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Edwin Gould Foundation For Children

Annual Giving
$0.4M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $449,263 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $35.9 million
  • Grant Range: Average $14,039 (32 grants awarded in 2023)
  • Geographic Focus: New York City metropolitan area, with some support in Boston, Washington DC, and select locations in NY, NJ, and CA
  • Application Method: Invitation only for Accelerator; two-page letter of intent for general grants

Contact Details

Address: 55 Exchange Place, Suite 602, New York, NY 10005

Phone: 212-982-5200

Email: info@egf-ny.org

Website: www.egfaccelerator.org (primary program website)

Note: The foundation operates primarily under the brand "EGF Accelerator"

Overview

Founded in 1885 with Edwin Gould's first grant to seed the Messiah Home for Children in New York City, the Edwin Gould Foundation for Children has evolved significantly over its 140-year history. In the 1980s, the foundation shifted its strategic focus to supporting innovative nonprofits addressing educational equity. Today, operating primarily as the EGF Accelerator, the foundation concentrates on improving educational outcomes for low-income students through a unique long-term incubator model. With assets of $35.9 million and annual giving of approximately $450,000, the foundation provides comprehensive support including grants, professional development, consulting services, and office space to select education-focused nonprofits. The foundation has played a pivotal role in supporting early-stage organizations that later became influential, including Teach for America, SEO (Seizing Every Opportunity), and NYC Outward Bound. Under the leadership of President & CEO Cynthia Rivera Weissblum since 2008, the foundation has maintained Edwin Gould's original commitment to "improving the lives of young people" while focusing specifically on expanding college access and success for underserved students.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

EGF Accelerator (Incubator Program)

  • Primary grantmaking vehicle
  • 3-5 year residential incubator partnerships
  • Provides co-working space, consulting services, and professional development
  • Highly selective, invitation-only admission
  • Supports early- and mid-stage education nonprofits in NYC metro area

Fellows Program

  • 20-week remote development program for early-stage nonprofit leaders
  • Now in its fifth year
  • Provides: 20 hours of rigorous instruction, at least 8 hours of mentoring, an intern at no cost, $2,000 personal stipend for the fellow, and $5,500 for the organization
  • Focuses on "people with a good idea on how to improve the lives of young people in the city"
  • Application includes written and video components

Priority Areas

The foundation seeks organizations that address at least one of three target areas:

  • Academic Rigor: Programs that strengthen K-12 education quality for underserved students
  • Life/Leadership Skills: Non-cognitive skill development, workforce readiness, career experience
  • College-Bound Information: College access, preparation, enrollment support, and manageable debt loads

Specific Focus Areas:

  • Expanding the pipeline of low-income, first-generation college students
  • Supporting young people in foster care and residential care settings
  • Addressing educational and career attainment for economically disadvantaged youth
  • Post-secondary education success (college persistence and graduation)

Organizations Supported: Past and current partners include SEO Scholars, Breakthrough New York, The Opportunity Network, Quill.org, BEAM (Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics), OneGoal, uAspire, Blue Engine, The Writing Revolution, Citizen Schools, Genesys Works NY, College Spring, and Global Glimpse.

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly detailed, the foundation's tight focus suggests they do not fund:

  • Organizations outside the education sector
  • Programs not serving economically disadvantaged/low-income youth
  • Organizations without strong entrepreneurial leadership
  • Short-term or one-off projects (they seek 3+ year commitments)
  • Organizations outside their geographic focus areas

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Cynthia Rivera Weissblum

  • Developed the EGF Accelerator concept and has led it since 2008
  • First-generation college graduate
  • Named to Pahara-Aspen Fellowship for educational leadership
  • On reapplication policies and approach: "We welcome leaders and organizations into our offices, and into our minds and hearts, for five years. During those years we fund, support, guide, inspire, troubleshoot and dedicate all our resources to helping these leaders and organizations thrive."
  • On priorities: "I really believe that your zip code should not determine or limit who you become. In order for our great nation to be successful, we need to tap talent from all sectors of society; and, unfortunately, today that is still difficult. The escalator that has taken past generations from working class to the middle class is broken, and we need to do all we can to create opportunities that improve economic mobility."

Chairman Emeritus: Michael W. Osheowitz

  • Senior Advisor of Strategy Growth and Development
  • Founder of SEO (Seizing Every Opportunity)

Board Members:

  • Mark Bieler (Chairman) - Human resources consulting
  • Steven Brown - Nonprofit housing executive
  • Nicole Chestang - Strategic nonprofit consulting
  • Kiran Handa Gaudioso - CEO, United Way of Northern New Jersey
  • Steve Gross - Marketing executive
  • Lofton Holder - Finance professional
  • Roszell Mack, III - Independent consulting
  • Lisette Nieves - Educational leadership
  • Denise Taylor - Technology solutions executive
  • Alan S. Weinstein - Retired financial consultant
  • Devesh Shah - Financier and investor

Senior Staff:

  • AiLun Ku (VP Community and Capacity) - Previously led The Opportunity Network
  • Nana Tam (Chief Financial & Operating Officer)
  • Peg Tyre - Leads thought leadership and communications work
  • Alexandra Hamilton (Community Experience Manager)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Accelerator Program: Acceptance is by invitation only. However, interested organizations are encouraged to reach out through the "Join Us" page on www.egfaccelerator.org or by contacting info@egf-ny.org.

For General Grants: Applicants must submit a two-page letter of intent. If invited to continue, they will be asked to submit a full proposal.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Address at least one of the foundation's target areas (academic rigor, life/leadership skills, college-bound information)
  • Led by an entrepreneurial leader who is the primary decision-maker working on the initiative full-time
  • Demonstrate commitment of no less than three years to the initiative
  • Value cooperation with willingness to share resources and leverage assets for benefit of other associates
  • Have potential for expansion and impact

Fellows Program: Applications open periodically (typically annually). Interested early-stage nonprofit leaders should sign up for the EGF newsletter to receive updates about application windows.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Given the intensive nature of their due diligence and the long-term commitment model (3-5 years for Accelerator partners), the selection process is likely to take several months from initial inquiry to final decision.

Success Rates

The foundation awards 32 grants annually (2023 data) and describes itself as working with a "limited number" of social entrepreneurs. The highly selective nature of the Accelerator program and the intensive support model indicate this is an extremely competitive opportunity. Specific success rate percentages are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Given the foundation's relationship-focused approach and invitation-only Accelerator model, declined organizations may wish to stay engaged through the foundation's events and communications while continuing to develop their programs.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented priorities and approach, successful applicants demonstrate:

1. Entrepreneurial Leadership The foundation seeks "entrepreneurial leaders" who are primary decision-makers working full-time on their initiatives. CEO Cynthia Rivera Weissblum emphasizes the importance of having leaders with vision and commitment who can grow organizations over the long term.

2. Long-Term Commitment and Scalability Organizations must demonstrate commitment of at least three years and show potential for expansion. The foundation states: "We welcome leaders and organizations into our offices, and into our minds and hearts, for five years." They are looking for sustainable models, not short-term projects.

3. Focus on Specific Outcomes According to foundation materials, organizations should "demonstrate specific goals, strengths, and outcomes" focused on serving young people's needs. The foundation values data-driven approaches and clear metrics for college access and completion.

4. Collaborative Mindset Applicants must "value cooperation with willingness to share resources and leverage assets for the benefit of other associates." The foundation creates a community of practice among its partners and values organizations that contribute to this collaborative environment.

5. Addressing Educational Equity Systemically The foundation looks for "bold, best-in-class solutions to increase the number of college graduates from under-resourced communities." They are particularly interested in organizations addressing systemic barriers, not just providing individual services.

6. Geographic Alignment While the foundation has historically supported some organizations outside NYC, the current EGF Accelerator focus is clearly on the New York City metropolitan area. Organizations working in NYC have the strongest alignment.

7. Mission Alignment Over Size Rivera Weissblum's philosophy emphasizes "not being focused on the self, but focused on others, and the young people that these organizations serve and what those organizations need." The foundation values mission-driven leaders over organizational prestige or size.

Past Success Examples: Organizations that have successfully partnered with the foundation include SEO Scholars (college access), Breakthrough New York (academic enrichment), BEAM (math talent development for underserved middle schoolers), OneGoal (college persistence), and Quill.org (writing skills).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is not a traditional grant application process: The EGF Accelerator model is invitation-only and relationship-based. Building a connection with the foundation over time is essential.

  • Long-term partnerships are the norm: The foundation invests in 3-5 year relationships, not one-off grants. Be prepared to commit to a sustained partnership if selected.

  • Entrepreneurial leadership is critical: The foundation wants to invest in visionary leaders as much as organizations. Your application should highlight the founder/leader's commitment, vision, and full-time dedication.

  • Focus on New York City: While the foundation has geographic reach to Boston, DC, and other areas, the current strategic focus is heavily concentrated on NYC metro area nonprofits.

  • Join the community: Sign up for the EGF newsletter, attend any public events they host, and engage with their thought leadership content to build familiarity with the foundation's priorities.

  • Consider the Fellows Program as an entry point: For very early-stage organizations, the Fellows Program may be a more accessible entry point than the full Accelerator partnership.

  • Demonstrate your "why": Given Rivera Weissblum's emphasis on mission and purpose, clearly articulate why your zip code shouldn't determine outcomes and how your organization creates pathways to economic mobility.

References

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