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The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust

Annual Giving
$445.7M
Grant Range
$15K - $55.0M

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $445.7 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $8 billion endowment
  • Grant Range: $15,000 - $55,000,000
  • Total Grants: 585 awards in 2024
  • Geographic Focus: United States (emphasis on rural healthcare in upper Midwest and Hawaii), Israel, Sub-Saharan Africa (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Zambia)
  • Application Method: Invitation only (no unsolicited applications accepted)

Contact Details

Address: 230 Park Avenue, Room 659, New York, NY 10169-0698

Email: grants@helmsleytrust.org

Website: https://helmsleytrust.org

Note: The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Organizations are identified by program staff or through periodic Requests for Proposals (RFPs).

Overview

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust began active grantmaking in 2008 following the passing of Leona Helmsley, who bequeathed nearly her entire estate to the organization. Since then, the Trust has committed more than $4.5 billion for charitable purposes, growing from a startup to a global philanthropy with an $8 billion endowment. The Trust is committed to helping people live better lives today and creating stronger, healthier futures for individuals and communities by increasing access to healthcare, advancing new research and ideas, and improving quality of life. The Trust's funding philosophy centers on investing in "projects and programs that others cannot or will not fund," particularly supporting high-risk efforts with the potential for significant impact. With approximately 100+ staff members across nine departments, Helmsley operates six major program areas led by dedicated program directors and supported by in-house experts who actively identify and partner with organizations aligned with their strategic priorities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates six distinct program areas, each with substantial funding commitments:

1. Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) Program

  • Total Commitment: Over $1 billion to date (largest private foundation funder globally for T1D)
  • Grant Range: $1 million - $10 million typically
  • Focus: High-risk efforts with potential for significant impact across three pillars: modernizing care, unlocking better health outcomes, and improving quality of life
  • Priority Areas: Telemedicine, broadening access to specialty care, research on best practices and new solutions for diabetes management, clinical trials, technology development, global insulin access
  • Program Director: Gina Agiostratidou
  • Recent Examples: $10 million to WHO for Global Diabetes Compact, $4.2 million to ACHP Foundation, $6 million for Type 1 Diabetes Camps Project

2. Crohn's Disease Program

  • Total Commitment: Nearly $130 million over five years (largest private philanthropy focused on Crohn's disease)
  • Grant Range: $3 million - $6 million typically
  • Focus: Prevention, disease management, therapeutics, diagnostics, and disease biology
  • Geographic Scope: United States, Canada, Europe, and Israel
  • Program Director: Paul Scholl
  • Recent Examples: $4.7 million for dietary intervention studies, $4.3 million for STAR consortium, $3.3 million to Crohn's & Colitis Foundation

3. Rural Healthcare Program

  • Total Commitment: Over $750 million to date
  • Grant Range: $800,000 - $11.6 million
  • Geographic Focus: Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands
  • Focus: Telemedicine, behavioral health services, hospital equipment, first responder support, cancer care (over $88 million since 2009)
  • Program Director: Wayne Booze
  • Application: Invitation only, but the Trust actively identifies rural healthcare facilities in their target states/territories
  • Recent Examples: $11.6 million for Nevada cardiac and pulmonary care, $10.6 million to Wilcox Medical Center in Hawaii, $27.4 million ultrasound initiative in North Dakota

4. New York City Program

  • Total Commitment: Over $42 million since 2014
  • Grant Range: $2 million - $17.6 million for major initiatives
  • Focus: Health stability for critically underserved populations, particularly those experiencing homelessness with physical or behavioral health conditions
  • Priority Areas: Homeless healthcare, behavioral health integration, green space access, systems change
  • Program Director: Gina Agiostratidou
  • Key Initiatives: Collaborative for Homeless Healthcare (2019), Collaborative on Housing for Health (2024)
  • Recent Examples: $17.6 million for homeless New Yorkers initiative, $6.5 million for green spaces, $3.9 million for virtual behavioral health platform

5. Vulnerable Children in Sub-Saharan Africa (VCSSA)

  • Total Commitment: Over $474 million since 2014
  • Geographic Focus: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Zambia
  • Focus: Holistic programs for child and family well-being in remote communities
  • Priority Areas: Maternal and infant health, neglected tropical diseases, rural infrastructure, water and sanitation, economic development, education, building community resilience
  • Program Director: Melissa Crutchfield
  • Development Funding: $99.1 million in 2023 (41.7% increase over 2022)

6. Israel Program

  • Focus: Strengthening health, safety, and security
  • Program Director: Breeze McMennamin
  • Note: Specific grant amounts and recent examples were not available in research

Priority Areas

The Trust's grantmaking is characterized by:

  • High-Risk, High-Reward Projects: Funding innovative approaches that others cannot or will not fund
  • Systems Change: Long-term investments in transforming healthcare delivery and access
  • Partnerships: Close collaboration with grantees, using in-house expertise to maximize impact
  • Evidence-Based Approaches: Supporting research and data-driven interventions
  • Equity Focus: Addressing health disparities for underserved populations, including rural Americans, homeless New Yorkers, and vulnerable children in Africa

What They Don't Fund

Organizational Types:

  • 509(a)(3) Type III supporting organizations (not typically funded)
  • Unsolicited proposals from any organization
  • Projects outside their six core program areas

Geographic Restrictions:

  • Rural Healthcare Program is limited to specific states and U.S. Pacific territories
  • NYC Program serves only New York City's five boroughs
  • Africa Program limited to four countries

Eligible Organizations:

  • Public charities classified as 501(c)(3) and either 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2)
  • Foreign organizations with equivalency to U.S.-based public charities
  • Charitable projects at for-profit entities (case-by-case basis)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The Trust is governed by three trustees:

Sandor Frankel

  • NYC lawyer and Harvard Law School graduate
  • Long-time counsel to the Helmsley organization
  • Author

David Panzirer

  • Grandson of Leona Helmsley
  • Parent of two children with Type 1 Diabetes
  • Focuses on fostering collaborations between funders and projects

Walter Panzirer

  • Grandson of Leona Helmsley
  • Former first responder (paramedic, firefighter, police officer)
  • His experience with healthcare disparities in rural and underserved areas informed the Trust's Rural Healthcare focus

Executive Leadership

Sarah Paul - Chief Executive Officer

Nicholas Schiavo - Chief Financial Officer

Joshua Fenton - Chief Investment Officer

Jacqueline Bausch - General Counsel

Program Leadership

Each of the six program areas is led by a dedicated Program Director:

  • Crohn's Disease: Paul Scholl
  • Israel: Breeze McMennamin
  • New York City: Gina Agiostratidou
  • Rural Healthcare: Wayne Booze
  • Type 1 Diabetes: Gina Agiostratidou
  • Vulnerable Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: Melissa Crutchfield

The team includes approximately 100+ staff members organized across nine departments: Communications, Finance, General Management, Grants Management, Human Resources, Information Technology, Investments, Legal, and Office Operations. Staff members include innovators, engineers, scientists, social workers, public health experts, mental health experts, educators, and individuals with personal experience related to the Trust's focus areas.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: The Helmsley Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited grant applications. There are only two pathways to apply:

1. Invitation by Program Staff (Primary Method)

  • Organizations are proactively identified by Helmsley's in-house program experts based on alignment with strategic priorities
  • After being invited, prospective grantees are contacted via email by the Grants Management Department with instructions for submitting an online Letter of Inquiry (LOI) or pre-proposal
  • Program staff work closely with invited organizations throughout the process

2. Requests for Proposals (RFPs)

  • Helmsley occasionally issues public RFPs with specific scope and requirements
  • RFP announcements are posted on helmsleytrust.org
  • Organizations should regularly check the website for these limited opportunities
  • Recent example: Type 1 Diabetes Camps Project 2025-2027 Campership Initiative ($6 million available)

Application Steps (Once Invited):

  1. Letter of Inquiry (LOI) or Pre-Proposal: First step in the application process submitted through online portal
  2. Full Proposal: Requested only after LOI/pre-proposal review
  3. Due Diligence: Helmsley conducts thorough review including site visits when appropriate
  4. Board Review: Trustees review and approve grant recommendations
  5. Award Notification: Grants Management Department notifies applicants

Contact for Questions: grants@helmsleytrust.org

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed and likely vary by program area and grant complexity. Organizations invited to apply are given adequate time to complete their applications and should contact program staff if they need to adjust their timeline.

Success Rates

The Trust made 585 grant awards in 2024, 564 awards in 2023, 538 awards in 2022, and 548 awards in 2021. However, because the Trust operates primarily through invitation rather than open application, traditional success rate metrics (percentage of applications funded) are not applicable. The Trust's model involves program staff identifying and cultivating relationships with prospective grantees, suggesting a highly selective but relationship-driven approach.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication for unsuccessful applicants was not found in available sources. Given the invitation-only model, organizations are encouraged to maintain communication with relevant program directors and continue demonstrating alignment with Trust priorities.

Application Success Factors

Since the Helmsley Charitable Trust operates on an invitation-only model, traditional application strategies are less relevant than positioning your organization to be discovered by program staff. Key factors based on their documented approach:

Alignment with Strategic Priorities:

  • Deep expertise in one of their six program areas (Type 1 Diabetes, Crohn's Disease, Rural Healthcare, NYC vulnerable populations, vulnerable children in Africa, or Israel)
  • Focus on underserved populations and health equity
  • Demonstrated commitment to innovation and systems change
  • Willingness to take on "high-risk, high-reward" projects that others cannot or will not fund

Organizational Characteristics Helmsley Values:

  • Evidence-Based Approach: Strong research methodology, data collection capabilities, and commitment to measuring outcomes
  • Innovation: Novel approaches to persistent problems, particularly in healthcare delivery and access
  • Partnership Orientation: Ability to collaborate with other organizations, funders, and community stakeholders
  • Subject Matter Expertise: In-house experts, clinical staff, or lived experience related to the health condition or population served
  • Systems Change Capacity: Projects that address root causes and can create lasting impact beyond individual services
  • Geographic Fit: For place-based programs, location in target geographies (rural upper Midwest states for Rural Healthcare, NYC five boroughs, specific African countries)

What Helmsley Funds:

  • Major medical equipment for rural hospitals (MRI machines, ultrasound systems, cardiac care equipment)
  • Clinical research and trials for Crohn's Disease and Type 1 Diabetes
  • Telemedicine and technology solutions expanding access to specialty care
  • Integrated care models addressing both health and social needs
  • Capacity building for healthcare systems serving vulnerable populations
  • Community resilience infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa

Red Flags to Avoid:

  • Generic proposals that could apply to any funder
  • Lack of innovation or replication of existing approaches without enhancement
  • Insufficient focus on health outcomes and equity
  • Projects outside their six core program areas
  • Organizations without clear expertise in their target population or health condition

Getting Noticed by Program Staff:

  • Publish research or best practices in their focus areas
  • Present at conferences attended by healthcare funders and innovators
  • Build reputation as leader in Type 1 Diabetes, Crohn's Disease, rural healthcare, or serving vulnerable populations
  • Develop partnerships with organizations already in Helmsley's portfolio
  • Engage with sector-specific networks and collaboratives (e.g., Collaborative for Homeless Healthcare in NYC)
  • Demonstrate measurable outcomes and impact in your current work

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-Only Model: You cannot submit an unsolicited application. Success depends on being identified by program staff or responding to rare RFPs. Focus on building your organization's reputation and visibility in Helmsley's six program areas.

  • High-Risk, High-Impact Philosophy: Helmsley explicitly seeks projects that "others cannot or will not fund" with significant potential impact. Don't shy away from ambitious, innovative approaches—they're looking for transformative change, not incremental improvements.

  • Substantial Funding Available: With $445.7 million distributed annually and an $8 billion endowment, Helmsley makes grants ranging from $15,000 to $55 million. They fund major initiatives with multi-year, multi-million dollar commitments.

  • Deep Subject Matter Expertise: The Trust employs approximately 100 staff including scientists, public health experts, social workers, and individuals with lived experience. Program staff are highly knowledgeable and seek partners who can engage at a sophisticated level.

  • Long-Term Partnership Approach: Helmsley works closely with grantees beyond just funding—their model involves in-house experts partnering with organizations to maximize impact. They value collaboration and ongoing engagement.

  • Geographic Specificity: For place-based programs (Rural Healthcare, NYC, Africa), location is critical. Rural Healthcare focuses on nine states plus two U.S. territories; NYC program serves five boroughs; Africa program works in four countries.

  • Systems Change Focus: Helmsley prioritizes investments that transform healthcare delivery systems rather than just providing direct services. Projects should demonstrate how they'll create lasting structural improvements and address root causes of health disparities.

References

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