← Back to US Funders Directory

Donald And Barbara Zucker Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$10.4M
Grant Range
Up to $50.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10,366,723 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 255 awards (2023)
  • Total Assets: $17.1 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: Varies widely from small grants to multi-million dollar gifts
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York area, with support for national organizations
  • Founded: 1998

Contact Details

Address: 103 W 55th Street, New York, NY

Note: This is a private family foundation. Contact information for grant inquiries is not publicly available. The foundation does not appear to have a public website or published application guidelines.

Overview

The Donald And Barbara Zucker Family Foundation was established in 1998 by real estate developer Donald Zucker and his wife Barbara Hrbek Zucker. The foundation received tax-exempt status in May 2009 and operates as a private grantmaking foundation. With annual giving of approximately $10.4 million in 2023 across 255 grants, the foundation has shown consistent growth in its grantmaking activities, increasing from 120 awards in 2021 to 192 in 2022 and 255 in 2023. The foundation's giving reflects the personal interests and legacy of the Zucker family, particularly in healthcare, medical education, medical research (especially Alzheimer's disease), Jewish causes, arts and culture, education, wildlife preservation, and youth and social services. Donald Zucker, founder of the Donald Zucker Company, has been a prominent New York real estate developer since 1961 and has served in advisory roles to several New York City mayors. The Zuckers are recognized as Northwell Health's leading lifetime donors.

Funding Priorities

Major Funding Areas

Healthcare and Medical Institutions The foundation has made transformational gifts to healthcare institutions, particularly Northwell Health system facilities including Zucker Hillside Hospital, Lenox Hill Hospital, and various Northwell Health initiatives.

Medical Education The Zuckers created a $50 million endowment to provide scholarship support for students at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, demonstrating their commitment to reducing financial burden for medical students and supporting diverse, talented students.

Medical Research $10 million established the Barbara Hrbek Zucker Emerging Scientists Program at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research to prepare postdoctoral fellows for successful research careers. The Zuckers co-founded the Litwin-Zucker Research Center for the Study of Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, where nearly two dozen scientists conduct research from basic biology to clinical trials.

Nursing and Healthcare Professional Education $1 million in scholarship support for students at the Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies.

Jewish Organizations The foundation gives primarily to Jewish organizations, reflecting the family's commitment to Jewish causes and community organizations.

Arts and Culture The foundation provides funding for arts and cultural organizations.

Education Support for educational institutions and programs beyond medical education.

Wildlife Preservation Environmental and wildlife conservation causes receive foundation support.

Youth and Social Services Programs supporting young people and community social services.

Geographic Focus

Primarily focused on the New York metropolitan area, particularly Long Island and Manhattan, with support for national organizations aligned with their mission areas.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by family members who serve without compensation:

Donald Zucker - President and Founder Real estate developer, founder of the Donald Zucker Company (established 1961), which has developed nearly 30 buildings including the notable 35-story Rivergate rental tower. Graduate of New York University (B.S. 1952) with graduate studies at NYU's Graduate School of Business Administration. Served as the first holder of the Silverstein Chair of Real Estate Development and Clinical Professor at the Real Estate Institute of New York University. Full-time construction adviser to Mayor Ed Koch and chair of the School Construction Authority under Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Member of Northwell Health Board of Trustees and serves on the Real Estate Board of New York's executive committee. Has seven children, sixteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Barbara Hrbek Zucker - Secretary/Treasurer Former chair of the Feinstein Institutes Board and active partner in the family's philanthropic initiatives. The couple emerged as advocates for mental health care in 1999.

Laurie Zucker Lederman - Vice President Family member involved in foundation governance.

Barbara Zucker Albinder - Vice President Family member involved in foundation governance.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, the Donald And Barbara Zucker Family Foundation operates through trustee discretion and makes grants to organizations identified through the family's personal interests, relationships, and involvement with institutions. The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals or maintain public application guidelines.

Grants are awarded based on the foundation's proactive identification of funding opportunities aligned with the family's philanthropic priorities, particularly in areas where family members serve on boards or have established relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

The Zuckers' philanthropy is closely tied to their direct involvement and board service at institutions. Specific pathways include:

Board Connections: Donald Zucker serves on the Northwell Health Board of Trustees, and Barbara Zucker formerly chaired the Feinstein Institutes Board. Organizations within these networks have received major support.

New York Real Estate Community: Donald Zucker's extensive involvement in New York real estate, including his service on the Real Estate Board of New York's executive committee, provides connections to organizations in this sphere.

Medical Education and Research: The Zuckers' establishment of named programs (the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine, Barbara Hrbek Zucker Emerging Scientists Program, Litwin-Zucker Research Center) demonstrates their interest in institutions advancing medical education and Alzheimer's research.

Jewish Community Organizations: The foundation's focus on Jewish causes suggests engagement with Jewish community networks and institutions in the New York area.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available, as grants are made at trustee discretion rather than through an application cycle.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, the following factors characterize their grantmaking approach:

Long-term Institutional Relationships: The Zuckers' most significant gifts have been to institutions where they have decades-long involvement. Their $61 million in gifts to Hofstra/Northwell and establishment of the medical school endowment came after sustained engagement with these institutions.

Legacy and Naming Opportunities: Major gifts have resulted in named institutions and programs (Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine, Barbara Hrbek Zucker Emerging Scientists Program, Litwin-Zucker Research Center), suggesting appreciation for recognition of their philanthropic legacy.

Healthcare and Medical Focus: Healthcare institutions, particularly within the Northwell Health system, have been primary beneficiaries. This includes acute care hospitals (Lenox Hill, Zucker Hillside Hospital), medical research institutes (Feinstein Institutes), and medical education programs.

Alzheimer's Disease Research: The establishment of the Litwin-Zucker Research Center demonstrates specific commitment to advancing Alzheimer's disease research at all levels from basic biology to clinical trials.

Educational Access and Equity: The $50 million endowment for medical school scholarships reflects concern about financial barriers in medical education and support for diverse, talented students.

Mental Health Advocacy: Since 1999, the Zuckers have been advocates for mental health care, as evidenced by their support of Zucker Hillside Hospital's mental health services.

New York Community Focus: While supporting some national organizations, the foundation's giving strongly concentrates on New York metropolitan area institutions, particularly where the family lives and works.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - it operates entirely through trustee discretion and family-identified opportunities
  • The foundation's grantmaking reflects the personal involvement and board service of Donald and Barbara Zucker, particularly at Northwell Health institutions
  • Major gifts focus on healthcare, medical education, medical research (especially Alzheimer's disease), and Jewish causes
  • The Zuckers value long-term relationships with institutions - their transformational $61 million in gifts to Hofstra/Northwell came after sustained engagement
  • Legacy naming opportunities have accompanied major gifts, including a medical school, research programs, and research centers
  • Grant activity has grown significantly from 120 awards in 2021 to 255 awards in 2023, suggesting expanding grantmaking
  • The foundation is family-governed with Donald (President), Barbara (Secretary/Treasurer), and two daughters serving as officers without compensation
  • Geographic focus is primarily New York metropolitan area, particularly Manhattan and Long Island

References

← Back to US Funders Directory