Mara & Ricky Sandler Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The foundation's New York City grantmaking involves the arts, education, Jewish causes and more.
FUNDING AREAS: Arts & Culture, Education & Youth, Jewish Causes, Human Services & Health
IP TAKE: The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Mara's board memberships play a role in this family's giving.
PROFILE: The Mara & Ricky Sandler Foundation is the philanthropic vehicle of Eminence Capital Founder Ricky Sandler and his wife Mara. Ricky and Mara Sandler both received degrees from University of Wisconsin Madison, but these days take up residence in the Big Apple. Ricky Sandler founded Eminence Capital in New York City. Mara, also armed with an M.Ed. degree from Teachers College, is an arts consultant who serves on several key boards in New York City.
Grants for Jewish Causes
Jewish organizations are heavily featured in the foundation's New York City grantmaking. A particularly big winner has been UJA Federation. . Other grantees have included Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Central Synagogue, American Friends of Israel Museum, and Birthright Israel Foundation.
Grants for Arts and Culture
One of Mara's board involvements is the 92nd Street Y, which the couple steadily supports, a Jewish organization set up early last decade. Additionally, dancing seems to be an interest, and the Sandlers have supported places like National Dance Institute, and New York City Ballet. Other grantees have included Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, Public Theater, and Whitney Museum of Art.
Grants for K-12 and Higher Education
The family also supports schools and youth nonprofits in New York City. Private school Riverdale Country School in the Bronx recent received a large grant. Other grantees have included Columbia University, East Harlem Little League, Teach for America, Harlem Village Academies, Streetquash, The IDEAL School of Manhattan, and A BroaderWay Foundation (ABW), a charity founded by Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel that "offers girls from urban communities an outlet for self-expression and creativity through arts-centered programs." The foundation gave $1.9 million to the University of Wisconsin in 2019.
Grants for Public Health and Access
Mara Sandler is a board member of CASAColumbia, which the family supports through their foundation. She's also a board member of Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, as well as first chair of its Woman to Woman Program, a "unique support program that pairs gynecologic cancer patients with trained survivor volunteers who provide one-on-one emotional support and mentoring to women when they need it most." The Sandlers have given particularly large sums to Mount Sinai Health System. Other New York City health grantees include New-York Presbyterian Hospital.
Important Grant Details
In a recent year, the foundation disbursed close to $1.8 million. Most grants were under $50,000, and $5,000 was the most common grant amount. Outside of New York City, though, the couple has given particularly high sums to their alma mater, UWisconsin.
PEOPLE:
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CONTACT:
The Mara & Ricky Sandler Foundation does not provide a clear avenue for getting in touch with the couple, but below is an address:
The Mara & Ricky Sandler Foundation
65 E. 55th St., 25th Fl.
New York City, NY 10022
