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Lawrence J and Anne Rubenstein Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.1M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.2M

Lawrence J and Anne Rubenstein Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,120,500 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $25-26.7 million
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $215,000
  • Median Grant: $25,000
  • Number of Awards: 38 grants (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Greater Boston, MA; secondary focus on Philadelphia, PA
  • Application Process: Initial inquiry required; guidelines provided after inquiry

Contact Details

Overview

The Lawrence J and Anne Rubenstein Charitable Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1964, making it one of the longer-operating charitable foundations in Massachusetts with over 56 years of philanthropic activity. With total assets of approximately $25-27 million, the foundation distributes over $1 million annually in charitable grants, averaging 38-41 awards per year. The foundation operates as an endowment-driven entity, generating income primarily through investment returns rather than external contributions, which provides stable and consistent funding capacity.

The foundation is managed through Ridgeway Partners and maintains a focused approach to grantmaking, concentrating primarily on the Greater Boston area with secondary consideration for Philadelphia, PA. The foundation supports a range of causes including healthcare, Jewish philanthropy, food security, education and literacy, and human services. The trustees serve without compensation, reflecting a lean operational structure that maximizes funds available for grantmaking.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes grants ranging from $5,000 to $215,000, with a median grant of approximately $25,000. Notable grants have included:

  • Combined Jewish Philanthropies: $215,000 (largest 2023 grant)
  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute: $128,800 (healthcare/oncology support)
  • Beth Israel Deaconess Bowdoin Center: $75,000
  • Massachusetts General Hospital: $120,000 combined (multiple grants)
  • Dana-Farber Supportive Oncology Initiative: $380,000 (multi-year commitment)

Application method involves an initial inquiry, after which guidelines and an application with instructions are provided. There are no firm deadlines.

Priority Areas

Based on recent grantmaking patterns, the foundation prioritizes:

  • Healthcare and Medical Research: Particularly cancer care, palliative care, and supportive oncology programs
  • Jewish Philanthropy: Significant support for Combined Jewish Philanthropies and related organizations
  • Food Security and Nutrition: Support for organizations like Project Bread ($25,000-$49,999 in FY24) and Community Servings
  • Education and Literacy Initiatives: General education programs
  • Senior Services and Wellness: Programs supporting elderly populations
  • Human Services: Homelessness prevention and community development

What They Don't Fund

While explicit exclusions are not publicly documented, the foundation's geographic focus suggests they do not typically fund:

  • Organizations outside Greater Boston and Philadelphia areas
  • National organizations without local presence
  • International programs (with some exceptions such as Build Change)

Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees

  • Dr. Joycellen Y. Auritt - Trustee
  • Andrew M. Cable - Trustee
  • Emma Perlmutter - Trustee

All trustees serve without compensation. The foundation is administered through Ridgeway Partners, a professional advisory firm with offices in Boston, New York, and London.

Foundation Administration

  • Administrator: Susan W. Hunnewell, Ridgeway Partners
  • The foundation employs minimal staff (approximately 2 individuals)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Lawrence J and Anne Rubenstein Charitable Foundation operates with an inquiry-first process:

  1. Initial Inquiry: Contact the foundation administrator, Susan W. Hunnewell, at Ridgeway Partners to express interest
  2. Guidelines Provided: After initial inquiry, the foundation provides guidelines and an application form with instructions
  3. Application Submission: Complete and submit the application following provided guidelines
  4. No Firm Deadlines: The foundation does not operate on fixed application cycles

Contact for Inquiries:

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timeframes are not publicly documented. Given the foundation's size and the inquiry-based process, applicants should expect a multi-month timeline from initial contact through final decision.

Success Rates

The foundation makes approximately 38-41 grants per year from its pool of inquiries. Specific success rate data (number of applications received vs. approved) is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy has been publicly documented. Organizations are advised to inquire directly about reapplication procedures.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented grantmaking patterns, successful applicants typically demonstrate:

Strong Geographic Alignment

  • Organizations must be based in or primarily serve Greater Boston
  • Philadelphia-area organizations receive secondary consideration
  • Strong local community presence is essential

Alignment with Priority Areas

Recent grants indicate success for organizations working in:

  • Healthcare innovation, particularly oncology and palliative care
  • Jewish community organizations and philanthropic efforts
  • Food security and nutrition programs for vulnerable populations
  • Education and literacy programs

Examples of Funded Projects

  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute: $380,000 for the Supportive Oncology Teams Initiative to integrate interdisciplinary teams into oncology care while enhancing quality of life for patients
  • Project Bread: Support at the $25,000-$49,999 level for anti-hunger work in Massachusetts
  • Combined Jewish Philanthropies: $215,000 for community support programs
  • Build Change: International disaster resilience organization (demonstrating occasional international funding)

Relationship Building

Given the inquiry-first process:

  • Initial contact should clearly articulate organizational mission and alignment with foundation priorities
  • Established organizations with track records of impact appear favored
  • Multi-year relationships are evident (Dana-Farber has received multiple grants)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Inquiry First: Never submit an unsolicited full application. Begin with an initial inquiry to Susan Hunnewell at Ridgeway Partners to receive proper guidelines.

  2. Geographic Focus is Paramount: Unless your organization directly serves Greater Boston (or secondarily Philadelphia), this foundation is unlikely to be a fit.

  3. Healthcare & Jewish Philanthropy Lead: The largest grants consistently go to healthcare institutions (particularly Dana-Farber, Beth Israel, MGH) and Combined Jewish Philanthropies.

  4. Mid-Range Grants Most Common: While grants range up to $215,000, expect more typical awards in the $5,000-$50,000 range, with a median around $25,000.

  5. No Deadlines, But Be Patient: The lack of firm deadlines means flexibility, but also potentially longer decision timelines. Plan accordingly.

  6. Relationship Building Matters: Evidence of multi-year support to organizations like Dana-Farber suggests the foundation values ongoing relationships with effective grantees.

  7. Human Services & Food Security: Beyond healthcare and Jewish philanthropy, food security organizations (Project Bread, Community Servings) have successfully secured grants, representing accessible entry points for smaller nonprofits.

References

Research compiled December 2024

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