Wolfensohn Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2.5 million (2024)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable
• Grant Range: $100 - $43,250
• Geographic Focus: National with emphasis on New York

Contact Details

• Website: None available
• Phone: Not publicly listed
• Email: Not publicly available
• Application Contact: No public application process - invitation only

Overview

The Wolfensohn Family Foundation, established in 1995 by the late James David Wolfensohn (former World Bank President from 1995-2005) and his wife Elaine, is a private family foundation based in New York with total assets of approximately $49 million. The foundation distributed $2.5 million in charitable disbursements in 2024, making 75 grants totaling $2,097,177 in 2023. Operating as an invitation-only funder, the foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited applications and maintains a low public profile. Following the passing of James Wolfensohn in 2020 and Elaine in 2018, the foundation continues to be managed by their children, maintaining the family's philanthropic legacy with a strong emphasis on arts and culture, particularly performing arts organizations in New York.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but makes discretionary grants through trustee selection:

• Arts & Culture Grants: $100 - $43,250 (primary focus on performing arts)
• Jewish Community Support: Variable amounts to organizations across denominations
• Environmental & Community: Smaller grants typically under $10,000
• All grants made on invitation-only basis

Priority Areas

• Arts and Culture (largest portion of giving) - particularly performing arts institutions
• Jewish Organizations - supporting organizations across different denominations
• Environment and Community - environmental conservation and community development
• Health - medical research and healthcare access
• Policy and Global Organizations - international development and policy research

What They Don't Fund

• Unsolicited requests (explicitly stated policy)
• Organizations not pre-selected by trustees
• Individual requests

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by the Wolfensohn family:

• Sara R. Wolfensohn (Trustee/Director) - Acclaimed concert pianist and daughter of the founder
• Naomi R. Wolfensohn (Trustee) - Daughter of the founder
• Adam R. Wolfensohn (Trustee) - Son of the founder, investment management professional
• Marc Britton (CFO) - Financial management

The foundation maintains the philanthropic vision of James Wolfensohn, who served as World Bank President and was known for his commitment to global development, arts patronage, and Jewish community support.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited applications for funds." Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organizations they have identified and chosen to support.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the closed nature of this foundation, organizations typically come to their attention through:

• Existing relationships with trustee networks, particularly in New York arts and cultural circles
• Sara Wolfensohn's involvement in the performing arts community as a concert pianist
• Connections through major cultural institutions where the family has longstanding relationships (Carnegie Hall, Metropolitan Museum, Metropolitan Opera)
• Jewish community networks across denominations where the foundation has historical giving patterns

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants made at trustee discretion without formal application process

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only model

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process

Application Success Factors

As this is an invitation-only funder, traditional application success factors don't apply. However, analysis of their giving patterns reveals:

• Strong preference for established institutions with proven track records
• Consistent support for organizations they've funded previously (many recipients receive multi-year support)
• Clear alignment with family interests, particularly performing arts given Sara Wolfensohn's career as a concert pianist
• Organizations in the New York metropolitan area receive the majority of funding
• Jewish organizations across the religious spectrum are supported, showing inclusive approach within this focus area

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a closed foundation that does not accept unsolicited applications - do not submit proposals
• Understanding their giving patterns can inform strategies for similar family foundations
• Organizations already in their network often receive sustained, multi-year support
• Arts and culture organizations, particularly performing arts, represent their strongest commitment
• The foundation maintains relationships with major cultural institutions in New York
• Jewish organizations across denominations are consistently supported
• While invitation-only, organizations in their focus areas might explore board/trustee connections for potential future consideration

References

• Foundation Directory Online Profile (accessed February 2025)
• IRS Form 990 filings (2021-2024)
• Wolfensohn Family Foundation tax records via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
• Candid Foundation Profile and Grant Data
• James D. Wolfensohn obituary and biographical information (2020)
• Foundation Center database records