
Important Grant Details
Grants range from $300 to over $500,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $3.3 million.
While the foundation does not have a website and keeps a low profile, it does accept unsolicited grant requests.
There are no specific application forms, deadlines, or restrictions or limitations on awards.
Grantseekers should simply submit standard application materials and supporting documentation to Rupert Johnson’s attention via U.S. mail.
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. serves as the sole trustee of the foundation, and there appear to be no additional officers, board members or employees.
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CONTACT:
Rupert H Johnson Jr. Trustee
Rupert H. Johnson Jr. Foundation
One Franklin Parkway Bldg 920, 4th Floor
San Mateo, CA 94403
