← Back to US Funders Directory

Gedale B & Barbara S Horowitz Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.6M

Gedale B & Barbara S Horowitz Foundation

Quick Stats

  • EIN: 23-7101730
  • Assets: $11.7 million (approximately)
  • Annual Giving: $559,200
  • Grant Range: Average grant size $46,600
  • Total Grants Awarded: 12 grants documented
  • Geographic Focus: New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania (cities include New York, Great Neck, New Hyde Park, Cambridge, Bethlehem)
  • Application Method: No public application process - trustee discretion/invitation only

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
The G. & B. Horowitz Family Foundation, Inc.
c/o Cleary Gottlieb
One Liberty Plaza
New York, NY 10006

Note: This foundation does not maintain a public website or accept unsolicited grant applications.

Overview

The Gedale B & Barbara S Horowitz Foundation (also known as The G & B Horowitz Family Foundation) is a private family foundation established by the late Gedale B. "Dale" Horowitz and Barbara Silver Horowitz. Gedale Horowitz (1932-2020) was a prominent investment banker who spent 60 years at Salomon Brothers and later Citigroup, serving on the executive committee of Salomon Brothers and holding numerous leadership positions in the securities industry. Barbara Silver Horowitz (Barnard '55, d. 2011) was a distinguished philanthropist and longtime trustee of Barnard College.

The foundation operates as a private family foundation with approximately $11.7 million in assets, making grants primarily in areas that reflect the founders' lifelong commitments to Jewish education and culture, higher education, the arts, and healthcare. The foundation has awarded 12 documented grants with an average size of $46,600. Leadership has transitioned to the next generation, with the founders' children Seth Horowitz serving as President and Ruth Horowitz Nachman serving as Vice President.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The foundation supports a diverse range of causes including:

  • Higher Education: With particular emphasis on institutions connected to the family, including Conservative Jewish rabbinical seminaries and liberal arts colleges
  • Arts & Culture: Museums and cultural institutions
  • Jewish Organizations & Temples: Support for Conservative Judaism and Jewish community organizations
  • Healthcare: Hospital care and medical institutions
  • Human Services: Community service organizations

Geographic Focus

The foundation funds initiatives in:

  • New York: New York City, Great Neck, New Hyde Park
  • Massachusetts: Cambridge
  • Pennsylvania: Bethlehem

Documented Interests

Based on the founders' known philanthropic activities, the foundation has strong ties to:

  • Barnard College and Columbia University (both founders were alumni and major supporters)
  • UJA-Federation of New York
  • Conservative Jewish institutions
  • Museums and cultural preservation

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership:

  • Seth Horowitz - President (son of founders; serves without compensation)
  • Ruth Horowitz Nachman - Vice President (daughter of founders, Barnard '83; serves without compensation)
  • Steven M. Loeb - Secretary (serves without compensation)

Foundation History:

The foundation was established by Gedale B. "Dale" Horowitz and Barbara Silver Horowitz, both of whom were deeply committed to philanthropy throughout their lives.

Gedale B. Horowitz (1932-2020):

  • Columbia College '53, Columbia Law School '55
  • Joined Salomon Brothers in 1955, became general partner in 1967
  • Served on executive committee of Salomon Brothers until 1997
  • Continued at Citigroup as managing director until retirement in 2019 (64 years total)
  • Founding member and chairman of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board
  • Barnard College Trustee (1976-2009, then Trustee Emeritus)
  • Recipient of Columbia University Alumni Medal for Distinguished Service

Barbara Silver Horowitz (d. 2011):

  • Barnard College '55, Brooklyn College '57 (graduate degree), Teachers College '70 (graduate degree)
  • Barnard College Trustee
  • Established the Barbara Silver Horowitz '55 Scholars of Distinction Program at Barnard (formerly Centennial Scholars Program, founded 1985)
  • Endowed the Barbara Silver Horowitz Director of Education Chair at Barnard (2004)
  • Major supporter of The Diana Center at Barnard
  • Recipient of Columbia University Alumni Medal for Distinguished Service

Next Generation Leadership:

Ruth Horowitz Nachman and her husband Michael Nachman are active philanthropists in New York. Michael serves on the Board of Directors of the New York Common Pantry and Friends of the IDF. The family continues to be recognized by UJA-Federation of New York for their "exemplary generosity."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Gedale B & Barbara S Horowitz Foundation is a private family foundation that makes grants to preselected charitable organizations. The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees based on the family's established philanthropic interests and relationships with organizations.

This operating model is common among private family foundations, where trustees identify and invite organizations to receive funding rather than accepting public applications.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's focus on organizations with established connections to the Horowitz family, potential pathways to consideration include:

Institutional Connections: The foundation has documented connections to Barnard College, Columbia University, UJA-Federation of New York, and Conservative Jewish institutions. Organizations with relationships to these institutions may have indirect pathways to foundation awareness.

Board Networks: The foundation's leadership includes individuals with extensive networks in:

  • New York Jewish philanthropy (through UJA-Federation connections)
  • Higher education (through Barnard/Columbia connections)
  • The financial services sector (through Gedale Horowitz's 60-year career at Salomon Brothers/Citigroup)

Geographic Presence: The foundation focuses on specific communities in New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Organizations operating in Great Neck, New Hyde Park, Cambridge, or Bethlehem with strong track records in the foundation's priority areas may be more likely to come to trustees' attention through community networks.

Note: Without a public application process, relationship-building through shared networks and demonstrated excellence in areas aligned with the family's interests are the primary pathways to potential support.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, understanding what has historically attracted the family's philanthropic support provides insight into their values:

Alignment with Family Values:

  • Excellence in Education: The founders were passionate supporters of higher education, particularly institutions that combine academic rigor with values-based education (Barnard, Columbia, Conservative Jewish seminaries)
  • Cultural Preservation: Support for museums and cultural institutions reflects a commitment to preserving and sharing cultural heritage
  • Jewish Community: Strong commitment to Conservative Judaism and Jewish community organizations
  • Long-term Relationships: The family's decades-long support for institutions like Barnard suggests they value sustained partnerships over one-time grants

Geographic Priorities: Organizations in the foundation's documented geographic areas of focus (New York metro area, Cambridge MA, Bethlehem PA) appear more likely to receive support.

Institutional Credibility: The founders supported established, well-regarded institutions. Organizations with strong track records, sound governance, and demonstrated impact in their fields align with this pattern.

Connection to Founders' Legacy: Programs that advance education, support Jewish life, promote cultural understanding, or improve healthcare in the communities the family cared about reflect their philanthropic legacy.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. There is no application form, deadline, or website to submit through.

  • Private Family Foundation Model: Grants are made through trustee discretion to organizations the family identifies, knows, or has relationships with.

  • Focus Areas Reflect Family Interests: Higher education (especially Barnard/Columbia), Conservative Judaism, museums, healthcare, and human services in specific geographic communities.

  • Multi-Generational Commitment: Leadership has passed to the founders' children (Seth and Ruth), suggesting continued operation aligned with family values.

  • Relationship-Driven: Success depends on being known to the trustees through institutional connections, geographic proximity, or shared networks in Jewish philanthropy, higher education, or New York civic life.

  • Average Grant Size: Documented average of $46,600 suggests mid-sized grants to established organizations rather than large capital campaigns or small grassroots groups.

  • No Compensation for Officers: All three officers serve without compensation, indicating a family-managed foundation focused on mission over operational overhead.

References

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Join the Launch ListLearn More
← Back to US Funders Directory