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Dorothy Tapper Goldman Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.2M
Grant Range
$500K - $1.5M

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 11 known 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 has been a passionate advocate for civic education and constitutional literacy. The Foundation, with assets exceeding $20 million, distributes approximately $2 million annually in strategic grants to advance the principles of America's founding documents through educational programs across all media. Since 2007, the Foundation has funded an annual Guggenheim Fellowship in Constitutional Studies. Goldman's philosophy centers 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."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation makes a small number of large, strategic grants annually (typically 3-4 grants per year). Recent grant amounts 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 (since 2007)
  • 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: Programs that advance understanding of America's founding documents
  • Cultural institutions: Museums and historical societies that promote civic literacy
  • Educational programming: Youth programs and teacher professional development
  • Historical preservation and access: Making constitutional history accessible to the public
  • Democracy education: Programs 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 organizations outside their established partnerships
  • Programs without a clear connection to American founding documents or democratic principles

Governance and Leadership

Dorothy Tapper Goldman (Founder): A retired professor and collector extraordinaire, Dorothy serves as the guiding force behind the Foundation. She is also a Trustee of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. Her approach to philanthropy is deeply personal and strategic, focusing on institutions she has 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 and her advisors.

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 organizations" that align with the founder's longstanding relationships and strategic priorities. The Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, with grants directed to organizations where Dorothy Tapper Goldman has established personal connections and involvement.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on available information about this specific funder:

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

  • Focus on constitutional education institutions: Organizations working in the specific intersection of constitutional history, civic education, and cultural programming at major institutions (museums, historical societies, educational programs) 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 small number of annual grants (3-4 per year) and 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 since 2007, construction and ongoing support for the Dorothy Tapper Goldman Center).

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

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

  • Alignment with founder's values: Dorothy Tapper Goldman's personal philosophy emphasizes stewardship, access, and responsibility. Her quote about being a "custodian" rather than "owner" suggests she values 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 organizations.

  • 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: With only 3-4 grants annually totaling ~$2 million, this is not a source for small project grants. Recent grants range from $500,000 to $1,500,000+.

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

  • Constitutional education is the lens: Whether supporting Jewish cultural programming, museum reinstallations, or fellowship programs, 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 since 2007, multi-year center support) rather than one-off project funding.

  • Not a viable target for most organizations: Unless your organization has an established relationship with Dorothy Tapper Goldman or operates a major constitutional education program at an established cultural institution, this Foundation should not be included in prospect lists.

References

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