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The Starr Foundation

Annual Giving
$97.5M
Grant Range
$10K - $50.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $95-100 million
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Varies (rolling basis)
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $50,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York City, with national and international reach

Contact Details

Website: https://starrfoundation.org/ Email: info@starrfoundation.org (general inquiries only - does not respond to unsolicited proposal inquiries) Phone: 212-770-6880 Address: New York, NY

Note: The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Grant inquiries regarding funding opportunities will not receive a response.

Overview

The Starr Foundation was established in 1955 by Cornelius Vander Starr, a global insurance entrepreneur, humanitarian, and philanthropist. As of 2024, the Foundation manages assets of $1.7 billion and has provided more than $4 billion in grants since its inception. The Foundation distributes between $95-100 million annually to charities and causes globally, with a primary focus on organizations serving the greater New York City area. Under the longtime leadership of Maurice R. Greenberg (Board Chair, 1969-2024) and Florence A. Davis (President, 1999-2023), who oversaw more than 7,000 grants totaling over $3 billion, the Foundation has grown to become one of the largest private foundations in the United States. The Foundation takes a proactive, invitation-only approach to grantmaking across six major program areas: education, health and medicine, human needs, culture, public policy and international relations, and the environment.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Starr Foundation operates through six distinct program areas, with education being its largest focus:

Education ($326M+ in endowed scholarships)

  • C.V. Starr and Maurice R. Greenberg Endowed Scholarship Funds at 144 schools (193 funds total)
  • Major university endowments: $3M - $50M
  • Insurance and risk management education programs
  • Cultural exchange programs with focus on Asia

Health & Medicine ($1.4B+ across 1,656 grants to 300 organizations)

  • Major hospital capital improvements: $5M - $50M+
  • Collaborative medical research initiatives: $25M - $150M (e.g., Tri-Institutional Stem Cell Initiative: $150M total)
  • Stem cell research and cancer biology
  • Women's health and pediatric care programs
  • Grants range from significant capital projects to research funding

Human Needs ($310M+ across 2,303 grants to 376 organizations)

  • Emergency food programs
  • Job training and literacy programs
  • Programs for people with disabilities
  • Emergency and transitional housing for the disadvantaged
  • Disaster relief through C.V. Starr Disaster Relief Fund

Culture ($147M+ to nearly 100 museums worldwide)

  • Major museum capital projects: $5M - $25M
  • Support for large cultural institutions (Met, MoMA, Guggenheim)
  • Community-based arts organizations serving special populations
  • Cultural exchange programs emphasizing Asia (Asia Society recipient since 1961)

Public Policy & International Relations ($95M+ across 327 grants to 50 organizations)

  • International relations and democracy promotion
  • Asia-focused policy studies and programs
  • Support for Schwarzman Scholars program at Tsinghua University
  • Council on Foreign Relations and think tanks
  • Global leadership development fellowships

Environment

  • Large-scale conservation efforts (Wildlife Conservation Society: $29M since 1976)
  • Urban parks and green spaces in NYC
  • Botanical gardens and ecological research
  • Marine science and ocean research

Priority Areas

  • Well-established organizations: The Foundation strongly favors organizations with proven track records of success
  • New York City focus: Primary emphasis on institutions serving the greater New York City area
  • Capital projects: Significant support for infrastructure improvements at hospitals, universities, and cultural institutions
  • Collaborative initiatives: Multi-institutional research partnerships
  • Asian cultural exchange: Programs promoting understanding between U.S. and Asia, reflecting founder C.V. Starr's deep ties to China and Japan
  • Leadership development: Programs fostering next generation of global leaders
  • Sustained partnerships: Ongoing support to key institutions (e.g., NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital: nearly $230M since 1957)

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals or individual scholarship requests
  • Unsolicited proposals from any organization
  • Organizations not meeting 501(c)(3) requirements (or international equivalent)
  • Local charities outside of New York City (with rare exceptions for national organizations serving NYC)
  • Single, isolated research projects (prefers broader institutional support)

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

Jeffrey W. Greenberg - Chairman of The Starr Foundation and Chairman & Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Starr Companies. He assumed the chairmanship in 2024, succeeding his father.

Historical Leadership

Maurice R. Greenberg - Board Chair from 1969-2024. Under his decades-long leadership, The Starr Foundation grew to become one of the largest private foundations in the United States. His tenure saw the Foundation evolve from a modest grantmaker to a major philanthropic force distributing hundreds of millions annually.

Florence A. Davis - President from 1999 until her passing in 2023. During her 24-year tenure, she oversaw more than 7,000 grants totaling more than $3 billion. Davis was instrumental in shaping the Foundation's strategic approach and expanding its impact across all program areas.

Founder

Cornelius Vander Starr (1892-1968) - Founded The Starr Foundation in 1955. An insurance entrepreneur who built a global insurance empire, Starr was also a humanitarian with deep ties to Asia, particularly China and Japan. His legacy continues to influence the Foundation's emphasis on Asian cultural exchange and international relations.

The Foundation's board of directors manages its assets and maintains the strategic vision established by Cornelius Vander Starr. The Foundation operates with a proactive approach, identifying organizations aligned with its mission rather than responding to external requests.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Critical Note: The Starr Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

  • All grant proposals are by invitation only
  • The Foundation takes a proactive approach to identifying potential grantees
  • Organizations cannot apply directly or submit unsolicited proposals
  • The Foundation will not respond to inquiries regarding unsolicited proposals
  • General inquiries can be directed to info@starrfoundation.org, but funding requests will not receive responses

Decision Timeline

  • Grants are awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year
  • Specific timeframes vary depending on the size and nature of the grant
  • Multi-year commitments are common for major institutional partnerships
  • No formal application deadlines as all grants are invitation-only

Success Rates

Not applicable - the Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Organizations must be specifically invited to submit proposals.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - all proposals must be by invitation. The Foundation maintains ongoing relationships with core grantees and may extend invitations for continued or renewed support at its discretion.

Application Success Factors

Understanding the Invitation-Only Model

Organizations hoping to be considered for Starr Foundation support should understand that the Foundation:

  • Conducts its own research to identify potential grantees
  • Favors well-established organizations with proven track records
  • Prioritizes organizations serving New York City
  • Values sustained, multi-year partnerships over one-time grants
  • Seeks organizations aligned with founder C.V. Starr's values and interests

What Attracts the Foundation's Attention

Based on the Foundation's grantmaking history, organizations that receive invitations typically demonstrate:

  1. Proven Excellence: Major, well-established institutions with strong reputations (NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Weill Cornell Medicine, etc.)

  2. NYC Connection: Primary service area in greater New York City, or national organizations with significant NYC presence

  3. Strategic Impact: Potential for transformative outcomes through capital projects, research collaborations, or programmatic innovations

  4. Collaborative Approach: Ability to partner with other institutions for greater collective impact (e.g., Tri-Institutional Stem Cell Initiative)

  5. Asian Connection: Programs involving cultural exchange with Asia, Asian studies, or reflecting C.V. Starr's international vision

  6. Financial Stability: Strong organizational infrastructure capable of managing significant grants and achieving measurable results

Recent Funding Examples

The Foundation's recent grants demonstrate its priorities:

  • $50 million to Rockefeller University (2024) to establish centers for computational science and metabolism
  • $25 million to Yale School of Medicine (2023) for medical student financial aid
  • $15 million to St. John's University for campus improvements
  • $15 million to Georgia State University (2023) to expand risk education programs
  • $10 million to National Museum of Intelligence and Special Operations
  • $3 million to Hospital for Special Surgery for orthopedic research and care

Building Visibility (Despite Invitation-Only Policy)

While unsolicited proposals are not accepted, organizations can:

  • Maintain excellence and visibility in their field
  • Build strong reputations through demonstrated impact
  • Establish connections through board members or advisors who may have Foundation relationships
  • Participate in collaborative initiatives with current Starr grantees
  • Engage in work aligned with the Foundation's known priorities (NYC service, Asian exchange, etc.)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only policy is absolute: Do not submit unsolicited proposals. The Foundation will not respond to direct funding requests or grant inquiries.

  • Focus on organizational excellence: The best "application" is building a strong track record. The Foundation seeks out proven, well-established organizations with clear impact.

  • New York City is critical: Geographic location and service area matter significantly. Organizations outside NYC should have compelling reasons for Foundation interest.

  • Think big and transformational: The Foundation makes grants ranging from thousands to tens of millions, but recent major grants suggest preference for significant, transformational investments ($5M-$50M range for capital projects and research).

  • Long-term relationships matter: The Foundation values sustained partnerships. Single-year, one-time projects are less characteristic of their approach than multi-year commitments to core institutions.

  • Asian connection adds value: Programs involving cultural exchange with Asia, Asian studies, or international relations aligned with C.V. Starr's legacy may be particularly attractive.

  • Collaborative over individual: Multi-institutional partnerships and collaborative research initiatives (like the Tri-Institutional Stem Cell Initiative) demonstrate the Foundation's preference for collective impact over isolated projects.

References

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