Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation awards grants to higher education institutions across the country, prioritizing colleges and universities on the East Coast. It also supports the arts, cancer research and treatment, and religious organizations.

IP TAKE: Little is known about this funder’s specific grantmaking practices, but tax filings suggest support for some institutions of higher education. The Keller Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications for funding. This is not an accessible or approachable funder, which makes it a tough nut to crack.

PROFILE: The Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation was established in 1984 in New York City. The late Stephen Kellen was co-chairman of the investment firm Arnhold & S. Bleichroeder Holdings and was well known for his philanthropy. The Kellen Foundation maintains a low public profile and does not articulate specific funding priorities, but its grantmaking generally centers on the arts, education and health.

Grants for Higher Education

While the Kellen Foundation does not have a website or stated mission, tax filings show that it makes regular donations to a number of institutes of higher education across the United States, including Columbia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Bard College, Skidmore College, Fordham University and Wellesley College. It also supports arts education through donations to schools such as the Curtis Institute of Music, Harlem School of the Arts and the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture.

Grants for Health and Diseases

Tax filings show that the Kellen Foundation makes regular, broad donations to disease-related organizations, universities conducting medical research, and hospitals, with a strong focus on cancer research and treatment. Grantees include the Cancer Research Institute, the Melanoma Research Alliance, the American Skin Association and the American Federation for Aging Research.

Grants for Arts and Culture

Taxes show that the foundation makes grants for cultural and arts institutions, focusing on landmark institutions in New York City. Recent recipients include the New York Philharmonic, the American Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Frick Collection.

Other:

While the Kellen Foundation does not have a website or stated mission, tax filings show that it makes regular donations to Jewish and Christian organizations in New York and beyond. Grantees include the Episcopal Diocese of New York, the Interfaith Center of New York, the UJA Federation, the Jewish Center of Jackson Heights and the East Hill Synagogue

Important Grant Details:

This funder made about $68 million in grants in a recent year. According to tax filings, grants range from $1,000 to over $5 million, with most awards falling in the $10,000 to $150,000 range. The majority of the foundation’s grants tend to center around New York City and the Northeastern United States.

The Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications or requests for funding. A mailing address is provided below. 

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CONTACT:

Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation

c/o Joel E. Sammett & Company

15 Maiden Lane, Suite 500

New York, New York 10038