Achelis And Bodman Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $6,500,000
• Assets: $137,000,000
• Decision Time: Varies (Board meetings in May, September, December)
• Grant Range: $25,000 - $100,000 (typical)
• Geographic Focus: New York City and northern New Jersey
• Number of Grants: 125 grants in 2023

Contact Details

Website: https://achelisbodman.org
Email: application@achelisbodman.org
Address: New York, NY

Overview

The Achelis & Bodman Foundation was formally established on November 25, 2015, through the merger of The Achelis Foundation (founded in 1940) and The Bodman Foundation (founded in 1945). With assets of approximately $137 million, the Foundation awards around $6.5 million annually in grants to nonprofit organizations. The Foundation concentrates its grantmaking in New York City and northern New Jersey across six program areas: Arts & Culture, Education, Employment, Health, Public Policy, and Youth & Families. The Foundation's grantmaking is guided by a belief in the merits of economic and political liberty, free enterprise, and personal responsibility. In 2023, the Foundation made 125 grants totaling $6,500,000, typically ranging between $25,000 and $100,000.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation distributes funding across six program areas with no fixed deadlines (rolling basis):

2023 Grant Distribution:

• Public Policy: 22 grants, $1,465,000
• Education: 27 grants, $1,460,000
• Arts & Culture: 31 grants, $1,410,000
• Health: 13 grants, $1,125,000
• Youth & Families: 12 grants, $365,000
• Employment: 6 grants, $250,000
• Other Grants: 14 grants, $425,000

Priority Areas

Arts & Culture

• Supports prominent cultural institutions in New York City
• Prioritizes "organizations that promote and sustain traditional concepts of artistic excellence"
• Typically provides operating grants

Education

• Focus on K-12 school reform, school choice, and charter schools
• Supports voucher programs and scholarships to parochial schools
• Funds research on educational performance
• Aims to "promote intellectual excellence and balance at American colleges and universities"
• Does NOT fund nonprofits providing direct services in public schools

Employment

• Job training and placement programs for chronically unemployed/underemployed populations
• Priority populations: ex-offenders, chronic substance abusers, individuals with low educational attainment, people with mental or physical disabilities
• Emphasizes "programs that emphasize the private sector and entrepreneurship"

Health

• Health needs of poor children
• Support for disabled populations
• Basic biomedical research
• Small, impactful grants preferred
• Policy experts evaluating healthcare system reforms

Public Policy

• Covers K-12 education, healthcare, families and marriage, crime prevention, prisoner reentry, philanthropy, environment, welfare reform, faith and religion
• Guided by principles of "economic and political liberty, free enterprise, and personal responsibility"

Youth & Families

• Programs that boost academic achievement
• Positive recreational activities
• Character development and values promotion
• Family preservation initiatives
• Prevention of criminal behavior and teen sexual activity
• Prefers "smaller, neighborhood-based organizations" relying on private support

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside New York City and northern New Jersey
• Annual fundraising events
• Endowments or capital campaigns
• Loans or deficit financing
• Individual grants
• Day care or after-school programs
• Housing projects
• International organizations
• Small arts groups
• Public K-12 schools (direct services)
• Government agencies

Governance and Leadership

Officers:

• John N. Irwin III - Chairman
• Russell P. Pennoyer - President
• Tatiana Pouschine - Vice President
• Horace I. Crary Jr. - Treasurer
• John B. Krieger - Secretary & Assistant Treasurer

Trustees:

• Horace I. Crary Jr.
• Oliver Grace
• John N. Irwin III
• Leslie Lenkowsky
• George McCabe
• Russell P. Pennoyer
• Tatiana Pouschine
• Magdalena Zavalia de Miguens

Staff:

• John B. Krieger - Executive Director
• Vicki Puluso - Grants Manager
• Joseph S. Dolan - Consultant (retired as Executive Director in 2008)

In Memoriam: Guy G. Rutherfurd (1915-2012) was the founding Trustee of The Achelis and Bodman Foundation and served as Board Chairman from 1951 until his retirement in 2003.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Initial Inquiry Process:

1. Eligibility Check: Ensure your organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in New York City or northern New Jersey and falls within the Foundation's six program areas.

2. Review Past Grants: Organizations are encouraged to review detailed descriptions of past grants on the Foundation's website to understand the types of projects typically funded.

3. Submit Initial Inquiry Letter via email to application@achelisbodman.org. The letter should briefly summarize:

   • Project history
   • Need
   • Objectives
   • Time period
   • Key staff
   • Project budget
   • Evaluation plan

4. Include Required Documents:

   • Inquiry letter on organizational letterhead with all contact information
   • Latest annual report
   • Latest complete audited financial statements
   • IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exemption letter

Important: Do not send full proposals unless requested. Do not mail application materials to the Foundation's office.

Application Deadline: Rolling basis - no deadlines. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.

Decision Timeline

• Staff reviews each request and typically provides a written response within 30 days
• Requests deemed consistent with the Foundation's interests and resources will be evaluated further
• Staff may request a site visit, conference call, or additional information
• All grants are reviewed and approved by the Trustees at one of their three annual board meetings held in May, September, or December
• Timeline depends on when application is submitted relative to board meetings

Success Rates

The Foundation states that "due to the high number of applications and small staff size, they can only fund a small number of the many worthwhile proposals received." Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed.

Recent Award Numbers:

• 125 grants made in 2023
• 155 grants made in 2022
• 162 grants made in 2021
• 157 grants made in 2020

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation's reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not explicitly stated in their public guidelines. However, the Foundation emphasizes that "limited resources prevent them from funding the same organization on an ongoing annual basis," indicating they prefer one-time grants rather than recurring support. Applicants should contact the Foundation directly for clarification on reapplication policies.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Direct Advice:

1. Review guidelines thoroughly: The Foundation emphasizes that "applicants should review our program areas and guidelines before applying, and then submit only the information requested."

2. Study past grants: Organizations interested in the Foundation's support are encouraged to review detailed descriptions of past grants to better understand the types of projects and initiatives typically funded.

3. Keep it brief: Initial inquiries should be concise. Do not send full proposals unless requested.

4. Align with philosophy: The Foundation's grantmaking is guided by belief in "economic and political liberty, free enterprise, and personal responsibility." Applications should reflect these values.

5. Geographic focus matters: The Foundation concentrates exclusively on New York City and northern New Jersey. Organizations outside this area should not apply.

Program-Specific Success Factors:

• Education: Preference for school reform, school choice, and charter schools over direct service providers
• Employment: Emphasis on private sector solutions and entrepreneurship
• Youth & Families: Preference for "smaller, neighborhood-based organizations" that rely on private support
• Arts & Culture: Support for "traditional concepts of artistic excellence" at prominent cultural institutions
• Health: Interest in "small, impactful grants"

Realistic Expectations: The Foundation explicitly states they cannot provide ongoing annual funding to the same organizations due to limited resources. Applicants should not expect multi-year support or automatic renewal.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is absolute: Only organizations in New York City and northern New Jersey are eligible - do not apply if outside this area
• Philosophy alignment is critical: The Foundation values free enterprise, personal responsibility, and private sector solutions - frame your work accordingly
• Conservative approach to education and social issues: Preference for school choice over direct services, entrepreneurship over traditional job training, and family preservation initiatives
• Keep initial contact brief: Submit only what's requested - no full proposals unless specifically asked
• Timing is flexible but board-dependent: With three annual board meetings (May, September, December), plan submission timing based on your funding needs
• Competition is significant: The Foundation funds "a small number" of proposals from many applications - ensure strong alignment with priorities
• One-time grants are the norm: Do not expect ongoing annual funding relationships - limited resources mean selective, non-recurring support

References

• Achelis & Bodman Foundation official website: https://achelisbodman.org/ (accessed January 2026)
• Grant Application Guidelines: https://achelisbodman.org/guidelines/ (accessed January 2026)
• Program Areas: https://achelisbodman.org/about/areas/ (accessed January 2026)
• People/Leadership: https://achelisbodman.org/people/ (accessed January 2026)
• Grants Made: https://achelisbodman.org/grants-made/ (accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Achelis And Bodman Foundation (EIN 13-6022018): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136022018 (accessed January 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/achelis-foundation (accessed January 2026)
• InfluenceWatch profile: https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/achelis-and-bodman-foundation/ (accessed January 2026)