Jessie Ball duPont Fund - 25 Years of Giving

A Family of Organizations

In many respects, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund is defined not by what it funds, but by whom it funds. It does not focus exclusively on education, or health care or the environment. Its focus, rather, is its eligible organizations, that universe of organizations that won a place in the heart of Mrs. duPont.

Far from being a limitation, this defined universe provides the Fund and its trustees with a wealth of opportunities for challenging and creative grantmaking.

The organizations - more than 325, located throughout the United States and beyond - vary widely in mission, size and sophistication, but organize themselves into three distinctive portfolios: educational institutions, religious organizations and nonprofit organizations. They range in size from the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada to Berea College in Berea, Kentucky; from the Washington Cathedral in the nation's capital to the First Born Church of the Living God in Port St. Joe, Florida; from the Girl Scouts of the USA in New York City to the Northumberland County Rescue Squad in Reedville, Virginia.

Mrs. duPont could not have imagined the profound effect of her decision to identify specific eligible organizations in her will. This beneficiary designation creates a permanent connection between each organization and the Fund - a rare thing in the world of funders and those that seek funding. No matter how great or how small the duPont Fund-eligible organization, it has a permanent relationship with the Jessie Ball duPont Fund.

This relationship alters the view of both Fund and organization in profound ways. For the organization, there always will be an entity to which it can turn for support, advice and guidance; there always will be a funder that must, at least, listen. For the Fund, the eligible organization must be considered with a long view. The Fund enjoys the luxury of connecting with organizations over time, watching their evolution and nurturing their growth. Change can occur in stages and at a pace appropriate for the organization. The Fund's trustees see the organizations in a historical narrative, rather than in a snapshot.

Building and developing these relationships has required diligence and care through the years.

When the Fund first was established, letters were sent to all of the known eligibles advising them of their ability to apply for grants. Some organizations, naturally, proved more astute and adept at maintaining connection with the Fund. For others, the connection was not so immediate.

A study in the late 1980s highlighted the inconsistencies in the Fund's relationship with its eligibles, and prompted a renewal of efforts to connect with and build relationships with those organizations on the fringes. Improved communications, more frequent face-to-face encounters, and introduction of new grantmaking strategies increased the points of connection between the Fund and the organizations. Each year since 1995, on average, 65 percent of the eligible organizations have received support from the Fund.

Over time, the universe of organizations has changed. Some have been acquired, some have become for-profit businesses and some have closed their doors. And, in some cases, new recipients of Mrs. duPont's philanthropy have been identified. Such was the case this year, when six newly found eligible organizations were discovered, after an exhaustive search of Mrs. duPont's records in preparation for the 25th anniversary.

For these organizations, the relationship is new, but it promises to be as rich and lasting as that which has bound the Fund and Mrs. duPont's beneficiaries for 25 years.