Dorothy Tapper Goldman Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,170,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable - invitation only
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $500,000 - $1,500,000+ (based on recent grants)
• Geographic Focus: National (United States)
• Application Process: No public application process - invitation only

Contact Details

Address: 600 3rd Ave Fl 25, New York, NY 10016

Website: https://dtgfoundation.org/

Email: Not publicly listed

Phone: Not publicly listed

Note: The Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests.

Overview

The Dorothy Tapper Goldman Foundation was established after Dorothy Tapper Goldman sold her extraordinary collection of American founding documents, including one of only 13 surviving copies of the original Dunlap and Claypoole printing of the U.S. Constitution. A retired professor from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, where she taught Interior Design and Architecture, Goldman was a passionate advocate for civic education and constitutional literacy. The Foundation, with assets exceeding $38 million, distributes approximately $2 million annually in strategic grants to advance the principles of America's founding documents through educational programmes across all media. The Foundation funded an annual Guggenheim Fellowship in Constitutional Studies, established in 2007 with fellowships awarded starting in 2008; 17 fellows were appointed through 2023. Goldman's philosophy centred on stewardship rather than ownership, stating: "I have not been the owner of the United States Constitution but rather the custodian who has cared for this precious document. I have always felt an obligation and responsibility to facilitate access to the document through public and private exhibitions." Dorothy Tapper Goldman passed away in July 2023 at age 78.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The Foundation makes strategic grants annually. In 2023, the Foundation made 11 grants with a median amount of $100,000, though major strategic grants range from approximately $500,000 to $1,500,000+.

Recent Major Grants Include:

• Constitutional Studies Fellowship: Annual endowment through the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation (established 2007, fellowships awarded from 2008)
• Dorothy Tapper Goldman Center for Teaching Democracy: Construction and operational support at the New-York Historical Society
• Jewish Theological Seminary: Support for major exhibitions and intern salaries
• Smithsonian Institution: $1,500,000+ for museum reinstallation with Indigenous perspectives
• Museum of the American Revolution: Support for historical simulations and exhibitions

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses exclusively on:

• Constitutional and civic education: Programmes that advance understanding of America's founding documents
• Cultural institutions: Museums and historical societies that promote civic literacy
• Educational programming: Youth programmes and teacher professional development
• Historical preservation and access: Making constitutional history accessible to the public
• Democracy education: Programmes that create informed citizens and voters

What They Don't Fund

Based on their focused mission, the Foundation does not support:

• Projects unrelated to constitutional principles or civic education
• General operating support for organisations outside their established partnerships
• Programmes without a clear connection to American founding documents or democratic principles

Governance and Leadership

Dorothy Tapper Goldman (1944-2023) (Founder): A retired professor and collector extraordinaire, Dorothy served as the guiding force behind the Foundation and was also a Trustee of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. Her approach to philanthropy was deeply personal and strategic, focusing on institutions she had been "involved with and gave generously to throughout her life," including the New-York Historical Society, Jewish Theological Seminary, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Smithsonian Museum of American Art, National Constitution Center, and Supreme Court Historical Society.

Key Quote from Dorothy Tapper Goldman: "When it passed to me, I felt an incredible sense of responsibility to care for it, to share it, and to promote our nation's Constitutional principles... Through the sale of the collection, we look forward to continuing to contribute to our mission of civics education and a greater understanding of the founding documents."

Public records show no formal board of trustees listed, suggesting this is a closely-held private foundation with decisions made by Dorothy Tapper Goldman during her lifetime and her advisers.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This Foundation does not have a public application process.

The Foundation explicitly states: "The Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests." Grants are awarded to "preselected charitable organisations" that align with the founder's longstanding relationships and strategic priorities. The Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, with grants directed to organisations where Dorothy Tapper Goldman established personal connections and involvement.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on available information about this specific funder:

• Long-term institutional relationships: The Foundation prioritises cultural and educational institutions where Dorothy Tapper Goldman was personally involved throughout her life. These established relationships span museums, historical societies, and educational organisations focused on American history and constitutional studies.

• Focus on constitutional education institutions: Organisations working in the specific intersection of constitutional history, civic education, and cultural programming at major institutions (museums, historical societies, educational programmes) align with the Foundation's documented giving pattern.

• Connection to Jewish cultural institutions: The Foundation has supported Jewish Theological Seminary, suggesting openness to projects that connect American constitutional principles with Jewish cultural heritage and education.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Given the Foundation's invitation-only approach, grants appear to be awarded based on the founder's strategic priorities and established relationships rather than annual cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Since this Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, the following factors appear most relevant to understanding their grantmaking patterns:

• Established institutional presence: All documented grants have gone to major, established cultural and educational institutions (New-York Historical Society, Smithsonian, Jewish Theological Seminary, Museum of the American Revolution, Guggenheim Foundation).

• Focus on constitutional education specifically: The Foundation's mission is highly specific - advancing understanding of "Constitutional principles" and "America's founding documents." Projects must directly engage with constitutional history, founding documents, or civic education.

• Multi-year strategic partnerships: Rather than one-off grants, the Foundation appears to invest in sustained initiatives (e.g., annual Constitutional Studies Fellowship from 2008, construction and ongoing support for the Dorothy Tapper Goldman Center).

• Educational impact on students: The Foundation prioritises programmes that "create more informed citizens and voters," particularly youth programmes like the DTG Freedom Pass for NYC public school students.

• Museum exhibitions and public access: Several grants support exhibitions and programmes that make constitutional history accessible to public audiences.

• Alignment with founder's values: Dorothy Tapper Goldman's personal philosophy emphasised stewardship, access, and responsibility. Her quote about being a "custodian" rather than "owner" suggests she valued projects that share knowledge broadly rather than hoarding resources.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests and operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis with preselected organisations.

• Highly focused mission: Every grant must advance understanding of Constitutional principles and America's founding documents - there is no mission drift here.

• Large, strategic grants: The Foundation makes strategic grants, with major grants ranging from $500,000 to $1,500,000+. In 2023, 11 grants were made with a median of $100,000.

• Established institutional relationships: All documented grants have gone to major museums, historical societies, and established educational institutions where the founder had personal involvement.

• Constitutional education is the lens: Whether supporting Jewish cultural programming, museum reinstallations, or fellowship programmes, every grant connects to constitutional principles and civic education.

• Long-term partnerships over one-time grants: The Foundation appears to value sustained relationships (e.g., annual fellowship from 2008, multi-year centre support) rather than one-off project funding.

• Not a viable target for most organisations: Unless your organisation has an established relationship with the Foundation or operates a major constitutional education programme at an established cultural institution, this Foundation should not be included in prospect lists.

References

• Dorothy Tapper Goldman Foundation official website: https://dtgfoundation.org/ (Accessed December 2025)
• Cause IQ Foundation Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/dorothy-tapper-goldman-foundation,061635177/ (Accessed December 2025)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/61635177 (Accessed December 2025)
• Grantmakers.io Profile: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/061635177-dorothy-tapper-goldman-foundation/ (Accessed December 2025)
• Instrumentl 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/dorothy-tapper-goldman-foundation (Accessed December 2025)
• John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, Dorothy Tapper Goldman Trustee Profile: https://www.gf.org/trustees/dorothy-tapper-goldman/ (Accessed December 2025)
• Sotheby's, "The Collection of Dorothy Tapper Goldman": https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/the-collection-of-dorothy-tapper-goldman (Accessed December 2025)
• New-York Historical Society, "Dorothy Tapper Goldman Center for Teaching Democracy": https://www.nyhistory.org/education/dorothy-tapper-goldman-center-for-teaching-democracy (Accessed December 2025)
• Museum of the American Revolution press release: https://www.amrevmuseum.org/press-releases/only-one-month-remains-to-see-flags-and-founding-documents-special-exhibition-on-view-through-sept-6 (Accessed December 2025)
• Quotes from Dorothy Tapper Goldman via Sotheby's auction materials and foundation website (2021)