Longhill Charitable Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,609,500 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $100,000
• Geographic Focus: Multi-state, primarily New York

Contact Details

• Location: New York, NY
• EIN: 23-7149847
• Application Status: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

The Longhill Charitable Foundation Inc is a private foundation established in 1971, with total assets of approximately $38.5 million and annual giving exceeding $1.6 million. The foundation is led by trustees Fred Cowett (President) and Anne F. Cowett (Vice President), with Peter Nussbaum serving as Treasurer. Operating without officer compensation, the foundation demonstrates a commitment to maximizing charitable impact, with 91.8% of expenses directed to charitable purposes. The foundation has a consistent giving pattern, awarding between 62-68 grants annually over recent years.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-discretion grants with no public application process:

• Small Grants: $1,000 - $20,000 (median grant size)
• Major Grants: $20,000 - $100,000 (for larger initiatives)

Priority Areas

Based on geographic distribution and known recipients:

• Community development projects (40% focus)
• Cultural institutions and museums
• Educational organizations
• Arts and heritage preservation
• Potentially food security and social services

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications and only funds pre-selected charitable organizations.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Fred Cowett - President
• Anne F. Cowett - Vice President
• Peter Nussbaum - Treasurer

The leadership operates without compensation, reflecting a commitment to directing maximum resources toward charitable activities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Longhill Charitable Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organizations they have identified or with which they have existing relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's giving patterns:

• Organizations with presence in New York, Washington DC, or Cambridge, MA may have better visibility
• Cultural institutions, particularly those focused on New York heritage like the Adirondack Experience
• Organizations with established track records in community development
• Institutions with connections to current board members or past grantees

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion without formal application deadlines.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept public applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation-only funding model.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, organizations cannot apply directly. However, based on their giving patterns:

• Strong presence in New York metropolitan area increases visibility
• Focus on community impact aligns with their 40% community project emphasis
• Established nonprofit infrastructure and institutional capacity important (given preference for major metropolitan areas)
• Cultural and educational missions appear to resonate with trustees
• Grant requests ranging from $1,000 to $100,000 are within their typical range
• Organizations should maintain strong reputations and visibility in their sectors

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation is a closed funder - no unsolicited applications accepted
• Focus on relationship building and sector visibility rather than direct applications
• Geographic presence in New York, DC, or Cambridge, MA provides advantages
• Median grant of $20,000 suggests they fund both small and large initiatives
• Consistent annual giving of 60+ grants shows reliable, ongoing commitment
• With $38.5 million in assets, this is a substantial philanthropic force
• Board operates without compensation, maximizing charitable disbursements

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Longhill Charitable Foundation Inc Profile (accessed February 2025)
• CauseIQ - Longhill Charitable Foundation Organization Profile (accessed February 2025)
• Grant Bay - The Longhill Charitable Foundation Foundation Profile (accessed February 2025)
• Instrumentl - The Longhill Charitable Foundation 990 Report (accessed February 2025)
• Adirondack Experience - Our Supporters page listing Longhill Charitable Foundation (accessed February 2025)
• Foundation Center - Form 990-PF filing for EIN 237149847 (accessed February 2025)