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Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$3.1M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.9M

Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,061,164 (2022)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not specified
  • Grant Range: $85 - $940,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York State, especially NYC metro area, with some national and international grants
  • Total Assets: $24.4 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: c/o Ganer Ganer, 1995 Broadway, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10023

Phone: (212) 873-1472

Email: robert@ganer.com

Contact: Michael Sonnenfeldt, President

Overview

The Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Foundation Inc. was established in 1999 by investor and entrepreneur Michael W. Sonnenfeldt and his wife Katja Goldman. With assets of approximately $24.4 million and annual grantmaking of around $3 million, this private foundation supports a diverse portfolio of organizations primarily in the New York City metro area. The foundation focuses on environmental sustainability and climate change, Jewish causes, education (particularly higher education institutions), arts and culture, and health and human services. Michael Sonnenfeldt is the founder and chairman of TIGER 21, a premier peer membership organization for high-net-worth individuals. In 2022, the foundation made headlines with a transformative $20 million commitment to establish the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, signaling their increasing focus on environmental issues.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Foundation operates as a private foundation without formal named grant programs. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no specified deadlines. Grants typically range from $85 to $940,000, though most grants fall in the lower-to-mid range, with occasional major gifts for strategic initiatives.

Priority Areas

Environment and Sustainability: Climate change research, environmental advocacy, and sustainability initiatives have become an increasing focus. Past grantees include Connecticut Fund for the Environment, Earthjustice (Michael Sonnenfeldt serves on the board), MIT Sustainability Initiative, and Ben-Gurion University's School of Sustainability and Climate Change.

Jewish Causes: The foundation appears to prioritize Jewish educational institutions, cultural organizations, and causes. Past grantees include Brandeis University, Abraham Joshua Heschel School, American Alyn Hospital, and Americans for Ben-Gurion University.

Education and Youth: Support for higher education institutions and youth development programs. Past grantees include MIT (Sonnenfeldt's alma mater), Yale University (where the couple's daughter Joya attended), Fordham University, USC, Harlem Village Academies, and Ethical Culture Fieldston School.

Arts and Culture: Museums and cultural institutions, particularly in New York. Past grantees include The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Guggenheim Museum, New York Historical Society, American Museum of Natural History, Brooklyn Arts Museum (Brooklyn Museum), and LongHouse Reserve.

Health and Human Services: Medical institutions and community support organizations. Past grantees include New York Presbyterian Fund, Memorial Sloan Kettering Center, San Francisco General Hospital, and Goddard Riverside Community Center.

Policy and International Affairs: Organizations focused on policy research and international security. Past grantees include Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Center for New American Security, and Policy Resolution Group.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publicly disclose explicit exclusions. However, based on their grantmaking patterns, the foundation appears to focus on established institutions rather than grassroots organizations, and prioritizes organizations in their geographic areas of interest (New York, Connecticut, and select national/international causes).

Governance and Leadership

Michael W. Sonnenfeldt serves as President of the foundation. He is a serial entrepreneur and investor who founded TIGER 21, the premier peer membership organization for high-net-worth wealth creators and preservers, which has grown to over 1,500 members managing over $165 billion in personal assets. Sonnenfeldt is an MIT alumnus and sits on the board of Earthjustice. He has stated that "in recent years the environment and the potentially devastating effects of climate change have been an increasing focus of his philanthropic activities."

Katja Goldman is co-founder of the foundation with her husband Michael. The couple has four children who are also involved in the family's philanthropic activities.

Other Officers: The foundation lists Kathleen Dunleavy as Assistant Secretary and Ruth Bender as Secretary.

The foundation is deeply invested in the New York City and Long Island communities and has given extensively to support local organizations strengthening those vibrant and diverse communities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Foundation accepts written applications with details on proposals. However, the foundation maintains a low public profile and has limited transparency regarding its specific application procedures and grantmaking strategies.

Applications should be sent to: Michael Sonnenfeldt c/o Ganer Ganer 1995 Broadway, 16th Floor New York, NY 10023

Phone inquiries: (212) 873-1472 Email: robert@ganer.com

The foundation does not indicate a deadline for applications and appears to operate on a rolling basis.

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not publicly disclose decision timelines. Given that it operates as a private foundation without formal application cycles, decision timeframes likely vary depending on the proposal and the foundation's meeting schedule.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose success rates. Recent data shows:

  • 79 grants awarded in 2022
  • 102 grants awarded in 2021
  • 87 grants awarded in 2020
  • Since 2014, the foundation has awarded 410+ individual grants totaling approximately $7 million

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publicly disclose a reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Low Accessibility: According to Inside Philanthropy, "the funder is not very approachable and does not provide a clear way to get in touch, leaving grantseekers with the need to network." Success likely depends on existing relationships or connections to the foundation's leadership and existing grantees.

Geographic Focus: The foundation shows a strong preference for organizations in New York State, particularly the New York City metro area, though they do support select national and international causes aligned with their priorities.

Institutional Preference: The foundation's grantmaking history shows a pattern of supporting established, well-known institutions (major universities, prominent museums, leading medical centers) rather than emerging or grassroots organizations.

Strategic Alignment: Organizations working on climate change and environmental sustainability appear to have increased potential for support, given the foundation's growing focus in this area. The $20 million commitment to Ben-Gurion University's sustainability school signals this as a major priority.

Personal Connections: Many grantees have personal connections to the founders—MIT (Sonnenfeldt's alma mater), Yale (daughter's university), organizations where Sonnenfeldt serves on the board (Earthjustice), and institutions in communities where the family lives (New York City, Long Island).

Jewish Affiliation: Organizations with Jewish connections or missions appear to receive consistent support from the foundation.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Networking is Essential: Given the foundation's low public profile and limited accessibility, building connections to the foundation's leadership, trustees, or existing grantees is likely critical to success
  • Geographic Preference Matters: Organizations based in or serving New York State, especially NYC and Long Island, have a significant advantage
  • Climate Change is Rising Priority: The foundation's major commitment to sustainability education signals increasing interest in environmental causes—organizations working on climate solutions should consider approaching the foundation
  • Institutional Track Record Helps: The foundation appears to favor established institutions with proven track records over newer or grassroots organizations
  • Flexible Grant Sizes: The wide grant range ($85 to $940,000) suggests the foundation considers both small and transformative funding opportunities
  • Personal Connection Matters: Organizations connected to MIT, Jewish causes, or the New York cultural scene may have advantages given the founders' backgrounds and interests
  • Be Patient with the Process: Without formal deadlines or transparent procedures, applicants should expect an informal, relationship-based process that may take time to develop

References

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