Hoerle Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $956,716 (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A - Invitation only
• Decision Time: Not applicable - preselected organizations
• Grant Range: Varies by organization
• Geographic Focus: United States, with emphasis on educational institutions

Contact Details

• Phone: (646) 701-6085
• Address: 551 Fifth Ave, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10176
• Application Process: No public application process - contributions made only to preselected organizations

Overview

The Hoerle Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1987 with assets exceeding $20 million and annual giving approaching $1 million. Founded and led by Robert F. Hoerle, the foundation focuses primarily on education, reflecting the founder's deep commitment to educational causes. The foundation operates with a closed grantmaking model, providing support exclusively to preselected charitable organizations without accepting unsolicited applications. Since 2014, the foundation has awarded 341 grants totaling $8.7 million, demonstrating consistent philanthropic activity with annual revenue growing at 16.6% per year over the past eight years.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation provides grants to preselected educational and charitable organizations. In 2023, they distributed $956,716 across 37 awards, compared to $1,436,475 across 23 awards in 2022. All grants are made at the discretion of the foundation's leadership to organizations with existing relationships.

Priority Areas

• Education (primary focus)
• Educational institutions and programs
• Scholarship and student support initiatives

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations that qualify under IRC Section 501(c)(3).

Governance and Leadership

President: Robert F. Hoerle

• Kent School alumnus, Class of 1952
• Serves on the Board of Trustees at Kent School, Connecticut
• Associated with Reich & Tang L.P. investment firm
• In 2012, Kent School dedicated "Hoerle Hall" in recognition of his contributions
• In 2022, pledged to create an endowed scholarship fund at Kent School supporting four students annually

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Hoerle Foundation explicitly states that they only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations and do not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's leadership to organizations with which they have established relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's focus on education and Robert F. Hoerle's deep involvement with Kent School, organizations with connections to:

• Kent School and its network
• Educational institutions where Mr. Hoerle has established relationships
• Organizations connected through Reich & Tang L.P. business networks

may have the best chance of building relationships with this funder. The foundation's consistent support for educational causes suggests they maintain ongoing relationships with select educational institutions.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made to preselected organizations without a formal application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation works only with preselected organizations.

Application Success Factors

As the Hoerle Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations seeking to understand this funder should note:

• The foundation's strong commitment to education, particularly institutions with which Robert F. Hoerle has personal connections
• The foundation's pattern of supporting established educational institutions
• Their preference for maintaining ongoing relationships with select organizations rather than expanding to new grantees
• The foundation places no restrictions or limitations on awards once organizations are selected, suggesting trust-based relationships

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Hoerle Foundation is an active grant maker but operates exclusively through a closed, invitation-only model
• With over $20 million in assets and nearly $1 million in annual giving, they are a significant funder in the education sector
• Robert F. Hoerle's personal involvement and connections, particularly with Kent School, strongly influence funding decisions
• Organizations cannot apply directly - relationships must be cultivated through existing networks
• The foundation has shown consistent growth, with revenue increasing 16.6% annually over the past eight years
• Grant activity varies year to year (23-48 grants annually in recent years), suggesting flexible funding based on identified needs
• Focus is primarily on education, making this foundation most relevant for educational institutions and programs

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Hoerle Foundation (EIN: 133419592)
• Form 990-PF filings for tax years 2021-2023
• Kent School website and alumni information
• IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Database
• Foundation Center/Candid database entries
• Dates accessed: March 2026