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Himan Brown Charitable Trust

Annual Giving
$5.1M
Grant Range
$1K - $1.0M

Himan Brown Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5,132,000 (FY 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York and Northeast, with some activity in South Florida

Contact Details

Address: Pryor Cashman, 7 Times Square, New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212-421-4100
Website: https://himanbrowntrust.org
EIN: 27-6669056

Overview

Established in 2010 from the estate of legendary radio producer Himan Brown, the Himan Brown Charitable Trust has processed approximately $70.9 million in charitable grants over the last decade. The trust honors Brown's legacy—a creator of over 30,000 radio programs including Dick Tracy during radio's golden age—by focusing on community-building and storytelling initiatives. Led by sole trustee Richard L. Kay, an attorney with Pryor Cashman, the foundation distributes approximately $5.1 million annually across five core philanthropic areas: education and youth development, community and seniors, performing arts and storytelling, health and wellness, and Jewish culture and traditions. The trust prioritizes collaborative partnerships with established nonprofits over traditional grantmaking, creating signature programs that reflect Himan Brown's commitment to community engagement and the power of narrative.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust does not operate traditional grant programs with formal applications. Instead, funding flows through trustee-discretionary decisions and strategic partnerships.

FY 2024 Grant Distribution ($5,132,000 total):

  • Education: $2,742,000 (largest allocation)
  • Community/Seniors: $1,000,000
  • Jewish Tradition/Volunteerism: $975,000
  • Performing Arts/Storytellers: $200,000
  • Youth Development: $90,000
  • Health & Wellness: $75,000

Priority Areas

Education & Youth Development

  • STEM education programs
  • Technology labs and mobile learning experiences
  • University support (particularly alma maters of trustee: Cornell University, University of Michigan Law School)
  • School-based programs (e.g., Hunter College Elementary School)

Community & Seniors

  • Community-building initiatives at institutions like 92nd Street Y
  • Elder care innovation (Himan Brown Symposium on changes in elder care)
  • Volunteer engagement programs
  • Food security initiatives, particularly during crisis periods

Performing Arts & Storytelling

  • Oral storytelling programs (Himan Brown Storytellers Project)
  • Cultural institutions in New York (Central Synagogue, Central Park Conservancy)
  • Programs that honor radio's golden age and narrative arts

Health & Wellness

  • Mobile health clinics (e.g., University of Miami pediatric mobile clinic)
  • Healthcare access for underserved communities
  • Major medical institutions (New York Presbyterian Fund)

Jewish Culture & Traditions

  • UJA Federation of New York
  • Greater Miami Jewish Federation's Jewish Volunteer Center
  • Jewish service organizations
  • Synagogues and cultural preservation

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the trust:

  • Does not accept unsolicited proposals
  • Maintains a low public profile with minimal transparency
  • Focuses exclusively on established nonprofit organizations
  • Operates primarily in New York/Northeast and South Florida regions

Governance and Leadership

Richard L. Kay serves as the sole trustee and chairman of the Himan Brown Charitable Trust. Kay is an attorney with Pryor Cashman, where he practices in trusts and estates, general representation, litigation, tax, and personal and wealth planning. He was Himan Brown's longtime lawyer and has served as trustee since the trust's establishment in 2010.

Kay serves on the board of 92nd Street Y, one of the trust's major grantees, which has received significant funding over the years.

The trust maintains governance teams including investment portfolio management, grant portfolio oversight, and works with professional advisors to manage assets and comply with philanthropic best practices.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Himan Brown Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited proposals and maintains a low-profile approach to grantmaking.

Grants are awarded through:

  • Trustee discretion (Richard L. Kay as sole trustee)
  • Pre-existing relationships with established nonprofits
  • Strategic partnerships initiated by the trust
  • Board connections and institutional affiliations

Getting on Their Radar

The trust's grantmaking patterns suggest several specific pathways to consideration:

Board and Institutional Connections: Richard L. Kay serves on the board of 92nd Street Y, which has been a major recipient of trust funding. Organizations with connections to institutions where Kay has involvement may have increased visibility.

Regional Presence: The trust focuses on specific geographic areas where it has established partnerships:

  • New York City and the Northeast (primary focus)
  • South Florida/Miami area (secondary focus, including Key Biscayne Community Foundation partnerships)

Signature Programs: The trust creates named programs with select partners, such as:

  • The Himan Brown Program for Community at 92NY
  • The Key to Giving Program in Miami
  • The Himan Brown Symposium at the New Jewish Home
  • The Himan Brown Storytellers Project at KBCF

These partnerships suggest the trust prefers deep, programmatic relationships over one-time grants.

Jewish Philanthropic Networks: Substantial funding flows through major Jewish federations (UJA Federation of New York, Greater Miami Jewish Federation), suggesting these networks may serve as vehicles for identifying additional grantees.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As grants are awarded through trustee discretion rather than competitive application cycles, there are no fixed timelines.

Success Rates

Not applicable—the trust does not accept unsolicited applications. In recent years, the trust has made between 46-66 awards annually.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as there is no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Given the trust's closed application process, the following factors appear critical for organizations that may come to the trust's attention:

Established Track Record: All identified grantees are well-established institutions (major universities, hospitals, cultural institutions, federations). Start-ups or newer organizations are unlikely to receive consideration.

Mission Alignment with Himan Brown's Legacy: Organizations that connect to:

  • Storytelling and oral narrative traditions
  • Community-building through shared experiences
  • The power of imagination and creative arts
  • Jewish culture and tradition
  • Intergenerational programming

Capacity for Programmatic Partnerships: The trust shows preference for creating signature programs with nonprofits rather than providing general operating support. Organizations must have capacity to:

  • Co-create substantial programs
  • Accept naming opportunities
  • Engage in ongoing collaborative relationships

Geographic Presence: Organizations must operate in the trust's primary regions (New York/Northeast or South Florida).

Institutional Prestige: Past grantees include prominent institutions (Syracuse University, Cornell University, University of Michigan Law School, Central Park Conservancy, New York Presbyterian), suggesting institutional reputation matters.

Crisis Response Capacity: During COVID-19, the trust supported organizations with immediate capacity to address food security, healthcare access, and community needs, suggesting responsiveness to urgent community challenges.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Closed Application Process: This trust does not accept unsolicited proposals. Traditional grant writing approaches will not work here.
  • Relationship-Driven: Funding flows through trustee discretion and institutional connections. Networking through Jewish federations, the 92nd Street Y, or South Florida Jewish community foundations may provide indirect pathways.
  • Large-Scale Partnerships: The trust prefers creating substantial, named programs with established nonprofits over making numerous small grants.
  • Legacy Focus: All funding should connect meaningfully to Himan Brown's legacy in storytelling, community-building, and Jewish tradition.
  • Regional Constraints: Unless your organization operates in New York/Northeast or South Florida with strong institutional connections, this funder is unlikely to be accessible.
  • Established Institutions Only: This funder supports well-known universities, hospitals, cultural institutions, and federations—not emerging or grassroots organizations.
  • Consider Federated Giving: Organizations seeking support might explore becoming beneficiaries through UJA Federation of New York or Greater Miami Jewish Federation, which receive substantial trust support and may re-grant or facilitate connections.

References

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