The Lawrence Foundation of New York
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The Lawrence Foundation of New York funds education, financial inclusion, health, housing and workforce development, so your work fits best if it falls in one of those areas and serves people living with economic insecurity.
- The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold application is unlikely to be considered and the realistic route in is a relationship that leads to an invitation.
- About 8 in 10 of its grants fall between $7,500 and $100,000, with a median of $50,000, which makes a request in that range a sensible size, though this is the typical band rather than a ceiling, since its largest grant was $250,000.
- The filing shows that 95% of its grant dollars went to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, so a newcomer should expect to build a working relationship before asking.
- Its stated priority is metro New York, although it says its impact extends beyond the region, so organisations based elsewhere should make their connection to the area explicit.
Overview
The Lawrence Foundation of New York is a US private foundation based in New York, NY.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Lawrence Foundation supports programmes serving people living with economic insecurity and backs organisations working towards a more just and inclusive society. It identifies organisations bringing innovative, proven solutions to scale, values those that adapt their programmes as economic inequality shifts, and supports organisations with inspired staff and board leadership. It values committed working relationships with grantees and collaboration with other funders to share promising strategies. Its primary geographic focus is metro New York, although its impact extends beyond the region. It invests in education, financial inclusion, health, housing and workforce development, including academic skills, economic dignity, effective medical services, affordable housing and community revitalisation, and training for advancement in the economy.
Themes
- Education
- Financial inclusion
- Health
- Housing
- Workforce development
Geographic Focus
Priority: Metro New York.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 95% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 235 grants to organisations were $50,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The foundation identifies organisations that bring innovative, proven solutions to scale.
- It values non-profits that adapt their programmes as the causes of economic inequality shift.
- It works with other funders to share promising strategies for persistent social and economic problems.
- It supports organisations with inspired leadership from staff and the board.
- It values a committed working relationship with all its grantees.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 3%
- The largest single recipient received 3% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 95% of grant dollars went to organisations The Lawrence Foundation of New York had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 8% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 69 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $50,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Tides Foundation · For community development purposes$250,0002024 tax year
- Bowery Residents' Committee · For housing purposes$100,0002024 tax year
- Coalition for the Homeless · For housing programs$100,0002024 tax year
- SparkYouth NYC · For educational purposes$100,0002024 tax year
- Exalt · For workforce development / job training purposes$100,0002024 tax year
- Breaking Ground · For housing purposes$100,0002024 tax year
- Breakthrough New York · For educational purposes$100,0002024 tax year
- Broadway Housing Communities · For housing purposes$100,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Laura J Bernstein — Trustee
- Audrey Bernstein — Trustee / Director of Programs
- Lawrence Bernstein — Trustee / Executive Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $4,404,684 | $3,775,000 | $81,902,959 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $4,301,495 | $3,547,600 | $89,037,043 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $4,455,132 | $3,470,150 | $91,858,500 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
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Applying to The Lawrence Foundation of New York?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required