← Back to US Funders Directory

Sidney J Weinberg Foundation

Annual Giving
$5.0M
Grant Range
$125K - $5.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4-6 million
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Unknown (trustee discretion)
  • Grant Range: $125,000 - $5,500,000
  • Geographic Focus: National (US)

Contact Details

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 860, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Alternative Address: C/O GS Wealth Services, PO Box 15201, Albany, NY 12212
Phone: 518-886-4104
Email: Not publicly available
Website: None

Overview

The Sidney J. Weinberg Foundation is a private foundation established in 1971 by Sidney J. "Jim" Weinberg Jr., a former senior director at Goldman Sachs who gave approximately $50 million during his lifetime before passing in 2010. With assets of approximately $21 million as of 2024, the foundation distributes $4-6 million annually to 30-45 organizations focused on education, health, science, and the arts. The foundation is part of the broader Weinberg family philanthropic legacy, connected to Sidney Weinberg Sr., the legendary "Mr. Wall Street" who led Goldman Sachs from 1930-1969. Operating as a traditional private family foundation, it makes grants based entirely on trustee discretion and does not accept unsolicited applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs but makes discretionary grants typically ranging from $125,000 to several million dollars. Recent annual distributions include:

  • 2023: $6,007,700 (32 awards)
  • 2022: $3,360,006 (32 awards)
  • 2024: $5,781,920 (total charitable disbursements)

Priority Areas

  • Education (particularly higher education)
  • Health and medical research
  • Science and scientific research
  • Arts and culture
  • Human services
  • Religion (secondary focus)
  • Environment

What They Don't Fund

As an invitation-only funder, they do not fund unsolicited proposals from any sector.

Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees:

  • Sydney H. Weinberg - Trustee (Part Time)
  • Elizabeth W. Smith - Trustee (Part Time), daughter of founder Sidney J. Weinberg Jr., Scripps College Class of 1974, serving as Scripps trustee since 1995
  • Peter A. Weinberg - Trustee (Part Time), grandson of Sidney Weinberg Sr., co-founder of Perella Weinberg Partners, former CEO of Goldman Sachs International

The foundation reports no officer compensation, with all trustees serving part-time.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Sidney J. Weinberg Foundation explicitly does not respond to unsolicited applications for funding. All grants are made at trustee discretion based on existing relationships and connections.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's invitation-only status, potential pathways include:

  • Having a trustee serve on your organization's board (particularly Elizabeth W. Smith who serves on the Scripps College board)
  • Connections through the Goldman Sachs network, given the family's deep ties to the firm
  • Being a prestigious institution in education, science, or health sectors where trustees have existing relationships
  • Partnership with institutions they already support, such as Scripps College, Princeton University, or Carnegie Institution for Science

Decision Timeline

Unknown - grants are made at trustee discretion during their regular meetings.

Success Rates

Not applicable as there is no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - all funding decisions are invitation-only.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors don't apply. However, patterns in their giving suggest they prioritize:

  • Institutional Excellence: Focus on prestigious institutions with proven track records
  • Long-term Relationships: Evidence shows multi-year, multi-million dollar commitments to favored institutions like Scripps College
  • Family Connections: Strong preference for institutions where family members have attended or served (e.g., Princeton Class of 1947 for the founder, Scripps College for Elizabeth W. Smith)
  • Strategic Alignment: Clear alignment with their core areas of education, health, and science
  • Network Connections: Organizations connected through the Goldman Sachs network or trustee relationships

Notable example: Scripps College received $5 million in 2010 for the Weinberg Family Dean of Science Endowment Fund, followed by an additional $5.5 million in 2013, demonstrating their preference for substantial, transformative gifts to institutions with deep family connections.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is a traditional private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited applications
  • Average grants appear to range from $125,000-$200,000, though major institutional gifts can reach several million
  • Focus on building relationships with trustees rather than preparing applications
  • Best prospects are organizations where trustees already serve or have personal connections
  • The foundation maintains strong ties to the Goldman Sachs network through multiple family members
  • Evidence suggests preference for multi-year commitments to select institutions rather than one-time grants
  • With approximately $21 million in assets, the foundation has capacity for significant gifts but limited reach

References

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Join the Launch ListLearn More
← Back to US Funders Directory