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The Heckscher Foundation for Children

Annual Giving
$15.0M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.8M

The Heckscher Foundation for Children

Quick Stats

  • Total Assets: $341,543,020 (2023)
  • Annual Giving: $15,014,453 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 104 (2023)
  • Grant Range: $2,250 - $750,000
  • Median Grant: $135,873
  • Geographic Focus: New York City metro area
  • Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Address: 123 East 70th Street, New York, NY 10021

Phone: 212.744.0190

Fax: 212-744-2761

Email: grants@heckscherfoundation.org

Website: https://heckscherfoundation.org/

Note: All grant inquiries and applications are by invitation only. The foundation is unable to respond to unsolicited requests.

Overview

Founded in 1921 by German-born industrialist August Heckscher, The Heckscher Foundation for Children is a New York City-focused private foundation dedicated to "leveling the playing field" for underserved youth. After nearly collapsing during the Great Depression, the foundation was rebuilt through the dedicated efforts of Arthur and Ruth Smadbeck. Today, with assets exceeding $341 million and annual giving of approximately $15 million, the foundation employs a venture philanthropy approach to support innovative, results-driven programs serving low-income and underserved New York City youth. The foundation's strategic approach emphasizes positive, long-term outcomes through four funding categories: Catalytic Giving, Strategic Partnerships, Targeted Problem Solving, and Proven Models. Virginia Sloane was elected President in 1986 and served until becoming President Emeritus in 2012, when a new generation of leadership assumed control.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation divides its giving into four main strategic categories:

1. Catalytic Giving: Supporting innovative programs and partnerships that have potential for significant impact on underserved youth.

2. Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with organizations on multi-year initiatives. Example: The Heckscher Foundation Challenge (2023) provided $7.6 million to 20 colleges, high schools, and community organizations to create 1,100+ full-time jobs for underserved young adults.

3. Targeted Problem Solving: Defining specific challenges with attainable solutions and encouraging creative problem solvers to test those solutions. Example: Partnering with Brooklyn Public Library to address $15 in library fines blocking 200,000+ youth from accessing educational resources.

4. Proven Models: Multi-year support for organizations with demonstrated effectiveness whose work the foundation is proud to support.

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on three primary areas:

College Access and Success: Programs that guide under-resourced public high school students to four-year private colleges and support college persistence.

Workforce Training and Jobs Access: Innovative partnerships between employers and New York colleges/community organizations that boost employment and earnings outcomes for young adults under 25. Emphasis on programs with employer commitment to hire participants. Supported sectors include hospitality, technology, construction, manufacturing, renewable energy, and healthcare.

Arts or Physical Education that Improves Achievement in the Classroom: Programs demonstrating impact on academic performance.

Special Initiatives

EarlyBird Dyslexia Detection Program: Up to $500,000 available state-wide for New York charter schools to access a digital, gamified assessment tool that detects dyslexia and reading difficulties in pre-K through first grade. As CEO Peter Sloane notes, "Dyslexia is an equity issue because it disproportionately impacts poor children who are diagnosed too late or not diagnosed at all."

Grant Types

The foundation's grant-giving takes the form of:

  • Program support
  • Capacity-building
  • General operating support
  • Specific capital projects

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly detailed on their website, as an invitation-only funder focused on New York City youth, the foundation does not support:

  • Organizations outside the New York metro area
  • Programs not serving youth/children
  • Unsolicited applications from organizations they have not identified

Governance and Leadership

Howard Grant Sloane: Chairman and CEO

Peter Sloane: CEO (referenced in dyslexia initiative communications)

Nessia Kushner: Director of Strategy

Leadership Fellows Program:

  • Susanna Suh, Heckscher Leadership Fellow 2025 – present
  • Jill Kafka, Heckscher Leadership Fellow 2024 – 2025
  • John Mogulescu, Advisor 2023 - present; Heckscher Leadership Fellow 2022 – 2023
  • Vita C. Rabinowitz, Advisor 2021 – present; Heckscher Leadership Fellow 2020 – 2021

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Heckscher Foundation for Children does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation operates with a proactive strategy to identify organizations that fit their funding criteria and meet their focus area goals. Applications for funding are by invitation only.

The foundation actively seeks out organizations rather than accepting open applications. General inquiries may be submitted via their contact page, though due to high email volume, the foundation cannot respond personally to every inquiry.

Exceptions - Request for Proposals (RFPs)

The foundation occasionally issues specific RFPs for targeted initiatives, such as the EarlyBird dyslexia detection program for New York charter schools. These RFPs have specific application windows and processes separate from the invitation-only model.

Application Requirements (for Invited Organizations)

Invited applicants must submit:

  • Logic Model: A detailed framework showing exactly what the organization would do with Heckscher funds, helping both parties understand expected participant accomplishments
  • Project Budget: Detailed financial plan for grant activities
  • Narrative Proposal: Demonstrating alignment with foundation priorities and commitment to positive quantitative outcomes

The foundation particularly values programs prepared to critically evaluate their work and demonstrate measurable outcomes.

Reporting Requirements (for Grantees)

Grantees must submit:

  • Interim Report: Six months after grant date (narrative and financial components based on original logic model and budget)
  • Final Report: One year after grant date (narrative and financial components)
  • Post-Grant Update: As necessary, scheduled by foundation staff

Grantees receive reminder emails before each report deadline with links to complete reports online.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available, as grants are made through invitation and proactive identification rather than regular application cycles.

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only funder, success depends on being identified and invited by the foundation rather than traditional application factors. However, the foundation's stated preferences provide insight into what they value:

Quantitative Outcomes and Evaluation: The foundation "stresses the achievement of positive quantitative outcomes and is particularly interested in programs that are prepared to critically evaluate their work." Organizations must demonstrate data-driven approaches and measurable results.

Innovative Solutions to Defined Problems: In their Targeted Problem Solving category, the foundation looks for "creative problem solvers to test solutions that address barriers to equal opportunity that have been overlooked or under-appreciated."

Employer Commitment for Workforce Programs: For workforce development grants, "a full-time job commitment from the employer partner was required to be considered for grant funding." This demonstrates the foundation's emphasis on tangible employment outcomes, not just training.

Multi-Year Partnerships: The foundation values long-term relationships, as evidenced by their "Proven Models" category supporting organizations "whose work it is proud to have supported over multiple years."

Focus on Underserved NYC Youth: All programs must serve low-income and underserved children and youth in the New York City metro area. The mission is to "level the playing field" for this population.

Logic Model Thinking: Even before application, organizations should think in terms of logic models showing clear connections between activities, outputs, and outcomes.

Recent Grant Examples

Heckscher Foundation Challenge (2023): $7.6 million to 20 organizations including:

  • SUNY Cobleskill, Delhi, and Genesee campuses
  • Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY)
  • Queensborough Community College ($400,000)
  • Drive Change (hospitality training for formerly incarcerated youth)
  • Thomas Edison Career and Technical Education High School
  • Reel Works (media careers)
  • LaGuardia Community College ($300,000 for Pipeline to Degree program)

Brooklyn Public Library: Multi-year partnership with Nudge4 Solutions Lab addressing library fines blocking 200,000+ youth from accessing resources

EarlyBird Initiative: Supporting New York charter schools to implement dyslexia screening for pre-K through first grade students

New York Summer Meals Program: Three-year initiative distributing refrigeration units and conducting outreach, producing 31% increase in participation in first year, resulting in hundreds of thousands of additional healthy meals for children

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • You cannot apply directly - This foundation operates exclusively by invitation, proactively identifying organizations that fit their criteria. Focus on building visibility in NYC youth-serving sectors rather than submitting proposals.

  • Demonstrate measurable outcomes - The foundation emphasizes "positive quantitative outcomes" and programs "prepared to critically evaluate their work." Have robust data systems and evaluation frameworks in place.

  • Think venture philanthropy - The foundation takes calculated risks on innovative solutions. If invited, don't be afraid to propose creative approaches to overlooked problems affecting underserved NYC youth.

  • Employer partnerships matter for workforce programs - Any workforce training program must include employer commitments to hire participants. Training alone is insufficient.

  • Focus exclusively on NYC metro area - Geographic restriction is firm. Programs must serve low-income and underserved children and youth in New York City.

  • Master the logic model - The foundation requires logic models from invited applicants and expects narrative reports based on these models. Develop strong logic model skills.

  • Be prepared for multi-year engagement - The foundation values long-term partnerships through their "Proven Models" category and Strategic Partnerships approach. Think sustainability and long-term impact.

References

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