Lemberg Foundation

OVERVIEW:  The Lemberg Foundation’s grantmaking includes support of a variety of causes, including arts and culture, health, education, and Jewish causes. 

IP TAKE: The Lemberg Foundation not very transparent and keeps a low public profile, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. Contact information is below, but grantseekers will want to network on this one.

PROFILE: Established in 1945, the Lemberg Foundation is steered by real estate investor John Lemberg Usdan and family. John Usdan serves as CEO of Midwood Trading Company, which his grandfather Samuel Lemberg started in the 1920s. The Lemberg Foundation’s grantmaking includes support of arts and educational institutions. 

Grants for Arts and Culture, Higher Education, Public Health and Access, and Jewish Causes

The Lemberg family have been an active force in New York for decades. Samuel Lemberg helped establish the Suzanne and Nathaniel Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts on Long Island, now Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts. His daughter, Suzanne, meanwhile, was active at the camp, and served on such boards as Lincoln Center and the 92nd Y.

Past grantees include 92nd Street Y, Jazz Foundation of America, Cooper Hewitt National Museum, JCC of Manhattan, Park Avenue Synagogue, UJA Federation (John was once on the board), NYU Child Study Center, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Learning Spring School, and Environmental Defense Fund. Lemberg has also given millions to Wesleyan University.

Important Grant Details

Grants range from $500 to $2 million; however, $2,500 is the most common amount. Tax filings do not indicate whether it accepts unsolicited applications; however, given its lack of transparency, it is unlikely that it does.

PEOPLE:

Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).

CONTACT:

Lemberg Foundation

430 Park Ave., Ste. 505

New York City, NY 10022

Telephone: (212) 682-9595