Harris Philanthropies Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1.8 million (recent fiscal year)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $5,500 - $700,000
• Geographic Focus: New York, Philadelphia, Newark, Camden, and Israel
• Application Method: No public application process

Contact Details

Address: 600 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022

Website: https://harrisphilanthropies.org/

Leadership Contact: Foundation is managed by Josh Harris (Chairman) and Marjorie Harris (Co-Founder)

Note: Harris Philanthropies does not accept unsolicited proposals. There is no public application portal.

Overview

Harris Philanthropies is the family foundation of Josh and Marjorie Harris, founded in 2014 to strengthen communities and develop leaders through equitable and inclusive investing. With assets exceeding $22 million, the foundation has awarded 62 grants totaling $9.7 million since 2015. Josh Harris is the co-founder of Apollo Global Management and founder of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, owning the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, and serving as managing partner of the Washington Commanders. The foundation operates with a results-oriented, data-driven grantmaking approach, focusing on communities where the Harris family has deep connections—particularly cities where their sports teams are located. Harris Philanthropies supports approximately 15,000 youth annually across Philadelphia, New Jersey, and New York through their partner organizations.

Funding Priorities

Focus Areas

Harris Philanthropies concentrates on three core areas:

1. Youth & Sports: Transform lives of disadvantaged children through sports-based youth development programs. The foundation believes in using sports as a platform to engage young people and provide them with opportunities for growth.

2. Health & Wellness: Support medical research focused on wellness, disease prevention, and health equity initiatives. Recent grants include funding for early-stage startups tackling health inequities.

3. Leadership Development: Promote programs that develop future leaders, particularly in underserved communities, with a special emphasis on youth leadership initiatives.

Geographic Focus

The foundation primarily funds organizations in:

• New York
• Philadelphia
• Newark
• Camden
• Israel

These locations reflect the Harris family's personal connections and the cities where Josh Harris's sports teams operate.

Recent Partner Organizations

According to their website, Harris Philanthropies partners with organizations including:

• After-School All-Stars
• America SCORES
• Asphalt Green
• Devils Youth Foundation
• Harlem RBI
• Mount Sinai Medical Center
• Sixers Youth Foundation
• University of Pennsylvania programs
• 48ers (Israel youth basketball program)
• Tavor (Israel leadership development)

What They Fund

• After-school sports and educational programs for at-risk youth
• Medical research and healthcare innovation
• Community development initiatives in underserved neighborhoods
• Youth leadership programs, particularly in Israel
• Programs promoting diversity in medicine and education
• Organizations that create equitable opportunities for youth to thrive

Notable Grants

• $3.5 million to Philadelphia Police Athletic League
• $1 million+ to 48ers basketball program in Israel (founding partner)
• $1 million to University of Pennsylvania wrestling program
• $1 million to University of Pennsylvania to promote student diversity in medicine
• $10 million to Wharton School for Alternative Investments Program
• $5 million to Harvard Business School for Harris Family Fund for Sports Management
• Ongoing support to Tavor leadership programs in Israel since 2014

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership

Josh Harris - Co-Founder and Chairman Josh Harris serves as Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, and Director of Harris Philanthropies. He is also co-founder of Apollo Global Management and founder of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE). Harris owns the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, and is managing partner of the Washington Commanders.

Key Quote: "I'm religious, so I'd say my job now is to make the world a better place. And I'm only on Earth for a small amount of time and I need to have a maximum impact."

On sports and community: "Your job is to help the community and help those people that are less fortunate. And obviously, sports has a tremendous impact on kids... You can use sports to help them achieve better lives, whether it be keeping them safe, whether it be education, or life skills... that's a big element of what we use the teams for as well."

Marjorie Harris - Co-Founder Marjorie Harris is Co-Founder of Harris Philanthropies and Chair of the Sixers Youth Foundation. She serves on the boards of Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School, Harvard Business School Dean Advisors, and the National Board of Directors of After-School All-Stars.

Key Quote: "We love to use sport as a platform—it's a way you can grab people, pull them in and give them something to work on."

Frank Marra - Vice President Frank Marra serves as Vice President of Harris Philanthropies.

Organizational Mission

"Harris Philanthropies creates equitable opportunities that allow youth to thrive and communities to grow. We believe in catalytic giving that pioneers solutions and strengthens communities."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Harris Philanthropies does not have a public application process and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, proactively identifying and selecting organizations to support based on their strategic priorities and areas of focus. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion, with the Harris family personally selecting partner organizations that align with their mission and values.

Getting on Their Radar

Harris Philanthropies identifies grantees through several specific channels:

Sports Team Connections: Organizations in Philadelphia, Newark, and Camden that work with youth in communities where the 76ers, Devils, and Commanders operate have received support. The foundation leverages the Sixers Youth Foundation and Devils Youth Foundation as key vehicles for community engagement.

Board Member Networks: Marjorie Harris's board positions at After-School All-Stars, Harvard Business School Dean Advisors, and Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School suggest the foundation identifies partners through these networks. After-School All-Stars is listed as a partner organization.

Personal Connections: The foundation's grants reflect Josh and Marjorie Harris's personal interests and backgrounds. For example, Josh Harris's background in wrestling led to a $1 million grant to University of Pennsylvania's wrestling program. Their Jewish identity influences support for Israeli youth programs like the 48ers and Tavor.

Community-Based Approach: Josh Harris has stated that sports teams create natural connections to communities. Organizations working in youth development, health equity, or leadership development in cities with Harris-owned sports franchises may be more visible to the foundation.

Data-Driven Selection: The foundation describes using a "data-driven grantmaking approach" to partner with "the most effective, best-in-class organizations," suggesting they actively research high-performing nonprofits in their focus areas rather than waiting for applications.

Application Success Factors

Since Harris Philanthropies does not accept unsolicited applications, success in receiving funding depends on alignment with their strategic priorities and visibility within their networks:

Strategic Alignment

Sports-Based Youth Development: The foundation has consistently supported organizations that use sports as a vehicle for youth development. Marjorie Harris emphasizes that "sport is a platform—it's a way you can grab people, pull them in and give them something to work on." Organizations that integrate athletics with education, life skills, or community building align with this philosophy.

Focus on At-Risk Youth: The foundation specifically seeks to "enable opportunities for at-risk youth" and create "equitable opportunities that allow youth to thrive." Programs serving disadvantaged, underserved, or vulnerable young people are prioritized.

Results-Oriented Approach: Harris Philanthropies describes their work as "results-oriented grantmaking" with a "data-driven approach." Organizations that can demonstrate measurable impact and outcomes are more likely to align with their funding criteria.

Geographic Connection: Organizations operating in New York, Philadelphia, Newark, Camden, or Israel—areas where the Harris family has "deep connections"—receive priority. The foundation's focus on these specific cities reflects Josh Harris's sports team ownership and personal ties.

Organizational Characteristics

Best-in-Class Organizations: The foundation states they partner with "the most effective, best-in-class organizations." This suggests they favor established organizations with proven track records rather than startups (except in health innovation).

Catalytic Impact: The foundation emphasizes "catalytic giving that pioneers solutions." Organizations proposing innovative approaches or serving as models for broader change may be particularly attractive.

Community Growth: Beyond individual youth development, the foundation seeks partners that promote "broad-based community growth" and "strengthen communities."

Examples of Funded Work

• Philadelphia Police Athletic League ($3.5 million): Large-scale youth sports and community engagement
• 48ers in Israel ($1 million+): After-school basketball and leadership program for Ethiopian-Israeli youth
• University of Pennsylvania: Programs promoting diversity in medicine and athletics
• Harlem RBI: Sports-based youth development in New York
• After-School All-Stars: National after-school programming for underserved youth
• Mount Sinai Medical Center: Health research and innovation
• Melanoma Research Alliance: Disease-focused medical research

Key Themes from Leadership

Josh Harris's stated leadership approach—"My job is to manage talent, build a culture and hold people accountable for decisions made working toward our mission"—suggests the foundation values organizational excellence, strong culture, and accountability.

The foundation's commitment to "enhancing and investing in minority businesses and communities" and "providing resources and competitive opportunities for diverse populations" indicates priority given to organizations advancing racial equity and economic inclusion.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: Harris Philanthropies operates exclusively through invitation and trustee discretion. Traditional grant applications are not accepted.

• Geographic targeting: Focus on organizations in New York, Philadelphia, Newark, Camden, and Israel—cities connected to the Harris family's sports teams and personal ties.

• Sports as a platform: The foundation strongly believes in using athletics to engage youth, teach life skills, and build community. Sports-based programming is central to their mission.

• Scale and impact: With grants ranging from $5,500 to $700,000, the foundation supports both major initiatives and smaller focused programs. Recent giving averages $1.8 million annually.

• Network-driven: Partner organizations often connect to the Harris family through the Sixers Youth Foundation, Devils Youth Foundation, or Marjorie Harris's board service on organizations like After-School All-Stars.

• Data-driven selection: The foundation emphasizes results-oriented, data-driven grantmaking, seeking organizations that can demonstrate measurable outcomes and best-in-class performance.

• Equity and inclusion focus: Recent strategic shifts emphasize supporting minority businesses, diverse communities, and health equity initiatives, particularly programs that create sustainable wealth creation in Black and diverse communities.

References

• Harris Philanthropies official website: https://harrisphilanthropies.org/ (Accessed January 2025)
• Harris Philanthropies "Who We Are" page: https://harrisphilanthropies.org/who-we-are/ (Accessed January 2025)
• Harris Philanthropies "What We Believe" page: https://harrisphilanthropies.org/what-we-believe/ (Accessed January 2025)
• Harris Philanthropies "Our Partners" page: https://harrisphilanthropies.org/partners/ (Accessed January 2025)
• Inside Philanthropy profile: Josh and Marjorie Harris: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/major-donors/joshua-and-marjorie-harris-wall-street-donors (Accessed January 2025)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/464326561 (Accessed January 2025)
• TIME100 Philanthropy feature on Josh and Marjorie Harris: https://time.com/collections/time100-philanthropy-2025/7286039/josh-harris-marjorie-harris/ (Accessed January 2025)
• Washington Jewish Week interview: "Washington Commanders Managing Partner Josh Harris on Jewish Identity, Israel and Making Sports a 'Shared Community Experience'" (Accessed January 2025)
• Grantmakers.io Profile: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/464326561-harris-philanthropies-inc/ (Accessed January 2025)