The Lawrence Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $3,547,600 (2023)
Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
Grant Range: Varies by organization
Geographic Focus: Metro New York (with reach beyond the region)
Total Assets: $75.3 million

Contact Details

Address: 20 Vincent Street, Orient, NY 11957

Website: lawrencefoundation.org

Note: The foundation does not have publicly listed phone or email contact information.

Overview

Founded in 1977, The Lawrence Foundation is a private foundation with approximately $75.3 million in assets and annual giving of $3.5 million. The foundation's mission is "Investing in human potential - We support programs that serve individuals living with economic insecurity." Operating primarily in the metro New York area, the foundation made 78 grants in 2023 and 75 grants in the previous year. Led by Lawrence Bernstein as Trustee and Executive Director, and Audrey Bernstein as Trustee and Director of Programs, the foundation maintains a focused approach to grantmaking, building committed working relationships with selected organizations.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The Lawrence Foundation focuses on funding initiatives in the following areas:

Housing Development: Supporting programs that address housing needs for economically insecure populations
Community and Economic Development: Initiatives that build community capacity and economic opportunity
Human Services: Programs serving individuals living with economic insecurity
Environment: Support for environmental initiatives
Education: Educational programs and initiatives
International Human Rights and Civil Rights: Organizations working on rights-based initiatives
Homeless Services: Organizations supporting homeless individuals

Sample grantees based on available 990-PF data include:

Coalition for the Homeless ($100,000 - Housing Programs)
Neighbors Link Corporation ($100,000 - Community Development)
Bowery Residents Committee ($100,000 - Housing Purposes)

Geographic Focus

While the foundation's primary focus is metro New York, their impact extends beyond the region's borders, supporting organizations across various cities and states in the United States.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented.

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel:

Lawrence Bernstein - Trustee and Executive Director (Compensation: $228,036)
Audrey Bernstein - Trustee and Director of Programs (Compensation: $86,612)
Sally Kunitsa - Director of Grants (Compensation: $95,297)
Leonard S. Bernstein - Founding Trustee (Deceased)

The foundation employs 3 staff members and maintains a rigorous approach to selecting grantee organizations, prioritizing "organizations with inspired leadership from the staff and Board."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Lawrence Foundation explicitly states: "As a private foundation that values a committed working relationship with all our grantees, we do not accept unsolicited proposals." The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Getting on Their Radar

Specific information about how the foundation identifies and selects new grantees is not publicly disclosed. The foundation appears to use trustee discretion and existing relationships to identify potential grantees. Organizations interested in the foundation's support would need to build relationships through sector connections, though no specific pathway for unsolicited contact is provided.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on their stated approach and grantmaking patterns:

Inspired Leadership: The foundation explicitly values "organizations with inspired leadership from the staff and Board," suggesting governance strength is a key consideration
Economic Insecurity Focus: Organizations must clearly serve individuals living with economic insecurity
Geographic Alignment: Strong preference for metro New York organizations
Relationship-Based: The foundation values "committed working relationships" with grantees, suggesting long-term partnerships over one-time grants
Multi-Year Support: Evidence from 990-PF data suggests the foundation may provide ongoing support to organizations ($100,000 grants suggest substantial commitment)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No Public Application: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals - do not submit applications
Invitation Only: Grants are made through trustee discretion to preselected organizations
Relationship-Driven: The foundation emphasizes committed working relationships with grantees
Economic Insecurity Focus: All funded programs must serve individuals living with economic insecurity
Metro New York Priority: Geographic focus is primarily metro New York area
Substantial Grants: Sample grants of $100,000 indicate meaningful support levels for selected partners
Leadership Matters: Inspired leadership from both staff and board is explicitly valued in selection criteria

References

Cause IQ - The Lawrence Foundation Profile. Available at: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-lawrence-foundation,132880731/ (Accessed January 2026)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Lawrence Foundation (EIN 13-2880731). Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/132880731 (Accessed January 2026)
The Lawrence Foundation Official Website. Available at: https://lawrencefoundation.org/ (Accessed January 2026)
Instrumentl - The Lawrence Foundation 990 Report. Available at: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/the-lawrence-foundation (Accessed January 2026)
GuideStar Profile - The Lawrence Foundation. Available at: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/13-2880731 (Accessed January 2026)
Grantmakers.io - The Lawrence Foundation Profile. Available at: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/132880731-the-lawrence-foundation/ (Accessed January 2026)