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Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation

Annual Giving
$8.4M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.5M

Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8,449,378 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $42.7 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $500,000
  • Geographic Focus: United States (primarily New York City), Latin America, and Canada
  • Application Method: Targeted RFPs only - No unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: 60 Wall Street, NYC60-2112, New York, NY 10005-2858

Phone: 212-250-0555

Website: https://country.db.com/usa/responsibility/grant-guidelines

Overview

Founded to administer Deutsche Bank's philanthropic activities across the Americas, the Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation has been supporting community-based organizations since the late 1990s. With assets totaling $42.7 million and annual grantmaking of approximately $8.4 million, the Foundation focuses on sustainable community development, quality education access, and leveraging arts and culture for economic development. Based in New York City, where the majority of grants are awarded, the Foundation operates primarily through targeted Request for Proposals (RFPs) rather than accepting unsolicited applications. The Foundation emphasizes multi-year partnerships (up to 3 years) with organizations that address the needs of low- and moderate-income communities, with special attention to minorities, women, immigrants, youth, and economically disadvantaged populations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

SHARE Program (Supportive Housing Acquisition and Rehabilitation Effort)

  • Launched in 1998, focused on New York City
  • $125,000 per year for 3 years ($85,000 project-specific grant + $40,000 recoverable grant)
  • Supports developers of permanent housing for homeless New Yorkers with special needs
  • Impact: 72 organizations funded through 8 rounds, creating/rehabilitating over 9,700 housing units
  • Application Method: Periodic RFPs (approximately every three years)

Arts & Enterprise

  • Launched in 2001
  • Uses art, culture, and design as tools for economic development in distressed communities
  • Provides employment, career, and entrepreneurial opportunities for neighborhood residents
  • Application Method: By invitation only

Arts & Technology

  • Launched in 2011
  • $2.2 million committed to 15 NYC arts organizations
  • Supports projects using emerging technologies to enhance educational programming
  • Application Method: Targeted RFPs

Community Development Finance - CDFI New Partners Program

  • Geographic focus: Appalachia, Maine, Puerto Rico, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin
  • $2 million deployed in low-interest loans to six organizations
  • Addresses affordable housing, healthcare access, education, and financial inclusion
  • Application Method: Targeted outreach to high-performing CDFIs

Priority Areas

  • Community Development (primarily NYC): Affordable housing, employment opportunities, supportive housing
  • Education: College readiness, financial literacy, mentoring programs
  • Arts and Culture: Cultural institutions as economic catalysts, technology integration
  • Women and girls initiatives
  • Criminal justice reform
  • Mental health support for youth

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • Endowments
  • Capital campaigns
  • Legal advocacy
  • Religious purposes

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership (as of 2024):

  • Gary Beyer - Chairman & Director
  • Alessandra DiGiusto - Executive Director, Treasurer, and Chief Administrative Officer (since 2003)
  • Roelfien Kuijpers - Director
  • Jan Ford - Director
  • Robert Dibble - Director
  • Eric Smith - Director

DiGiusto oversees all grantmaking activities and has stated: "As the digital world continues to influence art and music, we seek to strengthen the position of cultural institutions as community hubs particularly in their role of expanding opportunities for underserved communities."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Foundation operates exclusively through targeted Requests for Proposals (RFPs) issued periodically for specific program areas. Organizations must wait for RFP announcements on the Foundation's website or through partner networks.

Decision Timeline

  • RFPs issued approximately every three years for major programs
  • Grant support limited to 3 years maximum
  • Specific timelines vary by program

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed

Reapplication Policy

Organizations can participate in subsequent RFP cycles. The Foundation maintains sustained relationships with high-performing grantees.

Application Success Factors

Based on funded projects, successful applicants typically demonstrate:

  • Integrated Impact: Projects combining multiple objectives (e.g., arts + employment, housing + services)
  • NYC Focus: Approximately half of grantmaking targets New York City organizations
  • Innovation: Technology integration, particularly in arts and education programs
  • Measurable Outcomes: SHARE program documented $100 million in annual government savings
  • Organizational Capacity: Ability to manage multi-year grants and reporting requirements

Recently funded organizations include Brooklyn Museum (Arts & Technology), Equal Justice Initiative (criminal justice reform), Strive for College (education), and Ali Forney Center (LGBTQ+ homeless youth).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Monitor for RFPs: Success depends on responding to targeted RFPs - subscribe to Foundation updates
  • NYC organizations have significant advantage: Half of grantmaking focuses on New York City
  • Demonstrate integrated impact: Show how projects create ripple effects across community needs
  • Build relationships before RFPs: Engage with Deutsche Bank CSR programs and attend relevant conferences
  • Quantify community impact: Demonstrate both direct beneficiary impact and broader economic returns
  • Technology integration valued: Show how emerging technologies enhance programming and reach

References

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