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Aaron and Lillie Straus Foundation
The Aaron and Lillie Straus Foundation was established in 1926 by Aaron and Lillie Straus. Its endowment originated from Reliable Stores Corporation, the...
Aaron and Lillie Straus Foundation
The Aaron and Lillie Straus Foundation was established in 1926 by Aaron and Lillie Straus. Its endowment originated from Reliable Stores Corporation, the furniture retail group founded by Aaron. For nearly 100 years the foundation has concentrated its capital in Baltimore, and family member Jan Rivitz now serves as President and CEO. The foundation deploys capital through a mix of traditional grants, program-related investments, and a venture capital portfolio. Its strategy spans buyout, early-stage, late-stage, and fund-of-funds commitments, alongside holding real assets. The asset list includes the foundation's headquarters at 1001 N. Charles Street in Baltimore, a second office on Park Heights Avenue, and the land underlying Camps Airy and Louise in Thurmont and Cascade, Maryland. The foundation participates in the Impact Investment Committee of the Baltimore Community Foundation. Rivitz also chairs Teach For America Baltimore. Program director Molly Doran and investment committee member Beth Bafford, a vice president at Calvert Impact Capital, round out key leadership. The foundation is a founding member of the Association of Baltimore Grantmakers, established in 1987, and maintains ties to the Maryland Philanthropy Network and the American Camp Association. Unlike a typical foundation that outsources all investment management, the Straus Foundation retains direct ownership of operating real estate and camp properties, and runs an in-house venture portfolio. This hybrid structure — combining grantmaking, program-related investments, and direct venture exposure — sets it apart from peers that rely solely on a commingled endowment model.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
1926
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Baltimore
Corporate office
1001 N. Charles St, Ste 301, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
Additional offices
5750 Park Heights Avenue, Suite 306, Baltimore, MD 21215
Principals
Jan Rivitz
President and CEO
Beth Bafford
Member of the Investment Committee
Molly Doran
Director of Programs
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who makes investment decisions at the Aaron and Lillie Straus Foundation?
President and CEO Jan Rivitz, a family member, leads the foundation. Beth Bafford, a VP at Calvert Impact Capital, serves on the investment committee. The foundation was originally managed by directors of Reliable Stores Corporation, the Straus family's furniture business.
How does the foundation allocate its capital beyond traditional grantmaking?
The foundation maintains a venture capital portfolio and makes program-related investments aligned with its Baltimore-focused mission. Its holdings also include direct real estate — the foundation's headquarters, a second Baltimore office, and the land for Camps Airy and Louise.
What is the foundation's relationship to Camps Airy and Louise?
The foundation owns the land in Thurmont and Cascade, Maryland, where Camps Airy and Louise operate. These camps serve Jewish youth, aligning with the foundation's mission, and are accredited by the American Camp Association.
Does the foundation co-invest with other Baltimore institutions?
Yes. It participates in the Impact Investment Committee of the Baltimore Community Foundation, pooling expertise and capital with other local funders to make mission-aligned investments in the region.
What is the foundation's approach to investment stages?
Its strategy spans early-stage seed and start-up investments, expansion and late-stage deals, buyout opportunities, and fund-of-funds commitments. This multi-stage approach is unusual for a foundation of its size.
Where did the foundation's wealth originate?
The endowment came from Aaron Straus's furniture retail group, Reliable Stores Corporation. The foundation was founded in 1926 with a mission to support Jewish immigrants and connect Baltimore children to opportunity — a focus it has maintained for nearly a century.
How is the foundation's investment strategy structured differently from a typical endowment?
Rather than relying solely on outsourced managers, it operates a hybrid model that includes an in-house venture portfolio, direct program-related investments, and self-owned real estate. This hands-on structure gives it more control over mission-aligned capital deployment.
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