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Fred And Donna Nives Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.9M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $912,770 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Varies (specific amounts not publicly disclosed)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York/Connecticut region

Contact Details

  • Address: c/o Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, 919 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022
  • Phone: 212-756-2000
  • Email: Not publicly available
  • Website: None

Overview

The Fred and Donna Nives Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2003 with assets of over $40 million as of 2024. Founded by the late Fred Nives (1921-2015), a World War II veteran and successful Wall Street investor, and Donna Nives (1931-2019), a Greenwich philanthropist and co-founder of Adopt-A-Dog, the foundation continues their charitable legacy through targeted grantmaking. The foundation distributes approximately $900,000 annually, primarily supporting animal welfare organizations, social services, Jewish organizations, and services for the deaf and hard of hearing. Managed through the prestigious law firm Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, the foundation maintains professional governance while honoring the founders' philanthropic vision.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs but makes discretionary grants in its focus areas.

Priority Areas

  • Animal Welfare - Primary focus area, including support for animal shelters and rescue organizations
  • Social Services - Community support and human services organizations
  • Jewish Organizations - Cultural and religious institutions
  • Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Accessibility and support services

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but grants appear limited to 501(c)(3) organizations within their priority areas.

Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees:

  • William D. Zabel - Founding partner at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, nationally recognized estate planning attorney
  • Annie Angellino
  • Andre Bohy
  • Susan C. Frunzi
  • Linda A. Van Kooy
  • Paul Rampell - Attorney

The foundation operates without paid trustees and is professionally managed through Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP's Individual Client Services Group.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees, typically to organizations with pre-existing relationships or through invitation only. Organizations may send letters of inquiry to the foundation's address.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations in the foundation's focus areas may send inquiry letters to: c/o Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP 919 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 Phone: 212-756-2000

Focus on demonstrating alignment with the foundation's priority areas, particularly animal welfare initiatives given the founders' history as co-founders of Adopt-A-Dog.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available - typical of private family foundations operating by trustee discretion.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly stated.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's giving history and the founders' backgrounds:

  • Animal welfare organizations have the strongest alignment, particularly those focused on dog rescue and adoption given Donna Nives' role in co-founding Adopt-A-Dog
  • Organizations with established track records and demonstrable impact in the New York/Connecticut region may have advantages
  • The foundation has shown commitment to long-term relationships, as evidenced by continued support for organizations like Adopt-A-Dog and the Bronx Zoo (where they funded the Fred and Donna Nives African Wild Dog Pavilion)
  • Professional presentation and clear alignment with one of the four priority areas is essential

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is a private family foundation without a public application process - relationship building and strategic outreach are essential
  • Animal welfare organizations, particularly those focused on dogs, align most closely with the founders' personal philanthropic history
  • The foundation has substantial assets ($40M+) and consistent annual giving (~$900K), indicating stable funding capacity
  • Professional management through Schulte Roth & Zabel suggests sophisticated governance - proposals should be professionally prepared
  • Geographic focus appears to be primarily New York and Connecticut, where the founders lived and worked
  • Consider reaching out through the law firm contact with a concise letter of inquiry rather than expecting an open application process

References

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