The Eberstadt-Kuffner Fund

OVERVIEW:  The Eberstadt-Kuffner Fund primarily funds grantmaking related to the arts, education, environment and justice organizations.

IP TAKE: The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. This funder does not accept unsolicited proposals or requests for funding, so prospective grantseekers will need to network to get on the fund’s radar.

PROFILE:  The Eberstadt-Kuffner Fund was established in 1967 by the late finance veteran Walter A. Eberstadt and his wife Vera. The foundation is currently steered by Eberstadt family members, including sons Michael and George. Michael, restaurateur and owner of Monster Savings, serves as president of the foundation. The foundation does not maintain a website, and further information on its priority areas and grantmaking strategies is scarce. According to tax filings, the Eberstadt-Kuffner Fund primarily funds grantmaking related to the arts, education, environment, and justice organizations.

Grants for Arts and Culture, Education, Environment, and Racial Justice and Indigenous Rights

The family has strong ties to the New School, and Walter has served on the board for decades; the foundation continues to support the institution. Walter was a passionate supporter of academic programs in art and design, social research and international politics, and endowed the Walter A. Eberstadt Professor of Politics and the Walter and Vera Eberstadt Prize Fellowships which fund doctoral students in economics, political science, philosophy or historical studies. Walter and Vera, a sculptor, also had a passion for supporting institutions like the Frick Collection, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and WNET.

The Eberstadts also fund justice, human services and humanitarian organizations. It’s worth noting that Michael ran a soup kitchen and food pantry on Staten Island and was a case manager for homeless people with HIV/AIDS before going into the restaurant business. 

Past grantees have included American Museum of Natural History, The Met, Brooklyn Academy of Music, New Visions for Public Schools, Prep for Prep, Dutchess Land Conservancy, NRDC, National Women’s Law Center and Vera Institute of Justice.

Important Grant Details

Grants range from $1,000 to $54,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $879,000. The Eberstadt-Kuffner Fund keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.  

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

The Eberstadt-Kuffner Fund, Inc.
c/o Anchin 1375 Broadway
New York City, NY 10018