Joseph S. & Diane H. Steinberg Charitable Trust

OVERVIEW: The Joseph S. & Diane H. Steinberg Charitable Trust’s grantmaking focuses on the family’s local Brooklyn community, helping poor people move up the economic ladder, children, documentary films with theatrical release potential, Israel, Jewish history, culture and archival activities, medical research, as well as other endeavors.

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 Joseph S. & Diane H. Steinberg Charitable Trust was founded in 1992 by businessman Joseph S. Steinberg and his wife Diane, who worked in finance, including with the New York Federal Reserve Bank. Joseph Steinberg launched Leucadia National Corporation, now Jeffries Financial Group. The foundation does not maintain a website, which restricts further information on its priority areas and grantmaking strategies.

Grants for Arts and Culture, Film, Health, Jewish Causes, Community Development, and New York City

The Joseph S. & Diane H. Steinberg Charitable Trust’s grantmaking focuses on the family’s local Brooklyn community, helping poor people move up the economic ladder, children, documentary films with theatrical release potential, Israel, Jewish history, culture and archival activities, medical research, as well as other endeavors.

Joseph Steinberg was one of the founders of the Center for Jewish History in New York City, and is a longtime supporter of YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. A $300,000 grant created an online edition of The YIVO Encyclopedia of Jews in Eastern Europe. Diane was named chair of the board of Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which the couple steadily supports. The Steinbergs are also interested in documentary film, and funded The Story of the Jews with Simon Schama for PBS.

Past grantees include Congregation Mt. Sinai, UJA Federation, New York City Center (Steinberg is on the board), Brooklyn Museum of Art, Prospect Park Alliance and New York City Relief.

Important Grant Details

Grants range from $500 to $675,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $2.9 million. The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

Joseph S. & Diane H. Steinberg Charitable Trust
520 Madison Avenue, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10022