Howard and Sandra Hoffen
/SOURCE OF WEALTH: Morgan Stanley, Metalmark Capital
FUNDING AREAS: Education & Youth, Jewish Causes, Health & Human Services, Arts & Culture, Environment & Animals
OVERVIEW: Howard and Susan Hoffen move their philanthropy through the Hoffen Family Foundation. The couple strongly support their mutual alma maters Columbia and Harvard. According to available tax filings, the foundation awarded around $470,000 in grants in 2017. They’re art collectors and also focus a sizable chunk of their giving on the Jewish community.
BACKGROUND: Howard I. Hoffen graduated with a B.S. in engineering from Columbia University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He joined Morgan Stanley in 1985 and Morgan Stanley Capital Partners in 1986. He's the former chairman and CEO of Morgan Stanley Capital Partners. Hoffen is currently the chairman and CEO of Metalmark Capital, an independent private equity firm.
ISSUES:
EDUCATION & YOUTH: The couple strongly support their school Columbia, where they've set up the Hoffen Family Scholarship Fund. Sandra is on the board of visitors at Columbia College. They support Harvard Business School, home to the Sandra and Howard Hoffen Fellowship, which supports students with an interest or background in nonprofit organizations. Sandra is a trustee at Riverdale Country School, where she graduated, and formerly served on the board at the George Jackson Academy, a private, single-sex school for academically talented, economically disadvantaged boys from grades four through eight. The Hoffens support these institutions as well.
JEWISH CAUSES: The Hoffens support a range of organizations in the Jewish community including Abraham Joshua Heschel School, American Friends of Megan David Adom, U.S. Holocaust Museum, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, National Jewish Fund, UJA Federation, Birthright Israel Foundation, Jewish Communal Fund (home to the Hoffen Family Fund), and American Friends of Yahad-in-Unum, where Hoffen sits on the board. Hoffen is also on the board of National Jewish Outreach Program.
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES: Grantees have included American Lung Association, National Glaucoma Research, and Citymeals on Wheels. Many of these grants are more modest.
ARTS & CULTURE: The Hoffens collect modern and contemporary art and are members of the Chairman’s Council at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They've supported The Met. Sandra is a trustee of Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Gardens as well.
ENVIRONMENT & ANIMALS: Grantees have included Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, Ocean Conservancy, Marine Mammal Center, and Last Chance for Animals. Grants in this area have generally been modest.
LOOKING FORWARD: Expect the couple to stick with their established interests, particularly in education and Jewish causes.
CONTACT:
The Hoffen Family Foundation does not provide a clear avenue of contact but below is an address:
Hoffen Family Foundation
c/o Sandra Hoffen
P.O. Box 20891
New York, NY 10023
