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Robert & Joyce Menschel Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.2M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,241,050 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Varies widely (average $15,638)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York City, with some national support
  • Total Assets: $21.3 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: C/O David Menschel, 375 Park Ave Suite, New York, NY 10152

Phone: (212) 440-0800

Note: This foundation does not have a website or public online presence.

Overview

The Robert and Joyce Menschel Family Foundation was established in 1963 as a private family foundation supporting arts and culture, education, health, and human services. Founded by Robert B. Menschel (1930-2022), a former Goldman Sachs partner and prominent photography collector, and his ex-wife Joyce F. Menschel, a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the foundation reflects the couple's deep commitment to the arts, particularly photography, along with education and healthcare. The foundation operates with a low profile and limited staff, awarding approximately 48-120 grants annually totaling around $1.2 million. Since 2021, the foundation has awarded 262 individual grants totaling $3,077,450. The foundation is now led by their children David F. Menschel (President) and Lauren E. Menschel (Secretary), with Joyce F. Menschel serving as Vice President.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Arts and Culture The foundation has a strong emphasis on arts and culture, particularly photography and visual arts. Past grantees include:

  • Metropolitan Museum of Art (home to the Joyce F. Menschel Photography Library)
  • Museum of Modern Art (Robert Menschel donated 162 photographs and served as chairman)
  • Whitney Museum of American Art
  • Carnegie Hall
  • Film Society of Lincoln Center
  • Apollo Theater
  • Signature Theatre
  • Bridgehampton Chamber Music

Education The foundation supports K-12 and higher education initiatives:

  • Prep for Prep (gifted education program)
  • NJ Seeds (preparing students for top schools and colleges)
  • Storefront Academy of Harlem
  • Citizen Schools
  • KIPP NYC
  • Syracuse University (Robert Menschel's alma mater)
  • Columbia University
  • Weill Cornell Medical College
  • Hunter College

Health Medical institutions and health-related organizations receive support:

  • New York Presbyterian Hospital (Robert Menschel served as trustee and executive committee member)
  • Hospital for Special Surgery
  • Lymphoma Foundation
  • Lupus Foundation of America
  • Marfan Foundation
  • Montefiore Hospital
  • Cleveland Clinic

Human Services The foundation supports various human services organizations, though specific details are not widely publicized.

Grant Size and Volume

  • Average grant: $15,638
  • Annual grants awarded: 48-120 grants per year
  • Total annual giving: Approximately $1.2 million
  • Grant range appears to vary significantly based on organization and project

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's exclusions are not explicitly stated in public documents. As a private family foundation, grants appear to be made at the discretion of the trustees based on their established areas of interest.

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership (as of 2024)

  • David F. Menschel - President, Treasurer, and Director (serves without compensation)
  • Joyce F. Menschel - Vice President and Director (serves without compensation)
  • Lauren E. Menschel - Secretary and Director (serves without compensation)
  • Marianne Sammarco - Assistant Secretary (serves without compensation)

Foundation History

Robert B. Menschel (1930-2022) was an investment banker with a 50-year relationship with Goldman Sachs. He was a passionate photography collector and arts advocate who served at various times as chairman, president, and trustee of the Museum of Modern Art and chairman of its photography committee. He and his brother Richard won the 2015 Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy for their extensive charitable work.

Joyce F. Menschel has served on the board of trustees at the Metropolitan Museum of Art since the 1990s. The Metropolitan Museum inaugurated the Joyce and Robert Menschel Hall for Modern Photography in September 2007, establishing the first gallery dedicated exclusively to photography created since 1960.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Robert & Joyce Menschel Foundation operates as a private family foundation without a website, formal grant guidelines, or public application process. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees, primarily David F. Menschel, Joyce F. Menschel, and Lauren E. Menschel.

Organizations interested in funding may contact the foundation directly:

  • Phone: (212) 440-0800
  • Address: C/O David Menschel, 375 Park Ave Suite, New York, NY 10152

Given the foundation's low-profile approach and family-directed nature, grants typically go to organizations with which the trustees have existing relationships or familiarity.

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not publish information about decision timelines. As a private family foundation making discretionary grants, timing likely varies based on trustee meetings and individual circumstances.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The foundation awarded 48 grants in 2024 and 73 grants in 2023, but the number of applications received (if any formal application process exists) is not reported.

Reapplication Policy

No public information is available about reapplication policies.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's private nature and lack of public application process, the following factors appear most relevant based on analysis of past grant recipients:

1. Alignment with Core Interests The foundation shows clear commitment to photography and visual arts, K-12 education access programs for underserved students, major medical institutions in New York, and established cultural institutions. Organizations working in these areas are most likely to receive consideration.

2. New York City Focus The vast majority of grants go to New York City-based organizations or programs serving New York communities. Organizations with NYC ties have a significant advantage.

3. Institutional Credibility Grant recipients tend to be well-established institutions with strong reputations (MoMA, Met, Carnegie Hall, New York Presbyterian) or proven programs in education and social services.

4. Connection to Trustees' Networks Robert Menschel served on boards at MoMA and New York Presbyterian Hospital. Joyce Menschel serves on the Met's board. Organizations where trustees have direct involvement or connection appear more likely to receive funding.

5. Photography and Visual Arts Given Robert Menschel's lifelong passion for photography (he donated 162 photographs to MoMA and established the Joyce F. Menschel Photography Library at the Met), organizations focused on photography as an art form are particularly well-positioned.

6. Educational Access and Equity Support for Prep for Prep, NJ Seeds, and Storefront Academy demonstrates commitment to programs that provide educational opportunities to underserved and gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - This is a private family foundation that awards grants at trustee discretion. Direct outreach via phone or mail is necessary, but success without an existing relationship is unlikely.

  • Photography and visual arts are paramount - The Menschel family's deep commitment to photography as an art form, particularly at MoMA and the Metropolitan Museum, suggests this is the strongest funding area.

  • Focus on New York City - The foundation's geographic focus is heavily concentrated on NYC organizations and programs serving New York communities.

  • Established institutions favored - Grant recipients tend to be major cultural institutions, hospitals, and universities with strong reputations rather than emerging organizations.

  • Education access programs - K-12 programs that provide educational opportunities to underserved or gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds align well with foundation priorities.

  • Relationship-driven philanthropy - The foundation's low-profile approach and lack of formal guidelines suggest grants are relationship-based, often flowing to organizations where trustees have board involvement or personal connection.

  • Average grant size is modest - With an average grant of approximately $15,638 and annual giving around $1.2 million, this is not a major funder despite significant assets. Organizations should calibrate funding requests accordingly.

References

  1. Robert & Joyce Menschel Foundation 990 Reports, ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136098443) - Accessed January 2026

  2. "Low Profile, Long Track Record: The Philanthropy of the Menschel Brothers," Inside Philanthropy, 2015 (https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2015-9-3-low-profile-long-track-record-the-philanthropy-of-the-mensch-html) - Accessed January 2026

  3. Robert B. Menschel funder profile, Inside Philanthropy (https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/major-donors/robert-b-menschel-html) - Accessed January 2026

  4. The Robert and Joyce Menschel Family Foundation, Cause IQ (https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/robert-and-joyce-menschel-foundation,136098443/) - Accessed January 2026

  5. Robert & Joyce Menschel Foundation, Instrumentl 990 Reports (https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/robert-joyce-menschel-foundation) - Accessed January 2026

  6. Joyce F. Menschel Photography Library, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/libraries-and-research-centers/joyce-f-menschel-photography-library) - Accessed January 2026

  7. Robert Menschel, Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Menschel) - Accessed January 2026

  8. "Passing of Robert B. Menschel: Syracuse Graduate, Trustee, Philanthropist and Financial Icon," Syracuse University News, June 2022 (https://news.syr.edu/blog/2022/06/14/passing-of-robert-b-menschel-syracuse-graduate-trustee-philanthropist-and-financial-icon/) - Accessed January 2026

  9. Richard L. and Robert B. Menschel, Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy (https://www.medalofphilanthropy.org/richard-l-menschel-and-robert-b-menschel/) - Accessed January 2026

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