Rosenkranz Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• EIN: 13-3940017
• Annual Giving: $5,752,601 (2023)
• Foundation Assets: $28,117,010 (2024)
• Grant Range: $500 - $2,500,000
• Number of Grants: 45 grants (2023)
• Geographic Focus: National, with priority on New York City; also funds in California, Colorado, Texas, Virginia, and Washington D.C.
• Application Process: No unsolicited applications accepted

Contact Details

The Rosenkranz Foundation
590 Madison Avenue, Floor 30
New York, NY 10022

Telephone: 212-838-7000
Email: info@rosenkranzfdn.org
Website: www.rosenkranzfdn.org

Overview

The Rosenkranz Foundation was established in 1985 by Robert Rosenkranz, a private equity investor and chairman of Delphi Capital Management. With assets of $28.1 million and annual giving of approximately $5.8 million, the foundation encourages fresh perspectives and innovation in public policy, higher education, and the arts. The foundation operates as a private foundation that makes contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations. In 2025, Robert Rosenkranz was named to TIME magazine's inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy list, recognizing his influential approach to strategic philanthropy. The foundation is known for its major initiatives including founding Open to Debate (formerly Intelligence Squared U.S.) in 2006, creating the Canyon cultural venue opening in 2026 on New York's Lower East Side, and making transformative gifts to institutions such as Stanford University and Yale University. Recent recognition includes Stanford naming The Robert Rosenkranz Science and Engineering Quad in May 2025 to honor his generous gifts supporting aging research and STEM professorships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with application cycles. All grants are made through trustee discretion to preselected organizations.

Typical Award Range: $500 - $2,500,000

Priority Areas

Public Policy and Civic Discourse

• Conservative and libertarian think tanks (American Enterprise Institute, Cato Institute, Manhattan Institute, Policy Exchange in London)
• The Federalist Society, including the Annual Rosenkranz Debate
• Open to Debate (formerly Intelligence Squared U.S.), providing forums for reasoned public discourse
• Translation projects promoting Western liberal philosophy (e.g., translating works of Adam Smith and Voltaire into Arabic)
• Initiatives promoting intellectual diversity in legal education

Higher Education

• Major research universities (Stanford, Yale, Harvard)
• Scientific research, particularly aging and longevity research
• STEM field support and professorships
• Quantitative reasoning and scientific method courses
• Writer-in-residence programs
• Campus infrastructure and renovations

K-12 Education in New York City

• Prestigious independent schools (The Browning School, The Chapin School)
• Prep for Prep (supporting children of color gaining entry to private schools)
• Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts (Rosenkranz Shakespeare Fund)

Arts and Culture

• Major museum acquisitions and exhibitions (Whitney Museum of American Art, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Smart Museum of Art in Chicago)
• Modern Chinese art collections
• Time-based media and durational art
• Cultural institution creation (Canyon venue for video, sound, and performance art)
• Scholarly catalogues and traveling exhibitions

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly states it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. As a private foundation supporting preselected organizations, they do not fund organizations with which they do not already have established relationships or strategic alignment.

Governance and Leadership

Robert Rosenkranz - Founder and Chairman

• Chairman of Delphi Capital Management
• Yale University graduate (summa cum laude, 1962)
• Longstanding art collector specializing in Asian art, modern design, and time-based media
• Author of "The Stoic Capitalist: Advice for the Exceptionally Ambitious" (2025)
• Board member of Manhattan Institute
• Named to TIME100 Philanthropy 2025

Alexandra Munroe, Ph.D. - Board Member

• Senior Curator, Asian Art, and Senior Advisor, Global Arts at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation
• Chair of the Aspen Music Festival and School
• Trustee of American Academy in Rome, LongHouse Reserve, and Open to Debate
• Co-founder of Open to Debate Foundation
• Married to Robert Rosenkranz since 2002

Family Involvement:

• Nicholas Rosenkranz (son): Professor of law at Georgetown, senior fellow in Constitutional Studies at the Cato Institute, co-chair of the Board of Visitors of the Federalist Society, runs the Rosenkranz Heterodoxy Fund
• Stephanie Hessler (daughter): Adjunct fellow at the Manhattan Institute

Rosenkranz's Philanthropic Philosophy

Robert Rosenkranz describes himself as a "selfish philanthropist," explaining that "philanthropy is something you do selfishly to create a richer and more meaningful life for yourself and give yourself a broader canvas to paint on, giving more scope for your own creativity and abilities." He states: "The best form of philanthropy, to me, is when you use your talents, skills, and strategic insights to bring into being something that you feel society needs and could benefit from." He rejects the conventional notion of "giving back" as restitution, arguing that wealth creators earn their fortunes by adding value to society. His approach is inspired by industrialists like Carnegie and Rockefeller who created lasting institutions rather than simply distributing funds.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Rosenkranz Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states on multiple platforms that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

All grants are made through trustee discretion based on strategic priorities identified by Robert Rosenkranz and the board. The foundation proactively identifies organizations and initiatives that align with their mission rather than responding to external applications.

Getting on Their Radar

Strategic Relationship Building:

The foundation has occasionally requested proposals in specific areas of interest. For example, they have solicited proposals for translating classic Western liberal philosophy documents into Arabic. However, this approach is described as unusual for them.

Key Connection Points:

• The foundation's leadership has deep ties to specific institutions and networks:
  • Conservative and libertarian policy organizations (Manhattan Institute, American Enterprise Institute, Cato Institute, Federalist Society)
  • Elite educational institutions where family members have studied or serve (Yale, Georgetown, Stanford, Phillips Academy)
  • Major art institutions where board member Alexandra Munroe has relationships (Guggenheim, Whitney, Smart Museum)
  • Open to Debate network and events

Organizational Alignment: Organizations most likely to receive funding demonstrate:

• Conservative or libertarian policy orientation
• Academic excellence and innovation in higher education
• Commitment to intellectual diversity and reasoned discourse
• Excellence in arts and cultural programming, particularly Asian art and time-based media
• New York City presence or connection

Contact for General Inquiries: Email: info@rosenkranzfdn.org
Telephone: 212-838-7000

Note: These contacts are for general inquiries only. The foundation does not accept grant proposals through these channels.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made through proactive trustee selection rather than through an application review process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Organizations that have received grants previously may receive additional support based on ongoing strategic relationships and trustee discretion.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not accept applications, organizations seeking to understand the foundation's interests should note:

Strategic Institution Building: Rosenkranz is most interested in creating lasting institutions rather than providing short-term support. His major initiatives include founding Open to Debate, creating the Canyon cultural venue, and establishing endowed programs at universities. He has stated that he is inspired by philanthropists like Carnegie and Rockefeller who "really used their talents and abilities to bring into being the institutions that they felt society needed."

Intellectual Rigor and Excellence: The foundation consistently supports organizations known for intellectual excellence, whether in policy research, education, or cultural programming. Funding for Yale's scientific method and quantitative reasoning courses, support for major policy think tanks, and backing for museums with scholarly catalogues all demonstrate this priority.

Conservative and Libertarian Values: The foundation explicitly supports "conservative public policy" and has deep ties to conservative and libertarian organizations. Major grantees include the American Enterprise Institute, Cato Institute, Manhattan Institute, Federalist Society, and Policy Exchange in London.

Promotion of Civil Discourse: Open to Debate represents the foundation's commitment to "restore critical thinking, facts, reason, and civility to American public discourse" through Oxford-style debates that provide "a respectful forum for opposing ideas." This emphasis on reasoned dialogue across ideological differences is central to their mission.

Innovation in Arts and Education: The foundation backs innovative approaches, from creating 20 new courses at Yale to founding a new venue for durational art forms like video, sound, and performance. They support projects that break new ground rather than maintaining established programs.

New York City Priority: While the foundation funds nationally, New York City is identified as a "geographic priority." Major NYC initiatives include Canyon, grants to independent schools, and support for museums like the Whitney and Guggenheim.

Long-term Strategic Vision: The foundation makes major multi-year commitments to strategic priorities. Stanford's gift is expected to be "among the largest individual bequests or gifts ever received by the university," and the Canyon project involves $10 million for build-out plus ongoing annual operating support of approximately $10 million.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No unsolicited applications accepted - The Rosenkranz Foundation operates exclusively through trustee-identified preselected organizations. Do not submit proposals without prior invitation.

• Strategic institution building over short-term grants - The foundation seeks to create lasting institutions and transformative programs, following Rosenkranz's philosophy of using "talents, skills, and strategic insights to bring into being something that you feel society needs."

• Conservative/libertarian alignment essential - Organizations must align with conservative or libertarian values and policy perspectives. The foundation explicitly supports "conservative public policy" and has deep family ties to institutions like the Cato Institute, American Enterprise Institute, Manhattan Institute, and Federalist Society.

• Intellectual excellence and innovation required - Whether in policy, education, or arts, the foundation backs organizations known for rigorous scholarship, academic excellence, and groundbreaking approaches. Examples include funding for scientific method courses, aging research, and new art forms.

• New York City priority - Geographic focus on NYC for many grants, though major universities and policy organizations nationwide also receive support. NYC cultural and educational institutions have particular access.

• Relationship-based grantmaking - Grants flow through established networks and relationships, particularly those connected to Robert Rosenkranz, Alexandra Munroe, and their family members who serve in leadership roles at various institutions.

• Major multi-year commitments - The foundation makes transformative gifts (ranging from $500 to $2.5 million) rather than numerous small grants, with 45 total grants in 2023 totaling $5.8 million. They seek high-impact partnerships with proven organizations.

References

1. GuideStar Profile - Rosenkranz Foundation Inc (EIN 13-3940017). Accessed February 24, 2026. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/13-3940017

2. Charity Navigator Profile - Rosenkranz Foundation Inc. Accessed February 24, 2026. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/133940017

3. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Rosenkranz Foundation Inc. Form 990-PF filings for 2022-2024. Accessed February 24, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133940017

4. Rosenkranz Foundation official website. Accessed February 24, 2026. https://www.rosenkranzfdn.org/

5. Foundation Directory - Candid. Rosenkranz Foundation Inc Profile. Accessed February 24, 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=ROSE332

6. Inside Philanthropy. "Rosenkranz Foundation." Accessed February 24, 2026. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-r/rosenkranz-foundation

7. Inside Philanthropy. "The Stoic Philanthropist: Robert Rosenkranz on His Giving." Accessed February 24, 2026. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/the-stoic-philanthropist-robert-rosenkranz-on-his-giving

8. TIME Magazine. "TIME100 Philanthropy: Robert Rosenkranz." 2025. Accessed February 24, 2026. https://time.com/collections/time100-philanthropy-2025/7286020/robert-rosenkranz/

9. Wikipedia. "Robert Rosenkranz." Accessed February 24, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Rosenkranz

10. Stanford University News. "Stanford names SEQ for donor gift." May 2025. Accessed February 24, 2026. https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2025/05/engineering-quad-donor-gift

11. Philanthropy Roundtable. "Rosenkranz Foundation." Accessed February 24, 2026. https://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/magazine/rosenkranz-foundation/

12. Inside Philanthropy. "Robert Rosenkranz Philanthropy: Where's His Money Been Going?" June 29, 2015. Accessed February 24, 2026. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2015-6-29-robert-rosenkranz-philanthropy-wheres-his-money-been-going-html

13. Canyon official website. "About CANYON." 2025. Accessed February 24, 2026. https://www.canyon.org/about

14. Crain's New York Business. "The Rosenkranz Foundation buys two commercial condo units at 1 Essex Crossing in the Lower East Side." Accessed February 24, 2026. https://www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/rosenkranz-foundation-buys-two-commercial-condo-units-1-essex-crossing-lower-east-side

15. Cause IQ. "Rosenkranz Foundation | New York, NY." Accessed February 24, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/rosenkranz-foundation,133940017/