Gary Saltz Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,483,049 (2023)
• Total Assets: $68.4 million (2023)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $650,000
• Number of Grants: 45 (2023), 69 (2022)
• Geographic Focus: New York and Los Angeles (primarily)
• Founded: 1985
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed

Contact Details

Address: 150 E. 52nd St., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10022
(Alternate address: 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020-1605)

Phone: (212) 644-2262

Email: Not publicly available

EIN: 13-3267114

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals.

Overview

The Gary Saltz Foundation was established in 1985 as a private foundation based in New York. With assets exceeding $68 million and annual giving of approximately $3.5 million, the foundation focuses on supporting at-risk youth and education, Jewish causes, and the arts. The foundation is steered by Gary Saltz and his siblings Leonard and Susan Saltz, a documentary film producer and CEO of New Light Media. The foundation operates with a low public profile and awards grants ranging from $1,000 to $650,000 to organizations primarily in New York and Los Angeles. Susan Saltz serves as President of the foundation and has been honored for her work as a child advocate, including receiving the Francis M. Wheat Community Service Award from the Alliance for Children's Rights in 2020.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a traditional private foundation making grants across several focus areas. It does not have formal named grant programs but distributes funding through discretionary grantmaking by the trustees.

Grant Range: $1,000 - $650,000

Application Method: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited proposals

Priority Areas

At-Risk Youth and Education (Primary Focus)

• Programs serving vulnerable children and youth
• Education reform initiatives
• Trauma-informed care programs
• Child advocacy organizations

Jewish Causes

• Jewish agencies and organizations
• Jewish community support

Arts and Culture

• Museums
• Arts education
• Documentary film and media projects

Higher Education

• Support for colleges and universities
• Educational institutions

Human Services

• Organizations serving children and families
• Community-based support programs

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation does not publish explicit exclusions, its grantmaking pattern indicates a clear focus on the priority areas listed above. The foundation operates as a grantmaking foundation and does not conduct direct charitable activities or programs.

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Susan Saltz - President

• Documentary film producer and CEO of New Light Media
• Associate producer of the feature film "Her Majesty"
• Board member of the Alliance for Children's Rights (served for 8+ years)
• Advocate for education reform and children's rights protection
• 2020 recipient of the Francis M. Wheat Community Service Award

Gary Saltz - Co-Founder/Trustee

• Foundation namesake and co-steward

Leonard Saltz - Co-Founder/Trustee

• Key supporter of the foundation
• Co-steward with siblings Gary and Susan

Leadership Perspective

Susan Saltz has emphasized the foundation's commitment to "education, health, and improving the lives of children and youth" through her work both at the foundation and on nonprofit boards. Her dual role as a documentary producer and foundation leader reflects the family's interest in using media and philanthropy to create social impact.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Gary Saltz Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Grants are made through trustee discretion, typically to organizations with which the foundation or its trustees have existing relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

Board Connections: Susan Saltz serves on the board of the Alliance for Children's Rights and other organizations focused on education reform and children's rights protection. Organizations where foundation trustees are board members or have personal connections are more likely to receive funding consideration.

Past Grantee Networks: The foundation has demonstrated support for organizations including Alliance for Children's Rights, Jewish World Watch, Community Partners (for Move LA and JUNTOS programs), A Window Between Worlds, and EduCare Foundation. Relationships with these organizations may provide insight into the foundation's interests.

Los Angeles Focus: Despite being based in New York, the foundation has significant ties to Los Angeles through Susan Saltz's work. The foundation helped launch JUNTOS to serve trauma victims in the Lennox School District in the Los Angeles area, indicating openness to LA-based initiatives aligned with their priorities.

Trauma-Informed Programming: The foundation's support for JUNTOS demonstrates particular interest in comprehensive trauma-informed care frameworks, especially those integrated into school district settings in underserved communities.

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not publish information about decision timelines. As a private foundation making grants by invitation only, decisions are made at the discretion of the trustees without fixed deadlines or announcement dates.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. With 45 grants made in 2023 from a closed application process, success depends entirely on invitation and trustee relationships.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept applications. Ongoing funding relationships appear to be maintained with organizations aligned with the foundation's mission, as evidenced by multi-year support for organizations like the Alliance for Children's Rights.

Application Success Factors

Since the Gary Saltz Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, the following insights are based on their documented grantmaking patterns:

Focus on Vulnerable Populations: The foundation's documented support shows clear emphasis on serving at-risk youth, trauma victims, and underserved communities. Their support for JUNTOS in Lennox School District—described as having "high levels of poverty and violence, resulting in complex trauma experiences"—demonstrates commitment to organizations working in challenging environments.

Comprehensive, Partnership-Based Models: The JUNTOS program, which the foundation helped launch, exemplifies their interest in collaborative approaches. JUNTOS partnered with UCLA School of Social Welfare, Echo Parenting & Education, trauma specialists, and the Lennox School District to create a comprehensive trauma treatment and prevention model.

School-Based Integration: The foundation's support for district-wide trauma-informed care programs suggests interest in systemic approaches that reach children through educational settings rather than standalone services.

Education Reform Orientation: Susan Saltz serves on boards of organizations advocating for education reform, indicating the foundation values innovative approaches to educational equity and access.

Children's Rights Advocacy: Long-term support for the Alliance for Children's Rights (with Susan Saltz serving 8+ years on the board) demonstrates commitment to organizations working on systemic advocacy for vulnerable children.

Jewish Community Connection: The foundation's support for Jewish causes and agencies suggests organizations serving Jewish communities or addressing Jewish concerns may align with their interests.

Arts and Culture: Support for museums and the arts, combined with Susan Saltz's work as a documentary producer, indicates appreciation for arts-based approaches to education and social change.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No unsolicited proposals accepted - This foundation operates exclusively through trustee-initiated grants and invitation-only funding
• Relationship-driven grantmaking - Focus on building connections with trustees, particularly through organizations where Susan Saltz serves on the board
• Los Angeles opportunity despite NY base - The foundation has demonstrated significant interest in Los Angeles-area programs, particularly those serving underserved communities
• Trauma-informed care is a sweet spot - The foundation's support for JUNTOS and comprehensive trauma treatment models indicates this is a priority area
• Look for partnership opportunities - The foundation values collaborative, multi-partner approaches that create systemic change rather than isolated services
• School district integration matters - Programs embedded within educational institutions serving high-need communities appear to be of particular interest
• Long-term commitment to aligned organizations - Evidence suggests the foundation maintains ongoing relationships with organizations that align with their mission, as seen with Alliance for Children's Rights

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Gary Saltz Foundation Inc (EIN 133267114). Retrieved from https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133267114. Accessed March 3, 2026.
• Inside Philanthropy - Gary Saltz Foundation profile. Retrieved from https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/california-los-angeles-grants/gary-saltz-foundation. Accessed March 3, 2026.
• Cause IQ - Gary Saltz Foundation organization profile. Retrieved from https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/gary-saltz-foundation,133267114/. Accessed March 3, 2026.
• Alliance for Children's Rights - 2020 Annual Dinner honoree information (Susan Saltz). Retrieved from https://allianceforchildrensrights.org/events/2020-annual-dinner/. Accessed March 3, 2026.
• Alliance for Children's Rights - Supporters page. Retrieved from https://allianceforchildrensrights.org/supporters/. Accessed March 3, 2026.
• Community Partners - JUNTOS program information. Retrieved from https://communitypartners.org/org/juntos/. Accessed March 3, 2026.
• ELEM - RayofHope2020 honoree information (Susan Saltz). Retrieved from https://elem.org/rayofhope2020/. Accessed March 3, 2026.
• Charity Navigator - Gary Saltz Foundation Inc profile. Retrieved from https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/133267114. Accessed March 3, 2026.
• Tax Exempt World - Gary Saltz Foundation Inc organization details. Retrieved from https://www.taxexemptworld.com/organization.asp?tn=142887. Accessed March 3, 2026.