Who Runs the Dds Foundation and What Does It Support?
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Yeshiva University. Photo: Roy Harris
With a name like the Dds Foundation (capitalization correct), you might be wondering what type of philanthropy this is and who’s behind it. Well, the Dds Foundation is a New York City-focused funder that typically flies under the radar, keeping its giving close to home and prioritizing the needs of New York groups with a special connection to the family.
Here are some important details about the Dds Foundation for grantseekers to note.
Deborah and Daniel Schwartz’s family philanthropy
The Dds Foundation was formerly named the Deborah and Daniel Schwartz Foundation, and dates back to 1999. Daniel Schwartz is the CIO of York Capital Management and has past experience in investment banking, global equity derivatives and industrial engineering. He is also the president of the foundation, while Deborah Schwartz serves as the secretary. Gabriella Major is a foundation director.
Four primary interest areas
The Dds Foundation does not have a website, which limits transparency into its giving strategies. However, past tax records indicate that most grants fall into one of four categories: education, health, human services and Jewish causes.
The couple identifies with the Jewish faith, and the foundation supports selected Jewish organizations, including Bnei Akiva of North America, Friends of the United Hatzalah and the PEF Israel Endowment Fund. By far, the foundation supports Jewish causes more than anything else each year.
Other New York-based organizations receiving the foundation’s support include Makor Disability Services, Yeshiva University, the NYU Stern Scholarship Fund and Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun. In addition to New York City grantees, some grantees are based in New Jersey, such as the Etzion Foundation and Sinai School.
No unsolicited funding requests
The Dds Foundation can be challenging for first-time grantseekers to connect with — it doesn’t accept unsolicited funding requests and prefers to fund organizations it is already familiar with. Most grants go toward general operating support and range from $5,000 to $100,000.
To learn more about this foundation, including how to get in touch with general questions, check out IP’s full profile of the Dds Foundation.
