Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- Its stated themes are climate change, democracy, and building Jewish community and combatting antisemitism, and other published sources report a priority on New York City and Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties in New York), so work in those areas and themes is the closest fit.
- About 8 in 10 of its grants fall between $1,000 and $100,000, with a median of $10,000, so a modest request in that range is realistic, though its largest grant was $1,000,000 and the band is typical rather than a limit.
- The filing gives no deadlines, so check the timing before you send a written application with details of your proposal.
- In its latest filing, 66% of its grant dollars went to organisations it had also funded in one of the two earlier years, so a first approach should expect an established group of grantees.
Overview
Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Foundation is a US private foundation based in New York, NY.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (muus.com), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Goldman Sonnenfeldt Foundation represents the combined philanthropy of Katja Goldman, Michael Sonnenfeldt and their four children. Its grants reflect priorities of fighting climate change, protecting and strengthening democracy, and building Jewish community and combatting antisemitism. It seeks partners that are disrupting norms, taking risks to solve problems and working to scale proven solutions. The family is deeply invested in New York City and Long Island, giving extensively to support local organisations strengthening those vibrant and diverse communities. Its approach therefore combines ambitious, risk-taking partnerships with sustained support for its local communities.
Themes
- Climate change
- Democracy
- Jewish community and antisemitism
Geographic Focus
Priority: New York City; Long Island: Nassau and Suffolk counties in New York. (as reported in other published sources)
How to apply
Submit a written application with details on the proposals.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 66% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 248 grants to organisations were $10,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The family seeks partners that disrupt norms, take risks to solve problems and work to scale proven solutions. (as reported in other published sources)
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 3%
- The largest single recipient received 23% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 66% of grant dollars went to organisations Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- <1% of grant dollars went directly to organisations outside the US (Japan).
- 15% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 83 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $10,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Jewish Climate Trust · Educational and charitable$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Mit · Educational and charitable$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Aabgu · Educational and charitable$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Earthjustice · Educational and charitable$350,0002024 tax year
- Center For New American Security · Educational and charitable$300,0002024 tax year
- The Whitney Museum · Educational and charitable$232,5002024 tax year
- National Breast Cancer · Educational and charitable$200,0002024 tax year
- Turnout Activism · Educational and charitable$200,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Wendy Gartenberg — CFO
- Michael Sonnenfeldt — President
- Peter Joseph — Vice President
- Katja B Goldman — Trustee
- Ruth Bender — Secretary
- Kathleen Dunleavy — Assistant Secretary
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $3,183,824 | $3,061,164 | $27,690,085 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $4,141,060 | $3,942,764 | $27,195,536 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $6,249,273 | $6,087,394 | $24,415,176 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (212) 600-2854
- RGANER@BONADIO.COM
- New York, NY
Applying to Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (212) 600-2854
- RGANER@BONADIO.COM
- New York, NY