The Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation (Meyer Foundation) is a left-of-center organization that makes grants related to racial and economic equity in Washington, D.C. The group has spoken about white privilege and power, claiming it is historic and persistent, and seeks to raise money to invest in Black-majority neighborhoods.

History

The Meyer Foundation focuses on the Washington, D.C. area through philanthropy events. ¹ The Meyer Foundation states it seeks a more equitable community by providing grants to disadvantaged parts of Washington, D.C. with the aim of racial justice. ²

Programs

The Meyer Foundation provides grants to schools teaching 8^th through 12^th grade to produce socially responsible leaders. ³ The Meyer Foundation advocates efforts to give the Black community a greater voice. ⁴ A goal is to raise awareness on social issues that disproportionally affect Black Americans. ⁵ The group claims it can help overcome barriers in the Black community. ⁶ The Meyer Foundation stands against what it identifies as white privilege and power and has tool kits to overcome this. ⁷

The Meyer Foundation has stated that systemic racism is historic and persistent. ⁸ In 2022, the Meyer Foundation awarded a total of $635,000 worth of grants to Beloved Community Incubator, Black Church Food Security Network (BCFSN), Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development, Collective Action for Safe Spaces, DC Jobs With Justice, DC KinKare Alliance, Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations, Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance, Out for Justice, and PLTI of Alexandria Virginia. ^{9 11} The group formed the Excluded Workers Coalition demanding money from the D.C. government. ¹²  The organization secured $14 million from the D.C. government and has now led to the Meyer Foundation leading the Just and Equitable COVID-19 Grantmaking Fund seeking more money from the government. ¹³

Additionally, the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation provides a racial equity toolkit on its website to discuss matters such as systems of change, white culture, and equity lens in action. ¹⁴

Funding

In 2019, the Meyer Foundation had total assets of $224,881,515. ¹⁵ According to the organization’s tax returns, in 2019 Meyer Foundation recorded $4,295,530 in revenue and $4,817,879 in expenses. ¹⁶ In 2018, the Meyer Foundation had $24,460,920 in revenue and $13,192,608 in expenses. ¹⁷

Leadership

George L. Askew has been president and CEO of Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation since April 2022. ¹⁸ Previously, Askew was deputy CEO of Health and Human Services and Education for Prince George’s County, Maryland. ¹⁹ Askew also served as deputy commissioner of health in New York City from 2014 to 2018 and chief medical officer at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from 2012 to 2014. ²⁰ Askew has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Harvard University and a medical degree from Case Western Reserve University. ²¹ Askew has stated that through his career he looked at things through a social justice and racial equity lens. ²²

1. Eugene and Ages E. Meyer Foundation. Accessed May 7, 2023. https://meyerfoundation.org.
2. Eugene and Ages E. Meyer Foundation. Accessed May 7, 2023. https://meyerfoundation.org. “Our Vision.” Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation. Accessed May 7, 2023. https://meyerfoundation.org/our-vision/.
3. Eugene and Ages E. Meyer Foundation. Accessed May 7, 2023. https://meyerfoundation.org.
4. “Our Vision.” Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation. Accessed May 7, 2023. https://meyerfoundation.org/our-vision/.
5. Eugene and Ages E. Meyer Foundation. Accessed May 7, 2023. https://meyerfoundation.org.
6. Eugene and Ages E. Meyer Foundation. Accessed May 7, 2023. https://meyerfoundation.org.
7. “Racial Equity Toolkit.” Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation. Accessed May 8, 2023. https://meyerfoundation.org/racial-equity-toolkit/#systemschange
8. “Our Beliefs.” Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation. Accessed May 8, 2023. https://meyerfoundation.org/our-vision/.
9. “Meyer Awards $635,000 to Eight Organizations in March.” Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation. May 19, 2022. Accessed May 8, 2023. https://meyerfoundation.org/news/meyer-awards-635000-to-eight-organizations-in-march/.

11. During COVID in 2020, the Meyer Foundation joined other groups in demanding payments to individuals and organizations in black-majority neighborhoods during the pandemic. ¹⁰ “Meyer Awards $635,000 to Eight Organizations in March.” Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation. May 19, 2022. Accessed May 8, 2023. https://meyerfoundation.org/news/meyer-awards-635000-to-eight-organizations-in-march/.

12. “Meyer Awards $635,000 to Eight Organizations in March.” Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation. May 19, 2022. Accessed May 8, 2023. https://meyerfoundation.org/news/meyer-awards-635000-to-eight-organizations-in-march/.
13. “Meyer Awards $635,000 to Eight Organizations in March.” Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation. May 19, 2022. Accessed May 8, 2023. https://meyerfoundation.org/news/meyer-awards-635000-to-eight-organizations-in-march/
14. “Racial Equity Toolkit.” Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation. Accessed May 8, 2023. https://meyerfoundation.org/racial-equity-toolkit/.
15. Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990-PF), 2019.
16. Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990-PF), 2019.
17.  Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990-PF), 2018.
18. “George L. Askew.” LinkedIn. Accessed Mary 7,2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-l-askew-md-911572a/
19. “George L. Askew.” LinkedIn. Accessed Mary 7,2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-l-askew-md-911572a/
20. “George L. Askew.” LinkedIn. Accessed Mary 7,2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-l-askew-md-911572a/.
21. “George L. Askew.” LinkedIn. Accessed Mary 7,2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-l-askew-md-911572a/.
22. “George L. Askew MD.” Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation. Accessed May 7, 2023. https://meyerfoundation.org/people/george-l-askew-m-d/.