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Edward John Noble Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$3.6M
Grant Range
$5K - $1.5M

Edward John Noble Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,645,000 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $93.7 million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Varies widely (average ~$25,000, with some grants as large as $1.5 million)
  • Geographic Focus: Connecticut, New York (especially NYC and Northern NY), Georgia, and selected other states including Massachusetts, South Carolina, New Mexico, Vermont, and Washington D.C.

Contact Details

Address: New Milford, CT 06776

Note: The foundation does not publish public contact information. Applications should be initiated by letter to the address above.

Overview

The Edward John Noble Foundation Inc was established in 1940 as a trust in Connecticut and incorporated in 1982. Named after Edward John Noble, co-founder of the Life Savers Corporation (1913) and founder of the American Broadcasting Company (purchased the Blue Network in 1943), the foundation holds assets of approximately $93.7 million and distributed $3,645,000 in grants across 23 awards in 2023. The foundation's mission focuses on four principal areas: arts, education, conservation, and health. The foundation maintains a special connection to St. Catherine's Island, Georgia, which Edward John Noble purchased in 1943 and which was transferred to the foundation in 1968, serving as a private nature preserve and research site for conservation and scientific study. Leadership is provided by Noble Smith, grandson of the founder, who serves as Chairman and President.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Instead, grants are made through trustee discretion in the following areas:

  • Arts and Education: Grants to major cultural organizations in New York City, especially for educational programs and management training internships, primarily in the Connecticut and New York region
  • Conservation and Ecology: Selected projects concerned with conservation and ecology, primarily related to activities on St. Catherine's Island, Georgia, and other organizations that help preserve the natural environment
  • Education Programs: Programs to improve educational opportunities for gifted and talented disadvantaged children in New York, including scholarship endowments
  • Health: General support in the Connecticut and New York region with an emphasis on Northern New York

Grant sizes vary significantly, with an average grant of approximately $25,000, though major grants can reach $1 million or more.

Priority Areas

  • Cultural organizations with strong educational components
  • Management training and internship programs
  • Conservation and environmental preservation projects
  • Educational opportunities for disadvantaged or gifted students
  • Health initiatives in Connecticut and Northern New York
  • Projects on or related to St. Catherine's Island, Georgia

What They Don't Fund

  • Buildings or equipment (generally not considered)
  • Grants to individuals
  • Organizations outside their geographic focus areas (unless there is a specific connection to foundation interests)

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team:

  • Noble Smith - Chairman, President, and Director (grandson of Edward John Noble)
  • Jeremy T. Smith - Vice Chairman/Vice President/Director (Noble Smith's brother)
  • Deborah Menton - Executive Director/Corporate Secretary

The foundation's leadership maintains the family connection to its founder, with Edward John Noble's grandson leading the organization. The foundation continues to honor the legacy of Edward John Noble, who made his fortune with Life Savers and broadcasting, by supporting causes aligned with his interests in culture, education, and conservation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation does not appear to accept unsolicited applications for funding. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees, typically to organizations with which the foundation has an existing relationship or connection.

However, for organizations wishing to introduce themselves to the foundation, applications should be initiated by letter describing the project for which support is requested. The letter should include:

  1. A brief description of the nature and purpose of the organization and a concise statement of the need for and objectives of the project
  2. The qualifications of the key personnel involved
  3. A program budget
  4. A list of other sources of support assured and being sought
  5. A copy of the organization's most recent 501(c)(3) and 509(a) rulings from the IRS
  6. A copy of the organization's most recent annual audit or financial statement
  7. A list of officers and directors or trustees

All requests will be reviewed and answered as soon as possible, and if the foundation is able to give further consideration to a proposal, additional information will be requested as needed.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The foundation reviews proposals on an ongoing basis.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. With 23 grants awarded in 2023 and no public application process, the foundation operates through a selective, relationship-based giving model.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, the following factors are inferred from their funding patterns:

Strong Alignment with Foundation History:

  • Organizations with connections to Edward John Noble's legacy (Life Savers, broadcasting, conservation)
  • Projects on or related to St. Catherine's Island, Georgia
  • Cultural institutions in New York City with significant educational components

Focus on Education and Capacity Building:

  • The foundation particularly favors educational programs and internships over general operating support
  • Management training programs at cultural organizations are a priority
  • Scholarship programs that create lasting impact, such as their $1.5 million endowed scholarship at St. Lawrence University for middle-class North Country students

Past Successful Recipients:

  • Museum of Modern Art (educational programs)
  • WNYC (public radio)
  • Museum of Natural History
  • St. Lawrence University (scholarship endowment)

Geographic Priorities:

  • Strong preference for New York City cultural institutions
  • Northern New York health and educational initiatives
  • Connecticut organizations
  • St. Catherine's Island-related conservation projects

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Relationship-driven funding: This foundation does not operate a public grant application process; funding flows to organizations with existing relationships to the foundation or its trustees
  • Family foundation with focused interests: Led by the founder's grandson, the foundation maintains strong connections to Edward John Noble's legacy in arts, broadcasting, education, and conservation
  • Educational emphasis is critical: Even within arts funding, the foundation prioritizes educational programs, internships, and management training over general operating support
  • Significant capacity for major gifts: While average grants are around $25,000, the foundation has made grants exceeding $1 million for projects strongly aligned with their mission
  • Geographic focus matters: Strongest support goes to NYC cultural organizations and Northern New York community initiatives
  • Conservation niche: Unique interest in St. Catherine's Island, Georgia, and related environmental preservation projects
  • No equipment or building funding: The foundation generally will not fund capital projects or equipment purchases

References

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