Our Mission & Vision
The Julian Grace Foundation is an entrepreneurial private foundation that does high-engagement grant-making in order to create a just, unified, and hopeful world.
The Julian Grace Foundation envisions a just world in which there is renewed hope, socio-economic mobility, unity, and healing within and between individuals, communities, and the environment.
Our Story
The Julian Grace Foundation (JGF) was founded in 2015 by Jessica Sarowitz, inspired by her family’s values of equity, compassion, and giving back. Driven by her belief that equitable philanthropy is essential to building a more just and hopeful world, she founded JGF to address systemic inequities and leave a lasting legacy. With her family at its heart, the foundation is committed to increasing financial resources and fostering authentic, long-term partnerships that create lasting value.
Our Commitment to Racial Justice
The Julian Grace Foundation is committed to funding with a racial justice lens to build a more just and unified world. We support organizations working to dismantle structural racism and create access, opportunity, and power. We believe communities most affected by inequities, particularly BIPOC leaders, should lead change and have equitable access to resources, philanthropic support, and investment capital.
We aim to help organizations become more representative of their communities by supporting leadership shifts within 3 years, guided by a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) plan with measurable goals and outcomes. With this commitment, we will center the communities and people directly impacted by structural racism in our grantmaking and investment strategies by committing to using all forms of capital to advance our mission.
How We’re Prioritizing BIPOC Communities
Majority BIPOC Board of Directors
Maintain a majority BIPOC Board of Directors and strive for a majority BIPOC staff.
Annual Funding Into BIPOC Communities
Strive to direct over 90% of annual funding to initiatives and organizations serving BIPOC communities.
Grant Dollars for BIPOC-led Organizations
Aim to allocate more than 75% of grant dollars to BIPOC-led organizations¹ each year.
Screen Public Equity Portfolio
Screen and evaluate our public equity portfolio to exclude corporations that harm BIPOC communities.
Support BIPOC & Women-owned Firms
Aim for over 75% of private equity investments to be managed by BIPOC and women-owned firms², supporting BIPOC-led organizations.
General Operating Grants for BIPOC-led Organizations
Raise the percentage of general operating grants for BIPOC-led organizations over the next 3 years.
- BIPOC-led organization
JGF defines a BIPOC-led organization as the majority of the Board, staff, and leadership team identifying as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). - BIPOC and women-owned firms
JGF defines BIPOC and women-owned as having at least one general partner or founder of the firm identifying as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and/or female as an under-represented investment identity.
Funding Priorities
Grants are typically made in the following program areas:
Immigration & Human Rights
Programs and organizations that provide immigration services or focus on human rights domestically or internationally.
Preservation of Cultural Heritage
Programs and organizations that support the preservation and presentation of cultural artifacts that educate and enhance the lives of communities.
Health
Programs that focus on developing healthier communities in a variety of ways.
Educational Opportunity
Programs and organizations that reach underserved, low-income, minority communities needing development in education, career/job training, and improved family conditions, including a particular interest in enhancing access to science and technology.
*We are currently not inviting new organizations with this impact focus as it is heavily represented in our current grantee portfolio.
Environmental Protection
Programs and organizations that protect natural habitats and promote sustainable and healthier interactions between distressed communities and their environments.
