JKW Foundation TR UA 092597

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,706,548 (2024)
• Assets: $37,160,760
• Grant Range: $500 - $140,000
• Average Grant: $30,831
• Number of Grants: 95 awards (2024)
• Geographic Focus: 67% Northeast region; nationwide U.S.
• EIN: 13-7127165

Contact Details

Location: New York, NY

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. No public contact information (phone/email) is available.

Overview

The JKW Foundation Trust UA 092597 was established on September 25, 1997, by Jean Stein, a renowned author and socialite. Following Stein's death in 2017, the foundation is now managed by her daughters, Katrina vanden Heuvel (editor and part-owner of The Nation magazine) and Wendy vanden Heuvel (actress and film producer), who serve as trustees without compensation. With assets totaling over $37 million, the foundation awarded $3.7 million in grants in 2024 through 95 separate awards. The foundation primarily supports performing arts projects alongside progressive social justice causes, with a strong concentration in the Northeast region (67% of grants). The foundation has demonstrated consistent growth, with a five-year growth rate of 145% and a 9.9% increase in giving from 2022 to 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The JKW Foundation operates as a private trust without formal grant programs or application cycles. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to preselected organizations.

• Grant Range: $500 to $140,000
• Average Grant: $30,831
• Application Method: Invitation only; no public application process

Priority Areas

Performing Arts & Culture

• Theater companies and performance spaces
• Artist residency programs
• Film and documentary organizations
• Music programs and concert series
• Literary projects

Education

• Higher education institutions
• Educational programs in the arts
• Youth development through arts

Human Rights & Social Justice

• International human rights organizations
• Progressive advocacy groups
• Social justice initiatives

Communications & Media

• Progressive publications and journalism
• Public affairs organizations
• Information and communications projects

What They Don't Fund

As a foundation that only supports preselected organizations, they do not consider unsolicited applications from any organizations regardless of mission or focus area.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Katrina vanden Heuvel: Editor and part-owner of The Nation magazine, left-progressive commentator and writer. Her leadership reflects in the foundation's support for progressive causes and publications.
• Wendy vanden Heuvel: Actress and film producer with connections to the arts community, informing the foundation's strong emphasis on performing arts funding.

Both trustees serve without compensation and bring extensive networks in progressive politics, journalism, and the performing arts to their grantmaking decisions.

Foundation History: The foundation was created by Jean Stein, who left the bulk of her $38.5 million fortune to her daughters and the foundation upon her death in 2017.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The JKW Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees.

Organizations cannot submit applications, letters of inquiry, or proposals to the foundation. All grantmaking decisions are made proactively by the trustees based on their personal knowledge of organizations and causes aligned with the foundation's mission.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded at trustee discretion throughout the year without fixed deadlines or decision timelines.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications, as none are accepted.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as there is no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Given that this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, analysis of their grantmaking patterns reveals:

Alignment with Trustee Interests:

• Organizations aligned with progressive political values and social justice themes
• Performing arts organizations, particularly theater companies and artist residencies
• Organizations with which the trustees have personal connections or knowledge
• Projects that combine arts with social change or dialogue

Known Grant Recipients (illustrative of foundation priorities):

• The 52nd Street Project: Theater and youth development program
• SPACE on Ryder Farm: Artist residency program focusing on "social justice" and providing "artists and changemakers with time and space to create vital art and to foster necessary dialogue for lasting change"
• Human Rights Watch: International human rights research and advocacy
• Saint Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church: Music series celebrating Jean Stein
• Film Forum: Film and documentary exhibition
• Barrow Group Theatre Company, St. Ann's Warehouse, Anonymous Ensemble, Working Theater, Notch Theater: Various NYC theater companies

Geographic Patterns:

• Strong preference for New York-based organizations
• 67% of grants support Northeast region organizations
• National scope for human rights and advocacy organizations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process exists - this foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant-seeking methods
• Relationship-based grantmaking - trustees support organizations within their personal and professional networks in progressive politics, journalism, and performing arts
• Progressive values alignment essential - the foundation supports left-leaning causes and organizations aligned with social justice themes
• Performing arts emphasis - the majority of funding supports theater, music, film, and artist development programs
• Northeast geographic focus - two-thirds of grants support organizations in the Northeast, particularly New York
• Consistent grantmaking - the foundation makes approximately 95-100 grants annually with demonstrated commitment to sustained funding
• Network connections matter - organizations connected to The Nation magazine, progressive advocacy circles, or NYC performing arts community appear more likely to receive support

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - JKW Foundation TR UA 092597 (EIN 13-7127165): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/137127165 (Accessed February 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report - JKW Foundation TR UA 092597: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/jkw-foundation-tr-ua-092597 (Accessed February 2026)
• Cause IQ Profile - JKW Foundation TR 092597: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/jkw-foundation-tr-092597,137127165/ (Accessed February 2026)
• InfluenceWatch - JKW Foundation: https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/jkw-foundation/ (Accessed February 2026)
• Grantable Foundation Profile - JKW Foundation TR UA 092597: https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/jkw-foundation-tr-ua-092597-us-foundation-137127165 (Accessed February 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - JKW Foundation Trust UA 092597: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=JKWF001 (Accessed February 2026)