Thomas and Michele Barakett Foundation

OVERVIEW:  The Thomas and Michele Barakett Foundation’s grantmaking includes educational, health, and arts causes.

IP TAKE: The foundation is not a transparent funder; it maintains a bare-bones website preferring to keep a low public profile, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. While New York is Barakett’s primary site of giving, 990s show that support has occasionally gone to groups in Connecticut and California. Nevertheless, this will be a tough nut to crack for grantseekers looking for funding.

 PROFILE: Founded in 2007, the Thomas and Michele Barakett Foundation was established by Canadian-born financier Thomas Barakett and his wife Michelle and prefers to maintain a low public profile. According to the foundation’s minimal website, “The Baraketts’ philanthropy has primarily supported social justice initiatives with an emphasis on those that promote equity and inclusion in the arts, education and healthcare fields.” Tax filings reveal that while this statement is accurate, support for education seems to get the lion’s share of Barakett funding.

Grants for K-12 Education

While the Barakett Foundation does not appear to have specific grantmaking programs, tax filings show that support for education is a big priority here. More grants go to K-12 groups than higher ed, but Harvard, Thomas’ alma mater, sees millions annually. Previous K-12 grantees include New York Academy of Art, Professional Children’s school, Prep for Prep, Education Super Highway, and Navigate the Maze to Achievement. The Dalton School, where Barakett is a trustee, has also seen strong, steady support.

Grants for Public Health and Access

Since the Barketts' daughter has a peanut allergy, they've become invested in the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University. As Barkett puts it, “[i]munotherapy has made a big difference to our lives and enabled us to lead normal lives without fear of an allergic reaction.” The Baraketts also strongly support Thomas’ alma mater Harvard. Other places the foundation has supported include Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, and NYU Langone Medical Center.

Grants for Arts and Culture and Dance

The Barakett Foundation supports arts and culture organizations throughout New York City, particularly those focused on dance or ballet, including Manhattan Youth Ballet, Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, and New York City Ballet. Other area arts groups that have received funding include New York Academy of Art, Careers through Culinary Arts Program, and New York Shakespeare Festival.

Grants for New York City

In New York, the couple have supported places like New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, Rethink Food NYC, NYU Child Study Center, and Robin Hood Foundation.

Important Grant Details

In a recent year, the foundation gave away around $10 million. Grants range from $1,000 to $2 million, but the most common amount is closer to $25,000. The Barakett Foundation does have a website, but it provides minimal information for grantseekers. Unfortunately, it does not name key priority areas, an ethos, or specifics. Tax records reveal that while it primarily funds in New York, grants have sporadically gone to groups in California and Connecticut.

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CONTACT:

 Timothy and Michelle Barakett Foundation
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10153