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Jeffrey H And Shari L Aronson Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$8.7M
Grant Range
Up to $10.0M00
00

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8.7-11 million USD
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Varies significantly by initiative (from standard grants to multi-million dollar commitments)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York State, with significant support for national organizations

Contact Details

Address: Saratoga Springs, NY

Note: The foundation does not have a public website or application portal. Contact information is not publicly available as they do not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Jeffrey H. and Shari L. Aronson Family Foundation was established in 2005 by Jeffrey H. Aronson, co-founder and managing principal of Centerbridge Partners, and his wife Shari L. Aronson. With assets totaling approximately $167-176 million as of recent filings, the foundation distributes between $8.7-11 million annually in grants. The foundation focuses its philanthropic efforts on education (particularly higher education and K-12 initiatives), Jewish causes, healthcare, and community organizations, with funding primarily directed toward initiatives within New York State. Jeffrey Aronson chairs the Johns Hopkins University Board of Trustees (elected 2013), while Shari serves on the Lehigh University Board of Trustees (since 2012), reflecting the couple's deep commitment to their alma maters. Their largest gift to date is a $10 million commitment in 2015 to establish the Aronson Center for International Studies at Johns Hopkins University.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private family foundation without formal grant programs or public application cycles. Instead, grants are made to preselected charitable organizations chosen by the trustees.

Major Commitments:

  • Johns Hopkins University: $10 million (2015) to establish the Aronson Center for International Studies
  • Ongoing support to Johns Hopkins University, New York University, Lehigh University, and other educational institutions

Standard Grant Sizes: Grants typically range from smaller annual contributions to select organizations up to multi-million dollar commitments for major initiatives.

Priority Areas

Higher Education:

  • Johns Hopkins University (Jeffrey's alma mater, graduated 1980)
  • New York University School of Law (Jeffrey's graduate alma mater, J.D. 1983)
  • Lehigh University (Shari's alma mater)
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • Bankstreet College of Education
  • Williams College

K-12 Education:

  • Teach for America
  • Breakthrough Collaborative
  • Harlem RBI
  • Fund for Public Schools
  • Harlem Village Academies
  • Bottom Line

Jewish Organizations:

  • Jewish Museum
  • Birthright Israel Foundation
  • UJA Federation
  • Jewish Community Center of Mid-Westchester

Healthcare:

  • A Kid's Brain Tumor Cure
  • Blythedale Children's Hospital
  • LUNGevity Foundation

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly states it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. This effectively excludes organizations without prior connections to the foundation or its trustees.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • Jeffrey H. Aronson: Co-founder and Managing Principal of Centerbridge Partners (established 2005). Chair of Johns Hopkins University Board of Trustees (since 2013), member of the Board of Trustees of Johns Hopkins Medicine and New York University School of Law. Graduated from Johns Hopkins University with honors (1980) and received J.D. from NYU School of Law (1983).
  • Shari L. Aronson: Member of Lehigh University Board of Trustees (since 2012).

Both trustees serve without compensation.

Regarding the 2015 Johns Hopkins Gift, Jeffrey Aronson stated the commitment reflected their desire "to promote closer ties between the university's graduate-level Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C., and the undergraduate international studies program at the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences in Baltimore."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states on its IRS filings that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations" and "does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees, Jeffrey H. and Shari L. Aronson, who proactively identify and select organizations that align with their funding priorities. Organizations cannot submit applications unless specifically invited by the foundation.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable. The foundation operates on trustee discretion with no published application deadlines or decision timelines.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications, as none are accepted.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as there is no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Given that this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, analyzing the foundation's documented giving patterns reveals clear priorities:

Demonstrated Funding Preferences:

  • Personal Connections: The foundation shows consistent support for institutions with direct connections to the trustees, particularly their alma maters (Johns Hopkins, NYU, Lehigh)
  • Education Focus: The majority of the foundation's giving supports educational institutions and programs, from K-12 through higher education
  • Long-term Relationships: The foundation appears to maintain ongoing relationships with core grantees, providing "steady support" rather than one-time grants
  • Transformational Gifts: While smaller grants are made annually, the foundation has demonstrated willingness to make major commitments (such as the $10 million Johns Hopkins gift) for initiatives that create lasting institutional impact
  • Strategic Impact: The Johns Hopkins gift specifically aimed to create systemic change by bridging graduate and undergraduate programs, suggesting interest in initiatives that enhance organizational effectiveness
  • New York Geographic Tie: Funding is "primarily directed towards initiatives within the state of New York," though national organizations also receive support

Organizations Similar to Those Funded: Organizations working in K-12 education reform, particularly those serving underserved communities (like Harlem Village Academies, Teach for America), consistently receive support. Jewish cultural and educational organizations also feature prominently in the foundation's portfolio.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Access: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates exclusively through trustee discretion. Traditional grant seeking approaches will not be successful.
  • Personal Connection Required: All evidence suggests grants flow to organizations with direct connections to Jeffrey or Shari Aronson, either through board service, alma mater relationships, or personal networks.
  • Education is Primary Focus: Educational institutions and programs represent the largest category of support, spanning K-12 through higher education.
  • Significant Assets: With $167-176 million in assets and $8.7-11 million in annual giving, the foundation has substantial capacity for both ongoing support and major gifts.
  • New York Emphasis: While national organizations receive funding, there is a clear emphasis on New York State initiatives.
  • Jewish Causes: The foundation consistently supports Jewish cultural, educational, and community organizations.
  • Healthcare Interest: The foundation supports healthcare organizations, particularly those focused on children's health and specific disease areas (brain tumors, lung cancer).

References

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