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Edelman Fam Foundation

Annual Giving
$12.0M
Grant Range
$100K - $1.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10-14 million
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: At trustees' discretion
  • Grant Range: $100,000 - $1,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: National (United States)

Contact Details

  • Phone: (212) 869-5900
  • Address: 1500 Broadway, 27th Floor, Suite FL, New York, NY 10036
  • Website: https://www.edelmanfamilyfoundation.org/ (restricted access)
  • Application Contact: No public application process - invitation only

Overview

The Edelman Fam Foundation (also known as Edelman Family Foundation) is a private foundation established in March 2017 with current assets exceeding $85 million and annual giving between $10-14 million. Founded and led by Joseph Edelman (founder and CEO of Perceptive Advisors, a biotech hedge fund managing over $8 billion) and Susan H. Lebovitz-Edelman, the foundation focuses on promoting individual liberty and opportunity, civic engagement, the rule of law, education, and scientific research. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, strategically selecting organizations that align with their mission of effecting enduring positive change through coordinated efforts in research, public policy, political and economic systems, law, culture, and services.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but awards discretionary grants typically ranging from:

  • Major Grants: $1,000,000+ (for flagship initiatives)
  • Standard Grants: $100,000 - $500,000 (most common range)
  • All grants are awarded on an invitation-only basis at trustees' discretion

Priority Areas

  • Education: Universities, educational reform initiatives, classical education programs
  • Scientific Research: Genomic research, neurodegenerative disorders, medical research
  • Healthcare Policy: Healthcare system reform and advocacy
  • Individual Rights: Free expression, viewpoint diversity, academic freedom
  • Policy Research: Think tanks and advocacy organizations
  • Civil Liberties: Organizations protecting individual rights and freedoms

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited grant applications
  • Organizations not pre-selected by trustees
  • As of 2021, discontinued funding organizations "because of their adoption of gender ideology"

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • Joseph Edelman: Co-Trustee, Founder and CEO of Perceptive Advisors, Forbes-estimated net worth of $2.5 billion, previously served on Brown University Corporation board until September 2024
  • Susan H. Lebovitz-Edelman: Co-Trustee, manages foundation strategy and portfolio, previously Head of Talent at Purpose (social impact strategy firm)

Both trustees serve without compensation. The foundation operates with no additional employees, maintaining a lean family foundation structure.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." All grants are awarded at the trustees' discretion to organizations they have identified and selected.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on analysis of grant recipients, organizations may come to the foundation's attention through:

  • Joseph Edelman's professional networks: Particularly in biotech, healthcare, and investment sectors where he maintains significant influence through Perceptive Advisors
  • Educational institution connections: Both trustees have relationships with universities (Brown, UC San Diego) that have received funding
  • Policy and advocacy circles: The foundation actively seeks organizations working on individual liberty, free expression, and institutional reform
  • Think tank and research institute networks: Organizations like Manhattan Institute, Cato Institute, and similar policy research centers
  • Medical research community: Particularly those working on genomic research and neurodegenerative disorders, areas of specific interest aligned with Joseph Edelman's biotech expertise

Decision Timeline

Grants are awarded at trustees' discretion throughout the year with no fixed timeline or schedule.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors don't apply. However, analysis of funded organizations reveals patterns:

  • Mission alignment is critical: Funded organizations consistently demonstrate commitment to individual liberty, free expression, educational excellence, or scientific advancement
  • The foundation often provides founding or major support: They frequently serve as primary funders for new initiatives (Do No Harm, Parents Defending Education)
  • Personal connections matter: Institutions where trustees have served (Brown University) or have personal ties (UC San Diego - Joseph Edelman is an alumnus) receive support
  • Professional expertise alignment: Medical and genomic research grants align with Joseph Edelman's biotech hedge fund expertise
  • Ideological consistency: Recent grants show preference for organizations challenging what the foundation views as ideological capture in institutions

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications - all funding is by invitation only
  • Organizations aligned with individual liberty, educational reform, scientific research, or free expression may attract trustees' attention through visibility in these sectors
  • The foundation takes an activist philanthropic approach, often providing founding or transformative support rather than incremental funding
  • Personal and professional networks of the trustees (particularly in biotech, finance, and education) appear to be primary pathways to consideration
  • The foundation has shown willingness to shift priorities based on ideological considerations (discontinued reproductive rights funding in 2021)
  • With $85+ million in assets and $10-14 million annual giving, they have capacity for significant grants when organizations align with their mission
  • No public website content or application guidelines means relationship building through other channels is essential

References

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