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Dolan Family Foundation Corp

Annual Giving
$7.8M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,845,000 (2023)
  • Assets: $83,799,684
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (invitation-only)
  • Geographic Focus: Long Island, New York
  • Application Method: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: C/O CBIZ ADV LLP, 10 Melville Park Rd, Melville, NY 11747

Phone: (631) 414-4000

Note: The foundation does not have a public website and operates as a private family foundation with invitation-only grantmaking.

Overview

The Dolan Family Foundation Corp was established in 1987 by Charles F. and Helen A. Dolan, founders of the cable network HBO and owners of Cablevision Systems Corp. With assets of approximately $83.8 million and annual grantmaking of $7.8 million (2023), the foundation represents the philanthropic legacy of one of Long Island's most prominent families. Charles Dolan passed away in December 2024 at age 98, and Helen Dolan passed away in August 2023 at age 96. The foundation focuses primarily on healthcare, hospital care, and human services throughout the Long Island region, with particular emphasis on Catholic institutions, healthcare facilities, and organizations serving children and families. The Dolans were also the founders of the Lustgarten Foundation (established 1998), now the world's largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research, and maintained strong ties to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, for which they financed Dolan Hall in 1989 and received the Double Helix Medal in 2017.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private family foundation without formal grant programs or public application cycles. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of directors to preselected organizations aligned with the foundation's mission.

Priority Areas

Healthcare & Medical Services

  • Hospital care and in-patient medical facilities
  • Cancer research and treatment programs
  • Healthcare services for underserved populations
  • Medical research institutions

Children & Family Services

  • Youth counseling and support services
  • Autism services and developmental disabilities
  • Family support organizations

Religious & Community Organizations

  • Catholic institutions and parishes
  • Educational institutions
  • Community-based nonprofits on Long Island

Scientific Research

  • Medical research, particularly cancer-related
  • Scientific institutions and laboratories

What They Don't Fund

The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. As a private family foundation focused on Long Island, they typically do not fund:

  • Organizations outside the New York/Long Island region
  • Individual scholarships or direct aid to individuals
  • Unsolicited proposals from organizations unknown to the foundation

Recent Grant Recipients

Documented grantees include:

  • Stony Brook Foundation
  • Autism Speaks
  • Youth Family Counseling Agency
  • Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
  • Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville
  • St. Ambrose Parish
  • Northwell Health (Dolan Family Health Center)

Governance and Leadership

Current Board of Directors (as of recent filings):

Deborah Dolan-Sweeney - President

  • Director since 1986
  • Daughter of founders Charles and Helen Dolan

James L. Dolan - Vice President and Secretary

  • Son of founders Charles and Helen Dolan
  • Also serves as executive chairman of Madison Square Garden Sports and Entertainment

Patrick Dolan - Director

  • Son of founders Charles and Helen Dolan

Thomas Dolan - Director

  • Son of founders Charles and Helen Dolan

All board members serve on a voluntary basis without compensation, maintaining the family foundation's focus on directing maximum resources to charitable causes.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Dolan Family Foundation operates as a private family foundation that "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of directors, who identify organizations that align with the foundation's mission and the family's philanthropic interests. The foundation proactively identifies and invites organizations to receive funding rather than accepting applications from the public.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded through trustee discretion rather than a formal application and review process.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications, as the foundation does not accept them.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation contacts organizations directly when it wishes to provide funding.

Application Success Factors

Since the Dolan Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on the foundation's documented grantmaking patterns, the following characteristics appear to align with their funding priorities:

Geographic Connection

  • Strong preference for Long Island-based organizations
  • Focus on communities where the Dolan family has had business and personal connections

Healthcare Mission Alignment

  • Organizations providing hospital care, in-patient services, and healthcare access
  • Cancer research and treatment programs (reflecting the family's founding of the Lustgarten Foundation)
  • Health centers serving underserved populations

Established Institutional Relationships

  • Major academic and research institutions (Stony Brook, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
  • Well-established healthcare systems (Northwell Health)
  • Long-standing Catholic institutions and parishes

Children and Family Focus

  • Organizations serving children with developmental disabilities
  • Youth counseling and family support services
  • Autism services and related programs

Operational Excellence

  • Well-established organizations with proven track records
  • Institutions with strong governance and financial management
  • Organizations capable of scaling impact with significant funding

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Applications: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals - they proactively identify and fund organizations
  • Long Island Focus: Geographic proximity to Long Island, NY is essential for consideration
  • Healthcare Priority: Strong emphasis on healthcare institutions, hospital services, and medical research
  • Relationship-Driven: Funding flows through pre-existing relationships and board member connections
  • Family Legacy: The foundation reflects the Dolan family's long-standing commitment to healthcare, Catholic causes, and Long Island community institutions
  • Significant Capacity: With nearly $8 million in annual grantmaking, the foundation has capacity for substantial investments in aligned organizations
  • Institutional Preference: Grantmaking patterns suggest preference for established institutions over grassroots organizations

References

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