The Edlow Family Fund Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,675,495 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Varies by recipient
• Geographic Focus: Primarily New York, with focus on Jewish causes, education, arts, and human services
• Total Assets: $33,065,216 (2024)
• Number of Grants: 46 grants (2023)

Contact Details

Address: 35 E 85th St Apt 5E, New York, NY 10028-0966

EIN: 13-3190911

Note: This is a private family foundation with no public contact information for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Edlow Family Fund Inc was established in 1983 as a private family foundation in New York. With total assets of approximately $33 million and annual giving of over $1.6 million, the foundation supports Jewish causes, education, arts, and human services. The foundation is led by Mary Edlow (President/Secretary) and Kenneth L. Edlow (Vice President/Treasurer), along with family members Elizabeth Fielding Edlow, Brian L. Edlow, and Donald W. Edlow. All officers serve without compensation. Kenneth Edlow has been a Trustee of Congregation Emanu-El in New York City since 1994, reflecting the family's commitment to Jewish community engagement. The foundation's grantmaking has been consistent, with 46 awards in 2023, 48 in 2022, and 39 in 2021.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Edlow Family Fund operates as a private family foundation and does not have named grant programs. Instead, the foundation makes grants through trustee discretion to organizations aligned with their philanthropic interests.

Priority Areas

Based on publicly available information, the foundation's priority areas include:

• Jewish Causes: Support for Jewish organizations and religious institutions, reflecting Kenneth Edlow's long-standing involvement with Congregation Emanu-El
• Education: Support for educational institutions and programs, particularly those focused on innovative approaches to learning
• Reproductive Health Education: Significant support for the Edlow Reproductive Literacy Project at Teachers College, Columbia University
• Arts and Culture: Support for arts organizations and cultural institutions
• Human Services: General charitable support for organizations serving community needs

Known Grant Examples

Teachers College, Columbia University - The Edlow Family Fund (through Mary Edlow) made a three-year, $610,000 gift to establish the Edlow Reproductive Literacy Project. This initiative created the Sex Education Initiative (SEI), a training program for K-12 teachers in New York City who serve as sex educators in schools. The program has trained more than 100 middle and high school teachers to help youth explore reproductive identity formation.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented.

Governance and Leadership

Mary Edlow - President/Secretary

• New York City psychoanalyst
• Teachers College, Columbia University alumna (M.A. '67)
• Background in social work and psychoanalysis
• Known for her commitment to children's well-being and intentional parenting
• Quote: "My love of children and the goal that they have happier childhoods... is being brought to fruition."

Kenneth L. Edlow - Vice President/Treasurer

• Former securities professional with Bear, Stearns & Company, Inc. in New York City
• Trustee of Congregation Emanu-El in New York City since 1994
• Born July 27, 1941

Additional Family Trustees:

• Elizabeth Fielding Edlow
• Brian L. Edlow
• Donald W. Edlow

All officers receive $0 compensation according to tax filings.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Edlow Family Fund is a private family foundation that makes grants through trustee discretion. The foundation proactively identifies organizations to support based on the family's philanthropic interests and connections.

Unsolicited proposals are unlikely to be considered, as the foundation operates through:

• Trustee discretion and family decision-making
• Pre-existing relationships with organizations
• Personal connections and community involvement
• Proactive identification of grantees

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly available, as the foundation operates on a trustee-discretion basis rather than a formal application cycle.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not have a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since the Edlow Family Fund does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on the foundation's known grants and priorities, organizations that might receive support are likely to:

• Have direct connections to the Edlow family or their networks
• Align with Jewish community values and institutions, particularly given Kenneth Edlow's involvement with Congregation Emanu-El
• Focus on innovative approaches to education, particularly in reproductive health education and youth development
• Operate in New York City or the greater New York area
• Demonstrate commitment to children's well-being and intentional approaches to social issues
• Have a track record in education, arts, human services, or Jewish causes

The example of the Edlow Reproductive Literacy Project demonstrates that Mary Edlow is particularly interested in projects that combine education with child welfare, using evidence-based approaches to help young people make informed decisions about their lives.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This is a private family foundation that operates through trustee discretion and does not accept unsolicited proposals
• Relationship-driven: Grants appear to flow from personal connections, family interests, and community involvement
• Focus on innovation in education: The $610,000 gift to Teachers College shows interest in innovative educational approaches, particularly in underserved areas
• Jewish community connections: Kenneth Edlow's decades-long involvement with Congregation Emanu-El suggests strong ties to Jewish institutions
• Multi-year commitments: The three-year grant to Teachers College indicates willingness to make sustained commitments to projects
• Children's well-being: Mary Edlow's stated commitment to "every child a wanted child" and children's happiness suggests this is a core value
• Geographic focus: Primarily supports New York-based organizations, though this may not be an absolute restriction

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Edlow Family Fund Inc (EIN 13-3190911). Form 990-PF filings accessed January 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133190911
• Teachers College, Columbia University. "Giving the Gift of Intentional Parenthood." July 2020. https://www.tc.columbia.edu/articles/2020/july/giving-the-gift-of-intentional-parenthood/
• Prabook World Biographical Encyclopedia. Kenneth Lewis Edlow profile. https://prabook.com/web/kenneth_lewis.edlow/560676
• Cause IQ. Edlow Family Fund organizational profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-edlow-family-fund,133190911/
• Instrumentl. The Edlow Family Fund Inc 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/the-edlow-family-fund-inc