Stella and Charles Guttman Foundation

OVERVIEW: This is a major funder of early childhood education in New York City. Other grantmaking interest K-12 and higher education success. Grantmaking prioritizes low-income areas of the city.

IP TAKE: This foundation has a long history of supporting quality early education programs for New York City’s neediest populations. Letters of inquiry of no more than two pages are accepted at any time.

PROFILE: The New York City-based Stella and Charles Guttman Foundation was established by Charles Guttman, a local businessman, and his wife, Stella, in 1959. Guttman was born to an immigrant family on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and founded the Paddington Corporation, which became the exclusive importer of Justerini & Brooks Ltd., a creator of fine wines and whiskeys. The foundation’s original mandate was to support education, health and social services for children and families in New York’s low-income areas, but the foundation has since come to specialize in early childhood education and services. It reserves a smaller portion of funding goes to other educational causes in the city.

The Guttman Foundation’s work in the field of early childhood education prioritizes programs that “improve quality, expand services and create a strong continuum of care for children ages 0-3 in high need neighborhoods.” Additionally, the foundation supports programs for older children and aims to “build a network of education, health and social services for children from birth through college graduation.” In 2013, the foundation gave the City University of New York $25 million with the aim of providing increased opportunities for low-income students. With this gift, CUNY established the Stella and Charles Guttman Community College in Manhattan.

This funder gives away about $2 million each year, with most grants falling in the $25,000 to $100,000 range. Grantmaking is focused on New York City. Past grantees include the Child Center of New York, the Brooklyn Public Library, Early Childhood Partners and the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute. For additional information about past grants, see the foundation’s recent grants page.

This funder accepts letters of inquiry of two pages or less at any time via mail or email. The board meets four times per year to review proposals and makes a point to respond promptly to requests. The staff can also be reached by phone at (212) 371-7082.

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