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Leslie and Roslyn Goldstein Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.1M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.3M

Leslie and Roslyn Goldstein Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,100,000
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $350,000
  • Median Grant: $50,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York, Connecticut, and Washington DC
  • Total Assets: $18.4 million (2023)

Contact Details

Address: c/o Citrin Cooperman, 3 Times Square, New York, NY 10036

Note: This foundation does not maintain a public website, phone number, or email address for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Leslie and Roslyn Goldstein Foundation was established in 1980 by Roslyn Goldstein and her late husband Leslie Goldstein. The foundation reported assets of approximately $18.4 million in 2023 and distributed $2.1 million in grants that year across 27 awards. The foundation's mission focuses on supporting stem cell research, cancer research, Jewish organizations and causes, healthcare institutions, and cultural organizations. Roslyn Goldstein serves as the foundation's trustee. The Goldsteins' philanthropic approach emphasizes intergenerational responsibility, particularly in medical research, with Roslyn stating, "For my children and grandchildren, we must find cures through stem cell research for everyone's children and grandchildren." The foundation operates as a private family foundation that makes grants to preselected organizations based on trustee discretion.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with defined application cycles. All grants are awarded through trustee discretion to preselected organizations.

Priority Areas

Based on recent grant activity, the foundation supports:

  • Medical Research: Cancer research (particularly breast cancer), stem cell research, Alzheimer's research, rare disease research, and brain disorders
  • Jewish Causes: Jewish community organizations, synagogues, Holocaust education and remembrance, Israel-related causes
  • Senior Services: Programs supporting elderly populations
  • Arts and Culture: Museums and cultural institutions
  • Education: Higher education institutions, particularly those with medical or scientific research programs
  • Civic Engagement: Organizations promoting civil rights and combating discrimination

Recent Notable Recipients (2023):

  • Breast Cancer Research Foundation: $350,000
  • Mozaic Senior Life: $300,000
  • US Holocaust Memorial Museum: $230,000
  • Anti-Defamation League: $150,000
  • Chabad of Connecticut: $150,000

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not fund:

  • Unsolicited applications from organizations without prior relationships
  • Individual requests or scholarships
  • Organizations outside their established areas of interest

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: Roslyn Goldstein (commits approximately 5 hours per week, receives no compensation)

Roslyn Goldstein is a prominent philanthropist who has held numerous leadership positions in charitable organizations. She joined the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Board of Overseers in 2005 after establishing the Roslyn and Leslie Goldstein Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at the institution. She currently serves as a national commissioner of the Anti-Defamation League and sits on the boards of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the American Friends of the Israel Museum. She previously served as president of the United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford and Darien, Connecticut, and as president of the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation.

Her late husband Leslie Goldstein was a former director of Advanced Magnetics, Inc., a pharmaceutical company he co-founded, and served as an investment analyst and advisor with Ingalls & Snyder, LLC.

Philanthropic Philosophy: Roslyn Goldstein has articulated a strong commitment to private sector responsibility in advancing medical research, particularly in response to limitations in federal funding. She has stated: "This could wake people up. The private sector also has a responsibility to take care of society."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." All grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustee to organizations with which the foundation has existing relationships or connections.

Organizations that submit unsolicited proposals will not receive a response.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's grant-making patterns and Roslyn Goldstein's documented board affiliations, organizations may come to the foundation's attention through:

  • Board Connections: Roslyn Goldstein serves on multiple boards including the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Anti-Defamation League, American Friends of the Israel Museum, and previously the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation and United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford and Darien. Organizations within these networks appear to receive consistent support.

  • Academic Medical Centers: The foundation has a documented relationship with Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where they established a laboratory and Roslyn serves on the Board of Overseers. Similar relationships with academic medical institutions conducting stem cell or cancer research may lead to funding consideration.

  • Jewish Community Networks: The foundation's consistent support for Jewish organizations, synagogues, and Israel-related causes suggests that organizations within Jewish philanthropic circles in the New York/Connecticut area may come to their attention through community connections.

  • Specific Research Focus: Organizations conducting work in stem cell research, brain disorders, cancer research (especially breast cancer), or Alzheimer's research align with the foundation's documented interests driven by Roslyn Goldstein's stated commitment to finding cures through privately-funded medical research.

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not publicly disclose decision timelines. As a private foundation making grants to preselected organizations, decisions are made at the trustee's discretion throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. However, organizations that have received grants in the past appear to receive ongoing support, suggesting multi-year relationships with selected organizations.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, the concept of "application success" does not apply in the traditional sense. However, analysis of their grant-making patterns reveals what attracts their support:

  • Alignment with Personal Passions: The foundation's grants closely reflect Roslyn Goldstein's personal board commitments and stated priorities. Organizations working on stem cell research, cancer research (particularly breast cancer), brain disorders, and Jewish causes receive the largest grants.

  • Established Institutional Relationships: Major recipients tend to be well-established institutions with strong reputations in their fields (e.g., Breast Cancer Research Foundation, US Holocaust Memorial Museum, Anti-Defamation League, major medical research institutions).

  • Geographic Proximity: While some national organizations receive support, there is a clear preference for organizations in the New York and Connecticut area, where the Goldsteins have been based.

  • Medical Research Focus: The foundation's support for medical research stems from a philosophical commitment to private sector responsibility when federal funding is limited. Organizations that can demonstrate cutting-edge research in areas where government support has been restricted may align with this philosophy.

  • Multi-Year Relationships: Analysis of grant patterns suggests the foundation maintains ongoing relationships with select organizations rather than making one-time grants to many different organizations.

  • Focus on Impact: Roslyn Goldstein's quote about intergenerational responsibility—"For my children and grandchildren, we must find cures through stem cell research for everyone's children and grandchildren"—suggests the foundation values research that could have transformative, long-term impact on future generations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Do not send applications or letters of inquiry.

  • Relationship-Driven Giving: All grants are made to preselected organizations, typically those with existing connections to Roslyn Goldstein through her board service or other relationships.

  • Medical Research Priority: The largest grants go to medical research organizations, particularly those focused on cancer, stem cell research, brain disorders, and Alzheimer's disease.

  • Jewish Causes Supported: Significant funding goes to Jewish organizations, synagogues, Holocaust remembrance, and Israel-related causes, reflecting personal and cultural commitments.

  • Geographic Focus: While some national organizations receive support, there is preference for organizations in the New York and Connecticut area.

  • Ongoing Relationships: The foundation appears to make repeat grants to organizations rather than constantly seeking new recipients, suggesting loyalty to organizations that align with their mission.

  • Board Connections Matter: Organizations where Roslyn Goldstein serves on the board or has served on the board receive consistent support, highlighting the importance of personal connection and governance involvement in this foundation's grant-making.

References

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