Whispering Bells Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Whispering Bells Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to human services, human rights, education, and arts and culture.

IP TAKE: The foundation does not maintain a website, which restricts transparency about grantmaking strategies and guidelines. It’s not transparent or accessible, but a number has been provided below. Rather than having a public grantmaking strategy, this foundation prefers a proactive giving approach.

Tax filings show that this funder may support an organization for more than one year, which makes its grantmaking a crowded space. However, call this foundation to introduce your work to them to get on their radar.

PROFILE: Established in 1990, the Whispering Bells Foundation is steered by Carolan Workman, executive chair and president of Workman Publishing, and family. Her late husband Peter launched the company, the publisher of books like mega hit What to Expect When You’re Expecting. The foundation does not maintain a website, which restricts transparency about grantmaking strategies and guidelines. Tax filings suggest that the Whispering Bells Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to human services, human rights, education, and arts and culture.

Grants for Human Services and Human Rights

The Whispering Bells Foundation’s grantmaking strongly focuses on human services and human rights organizations, per tax filings. It supports nonprofits that work in areas like anti-discrimination, basic and emergency aid, food banks, housing development, and reproductive rights. Daughter Elizabeth Workman founded Goods for Good in Washington D.C., which “turns unwanted goods into wanted and needed funds for local nonprofits doing good.”

Important Grant Details:

Grants range widely from $250 to $75,000. In a recent year, the foundation gave away around $540,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on New York City. Past local grantees include Prep for Prep, American Civil Liberties Union, UJA-Federation of New York, Human Rights Watch, New York Public Library, Amnesty International, City Harvest, and the Dalton School.

The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

Whispering Bells Foundation
4 Times Square
New York, NY 10036
(212) 372-1210