James S. Marcus Foundation

OVERVIEW: The James S. Marcus Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to the arts with emphasis on the performing arts. It also earmarks funds for education, health, and human services.

IP TAKE: The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. This funder is not very approachable and does not provide a clear way to get in touch, leaving grantseekers with the need to network here.

PROFILE: The James S. Marcus Foundation was established in 1969. It was founded by the late James Stewart Marcus, an investment banker at Goldman Sachs. His wife Ellen, who worked on Wall Street and in real estate, and continues to steer the charity.  The foundation does not maintain a website, which makes it restricts further information on its priority areas and grantmaking strategies.

Grants for Arts and Culture, Arts Education, Public Health and Access, and Community Development

Tax filings suggest that the James S. Marcus Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to the arts with emphasis on the performing arts. It also earmarks funds for education, health, and human services.

James Marcus had a deep passion for opera and introduced Ellen to the art form. James served as Met chairman from 1986 to 1993 and as an honorary director of the Met until his death in 2015. In 2010, the Marcuses donated $10 million to the Juilliard School to create the Ellen and James S. Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts. 

Past grantees include Lenox Hill Hospital (Ellen has served on the auxiliary board of the hospital since 1975), MasterVoices (Ellen is vice chair), American Theatre Wing, The Met, Juilliard School (Ellen is on the board), Manhattan Theatre Club, and Young Concert Artist (Ellen is on the board). 

Important Grant Details

Grants range from $125 to $50,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $1.5 million. The James S. Marcus Foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

The James S. Marcus Foundation
77 Water St., 9th Fl.
New York City, NY 10005