Malkin Fund
/OVERVIEW: The Malkin Fund primarily funds grantmaking related to arts and culture, health, human services, the environment, and Jewish causes.
IP TAKE: This is not an accessible or transparent funder, which limits information about grantmaking strategies. Instead, it prefers a proactive approach to grantmaking. However, call this foundation to introduce your work to them to get on their radar. It’s approachable, but expect delayed communication times as the staff is small in number.
Tax filings show that this funder may support an organization for more than one year, which makes its grantmaking a crowded space.
Expect the family’s giving to continue with established interest areas for now. Down the line, son Anthony Malkin should be watched as giving moves to the next generation. He also has an interest in the environment.
PROFILE: Established in 1994, the Malkin Fund was established by real estate mogul Peter Malkin and his wife Isabel. Peter L. Malkin graduated with his A.B. from Harvard College in 1955 and received his J.D. from Harvard Law School. Malkin joined his father-in-law and Malkin Holdings LLC’s co-founder, Lawrence A. Wien, as a principal of Malkin Holdings LLC in 1958. Isabel Malkin has worked as a writer, whose literary interests drive cultural giving. The foundation is very private, which restricts transparency about grantmaking strategies and guidelines, but tax filings suggest that the Malkin Fund primarily funds grantmaking related to arts and culture, health, human services, the environment, and Jewish causes.
Grants for the Arts and Culture
The Malkin Fund’s grantmaking strongly supports arts and cultural organizations in New York City, including the performing arts, museums, and historic preservation. The Malkins have given millions to Lincoln Center of the Performing Arts, where Malkin is a director emeritus co-chair. They’ve also steadily supported Park Avenue Armory, home to the Malkin Lecture Series, which presents scholars and experts on topics in New York City in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Arts and culture grants are more focused on established institutions here with which the family would like to be associated rather than an emphasis on grassroots, local organizations that do a lot with a little.
Grants for Higher Education
The Malkins steadily support Harvard University, where they funded the Peter and Isabel Malkin Professor of Public Policy. Malkin has served on a number of different committees at Harvard University, and Harvard's Indoor Athletic Building was renamed the Malkin Athletic Center. The family have also supported Columbia University.
Higher education grantmaking only appears to favor the institutions with which the founders are affiliated or would like to associate with.
Grants for Health and Human Services
The Malkin Fund does not appear to have a strategic grantmaking approach to its human services giving. Awards are much smaller here, but still focused on New York City. Grantees have included Coalition for the Homeless and New York-Presbyterian Fund.
Grants for the Environment and Jewish Causes
The Malkins also earmark funds for environmental and Jewish causes. Malkin has been involved in Connecticut environmental conservation and helped spearhead Merritt Parkway Conservancy, Greenwich Tree Conservancy and Greenwich Green & Clean. The Malkins have also UJA - Federation of New York, among others.
Important Grant Details:
Grants range from $100 to $100,000. In a recent year, the foundation gave away $804,300. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on New York City. Past local grantees include Central Park Conservancy, New York Landmark Conservancy, Columbia University, New York-Presbyterian Fund, and UJA - Federation of New York.
The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
CONTACT:
Malkin Fund
1 Grand Central Pl.
New York, NY 10165
(646) 350-1560
