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Gladys & Roland Harriman Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.1M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.3M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,147,219 (2023)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $300,000
  • Average Grant: ~$20,000
  • Number of Awards: 93 (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on Northeast/NYC area
  • Application Deadline: October 31

Contact Details

Address: c/o BBH & Co., 140 Broadway, 4th Fl., New York, NY 10005

Phone: 212-493-8185 or 212-493-8000

Note: The foundation does not maintain a website

Overview

The Gladys & Roland Harriman Foundation was established in 1966 by Edward Roland Noel "Bunny" Harriman (1895-1978) and his wife Gladys Fries Harriman (1896-1983). Roland Harriman co-founded the banking firm Harriman Brothers and Company in 1927 with his brother W. Averell Harriman, which merged with Brown Bros. & Co. in 1931 to form Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. The foundation, now steered by next-generation family members, operates as a private foundation with assets of approximately $107-110 million. The foundation reflects Roland Harriman's lifelong commitment to philanthropy, which included founding the International Rescue Committee in 1933 and serving as president and chairman of the Boys' Club of New York. The foundation maintains a low public profile and does not operate a website.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Education: Broadly supports K-12 and higher education, with grants mainly supporting schools in the Northeast. Recent recipients include:

  • Bates College
  • Colgate University
  • Christo Rey High School (New York City)
  • Dartmouth College
  • Holderness School (New Hampshire)

Youth Development: Strong interest in organizations serving young people, including:

  • Boys Club of New York
  • Lake Delaware Boys Camp
  • Girl Scout Council of Greater New York

Health: Prioritizes hospitals and health systems, particularly in the New York City area, such as:

  • Mt. Sinai Hospital in Queens
  • Visiting Nurse Service of New York
  • Weill Cornell Medicine

Mental Health and Social Services: Supports organizations serving vulnerable populations, including:

  • New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
  • Family and Children's Center of Mineola
  • Covenant House (serving young people in crisis)

Arts and Culture: Arts and culture organizations receive a sizable portion of funding each year:

  • Idaho Shakespeare Festival
  • Lyman Allyn Art Museum (Connecticut)
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • Museum of the City of New York
  • Orange County Historical Society (Arden, New York)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publish explicit exclusions, but their funding history demonstrates a clear focus on established institutions in education, youth services, health, and culture.

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership:

  • Thomas F. Dixon: Chairman
  • Elbridge T. Gerry III: President (member of the prominent Gerry family with deep ties to New York philanthropy and Brown Brothers Harriman)
  • Anna T. Korniczky: Treasurer
  • Barbara O'Connell: Secretary

The foundation is managed by Brown Brothers Harriman Trust Company, continuing the connection to the banking firm Roland Harriman helped establish.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts letters of introduction by mail. There is no online application portal or website.

Initial Approach: Submit a written summary in letter form including:

  • Brief description of the organization
  • Funding requirements
  • Copy of 501(c)(3) determination letter

Mail to: Gladys & Roland Harriman Foundation, c/o BBH & Co., 140 Broadway, 4th Fl., New York, NY 10005

Decision Timeline

Application Deadline: October 31

Decision timelines are not publicly documented, but the foundation reviews applications on an annual cycle following the October deadline.

Success Rates

With 93 awards made in 2023 from total giving of $6.1 million, and grants ranging from $1,000 to $300,000 (average ~$20,000), the foundation maintains an active grantmaking program. However, specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's reapplication policy is not publicly documented. Organizations are encouraged to contact the foundation directly regarding unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's low public profile, limited public guidance is available about what makes applications successful. However, based on their funding patterns, the following factors appear important:

Established Organizations: The foundation's grant history shows preference for well-established institutions with proven track records, particularly in the Northeast.

Northeast/NYC Connection: While the foundation has no geographic limitations, many grants support organizations in New York and the broader Northeast region, reflecting the Harriman family's roots.

Institutional Support: The foundation appears to favor established schools, hospitals, museums, and long-standing youth organizations rather than newer initiatives or startups.

Mission Alignment: Organizations that align with the founder's historical philanthropic interests—child welfare, youth development, education, and cultural institutions—may have stronger alignment.

Clear, Concise Communication: Given the mail-only application process and lack of website, organizations should submit well-written, professional letters that clearly articulate their mission, impact, and funding needs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Low-key approach: This foundation maintains a deliberately low public profile with no website or detailed application guidelines. A professional, straightforward letter of introduction is the appropriate first contact.
  • Deadline matters: Mark October 31 on your calendar as the annual application deadline.
  • Grant range awareness: While grants can reach $300,000, the average is around $20,000. Tailor your request accordingly.
  • Regional preference: Though not required, Northeast/NYC connections appear beneficial based on funding patterns.
  • Institutional credibility: The foundation favors established organizations with proven track records in their funding areas.
  • Multiple sectors: The foundation funds across diverse sectors—don't be deterred if you're in education, health, youth services, or arts and culture.
  • Be patient: With 93 grants awarded from $6.1 million in giving, competition exists but opportunities are real for well-aligned organizations.

References

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