The University Club Foundation

Since its inception, the Scholarship Program has embodied the University Club’s enduring commitment to intellectual pursuit and lifelong learning. Established in 1992, the program has awarded more than $1.25 million in scholarships to employees and their children, empowering recipients to pursue higher education and professional growth. Last year, the Foundation continued that tradition by awarding just over $64,000 to seven Club employees and eleven children of employees. In addition, $14,000 was granted to support the continuing education of the Club’s management team.
 
The Scholarship Program thrives thanks to the generosity of philanthropic members who believe in the transformative power of education. Notable contributions have come from members John A. Beck and Matthew N. Mezzanotte, whose support has been instrumental in sustaining the program. Over the years, members have also made gifts in honor of distinguished individuals such as Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, Charles S. Mack, former Club Manager Albert R. Armstrong, and Madame Laurence Belanger, each reflecting the Club’s deep respect for leadership, service, and scholarship.
 
Today, scholarship funding continues to grow through member donations and proceeds from beloved Club events, including the Member Appreciation Day Silent Auction and the Annual Cigar Dinner. These gatherings not only celebrate camaraderie but also strengthen the Foundation’s ability to invest in the educational aspirations of the Club community.

In response to the global shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the University Club Foundation launched the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to enable members to support our valued Club employees. Thanks to the generous contributions from Club members, the Foundation distributed $253,000 to 90 Club employees, alleviating some of their concerns during periods of furlough, termination, and loss of healthcare coverage.

Staff members are the backbone of any organization's success, and this is especially true at the University Club. The EAP, developed out of necessity, remains a fundamental commitment of the Foundation, aiding employees facing financial difficulties due to health crises, uninsured losses, or accidents. As the urgency of the pandemic lessened, the demand for the EAP persisted. The Foundation has continued the program and distributed an additional $28,000 to employees dealing with various hardships, such as unexpected surgical costs, rental assistance during a disability from a workplace injury, funeral expenses for a family member, and help with recovery efforts after a devastating fire in their home.

Your support is vital to maintain and expand this essential program. To contribute, please click here to set up a monthly or one-time donation billed to your member account. Your contribution, regardless of the amount, will make a significant impact on a Club employee in need.

In partnership with the Club’s Community Action Committee (CAC), The University Club Foundation offers funding and supports initiatives for organizations dedicated to education and serving at-risk youth and their families. Notable community partners include the Sarah Allen Missionary Society Food Bank at the historic Metropolitan A.M.E. Church on M Street, College Bound, and the ArtSmart Summer Camp hosted by Luther Place. These grants are made possible by Peterson Grants, which were established in 2006 in memory of the late Richard W. (Dick) Peterson, a long-standing member and resident of the Club.

Over the past two decades, the University Club Foundation has provided close to $3.5 million for the maintenance and preservation of the Keefer Memorial Library, Franklin Room and Foundation Art Gallery.

The University Club Foundation partners with the Club’s Art Acquisition Council to select and procure museum-quality fine art for exhibition in the Clubhouse. Among the notable acquisitions are:

• Andrew Wyeth’s Ocean Inlet (Maine)

• Jacob Kainen’s The Secret Agent

• Wolf Kahn's Early Blooming Fruit Tree

• Edward Moran’s Steam Ships Sailing on New York Harbor

• Lilla Cabot Perry’s The Cup of Knowledge

• Frederick William MacMonnies’ bronze sculpture, Pan of Rohallion

Mr. Scott E. Beck President	Mr. Barry J. Hart Vice President	Mr. Preston A. (Tony) Englert, Jr. Secretary
Mr. Timothy Sullivan Treasurer	Dr. Leslie Ellis	Mr. Peter J. Farrell
Mr. Christopher C.S. Manning	Ms. Maura Mulvihill	Mr. Donald W. Phillips
Ms. Lisa A. Stewart	Mt. Theodore Thomas Jr.	Ms. Susanne R. Wegrzyn
Mr. William P. West, Jr.

For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation to The University Club Foundation, please contact Maria Jaramillo-Leiva, Executive Director of The University Club Foundation, at [email protected] or 202-824-1372.

Thanks to the generous contributions from Club members, the Club's Community Action Committee (CAC) is able to consistently support the Sarah Allen Missionary Society Food Bank located at the historic Metropolitan A.M.E. Church on M Street from November to April each year. This initiative offers monthly assistance to over 120 low-income families in the local community. Member donations fund the purchase of produce for six months each year, along with food cards that help families acquire protein during the holiday months of November, December, and April. CAC members and Club volunteers devote a few hours on the last Saturday morning of each month to organize and package groceries for distribution by the Church.

The University Club Foundation provides additional support to the Food Bank, covering expenses for the remaining six months of the year through a Peterson Grant.

Your generosity fuels our impact. Simply click here to make a quick and secure monthly or one-time donation. Every contribution helps us continue our work and reach more people in need.

During the holiday season, the Club showcases a Secret Santa/Angel Tree in the lobby, providing members with the chance to fulfill a child's holiday wish (such as toys or clothing) for those enrolled in Luther Place's ArtSmart Camp. The cards hanging on the tree outline the wishes of each child. Club members can select a card and purchase one or more of the listed items, or contribute financially so the item can be purchased on their behalf. Club members generously volunteer their time to wrap the donated gifts. In 2025, the Community Action Committee (CAC) organized a festive party where 45 participating children had the opportunity to meet Santa, decorate Christmas cookies, and receive their gifts. To help make a child's wish a reality, please click here to make a donation.

The University Bound program allows students enrolled in College Bound to engage with Club members and volunteers who act as mentors, sharing their expertise in their respective fields. Students participate in virtual sessions that cover a wide range of professional topics, allowing them to ask questions and delve into potential career paths. The program concludes with an in-person networking event and a scholarship award ceremony at the Club. This program offers a valuable opportunity for members to contribute to the community by sharing their insights and for College Bound students to discover the numerous and diverse opportunities available to them after college.

College Bound provides public and public charter school students in the DC Metropolitan area, from grades 8-12, with academic enrichment and resources to prepare for and excel in college. Established in 1991, College Bound offers free tutoring, mentoring, SAT preparation, and academic and career guidance to help students achieve their postsecondary educational aspirations. The Club and The University Club Foundation have maintained a strong relationship with College Bound, with the program being a longtime recipient of The University Club Foundation's Peterson Grant, providing funding for scholarships for College Bound students.

The Community Action Committee organizes an Annual Clothing Drive to benefit A Wider Circle and Mary’s Center. Gently used professional clothing and accessories will be donated to A Wider Circle’s Professional Development Center, which features a showroom dedicated to professional attire. Each year, A Wider Circle supports over 2,000 unemployed and underemployed community members, allowing them to select a complete professional wardrobe for an entire week at no cost. Casual clothing and items for children, from newborns to age 10, will be contributed to Mary’s Center. For 35 years, Mary’s Center has provided assistance to over 65,000 individuals from diverse ages, incomes, and backgrounds in the Washington, DC metro area. With a holistic approach that encompasses health care, education, and social services, Mary’s Center offers tailored support to each participant, helping them achieve good health, stability, and economic independence.