The Tiger Foundation is a grantmaking organization, established by late hedge fund manager Julian Robertson Jr., that has provided funding towards anti-poverty and community advocacy programs for youth and young adults. According to its website, the group claims to focus its grantmaking efforts on three areas: “Education,” “Family Support,” and “Youth, Workforce, and Justice.” ¹

Background

Tiger Foundation founder Julian Robertson Jr. was founder and chairman of the New York City investment firm Tiger Management, which he headed until it closed operations in 2000. Robertson passed away at the age of 90 in 2022, leaving a net worth of $4.8 billion. ^{2 3} Robertson was a philanthropist who previously signed the Giving Pledge in 2013. ⁴ Established by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and Warren Buffett; the Giving Pledge is an initiative where pledges commit to donating nearly all of their wealth towards charity-related programs and initiatives in their lifetime or prior to their deaths. ⁵

In 1989, Robertson established the Tiger Foundation along with other Tiger Management employees while encouraging the firm’s managers and alumni to be active donors. The Foundation has provided grants and other funding towards New York City-based nonprofits and charity groups to allegedly alleviate poverty whilst providing support to community advocacy programs for youth and young adults. Between 1989 and 2025, the foundation claims to have donated over $364 million. ¹

Robertson also started the Robertson Foundation in 1996 to support funding towards educational services, environmentalist causes, and medical research. ⁶ The Tiger Foundation shares employee services with the Robertson Foundation based on a shared services agreement. ⁷

Focus Areas

According to its website, the Tiger Foundation focuses its grantmaking on three areas: “Education,” “Family Support,” and “Youth, Workforce, and Justice.” ⁸

The “Education” focus area includes funding for New York City district and public charter schools as well as community-based organizations providing academic training and educational opportunities. ⁹

The “Family Support” focus area includes funding for youth and young adults in the NYC area such as early childhood programs and support services to promote family stability. ¹⁰

The “Youth, Workforce, and Justice” focus area includes funding to support unemployed youth and young adults within the foster care system through counseling programs, job training, and other social services. ¹¹

Financials

According to its 2023 990 tax form, the Tiger Foundation reported revenue of $53,380,366, expenses of $12,959,878, and total assets of $103,122,235. Most of the revenue was reportedly from Julian Robertson’s estate, while 24 smaller contributions were reportedly made by foundation trustees. ^{12 13}

Grantmaking

The Tiger Foundation typically awards one-year grants ranging from $50,000 to $300,000. Awards typically average $200,000. ¹⁴ In 2023, it awarded over $11.3 million in contributions, gifts, and grants. ¹⁵

In 2023, the Tiger Foundation awarded grants to several organizations and nonprofits including the Bard Prison Initiative, the Center for Justice Innovation, Getting Out Staying Out (GOSO), The Door, the Fortune Society, the Association to Benefit Children, the Center for Family Life, the KIPP Foundation New York, the Children’s Aid Society and the Fund for the City of New York. ¹⁶

Leadership

As of 2025, Charles Buice was the president of the Tiger Foundation, a position he had held since 2012. He earned a master’s degree in economics from New York University and joined the Tiger Foundation in 2005. ¹⁷ Buice is a board member of Philanthropy New York, ¹⁸ a trustee of the Steele-Reese Foundation, and a board member of nonprofit publisher A Public Space and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Hyde Park Foundation. ¹⁹

1. Tiger Foundation homepage. Accessed May 28, 2025. https://tigerfoundation.org/
2. “Who We Are.” Tiger Foundation. Accessed May 27, 2025. https://tigerfoundation.org/who-we-are
3. “Julian Robertson, Jr.” Forbes – profile. As of April 5, 2022. Accessed May 27, 2025. https://www.forbes.com/profile/julian-robertson-jr/
4. “On board with the Giving Pledge: Why Julian Robertson, Jr. signed.” The Bridgespan Group. November 27, 2013. Accessed May 28, 2025. https://www.bridgespan.org/insights/julian-robertson-jr/on-board-with-the-giving-pledge-why-julian-robertson-jr-signed
5. “About the Giving Pledge.” The Giving Pledge. Accessed May 28, 2025. https://www.givingpledge.org/about-the-giving-pledge/
6.  Maria DiMento. “No. 34: Julian Robertson Jr.” The Chronicle of Philanthropy.” February 9, 2014. Accessed May 28, 2025. https://www.philanthropy.com/article/no-34-julian-robertson-jr/
7. Tiger Foundation. Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990 – Part XV-B). 2023.
8. “Our Grantees.” Tiger Foundation. Accessed May 28, 2025. https://tigerfoundation.org/our-grantees
9. “Funding Guidelines Education.” Tiger Foundation. Accessed May 28, 2025. https://tigerfoundation.org/funding-guidelines/education
10.  “Funding Guidelines Family Support. Tiger Foundation. Accessed May 28, 2025. https://tigerfoundation.org/funding-guidelines/family-support
11. “Funding Guidelines Youth, Workforce, and Justice.” Tiger Foundation. Accessed May 28, 2025. https://tigerfoundation.org/funding-guidelines/youth-workforce-justice
12. Tiger Foundation. Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990 – Schedule B). 2023.
13. Tiger Foundation. Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990 – Part VII). 2023.
14. “Tiger Foundation (New York City).” Grants Office. Accessed May 28, 2025. https://www.publicsafetygrants.info/Grant-Details/gid/13610
15. Tiger Foundation. Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990 – Part I). 2023.
16. Tiger Foundation. Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990 – Part XIV). 2023.
17. LinkedIn – Charles Buice. Accessed May 28, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-buice-0a05a8a/
18. “Philanthropy New York Elects New Board Members and Board Chair; Announces 2021-2022 Executive Committee.” Philanthropy New York. June 3, 2021. Accessed May 28, 2025. https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/philanthropy-new-york-pny/
19. “Charles Buice.” Franklin D. Roosevelt Hyde Park Foundation – Board of Directors. Accessed May 28, 2025. https://fdrhydepark.org/who-we-are/