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Beatrice & Samuel A Seaver Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.4M
Grant Range
$10K - $6.9M

Beatrice & Samuel A Seaver Foundation

Quick Stats

  • EIN: 133251432
  • Annual Giving: $6,409,039 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $124,246,545
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (invitation-only)
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $6,949,000
  • Geographic Focus: New York (primarily)
  • Application Process: No public application process - preselected organizations only

Contact Details

Address: C/O Withum Smith & Brown, 1411 Broadway, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10018

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Contact information is provided for administrative purposes only.

Overview

The Beatrice & Samuel A Seaver Foundation was established in 1986 and granted tax-exempt status by the IRS in June of that year. With assets exceeding $124 million and annual grant distributions of approximately $6.4 million, this private foundation represents a significant philanthropic legacy in New York. The foundation provides grants primarily to support medical education and research, hospitals, cancer care, human services, and Jewish organizations, with a particular emphasis on healthcare institutions in the New York area.

The foundation's most notable and enduring commitment has been its 30+ year relationship with Mount Sinai's Seaver Autism Center, which was founded in 1993 through a gift from the foundation. The inspiration for creating the center was Sammy, a beloved grandson of one of the founding trustees and son of the Seaver Foundation founders, who had autism. In 2024, the foundation underwent a structural transition, with the mission continuing under "the Seaver Foundation" as a successor entity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Instead, it makes strategic grants to preselected organizations. Recent grant activity shows:

  • Major institutional support: Grants ranging from $10,000 to nearly $7 million
  • Multi-year commitments: The foundation provides sustained support to key partners rather than one-time grants
  • Substantial awards: With only 3-5 grants made annually, the average grant size is over $2 million

Priority Areas

Based on Form 990 filings and public records, the foundation focuses on:

Medical Research and Education

  • Autism research and treatment (primary focus)
  • Cancer care and research
  • Medical education programs
  • Precision medicine initiatives
  • Genetic research

Healthcare Institutions

  • Hospitals in New York
  • Academic medical centers
  • Research institutions affiliated with major health systems

Human Services

  • Organizations serving vulnerable populations
  • Programs related to health and wellbeing

Jewish Organizations

  • Jewish communal organizations
  • Jewish healthcare initiatives

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's track record suggests they do not fund:

  • Organizations outside their established network
  • Small grants or seed funding
  • General operating expenses for unknown organizations
  • Capital campaigns from organizations they don't already support
  • Arts, culture, or environmental causes
  • K-12 education (focus is on medical education)

Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees (2024 Form 990)

  • Terri Rosenbloom, Trustee (Compensation: $510,645)
  • Linda Hyatt, Trustee (Compensation: $170,215)
  • Stephanie Goldman, Trustee (Compensation: $170,215)
  • Patty McGinley, Trustee (Compensation: $170,214)

Historical Leadership

  • Hirschell E. Levine, Esq. - Long-serving trustee who was entrusted with the Seavers' estate over 30 years ago
  • John D. Cohen, Esq. - Co-trustee who helped shape the foundation's focus on autism research

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Beatrice & Samuel A Seaver Foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." This means:

  • There is no application form or online portal
  • The foundation does not accept letters of inquiry
  • Unsolicited proposals will not be considered
  • Grants are made exclusively to organizations selected by the trustees

Decision Timeline

Not applicable due to invitation-only grant-making.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only grant-making. The foundation makes only 3-5 grants annually from a pool of preselected organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable. The foundation's model involves sustained, multi-year support to selected partners rather than competitive application cycles.

Application Success Factors

While there is no public application process, the foundation's 30+ year history reveals what they value in their philanthropic partnerships:

Long-Term Impact and Vision

  • The foundation supported the creation of the Seaver Autism Center in 1993 when "there was minimal awareness and research" in autism
  • They value partners willing to take on ambitious challenges and build something transformative
  • Multi-decade commitments show they invest in vision, not just immediate outcomes

Scientific Excellence and Innovation

  • The Seaver Autism Center's "genetics-first approach" and "bench-to-bedside methodology" align with the foundation's values
  • Support for precision medicine and drug discovery programs demonstrates interest in cutting-edge science
  • The foundation appreciates research that can attract additional federal and institutional funding

Personal Connection to Mission

  • The autism center was inspired by Sammy, a family member with autism
  • This suggests the foundation's giving may be influenced by personal connections to the cause
  • Organizations that align with the founders' lived experiences and values appear to receive sustained support

New York Focus

  • Nearly all documented grants support New York-based institutions
  • The foundation's mission emphasizes transforming medical research "in New York City"
  • Geographic proximity may facilitate the trustees' ability to stay engaged with their grantees

Measurable Outcomes

  • The foundation has supported research leading to "groundbreaking discoveries" and clinical trials
  • Partners that can demonstrate how foundation support catalyzes broader impact are valued
  • The Mount Sinai center's growth from a small program to a "world-renowned institution" exemplifies the transformation the foundation seeks

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - Do not send proposals, letters of inquiry, or funding requests
  • Invitation-only grant-making - The foundation operates through trustee discretion and selects organizations through their networks
  • Substantial, focused grants - With only 3-5 grants annually and $6.4 million in giving, average grants exceed $2 million
  • Long-term partnerships over one-time grants - The 30+ year relationship with Mount Sinai demonstrates their commitment to sustained support
  • New York healthcare focus - Medical research, hospitals, and healthcare institutions in New York are the primary beneficiaries
  • Mission alignment is personal - The autism center was inspired by a family member, suggesting personal connections influence giving
  • 2024 structural transition - The foundation underwent changes but continues its mission under successor entities

References

  1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Beatrice & Samuel A Seaver Foundation (EIN: 133251432)

  2. Instrumentl - Beatrice & Samuel A Seaver Foundation 990 Report

  3. Grantmakers.io - Beatrice & Samuel A Seaver Foundation Profile

  4. Mount Sinai Health System - "The Seaver Center for Autism Research and Treatment Receives $2.78 Million Gift"

  5. Mount Sinai Health System Reports - "Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment Celebrates 30 Years of Discovery"

  6. Candid Foundation Directory - Beatrice & Samuel a Seaver Foundation

  7. Cause IQ - Beatrice & Samuel A Seaver Foundation

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