← Back to US Funders Directory

Spector Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.6M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.8M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,593,111 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation-only grantmaking)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $800,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York, Massachusetts, and Florida; some national grants

Contact Details

Address: Wilmington, DE
EIN: 20-3926141
Administrator: Sandra Collins

Note: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications for general grantmaking. For the Spector Craft Prize for Emerging Artists, visit: spectorcraftprize.org

Overview

The Spector Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2005 and granted tax-exempt status in 2006. Led by President Warren J. Spector (former President and Co-COO of Bear Stearns) and Vice President Abigail Klem Spector (former President of Ivanka Trump's fashion brand), the foundation manages assets of over $32 million as of 2024. The foundation supports education, Jewish causes, performing arts, human services, and health organizations, with a particular focus on Holocaust survivor services reflecting Warren Spector's family history. In 2024, the foundation distributed $1,593,111 in charitable grants across approximately 43 awards. In 2025, the foundation launched the transformative Spector Craft Prize initiative in partnership with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art to champion American craft artists.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grantmaking (Invitation Only)

  • Grant Range: Typically $5,000 - $800,000
  • Application Method: Pre-selected organizations only, no public application process
  • Annual Distribution: Approximately $1.5 million across 43 grants

Spector Craft Prize for Emerging Artists (Open Application)

  • Award Amount: $10,000 per artist (5 artists annually)
  • Application Method: Online application via spectorcraftprize.org
  • Deadline: March 1, 2026 (for inaugural cycle)
  • Additional Benefits: Travel and accommodations to Spector Craft Summit, mentorship, career-building opportunities
  • Eligibility: Artists with 7 years or fewer of studio practice in ceramics, textiles, woodworking, glass, metalwork, basketry, or paper arts

Priority Areas

Education

  • Charter schools and education reform (e.g., KIPP New York - $200,000)
  • Liberal arts colleges (e.g., St. Johns College - $800,000 for Pritzker Challenge fund, $50,000 for Annual Fund)

Jewish Causes & Holocaust Survivor Services

  • Jewish federations and community organizations
  • Programs supporting Holocaust survivors (Alpert JFS partnership)
  • Israel-related humanitarian efforts

Arts & Culture

  • Public radio and performing arts organizations (e.g., New York Public Radio - $50,000+)
  • American craft through the Spector Craft Prize initiative
  • Theater and cultural institutions

Human Services

  • Health organizations and hospital care
  • Social services and community support programs

What They Don't Fund

As an invitation-only foundation for general grantmaking, specific exclusions are not publicly documented. The foundation focuses on pre-selected organizations aligned with the founders' personal interests and geographic connections to New York, Massachusetts, and Florida.

Governance and Leadership

Warren J. Spector - President, Director, Secretary (uncompensated)
Former President and Co-Chief Operating Officer of Bear Stearns (24 years with firm). Son of a Holocaust survivor, Spector learned about Tzedakah (charitable giving) from his parents at an early age. After leaving Bear Stearns in 2007, he has dedicated significant time to philanthropic activities, particularly supporting Holocaust survivors. Co-founder of the Spector Craft Prize.

Abigail Klem Spector - Vice President (uncompensated)
Former corporate lawyer who transitioned to fashion, serving as Executive Vice President of Merchandising at Diane von Furstenberg and President of Ivanka Trump's fashion brand. Joined Warren Spector in marriage in 2022 and in philanthropy as Vice President of the foundation and co-founder of the Spector Craft Prize. Brings expertise in brand development and creative industries to the foundation's craft initiative.

Sandra Collins - Administrator ($90,000 compensation in 2024)
Manages day-to-day operations of the foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For General Grantmaking: This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to pre-selected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees based on their personal connections, knowledge of organizations, and philanthropic interests.

For Spector Craft Prize: Applications are accepted through an open competitive process:

  • Application opens: November (annual cycle)
  • Deadline: March 1
  • Selection notification: June
  • Public announcement: September
  • Full application details at spectorcraftprize.org

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines for general grantmaking are not publicly disclosed and vary based on trustee discretion and the foundation's annual grantmaking cycles.

For the Spector Craft Prize: approximately 3 months from application deadline to selection notification, with public announcement following 3 months later.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. As an invitation-only foundation, all general grants are made to pre-selected organizations. The foundation makes approximately 43 grants annually from its general grantmaking budget.

For the Spector Craft Prize: 5 artists will be selected annually from the national applicant pool.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable for general grantmaking, as the foundation does not accept applications. Organizations that have received funding may receive multi-year support or repeat grants if they remain within the trustees' priorities.

Application Success Factors

Since general grantmaking operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, analysis of the foundation's grantmaking patterns reveals:

Geographic Connections: The foundation strongly favors organizations in New York (where Warren Spector built his career), Massachusetts, and Florida (where the Spectors have residential connections). Understanding their personal geography is crucial.

Personal Values Alignment: Warren Spector has stated he learned about Tzedakah from his parents, particularly his mother who is a Holocaust survivor. Organizations supporting Holocaust survivors, Jewish community organizations, and causes reflecting Jewish values receive significant support.

Education Focus on Excellence and Access: Large grants to St. Johns College ($800,000) and KIPP New York ($200,000) demonstrate support for both classical liberal arts education and charter school models expanding educational access.

Arts & Cultural Sophistication: The launch of the Spector Craft Prize and support for public radio suggest the trustees value cultural institutions with national reach and artistic excellence. Abigail Klem Spector's background in fashion and design likely influences craft and cultural giving.

Recent Grant Examples:

  • St. Johns College: $800,000 (Pritzker Challenge fund) - major gift supporting fundraising campaign
  • KIPP New York: $200,000 (mission and Campaign for Growth) - education reform and expansion
  • Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County: $50,000 (general) + $50,000 (Israel Terror Relief Fund) - Jewish community support and humanitarian response
  • New York Public Radio: $50,000+ - cultural institution and public media

For Spector Craft Prize Applicants: The prize seeks artists demonstrating "technical mastery, innovative vision, and deep engagement with American culture." This suggests the foundation values craft that is both technically excellent and culturally meaningful, not purely decorative or commercial.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No pathway for unsolicited general applications: Focus efforts on the Spector Craft Prize if you're an eligible craft artist, or build long-term relationships through shared board connections, events, or networks in New York/Florida Jewish and cultural communities
  • Personal connection matters most: Grants reflect the trustees' personal values (Holocaust remembrance, Jewish community, education, arts) and geographic connections rather than strategic philanthropy responding to external proposals
  • Education grants favor both excellence and access: Support spans prestigious liberal arts institutions and charter school networks expanding educational opportunity
  • Jewish causes are central: With Warren Spector's family history and values, Jewish federations, Holocaust survivor services, and Israel-related causes receive consistent support
  • Arts funding reflects sophisticated taste: The launch of a craft prize and support for public radio suggest the foundation values cultural excellence, American artistic traditions, and institutions with national impact
  • Craft artists have unique opportunity: The Spector Craft Prize for Emerging Artists provides a rare open application pathway into this otherwise invitation-only foundation
  • Foundation is growing: Assets have doubled from $16 million (2011) to $32 million (2024), suggesting grantmaking capacity may increase over time

References

← Back to US Funders Directory