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V&L Marx Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.7M
Grant Range
$1K - $2.2M
Decision Time
3mo

V&L Marx Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,700,000
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $2,200,000
  • Median Grant: $10,000
  • Total Assets: $166 million
  • Geographic Focus: New York City metropolitan area, with emphasis on Westchester County
  • Number of Grants: 117-125 grants annually

Contact Details

Address: 14 Brookline Road Scarsdale, NY 10583

Phone: (201) 909-0090

Primary Contact: Jennifer Gruenberg, President

Application Submissions: Via U.S. Mail to the address above

Overview

The V&L Marx Foundation was established in 2004 as a private family foundation honoring Virginia and Leonard Marx. Leonard Marx was a 1925 graduate of Yale University and a prominent real estate developer who served as chairman and chief executive of Merchants National Properties. The foundation is now managed by the Gruenberg family, Leonard and Virginia's descendants. With assets of approximately $166 million and annual distributions of $6.7 million, the foundation makes 117-125 grants per year to nonprofit organizations primarily in the New York City metropolitan area. The foundation takes a diversified approach to charitable giving, supporting organizations across education, healthcare, arts and culture, Jewish life, social services, environmental conservation, and youth development. Major grantees include White Plains Hospital, New York Philharmonic, Yale University, and various community organizations throughout the region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through a single general grantmaking program with no formally designated sub-programs. All grants are categorized as "general corporate purpose" support.

  • Major Institutional Grants: $100,000 - $2,200,000 (for significant capital campaigns or major institutional support)
  • Standard Grants: $10,000 - $100,000 (typical range for most applicants)
  • Small Grants: $1,000 - $10,000 (smaller organizations or specific projects)

Applications accepted on a rolling basis via written statement submitted by U.S. mail.

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on organizations serving the New York City metropolitan area, with particular emphasis on Westchester County. Priority funding areas include:

  • Higher Education: Universities, colleges, and educational institutions (particularly Yale University and other institutions with family connections)
  • Healthcare: Hospitals and medical research (White Plains Hospital is a major beneficiary)
  • Arts and Culture: Museums, performing arts organizations, symphony orchestras, and cultural institutions
  • Jewish Organizations: Synagogues, Jewish educational institutions, and Jewish community services
  • Social Services: Organizations serving vulnerable populations, including at-risk youth
  • Children and Youth: Programs focused on youth development and education
  • Environment: Environmental conservation and education organizations

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated in foundation materials, the geographic focus on the New York metropolitan area (particularly Westchester County) effectively limits funding to organizations outside this region. The foundation's 990 filings show limited geographic diversity, with approximately 75 of 117 grants in 2024 going to New York-based organizations.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by family members of Leonard and Virginia Marx:

  • Jennifer Gruenberg, President - Daughter of Virginia and Leonard Marx
  • Leonard Gruenberg, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  • Jon Gruenberg, Treasurer
  • Wendy Gruenberg, Secretary

The foundation operates with zero full-time employees, relying on family trustees for governance and administration. This lean operational structure reflects the foundation's approach as a family philanthropic vehicle, with decision-making concentrated among family members who carry forward the charitable legacy of Leonard and Virginia Marx.

The Marx family has a long history of philanthropy in the Westchester County region, having previously endowed professorships at Columbia University and built a daycare center at Westchester Community College.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation requires a written statement submitted via U.S. mail. According to the foundation's 990 filing, applicants should submit:

"A STATEMENT (VIA US MAIL) DETAILING COMPLETE INFORMATION AS TO GRANT REQUESTED"

Applications should be mailed to: Jennifer Gruenberg, President V&L Marx Foundation 14 Brookline Road Scarsdale, NY 10583

The foundation does not maintain a website or online application portal. All applications must be submitted in writing through traditional mail.

Decision Timeline

No specific decision timeline is published by the foundation. As a family foundation with quarterly board meetings typical of such organizations, applicants should anticipate:

  • Initial Review: 4-8 weeks after submission
  • Decision Timeline: 2-4 months from initial submission to final decision
  • Payment Processing: 4-6 weeks after approval

The foundation makes grants throughout the year rather than in a single annual cycle, suggesting ongoing review of applications.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publish specific reapplication policies. However, the pattern of repeat grantees in the 990 filings (particularly White Plains Hospital, Yale University, and other major recipients) suggests that the foundation maintains ongoing relationships with organizations and funds them repeatedly when appropriate.

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply, though building a relationship with the foundation and aligning with their demonstrated funding priorities will strengthen future applications.

Application Success Factors

The V&L Marx Foundation's giving patterns, as revealed through analysis of their 990 filings and major grants, suggest several key factors that influence funding decisions:

Geographic Alignment: The foundation shows a strong preference for Westchester County organizations, with White Plains Hospital receiving the single largest grant ($2.2 million in 2024). Organizations with a physical presence or significant impact in Westchester County appear to have higher success rates.

Institutional Relationships: The foundation demonstrates loyalty to institutions with family connections. Yale University (Leonard Marx's alma mater) receives consistent support. Organizations that have previously received funding appear more likely to receive additional support, suggesting that building a long-term relationship with the foundation is valuable.

Major Institutional Capacity: The wide grant range ($1,000 to $2.2 million) suggests the foundation supports both small community organizations and major institutions. However, the largest grants go to established institutions with significant capacity (hospitals, universities, major arts organizations like the New York Philharmonic).

Alignment with Family Values: The foundation's support for Jewish organizations, education, healthcare, and the arts reflects the philanthropic values of Leonard and Virginia Marx, who were known for their support of these areas during their lifetimes. Organizations whose mission aligns with these values are more likely to receive support.

General Operating Support: All grants are designated for "general corporate purpose," indicating the foundation provides unrestricted or general operating support rather than requiring funding for specific projects. This suggests they value organizational sustainability and trust grantees to allocate funds appropriately.

Clarity and Completeness: Since the application process requires a detailed written statement, successful applications likely provide comprehensive information about the organization's mission, impact, financial needs, and alignment with the foundation's priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geography matters significantly: The foundation strongly favors organizations in Westchester County and the broader New York metro area. Organizations outside this region face significant barriers to funding.

  • Build relationships for long-term support: The foundation's pattern of repeat grantees suggests that initial grants can lead to ongoing relationships and larger future support.

  • Institutional capacity is valued: While grants range from $1,000 to $2.2 million, the largest grants go to established institutions with proven track records and significant community impact.

  • Simple application process: The foundation's straightforward requirement for a written statement (no complex forms or online portals) makes it accessible, but the statement must be comprehensive and compelling.

  • Unrestricted support philosophy: The foundation provides general operating support, suggesting they value organizational sustainability over project-specific funding.

  • Family foundation dynamics: Decision-making rests with a small group of family trustees who honor the legacy of Leonard and Virginia Marx. Understanding the family's philanthropic history and values can inform successful applications.

  • Diverse portfolio: The foundation supports organizations across multiple sectors (education, healthcare, arts, Jewish life, social services), so organizations shouldn't be discouraged by the breadth of funding areas—strong alignment with core values matters more than fitting a narrow niche.

References

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