The Foundation’s goal is to build candid, collaborative relationships based on ambitious goal setting, thought partnership, and trust. As a spend-down foundation, we strive to empower our grantees to continue leading meaningful, lasting change long after our sunset. Our flexible and responsive approach encourages grantees to pursue measurable outcomes while sharing best practices, challenges and lessons learned.
We remember our roots
A college scholarship made Mr. Clark’s path to success possible. We have supported engineering education at over a dozen colleges and universities by expanding access for a high quality, well-rounded engineering education to over 1,100 students, improving school facilities and recruiting the best faculty.
We invest in our region
Our investments help to build the capacity of key community anchors, high-quality schools, maternal and infant health programs, and college persistence organizations in the Washington, DC region.
We honor those who served
We support veterans and their families with investments in education, health, high-quality employment, leadership development and family support services.
We value our history
Our predecessor organization, the Clark Charitable Foundation, engaged in local grantmaking for 28 years, investing over $58,600,000 in nearly 115 organizations. This work endures through the support of a number of organizations of historical significance to Foundation leadership and the Clark family.
2023 Philanthropist of the Year
The Clark Foundation was honored and deeply humbled to be recognized as Washington Business Journal’s 2023 Philanthropist of the Year, which serves as a testament to the dedication of our staff, leadership, and our incredible grantees. Our founder, Mr. A. James Clark, believed in investing in others, expanding opportunity, and solving today’s challenges with today’s resources.
For more than 35 years, the Clark Foundation has been proud to champion causes like educating future engineering leaders, supporting veterans and their families, and providing members of the DC community the best opportunity to thrive. Click the link below to read the Washington Business Journal’s coverage of the Foundation’s history and future plans, featuring interviews with Clark Foundation Board Chair Courtney Clark Pastrick and Clark Foundation President and CEO Joe Del Guercio.
