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Paulson Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$66.6M
Grant Range
$1K - $40.0M

Paulson Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $66.6 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $40,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: National and International, with emphasis on New York City (over 50% of grants)

Contact Details

Address: c/o Paulson & Co Inc, 1251 Ave. of the Americas, 50th Fl., New York, NY 10020-1104

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or provide contact information for grant inquiries.

Overview

Established in 2009, the Paulson Family Foundation is the philanthropic vehicle of billionaire hedge fund manager John Paulson and his family. With total assets of approximately $1.4 billion as of 2023, the foundation distributed $66.6 million across 51 awards in 2023. The foundation operates with a highly selective, proactive grantmaking approach based on the family's personal interests and connections. The foundation has made several landmark gifts in recent years, including a record-breaking $400 million donation to Harvard University in 2015, $100 million to the Central Park Conservancy in 2012, and $100 million to New York University in 2022. The foundation maintains a low profile and focuses its giving on institutions with proven track records and established excellence.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs. Instead, it makes strategic investments in institutions aligned with the family's philanthropic interests. Recent grants demonstrate:

  • Major Institutional Gifts: $7,500,000 - $40,000,000 (awarded to universities and major cultural institutions)
  • Significant Program Support: $100,000 - $5,000,000 (awarded to established organizations in focus areas)
  • General Support Grants: $1,000 - $100,000 (median grant approximately $58,000-$75,000)

The foundation awarded 51 grants in 2023 totaling $66.6 million. All grants are awarded on a discretionary basis by trustees.

Priority Areas

Education (approximately 50% of all grantmaking):

  • Higher education institutions, particularly elite universities
  • K-12 schools in New York City, including public, private, and charter schools
  • Computer science and engineering programs
  • Business and leadership education

Arts & Culture:

  • Major museums and cultural institutions (Metropolitan Museum, Tel Aviv Museum of Art)
  • Parks and public spaces (Central Park Conservancy)
  • Performing arts organizations (School of American Ballet, 92nd Street Y)

Community Development:

  • Youth development organizations (Boy Scouts, Harlem Children's Zone)
  • Community centers (92nd Street YMCA)
  • Poverty alleviation (Robin Hood Foundation)

Health & Human Services:

  • Mental health research and support (Hope for Depression Research Foundation)
  • Suicide prevention (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)

Jewish Causes:

  • Israeli educational institutions
  • Jewish cultural and religious organizations

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publicly state exclusions, but based on giving patterns:

  • Organizations without established track records
  • Start-up initiatives or experimental programs
  • Grassroots or small community organizations
  • General operating support for organizations outside their focus areas

Governance and Leadership

The foundation operates as a private family foundation. Detailed board information is not publicly available, though the foundation is managed in connection with the Paulson family's interests.

John Paulson is the founder and primary donor. A graduate of Harvard Business School, Paulson made his fortune through hedge fund management, particularly his famous bet against subprime mortgages before the 2008 financial crisis. His giving philosophy emphasizes supporting "effective institutions that have been around—and will likely stay around." In explaining his $100 million gift to Central Park, Paulson stated the park is "fundamental to the economic and cultural health of New York City," reflecting his preference for established institutions with broad community impact.

The foundation is worth more than $1.9 billion according to some sources, with 2023 tax filings showing assets of $1.4 billion.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Paulson Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or requests for funding. The foundation operates through a proactive grantmaking approach, identifying and supporting organizations based on the family's personal interests, connections, and philanthropic priorities.

Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees, typically to:

  • Organizations with which the family has existing relationships
  • Elite institutions with proven track records of excellence
  • Causes that align with John Paulson's personal experiences and values (such as institutions he attended or uses regularly)

Decision Timeline

Not applicable. The foundation does not operate on a traditional grant cycle. Major gifts appear to be made when opportunities align with family interests, rather than on a predictable schedule.

Success Rates

Not applicable. Since the foundation does not accept applications, there is no success rate data available.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept initial applications.

Application Success Factors

While the Paulson Family Foundation does not accept applications, understanding their giving patterns can inform relationship-building strategies:

Established Excellence: The foundation has consistently demonstrated preference for institutions with long track records of success. Paulson has stated his "understanding of the prudence of supporting effective institutions that have been around—and will likely stay around."

Personal Connection: Many grants reflect John Paulson's personal experiences and daily life:

  • Harvard (his alma mater) received $400+ million
  • Central Park (where he bikes and jogs almost every day) received $100 million
  • NYU Stern School of Business received support for endowed chairs

Geographic Proximity: More than half of all grants support New York City causes and organizations, reflecting the family's connection to the city.

Transformational Scale: Recent major gifts suggest the foundation prefers large, transformational commitments rather than numerous small grants. The median grant is around $58,000-$75,000, but major gifts range from $7.5 million to $400 million.

Education Priority: Almost half of all known grants support K-12 or higher education institutions, with particular emphasis on elite universities and high-performing charter schools like Success Academy.

Arts and Culture Legacy: Significant support for institutions that define New York's cultural landscape, including major museums, performing arts organizations, and public spaces.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No application process exists: This foundation operates entirely on trustee discretion and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Traditional grant seeking will not be effective.
  • Relationship-driven: All funding appears to flow through personal connections to the Paulson family or organizations they already know and value.
  • Scale matters: While smaller grants exist, the foundation's most visible and impactful gifts are transformational commitments of $7.5 million and above.
  • New York City focus: Over half of grants support NYC-based organizations, making geographic location a significant factor.
  • Elite institutional preference: The foundation gravitates toward established, prestigious institutions with proven excellence rather than emerging organizations.
  • Education dominates: Nearly half of all grantmaking supports educational institutions, with preference for elite universities and high-performing K-12 schools.
  • Long-term perspective: Based on Paulson's stated philosophy, the foundation values institutions with staying power and sustained impact over experimental or short-term initiatives.

References

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