Updated:
Tiger Foundation
Tiger Foundation was established in 1989 by Julian H. Robertson, Jr., the legendary founder of hedge fund Tiger Management. The foundation's wealth originates...
Tiger Foundation
Tiger Foundation was established in 1989 by Julian H. Robertson, Jr., the legendary founder of hedge fund Tiger Management. The foundation's wealth originates from the investment management empire Robertson built starting in 1980, which also spawned a generation of 'Tiger Cub' managers. Its mission is to break the cycle of poverty in New York City by awarding grants to local organizations focused on education, family support, and youth and workforce development. The foundation deploys capital exclusively through grantmaking to New York City-based nonprofits, operating with a defined anti-poverty mandate. Its programmatic focus spans early childhood and K–12 education, family support services, and initiatives addressing youth employment and criminal justice reform. Unlike an investment firm, the foundation's 'portfolio' consists of grantee organizations; its board of trustees includes prominent Tiger Management alumni such as Chase Coleman III of Tiger Global, Scott Shleifer, Feroz Dewan of Arena Holdings, and John Lykouretzos of Hoplite Capital Management, alongside Robertson's son, Alexander T. Robertson. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded over $364 million in grants. Its governance is stewarded by a board deeply connected to the Tiger Management lineage, linking its strategy to the expertise of one of Wall Street's most influential investment networks. The foundation operates alongside the broader Robertson Foundation, and its president, Charles Buice, also serves on the board of the 5BORO Institute, a New York City policy organization. The foundation does not make for-profit investments or co-investments; its structure is strictly philanthropic. A key structural differentiator is its board: the foundation's trustees are primarily the principals of independent, multibillion-dollar hedge funds who trace their careers back to Tiger Management. This creates a governance model where the grantmaking vehicle is overseen by an active network of institutional investors, embedding the foundation within a broader ecosystem of wealth creation that can continuously replenish its commitment to breaking multi-generational urban poverty.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
1989
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
New York
Corporate office
New York, NY, United States
Principals
Julian H. Robertson, Jr.
Founder
Alexander T. Robertson
Trustee
Chase Coleman III
Trustee
Jonathan Locker
Trustee
Feroz Dewan
Trustee
John Lykouretzos
Trustee
Scott Shleifer
Trustee
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
How is Tiger Foundation related to Tiger Management and Tiger Global?
Tiger Foundation was founded by Julian H. Robertson, Jr., who also founded Tiger Management in 1980. The foundation is a separate non-profit entity, but its board includes prominent 'Tiger Cub' investors who started their careers at Tiger Management, including Chase Coleman III and Scott Shleifer of Tiger Global, Feroz Dewan of Arena Holdings, and John Lykouretzos of Hoplite Capital. This creates an enduring governance link between Robertson's hedge fund legacy and his New York City philanthropy.
Who makes the grantmaking decisions at Tiger Foundation?
The foundation's board of trustees governs the grantmaking strategy. It is led by founder Julian Robertson and includes his son Alexander T. Robertson, along with Jonathan Locker, President and CIO of Tiger Management. Day-to-day leadership is handled by President Charles Buice. The concentration of Tiger Management alumni on the board distinguishes its governance from a typical foundation.
What is the foundation's connection to the 5BORO Institute?
Tiger Foundation President Charles Buice serves on the board of the 5BORO Institute, a New York City-based policy organization. This relationship aligns with the foundation's focus on using research and advocacy to sustain its anti-poverty mission.
Does Tiger Foundation accept outside investment or co-invest alongside partners?
No. Tiger Foundation is a pure grantmaking non-profit, not an investment vehicle. It does not accept outside investments or participate in the co-investment structures commonly used by the hedge funds run by its trustees. Its capital comes from the Robertson family's philanthropic giving.
What geographic area does Tiger Foundation serve?
Tiger Foundation concentrates its grantmaking entirely on organizations based in and serving New York City. Its board, while drawing from global investment firms, directs all deployment toward breaking the cycle of poverty in the city's five boroughs.
What is the relationship between Tiger Foundation and the Robertson Foundation?
Both are philanthropic entities tied to Julian H. Robertson, Jr. Tiger Foundation focuses specifically on anti-poverty work in New York City, while the Robertson Foundation has a broader mandate that includes medical research, education, and environmental conservation. They operate as distinct legal foundations within the Robertson family's philanthropic activities.
How much capital has Tiger Foundation deployed?
The foundation reports having awarded over $364 million in grants since its founding in 1989. The figure reflects cumulative philanthropic capital deployed into New York City nonprofits across its education, youth, family, and justice focus areas.
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.
Need institutional-grade insight on endowments & foundations?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: