Annette Heyman Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $8.14 million (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available (invitation/preselected organisations only)
• Grant Range: Varies by organisation
• Geographic Focus: New York and national (Jewish organisations, education, arts, health)
• Total Assets: $110.04 million (2023)

Contact Details

Address: New York, NY
EIN: 06-6035519

Note: The foundation does not have a publicly listed website, email, or phone number for grant enquiries.

Overview

The Annette Heyman Foundation Inc is a private foundation established in October 1962 and named after Annette Heyman, mother of the late philanthropist Samuel J. Heyman. The foundation is currently led by Ronnie F. Heyman (President, Secretary, & Trustee), widow of Samuel Heyman, who serves as an unpaid volunteer. With total assets of approximately $110 million and annual giving of $8.14 million (as of 2023), the foundation supports Jewish religious organisations, arts and cultural institutions, higher education, healthcare, and social services. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, making contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organisations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, making contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organisations. There are no formal grant programmes with defined application cycles or funding tiers. Grant amounts vary significantly based on the organisation and project.

Known Grant Recipients Include:

• Fifth Avenue Synagogue (New York Jewish congregation)
• American Friends of Shavei Yisrael ($25,000 in 2023 - supports Jewish charitable organisations)
• Various organisations in arts, education, healthcare, and Jewish causes

Priority Areas

Based on the giving patterns of the Heyman family foundations, priority areas include:

• Jewish Organisations: Synagogues, Jewish museums, and Israel-related causes
• Arts and Culture: Major support for museums and cultural institutions (notably the Museum of Modern Art)
• Higher Education: Universities and law schools
• Healthcare: Hospitals and health organisations
• Social Services: Community support organisations
• Public Service: Organisations promoting government service and civic engagement

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has not published explicit exclusions. However, as a family foundation making grants to preselected organisations, they do not fund:

• Organisations outside their established network
• Unsolicited applications from unknown organisations
• Organisations without connection to the Heyman family's areas of interest

Governance and Leadership

Ronnie F. Heyman - President, Secretary, & Trustee (serves without compensation)

Ronnie Heyman is a prominent philanthropist and attorney who earned her law degree from Yale Law School. She currently serves as President of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City and as chairman of GAF Corporation and managing partner of Heyman Properties. She was co-founder of the Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to encouraging public service careers, and was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve a five-year term on the National Council on the Arts.

The foundation is closely connected to the Samuel and Ronnie Heyman Family Foundation, which supports similar causes. Together, the Heymans have established multiple educational centres and fellowship programmes, including:

• The Samuel & Ronnie Heyman Center on Corporate Governance at Yeshiva University
• The Samuel & Ronnie Heyman Center for Ethics, Public Policy and the Professions at Duke University
• Fellowship programmes at Harvard Law School, Yale Law School, and Seton Hall School of Law to encourage law students to enter federal government service

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Annette Heyman Foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's trustees to organisations with which they have established relationships.

Organisations seeking support from this foundation must already be known to the trustees or have a connection through the Heyman family's network of interests.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications. Grant decisions are made internally by trustees based on their philanthropic priorities and existing relationships.

Success Rates

Not applicable for public applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept public applications or reapplications.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, understanding the foundation's giving patterns can inform relationship-building strategies:

1. Alignment with Heyman Family Interests: Organisations in the foundation's core areas (Jewish causes, arts/culture, higher education, healthcare, public service) receive support.

2. Established Reputation: Grant recipients tend to be well-known, established institutions such as major synagogues, museums, and universities.

3. New York Connection: While the foundation supports national causes, many grant recipients have a New York presence or connection.

4. Jewish Identity and Values: The foundation shows consistent support for Jewish religious and cultural organisations, including those focused on Israel and Jewish education.

5. Educational Excellence: Support for elite educational institutions, particularly law schools and programmes promoting public service careers.

6. Institutional Prestige: Recipients include prominent institutions like MoMA, where Ronnie Heyman serves as Board President, suggesting trustee board service and personal connections influence funding decisions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications - all grants go to preselected organisations
• Relationship-Based Giving: Funding decisions are made based on trustees' existing relationships and personal connections to organisations
• Substantial Assets: With $110 million in assets and $8.14 million in annual giving, this is a significant foundation, but access is limited to their established network
• Jewish and Cultural Focus: Strong emphasis on Jewish organisations, major arts institutions, and elite educational institutions
• Family Foundation Character: Operates as a traditional family foundation with concentrated decision-making by the Heyman family
• Connection to Other Heyman Foundations: The Annette Heyman Foundation works alongside the Samuel and Ronnie Heyman Family Foundation - organisations connected to one may have access to the other
• Strategic Networking: Organisations seeking support should focus on building relationships within the Heyman family's established network rather than submitting applications

References

• Annette Heyman Foundation - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Accessed December 16, 2024
• Annette Heyman Foundation - Cause IQ Profile - Accessed December 16, 2024
• Annette Heyman Foundation - Instrumentl 990 Report - Accessed December 16, 2024
• Annette Heyman Foundation - GuideStar Profile - Accessed December 16, 2024
• The Samuel and Ronnie Heyman Family Foundation - Candid Foundation Directory - Accessed December 16, 2024
• Honoring Ronnie F. Heyman: Co-Founder of the Partnership for Public Service - Accessed December 16, 2024
• Chronicle of Philanthropy - A Philanthropic Partnership With a Commitment to Public Service - Accessed December 16, 2024
• Grantmakers.io - Annette Heyman Foundation Profile - Accessed December 16, 2024