Our Story
Rooted in a shared belief that thoughtful philanthropy can help build a more just and humane world.
For over 25 Years, Broad Reach Foundation has worked to empower communities, across multiple program areas.
Broad Reach through the years
Founding
Broad Reach Foundation was established in 2001 by David and Carol Richards. David was successful in investment management, and Carol leveraged the experience and skills she gained while working at Carnegie Corporation of New York and later at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as a program officer in its earliest days. Together, the couple’s long-standing commitment to the public good shaped the Foundation’s purpose and laid the groundwork for the enduring mission that we continue to champion today.
Early Years
Together, Carol and David established Broad Reach Foundation to pursue philanthropic interests that reflected both urgency and curiosity: advancing economic justice; supporting democracy movements among ethnic groups in Burma under military rule; and exploring the intersection of economics and history—an interest inspired in part by David’s master’s studies in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Oxford.
A New Chapter
The Foundation entered a new chapter when their adult sons, Adam and Peter, joined the board of directors, further expanding the Foundation’s programmatic interests into theater arts, foreign policy, and humanitarian health. Following David’s passing in 2015, the family continues to honor his legacy through the Foundation’s mission, values, and grantmaking—carrying forward a shared commitment to principled action, thoughtful risk taking, and creative solutions.
Our Values
- Bold vision and thoughtful risk-taking
- A diversity of experiences and voices
- Creative approaches and solutions
- Balancing science-driven and evidence-based practices with the wisdom of people, cultures and societies
- Artistic expression both for its own sake and for its ability to inspire change
Our Practices
- Humility, integrity, and open-mindedness
- Learning from and with our grantees and other partners
- Applying our individual and collective passion
- Pursuing under-resourced opportunities
- Embracing a continuum of approaches
- Challenging powerful, entrenched interests when they pose barriers to progress
Our Grantmaking Programs
Our eight program areas reflect diverse priorities and geographic reach, grounded in a shared mission and set of core values.