Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $3,635,000 (2023)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)
- Grant Range: $500 - $2,000,000
- Geographic Focus: National, with concentration in New York City area and select U.S. cities
- Total Assets: $8,041,006 (2024)
- Number of Grants: 17 awards (2023)
Contact Details
Address:
Richard S. and Karen LeFrak Charitable Foundation
1105 N. Market Street, No. 801
Wilmington, DE 19801
Related Organization Contact:
The LeFrak Organization
Phone: 212-708-6600
Email: INFO@LEFRAK.COM
Note: The foundation maintains a low public profile and does not publicize direct contact information for grant applications.
Overview
Founded in 1990 (tax-exempt since 1991) by billionaire real estate mogul Richard S. LeFrak and his wife Karen LeFrak, a children's book author and composer, the Richard S. and Karen LeFrak Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. With total assets exceeding $8 million and annual giving of approximately $3.6 million, the foundation focuses its philanthropy on arts and culture, healthcare innovation, education, and human services. The foundation has a particular affinity for New York City cultural institutions, with Karen LeFrak serving on the New York Philharmonic Board of Directors and Richard LeFrak holding a position as vice chairman of the board of the American Museum of Natural History. The foundation maintains an exceptionally low public profile and operates primarily through trustee discretion, supporting organizations with which the founders have established relationships. The foundation prioritizes programs with demonstrable outcomes, focusing on entities that foster self-sufficiency through education and medical innovation.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation does not offer formal grant programs or application cycles. Grantmaking is conducted at the discretion of the trustees based on their personal connections and areas of interest.
Grant Range: $500 - $2,000,000
Application Method: No public application process; grants made by invitation only or through trustee discretion
Priority Areas
Arts and Culture:
- Performing arts organizations (orchestras, ballet, theater)
- Museums (particularly natural history)
- Music education and accessibility
- Cultural institutions in New York City
Healthcare:
- Medical research and innovation
- Cancer treatment and research (Memorial Sloan Kettering)
- Surgical advancement (robotic surgery)
- In-patient medical care
Education:
- Higher education institutions
- Educational programs promoting self-sufficiency
- Independent schools serving diverse communities
Human Services:
- Veterans support organizations
- Programs fostering self-sufficiency
Conservation:
- Urban parks and green spaces (Central Park Conservancy)
What They Don't Fund
While specific exclusions are not publicly documented, the foundation's giving history suggests they do not fund:
- Organizations without established track records
- International programs (limited geographic scope outside the U.S.)
- Political or advocacy organizations
- Religious institutions (not evident in grant history)
- Individual scholarships or direct assistance
Governance and Leadership
Richard S. LeFrak
Chairman and CEO of LeFrak, one of the largest private real estate organizations in the New York tri-state area. Born in 1945, Richard LeFrak took over the family real estate business, becoming chairman and CEO in 2003 following his father Samuel J. LeFrak's death. He serves as vice chairman of the board of the American Museum of Natural History, to which he gave $10 million in 2012. Under his leadership, the foundation prioritizes "programs with demonstrable outcomes, focusing on entities that foster self-sufficiency through education and medical innovation."
Karen LeFrak
Author, composer, and arts philanthropist. Karen graduated magna cum laude from Mt. Holyoke College and earned a master's degree in Music History from Hunter College. She serves on the New York Philharmonic Board of Directors and has held positions including President of the Women's Committee of the Central Park Conservancy and membership on the New York State Council on the Arts and the Kennedy Center board. As a composer, she has created over 300 works performed by prominent organizations including the New York Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, and San Francisco Ballet. The proceeds from her children's books (including "Jake the Philharmonic Dog" and "Sleepover at the Museum") have been donated to cultural organizations including the New York Philharmonic and American Ballet Theater. Karen's deep involvement in New York's arts scene heavily influences the foundation's cultural giving.
Notable Endowments:
The Richard S. and Karen LeFrak Endowment Fund underwrites instruments for the New York Philharmonic. The Karen and Richard LeFrak Lobby at David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, reflects their significant support for performing arts venues.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion, typically to organizations with which Richard and Karen LeFrak have established personal or professional relationships.
Given the foundation's lack of transparency and public presence, it does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation keeps a low public profile, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. Organizations receiving support are generally those where the founders serve on boards, have longstanding connections, or align closely with their personal philanthropic interests.
Decision Timeline
Not applicable - the foundation does not operate on a published grant cycle or timeline.
Success Rates
Not publicly available. The foundation made 17 grants in 2023 and 15 grants in 2022, indicating selective grantmaking to a limited number of recipients annually.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable given the absence of a public application process.
Application Success Factors
Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis through trustee discretion, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, research reveals the following patterns that characterize organizations that receive LeFrak Foundation support:
Board Connections Are Critical:
Organizations where Richard or Karen LeFrak serve in leadership positions receive consistent support. The American Museum of Natural History (where Richard is vice chairman) and the New York Philharmonic (where Karen is a board member) are prime examples, with the Museum receiving seven-figure gifts and described as receiving grants "most often."
New York City Cultural Institutions:
The foundation shows a strong preference for established New York City cultural organizations, particularly those in the performing arts. Past recipients include New York Philharmonic, Roundabout Theatre Company, New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, and Lincoln Center (where they funded the Karen and Richard LeFrak Lobby).
Medical Innovation and Established Healthcare Institutions:
Major medical centers with innovative programs receive support, such as the $3 million gift to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center to establish the LeFrak Center for Robotic Surgery and ongoing support for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Demonstrable Outcomes and Self-Sufficiency:
According to available information, "the foundation's philanthropy prioritizes programs with demonstrable outcomes, focusing on entities that foster self-sufficiency through education and medical innovation." This suggests the LeFraks value measurable impact and programs that create lasting change rather than temporary assistance.
Veterans and Military Support:
The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund appears in the list of past grantees, indicating support for veterans' causes.
Educational Excellence:
Support for higher education institutions (Amherst College received $250,000 in 2022) and independent schools (Harlem Academy) that demonstrate strong outcomes.
Conservation of Urban Spaces:
The Central Park Conservancy (where Karen served as President of the Women's Committee) receives foundation support, reflecting interest in maintaining New York City's cultural and natural resources.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
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No public application process exists - this foundation operates exclusively through trustee discretion and established relationships. Do not submit unsolicited proposals.
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Board connections are essential - organizations receiving support typically have Richard or Karen LeFrak in board or leadership positions, or have longstanding relationships with the family.
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New York City focus dominates - while some national grants exist, the foundation shows strong preference for NYC-based cultural, healthcare, and educational institutions.
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Large grants to flagship organizations - the foundation makes selective grants, with many in the six-figure to seven-figure range going to major established institutions rather than spreading resources across many smaller organizations.
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Arts and healthcare are primary interests - these two sectors receive the majority of funding, reflecting both founders' professional backgrounds and personal passions.
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Demonstrable outcomes matter - the foundation values programs that show measurable impact and promote self-sufficiency rather than dependency.
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Personal passion alignment - Karen's work as a composer and children's book author about music and museums directly correlates with foundation giving patterns; Richard's real estate background and museum board service similarly influence grant decisions.
References
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ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Richard S And Karen Lefrak Charitable Foundation Inc (EIN: 11-2994678)
https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/112994678
Accessed January 12, 2026 -
Inside Philanthropy - Richard S. and Karen Lefrak Charitable Foundation
https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/new-york-grants/richard-s-and-karen-lefrak-charitable-foundation
Accessed January 12, 2026 -
Candid Foundation Directory - Richard S and Karen Lefrak Charitable Foundation Inc
https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=LEFR003
Accessed January 12, 2026 -
Cause IQ - Richard and Karen Lefrak Charitable Foundation
https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/richard-and-karen-lefrak-charitable-foundation,112994678/
Accessed January 12, 2026 -
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital - "$3 Million Gift Establishes LeFrak Center for Robotic Surgery"
https://www.nyp.org/news/3-million-gift-establishes-lefrak-center-for-robotic-surgery
Accessed January 12, 2026 -
American Museum of Natural History - Board of Trustees
https://www.amnh.org/about/board-of-trustees
Accessed January 12, 2026 -
Wikipedia - Richard LeFrak
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_LeFrak
Accessed January 12, 2026 -
Encyclopedia.com - LeFrak, Karen
https://www.encyclopedia.com/children/scholarly-magazines/lefrak-karen
Accessed January 12, 2026 -
Azure Magazine - "Karen LeFrak: Author, Composer And Philanthropist"
https://www.azureazure.com/personalities/karen-lefrak/
Accessed January 12, 2026 -
Lincoln Center - Supporters of David Geffen Hall
https://www.lincolncenter.org/venue/david-geffen-hall/info/supporters-david-geffen-hall
Accessed January 12, 2026