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Quadrivium Foundation
Kathryn and James Murdoch founded the Quadrivium Foundation in 2014 as a non-profit grantmaking vehicle, drawing on wealth generated in the media sector.
Quadrivium Foundation
Kathryn and James Murdoch founded the Quadrivium Foundation in 2014 as a non-profit grantmaking vehicle, drawing on wealth generated in the media sector. James Murdoch, the former CEO of 21st Century Fox, and Kathryn Murdoch, a climate and democracy advocate, designed the foundation to pursue evidence-based interventions at the intersection of societal and environmental challenges. The foundation maintains a deliberately small balance sheet, with Altss research indicating an asset base in a lower band, and operates from New York. Quadrivium directs its capital thematically rather than by asset class, targeting democracy, technology and society, scientific understanding, climate change, and ocean health. The foundation's disclosed strategy indicates deployment into corporate bonds, reflecting a conservative posture for the endowment while grantmaking pursues higher-risk, systemic-impact programs. Kathryn Murdoch's board service at Unite America and the Climate Leadership Council further defines the foundation's operational perimeter, aligning capital with policy and advocacy networks. July 2023: Kathryn Murdoch joined the board of the Environmental Defense Fund as a trustee, reinforcing the foundation's climate and science focus. The foundation's governance includes Jesse Angelo as Secretary/Treasurer, while James Murdoch's parallel activity through Lupa Systems — his private investment firm — creates an adjacent pool of for-profit capital targeting media and technology assets globally. The Murdochs also maintain a portfolio of personal assets including residential properties in British Columbia and New York, a stake in Art Basel's parent company MCH Group, and an interest in the BlackRock Green Energy Infrastructure Fund. The Quadrivium Foundation's structural distinction lies in its operation alongside a family investment office, Lupa Systems, allowing catalytic grant capital to de-risk or complement for-profit investments in overlapping sectors. This hybrid architecture, combined with the Murdochs' emphasis on root-cause analysis, differentiates Quadrivium from traditional family foundations that segregate philanthropic and investment activities more rigidly.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
2014
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
New York
Corporate office
New York, NY, United States
Principals
Kathryn Murdoch
Co-founder and President
James Murdoch
Co-founder
Jesse Angelo
Secretary/Treasurer
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who controls investment and grantmaking decisions at Quadrivium Foundation?
Kathryn Murdoch serves as the foundation's President, overseeing strategy and programs, while James Murdoch is a co-founder. The foundation operates with a lean leadership structure, with Jesse Angelo acting as Secretary/Treasurer. Grantmaking appears closely held, aligning with the Murdochs' direct engagement in the boards of organizations like the Environmental Defense Fund and the Climate Leadership Council.
How is the Quadrivium Foundation funded, and what is the source of its endowment?
The foundation was established with wealth generated by James Murdoch in the media industry, primarily through his roles at News Corp and 21st Century Fox. Kathryn Murdoch, a member of the founding family, co-leads the foundation. The Murdochs' broader asset base includes personal holdings in real estate, aviation, and a stake in Art Basel's parent company, but the foundation's own investment portfolio is reported to operate via corporate bonds.
What is the relationship between Quadrivium Foundation and Lupa Systems?
James Murdoch founded both entities. Quadrivium Foundation is a non-profit, grantmaking foundation, while Lupa Systems is a for-profit private investment company backing media and technology ventures globally. The two are legally separate, but their shared principal creates an opportunistic link where philanthropic grants and private investments can target complementary outcomes in overlapping sectors.
What is the Quadrivium Foundation's posture on climate change investing?
Climate change is one of the foundation's core program areas. Kathryn Murdoch serves on the board of the Environmental Defense Fund, and the foundation's approach emphasizes scientific understanding and ocean health. A personal investment by the Murdochs in the BlackRock Green Energy Infrastructure Fund signals broader alignment with climate-related assets beyond the foundation's direct grantmaking.
Does the Quadrivium Foundation have any political or democracy-related grantmaking focus?
Yes, democracy is a stated pillar of the foundation. Kathryn Murdoch's board seat at Unite America, an organization advocating for electoral reform, indicates an active and specific focus on democratic process, civility, and structural political change through its grant programs.
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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