Jonathan Grayer Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,618,821 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: $25,000 - $150,000 (estimated)
• Geographic Focus: Multiple U.S. cities

Contact Details

Administrative Contact: C/o Barry Horowitz, WithumSmithBrown, New York, NY

Note: This foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Overview

The Jonathan Grayer Charitable Trust was established in 2004 by Jonathan Grayer, former Chairman and CEO of Kaplan, Inc. and current Chairman and CEO of Imagine Learning. With total assets of approximately $51.9 million, the foundation distributed $2.6 million in grants across 34 awards in 2023. The foundation's mission focuses on three primary areas: providing financial support for cancer care and research, increasing access to higher education for underserved students, and creating more nutritional options for underprivileged children. Operating as a private family foundation, it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. Trustees include Jonathan Grayer (Founder Trustee), Anne B. Grayer, and Sophie B. Grayer.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs but distributes approximately $2.6 million annually across 34 awards (average $77,000 per grant).

Priority Areas

• Education: Access to higher education for underserved students, support for community college transfers, educational opportunities for disadvantaged Black and Latino students
• Health & Cancer Research: Cancer care and research initiatives, medical research institutions
• Judaism & Religion: Jewish organizations and religious institutions
• Human Services: Programs serving underprivileged youth, housing initiatives
• Youth Well-being: Student support outside the classroom, nutritional programs

What They Don't Fund

Unsolicited applications are not accepted.

Governance and Leadership

Jonathan N. Grayer - Founder Trustee. Former Chairman and CEO of Kaplan, Inc. (1994-2008), current Chairman and CEO of Imagine Learning. Serves on Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Board of Trustees and chairs the Patient Care Committee.

Anne B. Grayer - Trustee. Co-established fellowships at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Sophie B. Grayer - Trustee.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Jonathan Grayer Charitable Trust explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Decision Timeline

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

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation only.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation only.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, the foundation demonstrates clear patterns in its giving:

• Strong alignment with Grayer's professional background in education (Kaplan, Imagine Learning)
• Focus on systemic impact and scalable solutions
• Preference for programs serving underrepresented students, particularly Black and Latino students
• Interest in holistic support models combining academic, financial, and leadership development
• Personal connection to cancer care through active involvement with Memorial Sloan Kettering

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and only funds preselected organizations
• Funding decisions are made entirely at trustee discretion based on identified priorities and relationships
• The foundation maintains steady annual giving of approximately $2.6 million across 34 awards
• Education access, cancer care/research, and youth nutrition are the primary focus areas
• Organizations may have better success approaching Grayer's other philanthropic vehicles: Kaplan Educational Foundation or Imagine Learning Foundation, which have defined application processes
• With nearly $52 million in assets, the foundation has significant resources concentrated among selected organizations

References

1. CauseIQ. "Jonathan Grayer Charitable Trust | New York, NY." https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/jonathan-grayer-charitable-trust,137394495/

2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Jonathan Grayer Charitable Tr." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/137394495

3. Instrumentl. "Jonathan Grayer Charitable Tr | New York, NY | 990 Report." https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/jonathan-grayer-charitable-trust-co-barry-horowitz-withumsmithbrown

4. Grantable. "GRAYER FAMILY FOUNDATION | Foundation Profile & Grants." https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/grayer-family-foundation-us-foundation-137394495

5. Wikipedia. "Jonathan Grayer." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Grayer

6. 06880 Blog. "Grayer's Gift Spurs Staples Reunion Grant." https://06880danwoog.com/2022/08/19/grayers-gift-spurs-staples-reunion-grant/

7. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. "Grayer Fellows Announced." https://www.mskcc.org/announcements/grayer-fellows-announced

8. Imagine Learning. "EdTech Leader Imagine Learning Unveils Imagine Learning Foundation." https://www.imaginelearning.com/press/edtech-leader-imagine-learning-unveils-imagine-learning-foundation-with-5-million-initial-commitment/

9. Kaplan Educational Foundation. Official website. https://kaplanedfoundation.org/

10. Up2Us Sports. "Imagine Learning Foundation Announces Inaugural Signature Grants." https://www.up2us.org/blog/2022/9/26/imagine-learning-foundation-announces-200000-in-inaugural-signature-grants-to-erikas-lighthouse-and-up2us-sports