Schwartz Family Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Schwartz Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to the arts, youth, human services, and health.

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 new grantseekers with the need to network here.

PROFILE:  The Schwartz Family Foundation was established in 1998. It was founded by financier Alan Schwartz and his wife Nancy Seaman. Alan Schwartz was president and CEO of Bear Stearns. He went on to become executive chairman of Guggenheim Partners, an investment banking firm based in Chicago and New York. The foundation does not maintain a website, which restricts further information on its priority areas and grantmaking strategies.

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

Tax filings suggest that the Schwartz Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to the arts, youth, human services, and health.

Alan Schwartz supports his alma mater Duke University. He’s also been heavily involved with St. Vincent’s Home Services and the National Mentoring Partnership.  Alan is on the board of amfAR, which he and his family steadily support.

Past grantees have included steady support to the Robin Hood Foundation (Alan is on the board), Harlem Children’s Zone, Harlem Village Academies, Bridgeport Rescue Mission, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Connecticut Food Bank, and New York Philharmonic. Schwartz has also given $50,000 to The Barack Obama Foundation and almost $300,000 to National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation.

Important Grant Details

Grants range from $1,000 to $400,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $1.6 million. The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

Schwartz Family Foundation
330 Madison Avenue, 15th Floor
NewYork, NY 10017