Our Approach

The A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation's philanthropic approach focused on trust, due diligence, and generating long-term impact through flexible, multi-year investments.

Vanderbilt Clark Scholar Yoanna Ivanova examines a test tube in a lab. She wears a white lab coat and protective gloves.

Credit: Fred Zwicky at the University of Illinois

Two women speak while sitting at a table in front of a laptop.

Credit: Lisa Helfert Photography

Our Guiding Principles

Five guiding principles steered the Clark Foundation's work. Each was rooted in the personal values of our founder, A. James Clark.

Make investments, not gifts.

01

Our investment-oriented approach delivered measurable results.

The Clark Foundation strategically invested its resources to achieve lasting impact. Backed by thorough due diligence, each partnership was founded on a deep understanding of how the funds could drive long-term change.

 

Key Points

Due diligence

We did our research so we could make sizeable, multi-year investments for greater impact.

Data-driven collaboration

We collaborated with our partners to identify meaningful goals.

Be bold. Learn quickly. Stay nimble.

02

We invested in pilot programs, provided seed funding, and were flexible with our partners in times of change.

The Clark Foundation's approach emphasized innovation, learning and adaptability. We aimed to establish candid relationships with our grantees, which allowed us to understand what was effective soon after they did. Our small team facilitated quick decision-making and prompt course correction, ensuring our partners' efforts remained impactful and relevant in an ever-evolving landscape.

Key Points

Seed funding

We helped promising new initiatives find their footing.

Pilot programs

We helped our partners learn quickly and scale their operations.

Quick pivots and course-correction

We adapted with our partners to support their missions.

Key Results

$173M
Seed-funding and pilot program support
$6M
Emergency funding during the COVID-19 pandemic and other times of critical need

Build strong, trusting relationships with grantees.

03

We respected grantees as experts and leaders in the communities they served.

The Clark Foundation's approach centered on establishing trust and clear communication with our partners. We hosted summits, connected grantees, and facilitated knowledge-sharing between them, with the goal of fostering collaborative and supportive relationships.

Key Points

Trust and transparency

We prioritized learning over perfection so that grantees could pivot when necessary.

Data-gathering and sharing

We collected and shared data with grantees to support program improvement.

Key Results

$505M
Invested in general operating support

Invest today's capital in solving today's problems.

04

We made large investments to make the greatest possible impact within ten years.

Our approach prioritized immediate impact, responsiveness, and measurable results. We helped our partners tackle urgent challenges, ensuring that our contributions had a timely and significant effect.

Key Points

A focus on learning

We provided flexible funding that allowed our partners to adapt quickly to new challenges.

Fostering partnerships

We brought together organizations working in the same field to collaborate and learn.

Support the growth and sustainability of our partners.

05

We invested to increase organizational capacity.

We helped our partners work toward ambitious goals while also strengthening their ability to serve their communities. We prioritized capacity-building support and leadership training to ensure that they would continue to succeed long after our sunset.

Key Points

Capacity building

We helped our partners scale their operations responsibly.

Long-term sustainability

Our partnerships prioritized sustainable growth.

Key Results

60%
Share of investments in general operations and capacity building
$166M
Invested in facilities

Learn more

Our approach to philanthropy was shaped by our founder, our team, and our mission to make a lasting impact during our ten-year spend down.
Our Impact
Two Clark Scholars as they explain their prototype for a design challenge to members of the Clark Leadership team.

Credit: Art Trends LLC