The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation is deeply committed to improving the quality of life for all Washington, DC metropolitan area residents. The Foundation responds to community needs and opportunities in the areas of Arts and Humanities, Community Services, Education, the Environment and Health.  As a private, independent foundation focused exclusively on the DC region, the Foundation is proud to have supported thousands of organizations since its founding in 1948.

The Foundation is the legacy of Morris Cafritz, an outstanding civic leader known for his generosity to the community. Morris Cafritz established the Foundation in 1948.  His wife, Gwendolyn, known for her commitment to women’s rights and civil liberties, was President of the Foundation from 1964 to 1988. Calvin Cafritz, their eldest son, became Board Chairman in 1989 and in 1993, he was elected President and CEO of the Foundation. He served in these roles until 2022, when Jane Lipton Cafritz, his wife, was elected Board Chair and President and CEO.

Since 1970, when electronic record keeping was initiated, awards totaling more than $641 million have been granted. In the last 10 years, $232 million has been awarded to more than 787 organizations in the areas of Arts and Humanities, Community Services,  Education, the Environment and Health. The Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life for residents of the Washington, DC area. For more information, please visit www.cafritzfoundation.org