Spionkop Charitable Trust

OVERVIEW: The Spionkop Charitable Trust makes grants to pre-selected organizations primarily for the arts and environmental purposes.

IP TAKE: The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. The Pratts support a similar collection of grantees annually. 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 Spionkop Charitable Trust was founded in 1997 by the late Richardson “Jerry” Pratt Jr., a former president of the Pratt Institute and chairman of Charles Pratt & Company, and his wife Mary. Jerry was a great grandson of the Pratt Institute's founder, Charles Pratt, who was a partner of John D. Rockefeller in the Standard Oil Company. The foundation is steered by Pratt family members, including David O. Pratt. The foundation does not maintain a website, which restricts further information on its priority areas and grantmaking strategies.

Grants for Arts and Culture, Community Development, and Environment

Tax filings suggest that the Spionkop Charitable Trust funds pre-selected organizations primarily in the arts and environmental space.

The family unsurprisingly continues to support the Pratt Institute, where David serves on the board of trustees. Away from New York City, the Pratts have strong ties to Cold Spring Harbor, New York, and supports Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. The Pratts support a similar collection of grantees annually.

Past grantees include Heckscher Museum of Art, Old First Presbyterian Church, Planned Parenthood, The Garden Club of America and Vassar College.

Important Grant Details

Grants range from $500 to $65,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away $150,000. The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

Spionkop Charitable Trust
355 Lexington Ave., 8th Fl.
New York City, NY 10017