SJS Charitable Trust

OVERVIEW: The SJS Charitable Trust primarily funds grantmaking related to Armenian causes, education, human services, and the arts.

IP TAKE: The foundation does not maintain a website, which restricts transparency about grantmaking strategies and guidelines. It funds causes related to the Armenian diaspora, amongst other concerns.

PROFILE: Established in 2010, the SJS Charitable Trust was founded by Sandra Shahinian Leitner. The foundation does not maintain a website, which makes it difficult to locate further information on its priority areas and grantmaking strategies. Tax filings suggest that the SJS Charitable Trust primarily funds grantmaking related to Armenian causes, education, human services, and the arts.

The SJS Charitable Trust’s tax filings suggest that Armenian causes is one of its main grantmaking priorities. Sandra grew up in the Armenian community and her paternal grandparents were strong believers in the Armenia nation. The family has been connected with St. Leon Armenian Church in Fair Lawn, New Jersey since the 1990s, and continues to support the institution. Sandra was elected to the Diocesan Council of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. Educational grantmaking addresses schools with which the family has a personal connection, including Sandra’s alma mater Connecticut College.

Grants range between $850 to $150,000. In a recent year, the foundation gave away around $1.2 million. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses primarily on New York. Past local grantees have included Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, City Harvest, Columbia University, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

SJS Charitable Trust
1177 Ave. of the Americas
New York, NY 10036