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F. M. Kirby Foundation
The F. M. Kirby Foundation was established in 1931 by Fred Morgan Kirby. Initial capital came from his stake in the F.W. Woolworth Company and related retail...
F. M. Kirby Foundation
The F. M. Kirby Foundation was established in 1931 by Fred Morgan Kirby. Initial capital came from his stake in the F.W. Woolworth Company and related retail operations. Successive generations have continued as directors and investment committee members. The foundation allocates across public equities and private markets. Holdings include positions in LVMH, L'Oréal, ASML, and Coller International Partners IX. It also commits to vehicles such as the JDRF T1D Fund. Geographic focus centers on New Jersey and North Carolina, with additional grants reaching Pennsylvania institutions including Lafayette College. Nine professionals manage operations from the Morristown headquarters. Adjacent vehicles include the Kirby Art Study Center at Lafayette College and historical properties such as Kirby House in Wilkes-Barre. In April 2024 the foundation sponsored the webinar "We the People: Reflections at 250." Broadfield Capital Management LLC operates as the family's separate investment advisor under Jefferson W. Kirby. This separation keeps foundation grant decisions distinct from the family's direct private holdings and LP commitments.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
1931
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Morristown
Corporate office
17 DeHart Street, Morristown, NJ 07963, United States
Principals
Laura H. Virkler
Chairperson of the Board
Jefferson W. Kirby
Director
S. Dillard Kirby
Director
Walker Kirby
Director and Co-Chair of the Investment Committee
Morgan Kirby
Director and Co-Chair of the Investment Committee
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at F. M. Kirby Foundation?
Walker Kirby and Morgan Kirby serve as Co-Chairs of the Investment Committee. Jefferson W. Kirby also sits on the board and oversees the related Broadfield Capital Management LLC.
Does F. M. Kirby Foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
The foundation holds limited partner interests in Coller International Partners IX and the JDRF T1D Fund. It also maintains public equity positions reported in regulatory filings.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
Fred Morgan Kirby built the initial endowment through his co-founding role in the F.W. Woolworth Company and the F. M. Kirby & Co. five-and-dime chain.
How is F. M. Kirby Foundation related to Broadfield Capital?
Broadfield Capital Management LLC serves as the family's investment advisor. Jefferson W. Kirby acts as Managing Member of Broadfield while also serving as a director of the foundation.
What geographic regions receive grants from the foundation?
Primary grant activity targets organizations in New Jersey and North Carolina, with additional support for institutions in Pennsylvania such as Lafayette College.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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