The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation is deeply committed to improving the quality of life for all Washington, DC metropolitan area residents. The Foundation responds to community needs and opportunities in the areas of Arts and Humanities, Community Services, Education, the Environment and Health. As the largest private, independent foundation focused exclusively on the DC region, the Foundation is proud to have supported hundreds of organizations since its founding in 1948.
The Foundation is the legacy of Morris Cafritz, one of Washington’s leading commercial and residential builders from the early 1920’s to the 1960’s. An outstanding civic leader known for his generosity, Morris Cafritz established the Foundation in 1948. His wife, Gwendolyn, one of Washington’s leading hostesses in the post-World War II years, was President of the Foundation from 1964 to 1988. Calvin Cafritz, their eldest son, became Board Chairman in 1989 and in 1993, he was elected President and CEO of the Foundation. He served in these roles until 2022, when Jane Lipton Cafritz, his wife, was elected Board Chair and President and CEO.
Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz pictured sailing on the SS Nieuw, Amsterdam, 1949.
Morris Cafritz standing on steam shovel “Marion” at Petworth Homes development site in Northwest DC, 1922.
Petworth Homes in Northwest DC, built by Cafritz Construction Company 1921-1928.
Morris Cafritz at Petworth, 1923.
Cavalier Apartment Hotel, 3500 14th Street NW, Washington, DC. One of the earliest housing cooperatives in the District. Built by Cafritz Construction Company in 1923. Architect, Harvey H. Warwick.
Home on 16th Street NW, built by Cafritz Construction Company in 1925.
Ambassador Hotel, 1412 K Street NW, Washington, DC. Built by Cafritz Construction Company in 1929. Architect, Harvey H. Warwick.
Ambassador Hotel brochure, 1929.
Westchester Apartments, 4000 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC. Built by Cafritz Construction Company in 1931. Architect, Harvey H. Warwick.
Morris Cafritz in Atlantic City, 1930.
Gwendolyn Cafritz, 1946.
Majestic Apartments, 3200 16th Street NW, Washington, DC. Built by Cafritz Construction Company in 1937. Architects, Alvin Aubinoe and Harry Edwards.
Morris Cafritz newspaper caricature in The Washington Herald, circa 1937.
Morris Cafritz (left) and Calvin Cafritz, 1939.
Park Crescent Apartments, 2901 18th Street NW, Washington, DC. Built by Cafritz Construction Company in 1938. Architects, Alvin Aubinoe and Harry Edwards.
Park Terrace Apartments, 1660 Lanier Place NW, Washington, DC. Built by Cafritz Construction Company in 1940. Architect, Harry Edwards.
Left to right: Morris Cafritz, Robert Kogod, Eugene Meyer, Eddie Rosenblum and Agnes Meyer at dedication of Jewish Community Center of Washington, DC, 1939.
Gwendolyn Cafritz throwing ceremonial first ball at Washington Senators baseball game at Griffith Park Stadium, 1942.
Cafritz Building, 1625 Eye Street NW, Washington, DC. Built by Cafritz Construction Company in 1950. Architect, LeRoy L. Werner.
River House Apartments, 1400 South Joyce Street, Arlington, VA. Built by Cafritz Construction Company in 1957.
Morris Cafritz (middle) and Calvin Cafritz (right) at a construction site, 1957.
Universal Building, 1875 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC. Built by Cafritz Construction Company in 1959. Architect, Edwin Weihe.
Morris Cafritz receiving pin from a cub scout, 1963.
Left to right: Gwendolyn Cafritz, Morris Cafritz and then-Speaker of the House John W. McCormack at Cafritz Hospital groundbreaking, 1963.
1825 K Street NW, Washington, DC. Built by Cafritz Construction Company in 1966. Architect, Vlastimil Koubek.
CUBI XI, by David Smith. Purchased by the Foundation in 1963 for the Cafritz Universal Building North. On loan to the National Gallery of Art since 1999.
Hand-painted envelope by world-renowned artist, Alexander Calder, addressed to Gwendolyn Cafritz, 1966.
Gwenfritz, by Alexander Calder, 1968. Gwendolyn Cafritz commissioned the 40-foot-tall steel sculpture, which was donated to the Smithsonian Institution in 1969.
Gwendolyn Cafritz at Glen Echo Park to announce the Foundation’s support of the first restoration of the park’s carousel, 1970.
Knife Edge Mirror Two Piece, by Henry Moore, 1976-1978. The Foundation donated this 5-ton bronze sculpture to the National Gallery of Art in 1978.
Gwendolyn Cafritz (center) at the dedication of the bronze entrance gates to the National Cathedral, 1980.
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden was given to the nation by the Foundation in 1999. Foreground: Cheval Rouge (Red Horse), by Alexander Calder, 1974.
The Modern at Art Place, a mixed-use development in the District’s Fort Totten neighborhood, was built by the Foundation in 2017.
