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Lynn Schneider Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.4M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.3M

Lynn Schneider Foundation

Quick Stats

  • EIN: 46-1566261
  • Total Assets: $11.38 million (2024)
  • Annual Giving: $365,000-$547,500 (varies annually)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $250,000
  • Median Grant: $10,000
  • Number of Grants: 9 grants annually (typical)
  • Geographic Focus: New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida
  • Application Method: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: 1125 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128

Phone: 212-812-7000

Note: This foundation does not have a public website and operates as a private independent foundation with an invitation-only grantmaking approach.

Overview

The Lynn Schneider Foundation is a New York-based private independent foundation established in 2014. With total assets of $11.38 million as of 2024, the foundation demonstrates consistent commitment to philanthropic giving, distributing between $365,000 and $547,500 annually depending on the year. The foundation's grantmaking has shown significant variation year to year, with $2.3 million distributed in 2022, $365,290 in 2023, and $547,500 in 2024. Led by President Lynn C. Schneider along with officers Maxwell S. Joseph and Jeremiah S. Joseph, all of whom serve part-time without compensation, the foundation focuses on supporting education, philanthropy and grantmaking infrastructure, and human services. The foundation operates as a private family foundation that identifies and selects grantees through pre-existing relationships and trustee discretion rather than through a public application process.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Lynn Schneider Foundation does not operate formal grant programs with specific names or categories. Instead, it makes discretionary grants to pre-selected organizations identified by the trustees.

Grant Characteristics:

  • Range: $5,000 - $250,000
  • Median Grant: $10,000
  • Average Grant: Approximately $40,556
  • Annual Total: $365,000 (typical year, though 2024 saw $547,500)
  • Number of Awards: Typically 9 grants per year (12 in 2021)
  • Application Method: Invitation only - no public application process

Priority Areas

Based on IRS classifications and geographic giving patterns, the foundation focuses on:

  • Education: Educational institutions and programs
  • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations: Supporting other philanthropic infrastructure and grantmaking organizations
  • Human Services: Community-based human service organizations

Geographic Focus

The foundation primarily supports organizations in:

  • New York (primary focus, including New York City, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Southampton)
  • New Jersey (including Teaneck)
  • Maryland (including Silver Spring)
  • Florida (including West Palm Beach)
  • International giving has occurred (Vellore mentioned in records)

What They Don't Fund

As an invitation-only foundation, they:

  • Do not accept unsolicited grant applications
  • Do not fund organizations outside their pre-selected network
  • Focus exclusively on pre-selected charitable organizations identified through trustee relationships

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Lynn C. Schneider - President

  • Serves part-time without compensation
  • Primary decision-maker for the foundation

Maxwell S. Joseph - Officer

  • Serves part-time without compensation

Jeremiah S. Joseph - Officer

  • Serves part-time without compensation

The foundation operates with no paid staff, with all three officers volunteering their time. This lean operational structure ensures that the vast majority of resources (typically 90-99% of expenses) go directly to charitable disbursements rather than administrative costs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Lynn Schneider Foundation explicitly indicates that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." This means:

  • No application forms are available
  • No online portal exists
  • Unsolicited letters of inquiry are not accepted
  • Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to organizations they have pre-selected

How Grants Are Awarded

Grants appear to be awarded through:

  • Trustee discretion: The three officers identify and select organizations to support
  • Pre-existing relationships: Organizations with connections to the trustees or their networks
  • Proactive identification: The foundation identifies organizations rather than responding to applications

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - as there is no public application process, there are no published decision timelines or funding cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications, so there is no success rate for external applicants.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot apply or reapply as the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

For Organizations Already in the Foundation's Network

While this foundation does not accept new applications, organizations that have been pre-selected or are being considered should note:

Foundation Giving Patterns:

  • The foundation makes a small number of grants annually (typically 9)
  • Most grants cluster around the median of $10,000
  • Occasional larger grants up to $250,000 suggest the foundation will make significant investments in select organizations
  • The foundation has shown year-to-year variation in total giving, ranging from $365,000 to over $2 million

Geographic and Program Alignment:

  • Strong focus on New York-based organizations, particularly in New York City and the Hamptons
  • Interest in education and human services
  • Support for other philanthropic and grantmaking organizations
  • Multi-state reach including New Jersey, Maryland, and Florida

Organizational Approach:

  • Lean operation with no paid staff suggests focus on direct charitable impact
  • Long-term commitment evidenced by consistent grantmaking since 2014
  • Private foundation structure allows for flexible, relationship-based grantmaking

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Not Open to Applications: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or letters of inquiry - do not attempt to apply
  • Invitation Only: Grants are made exclusively to organizations pre-selected by the trustees through their own relationships and networks
  • Small But Consistent: The foundation makes approximately 9 grants per year, typically around $10,000 each, with occasional larger grants
  • Geographic Concentration: Strong focus on New York, particularly NYC and the Hamptons, with secondary interests in New Jersey, Maryland, and Florida
  • Modest Scale, Flexible Approach: While the foundation has substantial assets ($11+ million), annual giving is relatively modest ($365,000-$547,500), suggesting selective, relationship-based grantmaking
  • Efficient Operation: No paid staff and 90-99% of expenses going to grants demonstrates commitment to maximizing charitable impact
  • Focus Areas: Education, human services, and support for other philanthropic organizations are the primary interests

References

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