Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation, Inc.

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $776,786 - $945,323 (varying by year)
• Total Assets: $16.1 million (2025)
• Average Grant Size: $4,737
• Grant Range: $500 - $55,000
• Number of Awards: 151-184 annually
• Geographic Focus: National (29+ states across the U.S., plus Canada)
• Success Rate: 12% of new applicants funded
• Foundation Type: Private family foundation

Contact Details

Address: 736 West 187th Street, Suite 609, New York, NY 10033

Email: info@eeffi.org

Website: www.eeffi.org

EIN: 136106471

Overview

Established in 1962, the Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation, Inc. is a private family foundation based in New York City with total assets of $16.1 million as of 2025. The foundation makes grants to a diverse range of nonprofit organizations across the United States, distributing approximately $776,000-$945,000 annually through 150-180 grants. Operating as a private non-operating foundation under Section 501(c)(3), the foundation supports educational institutions, environmental causes, historical preservation, community outreach programs, cultural enrichment initiatives, artistic endeavors, healthcare organizations, and social service agencies. With an average grant size of $4,737 and grants ranging from $500 to $55,000, the foundation takes a broad philanthropic approach, funding initiatives across at least 29 states. The foundation is led by a volunteer board of family members who serve without compensation, maintaining the founders' legacy of supporting diverse charitable causes nationwide.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not appear to have formal grant programs with specific names or application cycles. Instead, it operates as a traditional private foundation that considers requests for charitable support on an ongoing basis.

Grant Range: $500 - $55,000 Average Award: $4,737 Total Annual Giving: $776,786 - $945,323

Priority Areas

The foundation funds a wide range of nonprofit initiatives including:

• Education: Schools, universities, educational programs
• Arts & Culture: Museums, performing arts organizations, cultural institutions
• Health: Healthcare facilities, in-patient medical care, hospital care, disease-specific organizations
• Human Services: Family services, child welfare, community support programs
• Environment: Conservation and environmental sustainability initiatives
• Historical Preservation: Historical societies and preservation projects
• Religion: Faith-based organizations and religious institutions
• Community Development: Community outreach and civic programs

Geographic Scope

The foundation funds organizations across 29+ U.S. states, including:

• Major metropolitan areas (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle)
• Smaller communities (Nantucket, MA; various cities in ID, MT, SD)
• Select organizations in Canada

Grant Examples

Based on available data, the foundation has awarded grants to organizations including:

• Roosevelt University: $40,000
• Professional Children's School: $30,000
• New York Junior League: $30,000
• Nantucket Musical Arts Society: $25,000

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a private foundation with broad interests, organizations should contact the foundation directly to discuss eligibility.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a small family board that serves without compensation:

President: Elfriede EB Walden (founding family member)

Vice President: Samantha K Frank (family member)

Treasurer: Kasara MB Gage (receives modest compensation of $16,000 for administrative duties)

The foundation operates with a lean administrative structure, dedicating approximately 84.7% of its annual expenses to charitable disbursements, reflecting a strong commitment to grantmaking over overhead.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation's website states it "considers requests for charitable support (grants, donations) for non-profit entities." However, specific application procedures, forms, or deadlines are not published on the website or in public materials.

To Apply:

1. Contact the foundation at info@eeffi.org to inquire about submitting a request for support
2. Provide information about your organization and proposed project
3. The foundation appears to accept unsolicited applications based on available data showing they are "open to new applicants"

Application Method: The foundation does not appear to have an online portal or standardized application form. Direct email contact appears to be the primary method for initial inquiries.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a private family foundation with a small board, decisions are likely made at periodic board meetings throughout the year.

Success Rates

According to available data, approximately 12% of new applicants receive funding. This relatively selective rate reflects the foundation's small size relative to the number of organizations seeking support.

The foundation made:

• 151 awards in 2025
• 164 awards in 2023
• 184 awards in 2022

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Organizations should inquire directly with the foundation about reapplication procedures if initially unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's private family structure and broad philanthropic interests, potential success factors include:

Alignment with Broad Mission: The foundation supports diverse causes across education, arts, health, environment, and social services. Organizations should clearly articulate how their work fits within these general categories.

Clear Organizational Track Record: As a smaller private foundation, they likely value established organizations with proven track records over start-ups or unproven initiatives.

Geographic Diversity: The foundation's grants span 29+ states, suggesting openness to organizations outside major metropolitan areas, particularly in regions with family connections.

Appropriate Grant Size: With an average grant of $4,737 and a typical range of $500-$55,000, organizations should request amounts consistent with the foundation's giving patterns. Smaller, focused requests may be more competitive than large-scale project funding.

Educational and Cultural Institutions: Notable grants to educational institutions (Roosevelt University, Professional Children's School) and cultural organizations (Nantucket Musical Arts Society, New York Junior League) suggest these areas may be priorities.

Modest Budget Requests: The foundation appears to make many smaller grants rather than a few large ones, distributing support widely across the nonprofit sector.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Private family foundation with broad philanthropic interests but limited public guidance on application procedures - direct contact essential
• Small to medium grants averaging under $5,000, with most grants in the $500-$30,000 range - scale requests accordingly
• National scope but New York roots - foundation funds across 29+ states, not limited to the New York region
• Diverse portfolio spanning education, arts, health, environment, and social services - demonstrates broad rather than narrow focus
• Selective but accessible - 12% success rate for new applicants indicates competitiveness, but foundation is open to new organizations
• High grant volume - making 150+ grants annually means they review many applications despite small staff
• Direct inquiry recommended - no formal application portal or published guidelines; email info@eeffi.org to discuss potential fit before submitting a full proposal

References

• Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation, Inc. official website: https://www.eeffi.org/ (Accessed February 8, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Ernst And Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136106471 (Accessed February 8, 2026)
• Charity Navigator profile: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/136106471 (Accessed February 8, 2026)
• Grantable Foundation Profile: https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/ernst-elfriede-frank-foundation-inc-us-foundation-136106471 (Accessed February 8, 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/ernst-and-elfriede-frank-foundation-inc (Accessed February 8, 2026)
• GuideStar Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/13-6106471 (Accessed February 8, 2026)
• Cause IQ Organization Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/ernst-and-elfriede-frank-foundation,136106471/ (Accessed February 8, 2026)
• IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search: https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/detailsPage?ein=136106471 (Accessed February 8, 2026)