Winston Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4,650,000
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not disclosed
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $650,000
• Geographic Focus: New York City (primary), national

Contact Details

Address: 1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212-373-3000
Email: Not publicly available
Website: None

Overview

The Winston Foundation Inc, established in 1954 by Norman and Rosita Winston, is a private grantmaking foundation with approximately $87 million in assets that distributes $4.65 million annually through roughly 92 grants. Operating from New York City, the foundation focuses on education (particularly higher education and medical education), healthcare, arts and culture, and human rights. The foundation takes a proactive approach to grantmaking, identifying and approaching organizations they wish to fund rather than accepting unsolicited applications. With a strong preference for established institutions and long-term relationships, Winston Foundation has been a consistent supporter of major educational and cultural institutions in New York City while also funding select organizations nationally.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but makes discretionary grants ranging from $1,000 to $650,000 (typical grants $50,000).

Priority Areas

• Education: Higher education institutions, medical education, educational equity programs, STEM education for girls
• Healthcare: Hospitals, medical research facilities, disease research and treatment, mental health programs
• Arts & Culture: Museums, performing arts, historical preservation, art acquisitions and exhibitions
• Human Rights: International human rights organizations

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation appears not to fund:

• Small grassroots organizations
• Organizations outside their focus areas
• Direct service programs without institutional backing
• Individual requests

Governance and Leadership

President: Lauri Levitt Friedland (daughter of Arthur Levitt, Jr., former SEC Chairman)
Director: Barbara Rifkind (daughter of Dr. Richard A. Rifkind, M.D., Director Emeritus)
Treasurer: Nancy Harrow (from 2023, previously Jan Krukowski through 2022)
Director Emeritus: Arthur Levitt, Jr. (former president)
Director Emeritus: Dr. Richard A. Rifkind, M.D. (former president)

The foundation maintains a small board with deep connections to New York's educational and cultural institutions. Board members serve on multiple nonprofit boards including American Symphony Orchestra, Film Forum, and Teachers College Columbia University.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Winston Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, proactively identifying and approaching organizations they wish to fund. They do not accept unsolicited proposals, grant applications, or letters of inquiry.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations that have successfully received funding from Winston Foundation typically share these characteristics:

• Located in or have strong connections to the New York City metropolitan area
• Established institutions with strong reputations in education, healthcare, or arts/culture
• Connected to board members through other institutional relationships (particularly through American Symphony Orchestra, Film Forum, Teachers College Columbia University where board members serve)
• Partner organizations of existing grantees
• Major universities where board members have alumni connections (Hamilton College, where President Lauri Levitt Friedland graduated)

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - invitation only process with no public timeline

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - foundation proactively approaches organizations for multi-year support

Application Success Factors

Since Winston Foundation does not accept applications, traditional success factors don't apply. However, organizations that receive funding typically:

• Have established track records of excellence in their fields
• Maintain visibility in New York's philanthropic community
• Demonstrate alignment with the foundation's historical giving patterns
• Show institutional stability and professional management
• Have connections through board members' other affiliations
• Receive multi-year support once relationship is established

Common recipients include Hamilton College (largest historical recipient), New York University programs, major NYC museums (Whitney, MoMA), and established healthcare institutions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Cannot include Winston Foundation in lists of foundations accepting proposals
• Clients with NYC connections and established reputations may be candidates for future outreach by the foundation
• Focus on building institutional excellence and visibility rather than direct outreach
• Board connections through American Symphony Orchestra, Film Forum, or Teachers College may provide networking opportunities
• Foundation shows strong preference for multi-year support to established relationships
• Average grant size of $50,000 with range from $1,000 to $650,000
• No formal application deadlines or processes to track

References

• Inside Philanthropy - Winston Foundation profile (https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-w/winston-foundation) - Accessed February 2026
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Winston Foundation Inc, EIN 136161672 - Tax filings and organizational data
• Instrumentl - Winston Foundation Inc 990 Report - Financial data and grant statistics
• Candid Foundation Directory Online - The Winston Foundation Inc profile - Contact and priority information
• Cause IQ - Winston Foundation organizational profile - Financial details
• Philanthropy New York - The Norman and Rosita Winston Foundation, Inc. - Historical and geographic information