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Lucius N. Littauer Foundation Inc.

Annual Giving
$3.2M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.3M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,225,250 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 85 grants (2023)
  • Total Assets: $47,044,929 (2023)
  • Grant Range: $3,000 - $250,000
  • Geographic Focus: New York Metropolitan area, Israel, and Gloversville, NY
  • Application Process: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: 200 Madison Ave, Suite 1910, New York, NY 10016-4001

Phone: 212-813-3575

Website: www.littauerfoundation.org

Note: The foundation does not respond to unsolicited applications for funding.

Overview

The Lucius N. Littauer Foundation was established on January 20, 1929, by Lucius N. Littauer, a successful glove manufacturer and former U.S. Congressman, on his 70th birthday with an initial endowment of $1 million. Littauer ultimately donated $3.8 million to the foundation before his death in 1944. With assets of approximately $47 million and annual giving of $3.2 million, the foundation continues Littauer's vision "to enlarge the realms of human knowledge, to promote the general, moral, mental and physical improvement of society." From its earliest days, the foundation has prioritized the academic field of Jewish studies, while also supporting education, healthcare, social welfare, and arts and culture initiatives. The foundation primarily supports organizations in the New York Metropolitan area and in Israel, with additional attention to Gloversville, NY, Littauer's hometown.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation awards grants ranging from small grants of $3,000-$10,000 to major grants of up to $250,000. Common grant sizes include:

  • Small Grants: $3,000 - $10,000 for targeted projects
  • Medium Grants: $15,000 - $25,000 for general operating support
  • Larger Grants: $50,000 - $150,000 for significant programs
  • Major Grants: Up to $250,000 for strategic initiatives

The foundation typically makes 85-90 grants annually through trustee discretion. There are no fixed application deadlines as grants are awarded on an invitation-only basis.

Priority Areas

Jewish Studies and Communal Life: Judaica book funds, scholarly research, library collections, professorships, and Jewish communal organizations

Education: Educational institutions, research programs, and educational advocacy organizations

Healthcare: Medical research with emphasis on medical ethics

Social Welfare: Social services, immigration advocacy, and community support programs

Arts and Culture: Cultural programs and organizations

Environment: Environmental initiatives and research

Geographic Priorities

  • New York Metropolitan area (primary focus)
  • Israel (significant international focus)
  • Gloversville, NY (founder's hometown)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation only gives to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. International organizations must have an affiliation with a U.S. 501(c)(3) to receive support.

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

President: Robert D. Frost (2011-present) - Harvard University graduate (AB in Government, 1988-1992) and Columbia Business School (MBA in Finance, 1995-1997). Son of William Lee Frost.

Trustees: David Stern, Charles Berlin, and Peter J. Solomon

Leadership History

The foundation has maintained continuity through four presidents:

  1. Lucius N. Littauer (1929-1944) - Founder, glove manufacturer, and former U.S. Congressman who served five terms representing New York. Close friend and adviser to President Theodore Roosevelt.

  2. Harry Starr (1944-1985) - Served as president until retirement in 1985, then as chairman until his death in 1992. Continued Littauer's focus on Jewish studies.

  3. William Lee Frost (1985-2011) - Diplomat and lawyer with strong interests in education and Jewish affairs. Retired shortly before his death in 2011.

  4. Robert D. Frost (2011-present) - Current president maintaining the foundation's mission.

Foundation Philosophy

According to founder Lucius N. Littauer: "It is my desire and hope, through the agency of this foundation, to enlarge the realms of human knowledge, to promote the general, moral, mental and physical improvement of society so that the sum total of human welfare and wisdom may be increased…"

The New York Times noted that Littauer wished the trustees to be able to use his gift "where it may be most beneficent at any given time," providing the board with flexibility to respond to emerging needs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Lucius N. Littauer Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds or respond to unsolicited applications.

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on the board's identification of organizations aligned with the foundation's mission and priorities.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded on an invitation-only basis through trustee discretion throughout the year.

Success Rates

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

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation operates solely on an invitation-only basis.

Application Success Factors

Since the Lucius N. Littauer Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, analyzing their grant history reveals patterns in their funding decisions:

Organizations Receiving Support:

  • Established institutions with strong track records in Jewish studies, education, healthcare, or social services
  • Organizations operating in the New York Metropolitan area or Israel
  • Programs advancing scholarly research in Jewish studies and Judaica collections
  • Educational advocacy organizations such as Young Advocates for Fair Education (YAFFED), which received $25,000 in 2022
  • Major Jewish communal organizations like United Jewish Appeal – Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York, which received $150,000 in 2022
  • Immigration advocacy organizations such as the New York Immigration Coalition, which received $50,000 in 2022

Foundation Values: The foundation's long history of supporting Jewish studies "at times when support for this discipline was not forthcoming from other sources" suggests trustees value organizations addressing underserved needs and filling important gaps in their fields.

Types of Support: The foundation has provided challenge/matching grants, conferences and seminars, endowments, program development, research grants, travel grants, publications, general operating support, and project support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis and explicitly does not respond to unsolicited applications
  • Deep commitment to Jewish studies: From the earliest days, the foundation has prioritized academic Jewish studies, library collections, and research programs
  • Geographic focus is key: Strong preference for New York Metropolitan area and Israel, with some support for Gloversville, NY
  • Established relationships matter: The foundation identifies and selects organizations through trustee discretion rather than open calls for proposals
  • Broad definition of support: While Jewish studies remain central, the foundation also supports healthcare, education, social welfare, environment, and arts
  • Flexible funding approach: The foundation's founding principle allows trustees to direct funds "where it may be most beneficent at any given time," suggesting adaptability to emerging needs
  • Range of grant sizes: Awards span from small $3,000 grants to major $250,000 commitments, indicating support for both targeted projects and significant initiatives

References

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