Barbara M Zalaznick Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,057,100 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Varies widely
• Geographic Focus: Multi-state (primarily New York)

Contact Details

Address: c/o Basch, 335 Madison Ave, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10017 EIN: 13-3921831 Note: Does not accept unsolicited grant requests

Overview

The Barbara M Zalaznick Foundation (also known as the Barbara and David Zalaznick Foundation) was established in 1997 as a private family foundation. Founded by Barbara Milstein Zalaznick and David W. Zalaznick, both Cornell University Class of 1976, the foundation focuses on supporting arts, culture, performing arts, education, and higher education. Barbara is the daughter of the late philanthropist Paul Milstein, continuing the Milstein family's legacy of significant philanthropic engagement. The foundation has grown substantially, with assets increasing from $7.6 million in 2011 to over $22 million in 2024. The foundation made 17 grants in 2023 totaling approximately $910,000, with charitable disbursements reaching $1,057,100 in 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs. Instead, it makes strategic grants to preselected organizations:

• Arts and Culture: Museums, performing arts venues, cultural institutions
• Higher Education: Significant support for Cornell University
• American History: Barbara and David Zalaznick Book Prize at New-York Historical Society ($50,000 annual)

Priority Areas

• Visual Arts (Whitney Museum)
• Performing Arts (New York City Center)
• History and Culture (New-York Historical Society)
• Literary Arts (Cornell Creative Writing Program)
• American History Scholarship

What They Don't Fund

• Unsolicited applications
• Organizations outside their network
• Direct service programs unrelated to arts/culture
• International programs

Governance and Leadership

Barbara Milstein Zalaznick (Trustee)

• Director at New York City Center
• Cornell University Class of 1976

David W. Zalaznick (Trustee)

• Co-founder/Chairman of Jordan/Zalaznick Advisers
• Vice President, Whitney Museum of American Art
• Trustee, New-York Historical Society
• Trustee Emeritus, Cornell University

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. No proposals or letters of inquiry are accepted.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations with board involvement from the Zalaznicks have the strongest relationships:

• Whitney Museum (David serves as VP)
• New York City Center (Barbara serves as Director)
• New-York Historical Society (David serves as Trustee)
• Cornell University (both major donors, David is Trustee Emeritus)

The foundation primarily supports established cultural institutions in their existing networks, particularly in New York.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - invitation only

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation only

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only foundation, traditional application strategies don't apply. The foundation supports:

• Organizations where trustees serve in governance roles
• Well-established, nationally recognized institutions
• Programs combining arts with education
• Long-term relationships (e.g., supported Cornell programs for 15+ years)
• New York cultural institutions primarily

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process - operates entirely through preselected organizations
• Board relationships are essential - nearly all support goes to organizations where Zalaznicks serve
• Family foundation with only two trustees managing $22+ million
• Focus on institutional excellence over emerging organizations
• Long-term engagement model with sustained support
• Unless you have direct relationship with trustees or their institutions, this should not be on your prospect list

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Barbara M Zalaznick Foundation (February 2026)
• Cause IQ: Barbara and David Zalaznick Foundation Profile (February 2026)
• Cornell University: Barbara and David Zalaznick Reading Series (February 2026)
• New-York Historical Society: Zalaznick Book Prize (February 2026)
• Whitney Museum: Board of Trustees listing (February 2026)