Himan Brown Charitable Trust

OVERVIEW:  The Himan Brown Charitable Trust primarily funds grantmaking related to education, health, Jewish causes, and cultural organizations.

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 Himan Brown Charitable Trust was established in 2010. It bears the name of late radio mogul Himan Brown, the creator of Dick Tracy and other popular 1930s and 1940s radio dramas. He left left the bulk of his $100 million estate to a charitable trust under the control of his longtime lawyer, Richard L. Kay, who serves as the vehicle’s sole trustee. In recent years, the charity has been in the news as the assets of Brown’s estate have been contested. The foundation does not maintain a website, which makes it difficult to locate further information on its priority areas and grantmaking strategies. According to tax filings, the Himan Brown Charitable Trust primarily funds grantmaking related to education, health, Jewish causes, and cultural organizations.

Grants for Higher Education, Jewish Causes, and New York City

In 1984, Himan Brown established Radio Drama Network to promote the old-fashioned art form of radio theater and other radio programming. Its president is Himan’s granddaughter, Melina Brown. Interestingly, the Himan Brown Charitable Trust’s grantmaking doesn’t appear to focus on radio or the arts at large. Richard Kay is on the board of 92nd Street Y, which has received millions. Richard has also sent large donations to his alma maters, Cornell University and the University of Michigan Law School. Away from the Northeast, South Florida appears to be another site of giving.

Past grantees have included Hunter College Elementary School, UJA Federation of New York, New York Presbyterian Fund, Central Synagogue, Central Park Conservancy, and Syracuse University.

Important Grant Details

Grants range from $1,000 to around $1 million. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $5.1 million. The Himan Brown Charitable Trust keeps a low-profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals. 

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

Hinman Brown Charitable Trust
Pryor Cashman,  7 Time Square
New York, NY 10036