Lance R Wachenheim Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,186,750 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable - invitation only
• Decision Time: Not applicable - no public application process
• Grant Range: Estimated $10,000 - $150,000 (average ~$51,600)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily New York/Westchester County area
• Number of Grants: 23 annually (consistent 2022-2024)

Contact Details

No Public Website or Direct Contact Information

The Lance R Wachenheim Foundation does not maintain a public website or published contact information. The foundation operates as a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

Address: Purchase, NY 10577 EIN: 26-1497632

Information about the foundation is available through:

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/261497632
• Candid Foundation Directory (subscription required)
• IRS Form 990-PF filings

Overview

The Lance R Wachenheim Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 2008 and granted tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3). Based in Purchase, New York, the foundation maintains total assets of approximately $23 million and distributes around $1.2 million annually in grants. The foundation is governed by two trustees: Lance R Wachenheim and his father, Edgar Wachenheim III, a noted value investor and philanthropist.

The foundation operates as a traditional family foundation, making contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations without accepting unsolicited grant applications. The foundation has maintained consistent grant-making activity, distributing approximately 23 grants annually over recent years. Lance Wachenheim serves on the board of Blythedale Children's Hospital in Valhalla, New York, and is also a board member of the Sue and Edgar Wachenheim Foundation, suggesting the family's philanthropic interests may align across education, arts, health, and Jewish causes—areas prioritized by his parents' foundation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Lance R Wachenheim Foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. All funding decisions are made at the discretion of the trustees based on their personal philanthropic interests and pre-existing relationships with charitable organizations.

Estimated Grant Range: Based on total annual giving of $1,186,750 distributed across 23 grants in 2024, the average grant size is approximately $51,600. Individual grants likely range from smaller gifts of $10,000-$25,000 to larger commitments potentially exceeding $100,000.

Application Method: Invitation only - no public application process

Priority Areas

While the foundation does not publish explicit funding priorities, connections to the family's broader philanthropic interests suggest potential focus areas may include:

• Health and Medical Care: Lance Wachenheim's board service at Blythedale Children's Hospital indicates interest in pediatric healthcare
• Education: The Sue and Edgar Wachenheim Foundation prioritizes education, suggesting this may be a family interest
• Arts and Culture: Another priority of the family foundation
• Jewish Causes: The Wachenheim family foundations have supported Jewish organizations and causes
• Democracy and Global Affairs: Areas supported by the family's philanthropy

Note: These areas are inferred from family foundation priorities and board affiliations, not from published guidelines of the Lance R Wachenheim Foundation specifically.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has stated that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations" and "does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." This effectively excludes organizations without pre-existing relationships with the trustees.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Lance R Wachenheim - Trustee

• Son of prominent philanthropists Edgar and Sue Wachenheim
• Board member, Blythedale Children's Hospital (Valhalla, NY)
• Board member, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim Foundation
• The foundation bears his name, suggesting he is the primary decision-maker

Edgar Wachenheim III - Trustee

• Co-founder and former President of Wachenheim & Company (investment firm)
• Noted value investor and philanthropist
• Co-founder of the Sue and Edgar Wachenheim Foundation
• Father of Lance R Wachenheim

Foundation Structure

The foundation operates with minimal overhead. No officer compensation is reported on tax filings, and charitable disbursements represent approximately 95-99% of total expenses, indicating an efficient operation focused on grant-making rather than administration.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Lance R Wachenheim Foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations" and "does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Organizations cannot apply for funding through a traditional grant application process.

All grants are awarded based on trustee discretion to organizations and causes with which the trustees have pre-existing relationships or personal connections.

Getting on Their Radar

While there is no guaranteed pathway to securing funding from this private foundation, organizations might increase visibility through:

Board Connections: Lance Wachenheim's involvement with Blythedale Children's Hospital demonstrates that organizations where he serves in governance roles may receive consideration. Building authentic relationships through board service, advisory committees, or volunteer engagement could create natural pathways to funding discussions.

Family Foundation Alignment: The Sue and Edgar Wachenheim Foundation supports similar causes and may share grantees with Lance's foundation. Organizations already funded by or known to the family's philanthropy may have better positioning.

Sector Events: Participating in forums, conferences, and events related to the foundation's apparent interest areas (pediatric health, education, arts, Jewish causes) where trustees might be present could facilitate relationship building.

Westchester/New York Presence: The foundation's Purchase, NY location and Lance's involvement with Westchester County organizations suggest a potential geographic preference for local institutions.

Important Caveat: None of these approaches guarantee consideration, as the foundation maintains full discretion over its grant-making. Organizations should not expect responses to cold outreach or unsolicited proposals.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications and awards grants on a discretionary basis throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable - since the foundation only funds preselected organizations, there is no traditional application success rate to measure.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot apply or reapply as there is no application process.

Application Success Factors

For Organizations With Existing Connections

While this foundation does not accept applications, organizations that have connections to the trustees might consider the following:

Demonstrate Alignment: The foundation's giving appears to align with the broader Wachenheim family philanthropic values. Organizations working in education, arts, healthcare (particularly pediatric care), Jewish causes, or democratic institutions may be of greater interest.

Show Impact: With an average grant size around $51,600 and total assets of $23 million, the foundation appears to make strategic, moderate-sized investments. Organizations should be prepared to demonstrate measurable outcomes and efficient use of charitable dollars.

Leverage Personal Relationships: This is a family foundation where personal connections and trust matter significantly. Any introduction or conversation would likely need to come through existing relationships with Lance or Edgar Wachenheim rather than cold outreach.

Respect Their Process: The foundation's explicit statement about not accepting unsolicited requests should be honored. Organizations should not attempt to circumvent this policy through persistent outreach, which could damage rather than enhance their reputation.

Geographic Consideration: Organizations based in or serving New York, particularly Westchester County, may have natural affinity given the foundation's location and Lance's local board service.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant-seeking methods. It operates exclusively on a trustee-discretion model with preselected grantees.

• Small But Consistent Giving: The foundation distributes approximately $1.2 million annually across roughly 23 grants, suggesting average awards around $50,000 with likely variation above and below this amount.

• Family Foundation: Governance by Lance Wachenheim and his father Edgar indicates decisions are made based on family values, personal interests, and existing relationships rather than competitive review processes.

• Relationship-Driven: Any path to funding would require authentic personal or professional relationships with the trustees, likely developed through board service, sector involvement, or family foundation connections.

• Financial Stability: With assets of $23 million and consistent grant-making over many years, the foundation appears financially stable and committed to ongoing philanthropy, though growth has been modest.

• Limited Transparency: Unlike many foundations, the Lance R Wachenheim Foundation maintains a low public profile with no website, published guidelines, or detailed grant lists readily available.

• Respect Boundaries: Organizations should honor the foundation's stated policy of not accepting unsolicited requests. Attempting to bypass this through aggressive outreach is unlikely to succeed and may harm an organization's reputation.

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Lance R Wachenheim Foundation. "Organization Overview and Financial Data." Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/261497632 (Accessed February 2026)

2. Instrumentl 990 Report - Lance R Wachenheim Foundation. "Grant-making Activities and Annual Giving." Available at: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/lance-r-wachenheim-foundation (Accessed February 2026)

3. Grantmakers.io Profile - Lance R Wachenheim Foundation. "Foundation Profile and Giving Patterns." Available at: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/261497632-lance-r-wachenheim-foundation/ (Accessed February 2026)

4. Inside Philanthropy. "Sue and Edgar Wachenheim Foundation - Funding Priorities." Available at: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-w/sue-and-edgar-wachenheim-foundation (Accessed February 2026)

5. The Org. "Lance Wachenheim - Trustee at Blythedale Children's Hospital." Available at: https://theorg.com/org/blythedale-childrens-hospital/org-chart/lance-wachenheim (Accessed February 2026)

6. Bloomberg Markets. "Lance Wachenheim, Sue & Edgar Wachenheim Foundation: Profile and Biography." Available at: https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/17599707 (Accessed February 2026)

7. IRS Form 990-PF filings for Lance R Wachenheim Foundation (Tax Years 2020-2023), available through ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer