Source Of Hope Foundation

## Approach Strategy

Source of Hope Foundation is a New York-based private foundation founded by Stephen Robert (investment banker, former Brown University chancellor) and Pilar Crespi Robert. With $2.5M in assets and a diverse portfolio of international grantees spanning 7 countries/regions, this foundation operates through an influential philanthropist network rather than an open application process.

The foundation's international portfolio is curated and relationship-driven. They work with elite humanitarian organizations (MercyCorps, Partners in Health) as well as smaller, specialized organizations in conflict zones (Hand-in-Hand, B'Tselem, Polyphony, Just Vision). Their Israel/Palestine portfolio is particularly distinctive — supporting organizations working toward Israeli-Palestinian coexistence and human rights on both sides.

The Haiti work shows deep engagement: not just emergency response but multi-year hospital infrastructure investment (Mirebalais Hospital, regional clinical laboratory). This suggests they're willing to make major, multi-year commitments to transformational projects with proven implementing partners.

For international development organizations, the best approach is through personal connections in New York philanthropic circles, particularly those connected to investment banking, Brown University, or New York arts/culture philanthropy (Pilar Crespi Robert's background).

## Funding Patterns

• Asset Base: ~$2.51 million (EIN 26-4380918, New York NY)
• Founders: Stephen Robert (investment banker, former Brown University chancellor) and Pilar Crespi Robert
• Grant Model: Preselected — works through established relationships with major NGOs
• Geographic Scope: International (7 countries/regions) + United States
• Primary Partners: MercyCorps, Partners in Health, Juan Felipe Foundation, Hand-in-Hand
• Thematic Focus: Disaster relief, clean water, healthcare infrastructure, conflict reconciliation, women's empowerment, human rights
• Notable Grants:
• - Haiti: State-of-art Mirebalais Hospital (Partners in Health)
• - Haiti: Stephen Robert and Pilar Crespi Robert Regional Reference Laboratory at Mirebalais (2016)
• - Ethiopia: Clean water for 100,000 residents (MercyCorps)
• - Colombia: 10+ years of support to JUANFE (20,000 patients/year)
• - Bahamas: Hurricane Dorian emergency relief (MercyCorps)
• - Israel/Palestine: Integrated schools, human rights documentation, coexistence programs
• Grant Sizes: Not disclosed; infrastructure grants (hospital, laboratory) suggest six-figure or seven-figure commitments

## Peer Comparison

Source of Hope Foundation occupies a niche among NYC-based international development foundations with a distinctive Israel/Palestine coexistence focus:

• New Israel Fund — Israeli civil society funder; overlapping focus on B'Tselem and similar organizations
• Polarity Foundation — Conflict resolution in Israel/Palestine; direct peer in coexistence funding
• American Jewish World Service — International development + Israel/Palestine; similar geographic spread
• Humanity United — International development via established NGOs (MercyCorps partnerships); direct model peer
• Skoll Foundation — Social entrepreneurship + humanitarian; Pilar Crespi Robert social entrepreneurship angle
• JUANFE Supporters — CNN Hero 2012 recognition; connected to broad donor network

What distinguishes Source of Hope: (1) the naming of the Haiti laboratory after the founders (Stephen Robert and Pilar Crespi Robert Regional Reference Laboratory) indicates major long-term commitment; (2) the Israel/Palestine portfolio is unusually balanced — funding organizations working with both communities; (3) Colombia engagement exceeding 10 years shows remarkable grantee loyalty; (4) the MercyCorps partnership across multiple countries (Bahamas, Ethiopia, Jordan, Palestine) suggests a deep institutional relationship.

## Recent Activity

• 2019: Hurricane Dorian Bahamas emergency response (MercyCorps)
• 2016: Stephen Robert and Pilar Crespi Robert Regional Reference Laboratory opened at Mirebalais Hospital, Haiti
• 2012: Partners in Health Mirebalais Hospital — state-of-art facility with first public CT scanner in Haiti
• 2010: Earthquake response in Haiti (Partners in Health)
• Ongoing: Colombia JUANFE (10+ years continuous); Israel/Palestine coexistence programs; Jordan programs
• Website: sourceofhope.org active; About Us page returning 404 — limited current programmatic updates
• Press section: Active press page exists (content not fully accessible)

## Application Tips

Source of Hope Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. The foundation is privately operated by Stephen Robert and Pilar Crespi Robert and works through established relationships with implementing partners.

For International Development Organizations:

The most likely pathway to engagement is through:

1. MercyCorps Network: The foundation has a multi-country relationship with MercyCorps. Organizations with partnership relationships with MercyCorps may gain indirect visibility.

2. Partners in Health Network: Major ongoing Haiti investment through PIH. Organizations in the PIH ecosystem may have access.

3. Israel/Palestine Peace and Human Rights Organizations: This is Source of Hope's most distinctive giving area. Organizations working on Israeli-Palestinian coexistence, non-violent conflict resolution, or human rights documentation on both sides may be of particular interest. The foundation has funded Hand-in-Hand (integrated education), B'Tselem (human rights), Parent's Circle (reconciliation), Polyphony (music/coexistence), and Just Vision (media).

4. Brown University Connections: Stephen Robert's Brown University chancellorship may create connections to Brown-affiliated researchers and organizations working on global development.

5. New York Philanthropic Events: Stephen Robert and Pilar Crespi Robert move in New York philanthropic circles, including arts/culture and investment banking philanthropy.

Note: Website contact/about pages are not fully functional. Foundation appears to operate through direct relationships rather than web-based outreach.