Cornpauw Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Cornpauw Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to higher education, the arts, health, and human services.

IP TAKE: The foundation does not maintain a website, which restricts transparency about grantmaking strategies and guidelines.

PROFILE: Established in 1986, the Cornpauw Foundation is steered by Nelson Schaenen Jr. and family, who are prominent in finance. Nelson had a long career in investment management. The foundation does not maintain a website, which makes it difficult to locate further information on its priority areas and grantmaking strategies. Tax filings suggest that the Cornpauw Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to higher education, the arts, health, and human services.

The Cornpauw Foundation’s tax filings suggest that it heavily invests in higher education. In particular, the family supports Cornell University. Not only did Nelson attend the school, but so did his father, uncle, brother, and two of his children. Ultimately, the family’s education funding prioritizes institutions with which they have a personal connection. Foundation board member Nancy Schaenen is involved with Morris Museum and Morristown Medical Center — two other grantees.

In a recent year, the foundation gave away around $45,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses primarily on New Jersey and New York. Past local grantees include Drew University, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, and Park Avenue Foundation, which supports Park Avenue Club in New Jersey.

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

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

Cornpauw Foundation Ltd.
307 5th Ave., 8th Fl.
New York, NY 10016