← Back to US Funders Directory

Joyce And George Wein Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$1.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,069,322 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Varies by program
  • Geographic Focus: National (primarily Northeast US, New Orleans, and California)

Contact Details

The Joyce and George Wein Foundation Inc does not maintain a public website or accept unsolicited applications.

Foundation Office:

  • Location: Yonkers, NY
  • EIN: 26-1445446
  • Leadership: Deborah Ross, Secretary/Executive Director; Bruce S. Gordon, President

Overview

The Joyce and George Wein Foundation Inc was established in 2009 as a private grantmaking foundation honoring the legacy of legendary jazz impresario George Wein (1925-2021) and his wife Joyce Alexander Wein (1928-2005). With total assets of approximately $26 million as of 2024, the foundation continues the couple's lifelong commitment to supporting African American arts, jazz education, cultural preservation, and educational equity. George Wein founded the Newport Jazz Festival (1954), Newport Folk Festival, and co-founded the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, while Joyce was a biochemist-turned-arts advocate who served as a trustee of the Studio Museum in Harlem and co-founded the New York Coalition of 100 Black Women. The foundation operates by making strategic grants to preselected organizations that align with the Weins' philanthropic values, distributing over $1 million annually to cultural and educational institutions.

Funding Priorities

Known Grant Programs and Recipients

The foundation supports several signature programs and institutions:

Joyce Alexander Wein Artist Prize - Administered by the Studio Museum in Harlem, this $50,000 annual prize recognizes African American artists demonstrating innovation, promise, and creativity. One of the most significant awards for individual artists in the United States.

George and Joyce Wein Chair in African American Studies - Endowed position at Boston University, established with a $1 million donation in 2002, currently held by Professor Louis Chude-Sokei.

Alexander Family Endowed Scholarship Fund - Scholarship program at Simmons College (Joyce's alma mater, where she graduated in chemistry in 1948).

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Support - The foundation collaborates with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and Newport Festivals Foundation on music education and cultural preservation programs. The George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center opened in 2014 in Tremé.

Priority Areas

  • African American arts and artists
  • Jazz and music education
  • Cultural heritage preservation
  • Educational access and equity
  • Museums and cultural institutions
  • Scholarships for underrepresented students

Geographic Reach

The foundation has supported organizations in: Bronx, Corona, Dobbs Ferry, Essex, Middletown, Montclair, New Orleans, New York City, Newark, and Van Nuys, spanning California, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.

Governance and Leadership

Deborah Ross - Secretary and Executive Director (Compensation: $85,000)

Bruce S. Gordon - President (no compensation reported)

Nicolas Pell - Treasurer (no compensation reported)

The foundation maintains a lean operational structure focused on strategic grantmaking aligned with the founders' vision.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Joyce and George Wein Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation operates by making contributions to preselected charitable organizations identified by the trustees. There is no public application process, online portal, or submission guidelines.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation identifies grant recipients through established relationships in the jazz, arts, and education sectors, particularly organizations connected to:

  • The Studio Museum in Harlem and African American arts institutions
  • Jazz education programs and cultural heritage organizations
  • Boston University and Simmons College networks
  • New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival community
  • Newport Jazz and Folk Festival connections

Organizations already working in African American arts, jazz education, or educational equity in the foundation's geographic areas of focus may become known to trustees through sector events, shared board connections, and collaborative cultural initiatives. However, there is no documented process for expressing interest in funding.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Values and Priorities

The Joyce and George Wein Foundation's grantmaking reflects the couple's core beliefs and life work:

George Wein's Legacy: As the founder of major jazz festivals, George pioneered outdoor music festivals and corporate sponsorship models. His commitment to racial integration in the arts was demonstrated through his interracial marriage to Joyce during a time when such unions faced significant social barriers.

Joyce Alexander Wein's Vision: A biochemist who became a cultural leader, Joyce served on the Studio Museum in Harlem board for ten years. She co-founded the New York Coalition of 100 Black Women, focusing on empowering women of color and helping disadvantaged youth. The couple were noted collectors of African American art.

Successful organizations in the foundation's portfolio typically:

  • Advance African American cultural expression and visibility
  • Provide direct support to artists and students from underrepresented communities
  • Preserve and celebrate jazz and American musical heritage
  • Connect education with cultural identity and empowerment
  • Operate with integrity and strong institutional governance

Examples of Funded Work

  • The Joyce Alexander Wein Artist Prize has recognized exceptional African American artists including Toyin Ojih Odutola (2024), Caroline Kent (2022), Cauleen Smith (2020), Torkwase Dyson (2019), and Simone Leigh (2017)
  • The George and Joyce Wein Chair supports scholarship and teaching in African American and Black Diaspora Studies at Boston University
  • The George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center provides free music education to over 200 students weekly in New Orleans

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is an invitation-only funder with no public application process - unsolicited proposals will not be considered
  • Focus is on established institutions rather than emerging organizations, particularly those connected to African American arts and jazz heritage
  • Geographic concentration in New York, Boston, and New Orleans reflects the Weins' personal and professional connections
  • Funding decisions appear to be made by trustees with deep knowledge of the arts and cultural sectors
  • The foundation values legacy programs that will continue the Weins' vision for racial equity and cultural preservation
  • Relationship-building should focus on sector credibility and program excellence rather than direct solicitation
  • Organizations aligned with the foundation's mission should focus on strengthening their work and reputation within relevant networks where they may naturally come to trustees' attention

References

← Back to US Funders Directory