The Robertson Foundation is a private foundation established in 1996 by Tiger Management founder Julian H. Robertson, Jr., his wife Josie, and their family. The foundation takes a targeted, businesslike, results-oriented approach to philanthropy.
The foundation makes large, transformative grants. Its objective is to leverage these grants by partnering with proven grantees and aligned funders. It seeks measurable outcomes in either the intermediate or longer term.
The Robertson Foundation currently targets high impact grants in three principal areas within the United States: 1) education 2) environment and 3) medical research. As opportunities emerge, the foundation has provided grants in other areas of interest.
Education: The Robertson Foundation believes that all Americans should receive a quality education. Accordingly, a substantial majority of our grantmaking in this area is directed towards K-12 public school reform. In addition, the Robertson Foundation has sponsored the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program in an effort to develop a new generation of leaders who will be thoughtful and engaged contributors to society.
Environment: The Robertson Foundation believes that we have an obligation to be responsible stewards of the earth for future generations. The Foundation's primary area of interest within the environment is climate change.
Grants support activities that we believe will:
- Lead to comprehensive federal regulation of greenhouse gases;
- Improve public understanding of human-caused climate change; and
- Reduce near-term emissions from coal.
Medical Research: As Federal funding for medical research has waned in the last decade, the medical research community fears that a difficult and unpredictable funding environment favors conservative, rather than breakthrough, research and at the same time, directs young minds from research to other fields. The Robertson Foundation's grantmaking in medical research is designed to facilitate cutting edge research by supporting scientific leadership and talent, and on a limited basis, ensuring that modern infrastructure is in place, thus creating a platform for excellent scientists to conduct their work.
The Foundation believes in supporting game-changing medical research and in doing so, funds established scientific leaders in their specific endeavors. Additionally, the Foundation recognizes how crucial it is to create a pipeline of talented emerging scientists and has made significant investments in young investigators, junior faculty, and fellowships in many disciplines.
The foundation awarded over $75 million in grants in 2024. Recent awardees include: Hollins University, Johns Hopkins University, and Oceana Inc.
The Robertson Foundation has a number of grants beyond its primary areas of interest. In particular, the Foundation has invested in unique demonstration projects and leadership development opportunities both in the US and abroad. Efforts range from global health and international poverty eradication to leadership and community development.