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The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust

Annual Giving
$445.7M
Grant Range
$15K - $55.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $445.7 million (2024)
  • Total Committed: $4.5 billion since 2008
  • Endowment: $8 billion
  • Grant Range: $15,000 - $55 million (most $100,000 - $1 million)
  • Geographic Focus: National (US rural healthcare, NYC) and International (Israel, Sub-Saharan Africa)
  • Application Method: Invitation only or RFP-based

Contact Details

Website: www.helmsleytrust.org Email: grantinfo@helmsleytrust.org Phone: 212-679-5620 Address: New York, NY

For grant inquiries: grants@helmsleytrust.org or (212) 679-3600

Overview

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust began active grantmaking in 2008 and has since grown into a global philanthropy with an $8 billion endowment that has committed more than $4.5 billion across a wide range of charitable purposes. In 2024 alone, the Trust provided $445.7 million in grants through 585 awards. The organization is committed to helping people live better lives today and creating stronger, healthier futures for individuals and communities through a rigorous and results-oriented approach. Their funding philosophy centers on investing in "projects and programs that others cannot or will not fund," particularly supporting high-risk efforts with the potential for significant impact. The Trust operates six major program areas: Type 1 Diabetes (the largest private foundation funder in the world for T1D with over $1 billion committed), Crohn's Disease (the largest private philanthropy focused on this condition), Rural Healthcare (over $750 million awarded), Israel (over $700 million committed since 2010), New York City health initiatives, and Vulnerable Children in Sub-Saharan Africa (over $474 million since 2014).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Type 1 Diabetes Program

  • The largest private foundation funder in the world with a T1D focus
  • Over $1 billion committed to date
  • Focus areas: Prevention research, exercise initiatives, technology access (continuous glucose monitoring), diabetes camps, and data standards
  • Recent major grants: $52 million to Global Platform for the Prevention of Autoimmune Diabetes; $12+ million for exercise research
  • Application: Primarily through RFPs posted on website

Crohn's Disease Program

  • Largest private philanthropy focused on Crohn's disease
  • Nearly 100 Helmsley-funded initiatives in this area
  • Five key focus areas: Prevention, disease management, therapeutics, diagnostics, and disease biology
  • Emphasis on diet and microbiome research, novel therapies, and biomarker development
  • Recent grants: $3-4.9 million range for research initiatives
  • Application: Invitation-based and targeted RFPs

Rural Healthcare Program

  • Over $750 million awarded to date
  • Geographic focus: Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and two U.S. Pacific territories
  • Funding priorities: Information technologies to connect rural patients to emergency medical care, latest medical therapies for remote areas, state-of-the-art training for rural hospitals and EMS personnel, ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) expansion
  • Recent grants: $11.6 million for Nevada heart and lung care; $12 million for Montana trauma care
  • Grant range: $800,000 to $12+ million
  • Application: Invitation only; program staff seek partners

Israel Program

  • Over $700 million committed since 2010
  • Focus areas: Healthcare facility development in major cities and underserved areas, education programs in healthcare and STEM, advocacy and communication efforts
  • Recent grants: $5.45 million for medical technologies building; $12.67 million for simulation center
  • Grant range: $15,000 to $55+ million
  • Application: Invitation only; occasional RFPs

New York City Program

  • Focus: Health stability for populations with both physical/behavioral health conditions and social needs (especially homelessness)
  • Major initiative: Collaborative on Housing for Health (created 2024) with $17.6 million already granted across six programs
  • Housing for Health represents 60% of NYC Program grantmaking
  • Application: Invitation only

Vulnerable Children in Sub-Saharan Africa

  • Over $474 million committed since 2014
  • Geographic focus: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Zambia
  • Priorities: Quality healthcare access for maternal and infant health, neglected tropical diseases, water and sanitation infrastructure, agricultural development, education and economic growth
  • Philosophy: Building resilience in rural communities
  • Application: Invitation only

Priority Areas

  • Type 1 Diabetes research, prevention, care delivery, and technology access
  • Crohn's Disease research across therapeutics, diagnostics, and disease biology
  • Rural healthcare infrastructure and emergency medical services
  • Healthcare and STEM education in Israel
  • Housing and healthcare integration for high-needs New Yorkers
  • Maternal and child health in Sub-Saharan Africa
  • High-risk, high-impact projects that other funders cannot or will not support
  • Information technology applications in healthcare delivery
  • Biomedical research and innovation

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited grant proposals (all grants by invitation or RFP only)
  • Organizations outside their six core program areas (Type 1 Diabetes, Crohn's Disease, Rural Healthcare, Israel, NYC, Sub-Saharan Africa)
  • Type III supporting organizations (509(a)(3))
  • Projects outside their geographic focus areas for rural healthcare
  • General operating support outside strategic program areas

Note: While Helmsley generally funds 501(c)(3) public charities classified under 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2), they also fund foreign organizations or institutions without 501(c)(3) status that are equivalent to US-based public charities, and charitable projects at for-profit entities.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Walter Panzirer, Trustee Grandson of Leona Helmsley with over 17 years at the Trust. Raised in California and adopted South Dakota as his home. Former paramedic, firefighter, and police officer, bringing firsthand experience with healthcare disparities in rural communities. His guiding principle: "Where you live shouldn't impact the quality of care you receive." On the Trust's approach: "The key is meeting people where they are. It ultimately doesn't matter what my team or I think could be beneficial – if a potential grantee doesn't really want it for themselves there will be no change, let alone lasting change." He emphasizes that "philanthropy can often act more nimbly than local, state or federal governments."

David Panzirer, Trustee Father of two children with type 1 diabetes, leading to the creation of a robust T1D program. Describes his role: "I kind of fell into the best job in the world," as he gets "the opportunity to impact my child's disease… with the understanding I have a much bigger responsibility." On the T1D program philosophy: "We aim to leverage the best minds and efforts across all disciplines, and we don't care who has the answer."

Sandor Frankel, Trustee Third member of the Board of Trustees. The trustees jointly acknowledge "there is so much to learn about being an effective grantmaker."

Executive Leadership

Sarah Paul, Chief Executive Officer Assumed the CEO role on November 1, 2021, succeeding Stephanie Cuskley. Previously served as Helmsley's General Counsel for nearly seven years. The trustees praised her as "deeply committed to Helmsley's mission" with "unmatched leadership skills, sense of urgency, and innovative thinking." Her familiarity with the organization and steadfast program priorities has ensured smooth leadership continuity.

Program Leadership

Melissa Crutchfield, Program Director Hired in November 2024 to lead the Vulnerable Children in Sub-Saharan Africa program, bringing extensive global non-profit experience.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1 - Invitation or RFP Required Helmsley does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. Rather, in-house program experts actively seek partners to maximize impact. Organizations are identified by Helmsley program staff based on alignment with strategic priorities.

Exception: Organizations that closely match their specific focus areas may reach out via email to grantinfo@helmsleytrust.org to introduce their work, though this does not guarantee consideration.

Step 2 - Letter of Inquiry (LOI) or Pre-Proposal After prospective grantees are invited by Program Staff, the Grants Management Department will contact them via email with instructions to complete an online LOI or pre-proposal through Helmsley's grant management system (Fluxx platform).

Step 3 - Full Proposal Helmsley reviews the LOI/pre-proposal before requesting a full proposal. Only organizations whose initial submissions align with program priorities are invited to submit full applications.

Step 4 - Requests for Proposals (RFPs) Helmsley periodically issues targeted RFPs with specific scopes. These are announced on their website (helmsleytrust.org) and through appropriate media outlets. Recent RFPs include:

  • Understanding and Targeting Innate Immunity in Type 1 Diabetes Pathogenesis (deadline April 30, 2025)
  • Type 1 Diabetes Camps Project: 2025-2027 Campership Initiative
  • GPPAD and ENDIA research proposals

Application Portal: helmsley.fluxx.io (for invited applications)

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly published and vary by program area, grant size, and project complexity. Organizations should contact their assigned program staff for timeline expectations.

Notification Methods: Email communication through the Grants Management Department.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The Trust made 585 awards in 2024 from an invitation-only pool, making traditional success rate calculations not applicable.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified. Given the invitation-only model, reapplication would depend on continued alignment with program priorities and invitation from program staff. Organizations should maintain relationships with program staff and monitor the website for relevant RFPs.

Application Success Factors

Understanding Their Funding Philosophy

Helmsley explicitly seeks "projects and programs that others cannot or will not fund." They prioritize high-risk efforts with significant impact potential. This means:

  • Novel approaches and innovative solutions are valued over conventional methods
  • They're willing to fund early-stage research and development
  • Pilot projects and proof-of-concept initiatives align with their strategy
  • Projects requiring multi-year commitments and substantial investment are within scope

Meeting People Where They Are

Walter Panzirer's guiding principle emphasizes that successful partnerships require genuine buy-in from grantees. The Trust looks for:

  • Organizations with clear ownership of proposed solutions
  • Evidence that the proposed intervention addresses a genuine need identified by the community
  • Demonstrated capacity and commitment to implement and sustain the work
  • Alignment between the organization's strategic direction and Helmsley's program priorities

Leverage and Partnerships

David Panzirer's statement that they "don't care who has the answer" suggests Helmsley values:

  • Collaborative approaches that bring together diverse expertise
  • Cross-disciplinary teams and partnerships
  • Evidence-based approaches regardless of the source
  • Projects that can demonstrate broader impact beyond a single institution

Geographic and Programmatic Alignment

Given the Trust's highly focused program areas, success requires:

  • Clear fit within one of the six core programs
  • For rural healthcare: Location in their designated states/territories
  • For NYC: Focus on high-needs populations with both health and social challenges
  • For Sub-Saharan Africa: Work in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, or Zambia
  • For research programs: Alignment with specific unmet needs they've identified

Recent Funded Projects as Examples

Type 1 Diabetes:

  • $52 million to Global Platform for the Prevention of Autoimmune Diabetes for primary prevention clinical trials
  • $12+ million across seven grants for exercise and T1D research
  • $1.54 million to Alliance of Community Health Plans for continuous glucose monitoring technology access

Crohn's Disease:

  • $4 million to Mount Sinai for PROMISE Consortium studying early stages before symptoms
  • $3 million for GLP-1 agonist research for Crohn's treatment
  • $4.9 million to Cleveland Clinic and University of Western Ontario for ileostomy research consortium

Rural Healthcare:

  • $11.6 million to three Nevada health systems for ECMO expansion for cardiac and pulmonary failure
  • $12 million to Billings Clinic for Montana's first surgical intensive care unit and transfer center
  • $1.5 million+ to University of Hawaii for health policy work across Pacific Islands

Rigorous and Results-Oriented Approach

The Trust emphasizes a rigorous approach to grantmaking, suggesting successful applicants should:

  • Provide clear metrics and evaluation plans
  • Demonstrate evidence base for proposed interventions
  • Show capacity for data collection and reporting
  • Include sustainability planning beyond the grant period

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-Only Model: Helmsley does not accept unsolicited proposals. Success requires getting on their radar through alignment with strategic priorities, existing relationships, or responding to specific RFPs. Organizations should monitor their website regularly for RFPs and may reach out via email if there's clear programmatic alignment.

  • High-Risk, High-Impact Focus: The Trust explicitly seeks projects that "others cannot or will not fund." Position your work as innovative, potentially transformative, and addressing significant unmet needs. Don't shy away from ambitious goals or novel approaches.

  • Geographic Specificity Matters: For rural healthcare and Sub-Saharan Africa programs, geographic eligibility is strictly defined. Ensure your location matches their criteria before attempting outreach. For research programs, geographic location matters less than scientific excellence and strategic fit.

  • Multi-Million Dollar Scale: While grants range from $15,000 to $55+ million, most fall in the $100,000-$1 million range, with many recent awards in the $3-12 million range for major initiatives. The Trust is comfortable with substantial, multi-year commitments for high-priority work.

  • Program Staff as Partners: Walter Panzirer's emphasis on "meeting people where they are" suggests the Trust values genuine partnership over transactional grantmaking. If invited to apply, engage authentically with program staff about challenges, needs, and solutions.

  • Cross-Disciplinary Excellence: David Panzirer's statement that they "don't care who has the answer" indicates openness to diverse approaches and partnerships. Collaborative proposals bringing together multiple institutions or disciplines may be particularly attractive.

  • Track Their RFPs: Some of the most accessible opportunities come through targeted RFPs posted on their website. Organizations working in their focus areas should regularly check helmsleytrust.org for new opportunities and sign up for any available email notifications.

References

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