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Fried Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$1.5M
Grant Range
$20K - $1.0M

Fried Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,474,500
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
  • Grant Range: $20,000 median (up to $982,500)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York and Massachusetts

Contact Details

New York, NY 10168

Note: The foundation does not provide public contact information as they do not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

Established in 1966, the Fried Foundation Inc is a private family foundation with approximately $30 million in assets and annual charitable disbursements of approximately $1.5 million. Founded by investment banker Albert Fried Jr., the foundation focuses primarily on education while also supporting health care, human services, and organizations that promote democracy and civil society. The foundation takes a strategic, relationship-based approach to philanthropy, supporting preselected organizations with which the founder and trustees have established connections. Recent recognition includes consistent support for Cornell University, where Albert Fried Jr. has established endowed fellowships at the Johnson Graduate School of Management.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate specific grant programs but makes discretionary grants in the following ranges:

  • Major institutional support: Up to $982,500 (primarily to Cornell University)
  • Mid-range grants: $100,000 - $200,000 (to organizations like Tabor Academy and The Centurion Foundation)
  • Standard grants: Median of $20,000

Priority Areas

  • Education (primary focus - particularly higher education and preparatory schools)
  • Health Care
  • Human Services
  • International Democracy & Civil Society Development
  • Law Enforcement Support Organizations

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has not publicly specified exclusions, but based on giving patterns, they do not appear to fund:

  • Individual requests
  • Operating support for small nonprofits without existing relationships
  • Political campaigns
  • Religious activities

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

  • Albert Fried Jr. - President (5 hours/week, uncompensated)

    • Born 1930, investment banker, Cornell University Class of 1952 (BA) and 1953 (MBA)
    • Co-founder of The Centurion Foundation and the Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Fund
    • Honorary Commissioner, New York City Police Department

  • Barbara Ardizzone - Secretary (2 hours/week, uncompensated)

  • Christina E Fried - Treasurer (2 hours/week, uncompensated)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. According to their IRS filing: "The foundation has indicated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organizations with which they have established relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and leadership connections, organizations might gain awareness through:

  • Cornell University alumni networks and events where Albert Fried Jr. is active as a longtime member of Johnson School Advisory Council
  • Law enforcement support sector connections, given the founder's role as co-founder of The Centurion Foundation and Honorary Commissioner of NYPD
  • Educational institution networks, particularly preparatory schools and higher education institutions in the Northeast

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion throughout the year

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, analysis of their giving reveals:

  • Cornell University Connection: The foundation's largest and most consistent support goes to Cornell, where Albert Fried Jr. earned both his undergraduate and MBA degrees and remains actively involved
  • Law Enforcement Support: Through The Centurion Foundation, which Fried co-founded, they consistently support NYPD and families of officers
  • Educational Excellence: Support for Tabor Academy demonstrates interest in prestigious preparatory education
  • Long-term Relationships: All major recipients appear to have multi-year or multi-decade relationships with the foundation
  • Institutional Stability: Recipients are typically well-established institutions rather than startup nonprofits

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications - do not include in prospect lists for solicitation
  • With $30 million in assets and consistent annual giving of approximately $1.5 million, the foundation has substantial capacity
  • Education receives the overwhelming majority of support, particularly Cornell University
  • The foundation operates as a true family foundation with just three trustees, all family members serving without compensation
  • Organizations with connections to Cornell University, law enforcement support, or prestigious educational institutions may have indirect pathways to awareness
  • Given the invitation-only nature, time is better spent on foundations with open application processes unless your organization has existing relationships with the trustees

References

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