Louise Chazen Banon Family Charitable Trust

OVERVIEW: The Louise Chazen Banon Family Charitable Trust primarily funds grantmaking related to Jewish causes, Education, and arts and cultural institutions.

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 Louise Chazen Banon Family Charitable Trust was established in 2002. The foundation is steered by Louise Chazen Banon, president of 7thonline, which specializes in merchandise planning and demand forecasting for global retailers and wholesale brands in the apparel/footwear/accessories industries, and family. Louise is a daughter of Jerome Chazen, founder of Chazen Capital Partners and cofounder of Liz Claiborne. The foundation does not maintain a website, which makes it difficult to locate further information on its priority areas and grantmaking strategies.

Grants for Jewish Causes

According to tax filings, the Louise Chazen Banon Family Charitable Trust primarily funds grantmaking related to Jewish causes. Sidney is on the board of Jewish National Fund, which he and Louise support. Past grantees have included 92Y, Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, OR Haddash Institutions, National Jewish Health, Colel Chabad, Birthright Israel Foundation, and Jewish Education Project, among others. The foundation also supports another entity called the Banon Family Foundation, whose grantmaking also focuses on Jewish causes.

Grants for Higher Education and Arts and Culture

The extended Chazen family are major patrons of University of Wisconsin, from where Louise and her husband Sidney Banon’s son Ross graduated. Louise’s parents, Jerome and Simona, are also University of Wisconsin graduates, and have given the school millions over the years. The school is home to the Chazen Museum of Art. Museum of Arts and Design is another grantee.

Important Grant Details

Grants range from $34,600 to under $1,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $100,000. The Louise Chazen Banon Family Charitable Trust keeps a low-profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals. 

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

Louise Chazen Banon Family Charitable Trust 
529 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10017