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Abner Rosen Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$3.2M
Grant Range
$13K - $1.0M

Abner Rosen Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,200,000
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $12,500 - $1,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York and national institutions

Contact Details

Address:
Abner Rosen Foundation
40 East 69th Street
New York, NY 10021

Note: The foundation does not maintain a website or publicly listed phone/email contact information.

Overview

The Abner Rosen Foundation was established in 1994 by the late real estate mogul Abner Rosen. Currently managed by his son Jonathan Rosen and daughter-in-law Jeannette Rosen, the foundation maintains a deliberately low public profile. With annual giving of approximately $3.2 million, the foundation makes 8-14 grants per year to carefully selected organizations. The foundation's grantmaking is heavily influenced by the Rosen family's personal collecting interests, particularly Jonathan's expertise as a numismatist and collector of ancient Mesopotamian cylinder seals. This results in focused support for arts and cultural institutions, Jewish causes, higher education, and selective support for wildlife conservation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single discretionary grant program with awards ranging from $12,500 to $1,000,000. Recent years have shown 9 awards in 2022 and 14 awards in 2021. The foundation makes grants on a trustee-discretion basis rather than through formal application cycles.

Priority Areas

Arts and Culture (Primary Focus)
The foundation prioritizes institutions aligned with the Rosen family's collecting interests, particularly in ancient art, numismatics, and classical studies. Past support has included:

  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • The Pierpont Morgan Library
  • Central Park Conservancy
  • New York University's Institute for the Study of the Ancient World

Jewish Causes and Israel
Strong support for Jewish cultural institutions and Israeli museums, including:

  • American Friends of Israel Museum
  • American Friends Lands Museum Jerusalem (recent 7-figure gift)

Higher Education
Selective support for university programs, particularly those focused on ancient world studies and related disciplines, with New York University being a notable recipient.

Wildlife and Animal Welfare (Modest Support)
Limited grants in this area to organizations such as:

  • Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  • National Audubon Society
  • American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not fund:

  • Organizations outside its core interest areas
  • General operating requests from organizations without existing relationships
  • Individual scholarships or fellowships
  • Political or advocacy organizations

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is managed by Jonathan Rosen (son of founder Abner Rosen) and Jeannette Rosen (Jonathan's wife), who serve as trustees. Jonathan Rosen is an accomplished collector with expertise in ancient numismatics and Mesopotamian cylinder seals, which directly influences the foundation's grantmaking priorities. Both Jonathan and Jeannette Rosen are known philanthropists with connections to major cultural institutions including Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Abner Rosen Foundation explicitly states that it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on the family's personal interests and existing relationships with organizations.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion throughout the year rather than through scheduled review cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot submit applications in the first instance.

Application Success Factors

Since the Abner Rosen Foundation operates exclusively through trustee-identified grants, there is no traditional application process. Organizations that receive funding typically:

  1. Align with Family Collecting Interests: The foundation's support is heavily influenced by Jonathan Rosen's expertise in ancient numismatics and Mesopotamian artifacts. Institutions with strong programs in ancient world studies, classical archaeology, or related fields are more likely to be on the foundation's radar.

  2. Maintain Existing Relationships: The foundation gives to "preselected charitable organizations," indicating that grants flow to institutions with which the trustees already have connections.

  3. Major Cultural Institutions: Past grantees are predominantly well-established cultural institutions in New York, particularly museums and libraries with significant collections in areas of interest to the family.

  4. Support Specific Programs or Collections: Rather than general operating support, grants often support specific initiatives or collections that align with the trustees' scholarly and collecting interests.

  5. Jewish and Israeli Cultural Preservation: Organizations focused on Jewish heritage and Israeli museums receive significant support, including substantial 7-figure gifts.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant proposals; they identify and select grantees independently.
  • Family Interests Drive Giving: Jonathan Rosen's expertise in ancient numismatics and Mesopotamian seals is the strongest predictor of funding alignment.
  • Relationship-Based Philanthropy: Existing connections to the trustees or their network are essential for consideration.
  • High-Value Support: When the foundation does give, grants can be substantial, ranging up to seven figures for institutions that strongly align with family interests.
  • New York Focus: While some national organizations receive support, there is a clear preference for New York-based cultural institutions.
  • Quality Over Quantity: With only 8-14 grants made annually, the foundation is highly selective.
  • Low Profile Strategy: The absence of a website, application guidelines, or public communications suggests the family prefers quiet, strategic philanthropy.

References

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