ABOUT US
ABOUT US
OUR STORY
Fox Family Foundation was created in 1991 by Dr. Frances Hill Fox to assist with her generous philanthropy in Durham and the Triangle. Dr. Fox was joined on the original board of the Foundation by her children, Susan Fox Beischer and Randy Fox. Together with community leaders who served as non-family board members, they chose to focus the Foundation’s charitable giving primarily on organizations supporting arts, community services, education, and health.
The Foundation board, including the current generation of family members, continues to be guided by Dr. Fox’s independent spirit and pragmatic approach. While the Foundation remains constant in its founding principles, it is equally dedicated to listening for shifts in community and organizational priorities and new opportunities. By doing so, Fox Family Foundation is able to responsively pivot as necessary to address needs that might otherwise go unnoticed or unanswered.
Fox Family Foundation is proud to continue to serve the community through an enduring commitment to practical, carefully-targeted support aimed at improving the quality of life for those who live in Durham and the surrounding area.
OUR MISSION
We support and engage with partners to make a positive difference in our community through arts and culture, education, health, and human services.
OUR VISION
A greater Durham area where people’s lives are enriched and improved.
OUR VALUES
People
We center our choices and actions on how community members ultimately benefit.
Relationships
We value conversation, connection, and collaboration both in our interactions and in the community.
Pragmatism
We promise a practical approach: grant processes that are straightforward and decisions informed by real opportunities and needs.
Responsiveness
We commit to listening, learning, and adapting in order to effectively carry out our mission now and in the future.
OUR TEAM
OUR STAFF

Kate Shirah,
Executive Director
Kate advances the Foundation’s mission and vision through leading operations, overseeing grantmaking, and pursuing productive collaborations.

David Wilson,
Bookkeeper
David carries out the daily accounting operations and prepares, maintains, and ensures the accuracy of the Foundation’s financial records.
OUR BOARD

from left to right:
Rhodes Craver,
Secretary
Barker French,
Treasurer
J. David Ross
Michelle Beischer
David Beischer,
President
Thomas Beischer,
Vice President
Page image, top: El Futuro, photo credit: Natalia Weedy.