The Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $12,118,893 (2023)
Total Assets: $199,455,244 (2023)
Number of Grants: 79 awards (2023)
Grant Range: $200 – $2,746,000
Geographic Focus: Primarily New York, Massachusetts, Virginia; also active in California, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Vermont
Application Process: Does not respond to unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: R Schneidman Ttee Anchin, 3 Times Square, New York, NY 10036

Website: No public website

Phone/Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust was established in March 2003 in Brooklyn, New York by Robert W. Wilson, an American hedge fund manager, philanthropist, and art collector who amassed an estimated $800 million fortune through his hedge fund. Wilson gave away over $400-600 million during his lifetime to environmental and preservation organizations. Following Wilson's death in December 2013 at age 87, the Trust received a substantial inheritance of over $102 million from his estate, significantly expanding its assets. The Trust is the successor organization to the Robert W. Wilson Foundation, Inc.

The Trust continues Wilson's philanthropic legacy, focusing on environmental conservation, policy think tanks, criminal justice reform, arts and culture, and historic preservation. Wilson was deeply committed to market-based solutions for environmental challenges, served 25 years as a trustee of the Environmental Defense Fund, and was on the board of the Whitney Museum of American Art for over 30 years. The Trust manages approximately $199 million in assets and distributed over $12 million through 79 grants in 2023.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust provides general operating support grants across several focus areas:

Environmental Conservation & Wildlife

Nature Conservancy: $2,746,000
Environmental Defense Fund: $1,000,000
World Monuments Fund: $1,755,194
Wildlife Conservation Society: $625,000
Additional support for: Adirondack Council, American Bird Conservancy, Conservation Fund, Natural Areas Conservancy, Rainforest Alliance, Wilderness Society, Wildlife Conservation Fund

Policy Think Tanks

American Enterprise Institute
Cato Institute
Manhattan Institute
Federation for American Immigration Reform
Institute for Justice

Arts, Culture & Libraries

New York Public Library: $2,000,000 (including Legacy Challenge matching program)
Whitney Museum of American Art
Brooklyn Botanic Garden: $10 million total commitment for Robert W. Wilson Overlook (announced 2018)

Criminal Justice & Ethics Research

Vera Institute of Justice (solitary confinement research)
Hastings Center (bioethics research on dementia and assisted suicide)

Priority Areas

Environmental conservation and protection
Market-based solutions to environmental challenges
Historic preservation and historical societies
Arts museums and cultural institutions
Civil rights and liberties
Criminal justice reform and prison conditions
Policy research (across the political spectrum)
Education

What They Don't Fund

The Trust does not publicly specify exclusions, but based on giving patterns:

Does not appear to fund individual scholarships
Does not appear to make international grants outside established conservation partnerships
Does not respond to unsolicited applications

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Richard Schneidman (Lead Trustee)

Works approximately 36 hours per week on Trust matters
2023 compensation: $727,700
Prior to Wilson's death, served as his accountant at Anchin, Block, and Anchin
Designated executor of Wilson's will
Primary decision-maker for the Trust

Robert Feidelson (Trustee)

COO of Mack Real Estate Credit Strategies LP, New York City
Works approximately 1.5 hours per week on Trust matters
2023 compensation: $20,000

Eric Weitz (Trustee)

Works approximately 1.5 hours per week on Trust matters
2023 compensation: $20,000

Staff

Angela Riccardi (Controller)

Served as Robert W. Wilson's executive assistant for over 30 years
2023 compensation: $153,298

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process and does not respond to unsolicited applications.

The Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust operates as a private foundation with grants determined at the discretion of its trustees. The majority of the Trust's philanthropic activity consists of regular annual contributions to established nonprofit organizations that align with the founder's interests and values.

According to grant data from Grantable, approximately 12% of new applicants have received funding, suggesting the Trust does occasionally support new organizations, though the pathway to becoming a grantee is not publicly documented.

Getting on Their Radar

Trustee Connections: The most viable pathway to funding appears to be through professional relationships with the trustees:

Richard Schneidman maintains the primary operational control and can be reached through Anchin (an accounting and advisory firm at 3 Times Square, New York)
Robert Feidelson works in New York real estate investment
Organizations with board connections to these individuals may have better access

Alignment with Wilson's Legacy: The Trust continues to fund organizations Robert W. Wilson supported during his lifetime. Organizations that:

Champion market-based solutions to environmental problems
Support conservation with measurable outcomes
Advance criminal justice reform through research and advocacy
Maintain strong connections to New York City cultural institutions

may align with the Trust's giving patterns.

Sector Visibility: Given the Trust's support for think tanks and research organizations, producing high-quality policy research that gains national attention may attract trustee notice.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly documented. As a private foundation without a formal application cycle, decisions are made at trustee discretion throughout the year.

Success Rates

Based on available data, approximately 12% of organizations not previously funded by the Trust have received grants. The Trust made 79 awards in 2023, 62 in 2022, and 77 in 2021, indicating relatively stable annual grantmaking with modest fluctuation.

Reapplication Policy

No formal reapplication policy exists given the absence of a public application process. Established grantees appear to receive regular annual support.

Application Success Factors

Given the Trust's lack of public application process, success factors focus on alignment and positioning:

Alignment with Wilson's Values

Robert W. Wilson was a pragmatic philanthropist who valued efficiency and measurable outcomes
He championed market-based solutions to environmental challenges
Organizations that can demonstrate cost-effective approaches to conservation or policy change align with his philosophy
Wilson supported EDF's cap-and-trade program for acid rain because it "cut U.S. sulfur dioxide emissions in half – faster and at less cost than predicted"

Demonstrated Track Record

The Trust's largest grants go to established organizations with proven impact (Nature Conservancy, Environmental Defense Fund, New York Public Library)
Multi-million dollar grants suggest the Trust values organizations capable of deploying significant resources effectively

Geographic Presence

Strong emphasis on New York-based organizations
Secondary focus on Massachusetts and Virginia
Presence in major urban centers across the Northeast

Intellectual Rigor

Wilson supported think tanks across the political spectrum that produced serious policy research
The Trust has funded research on controversial topics (solitary confinement, assisted suicide ethics)
Organizations that contribute to substantive policy debates may find alignment

Arts and Cultural Stewardship

Wilson's 30+ year involvement with the Whitney Museum and leadership of New York City Opera demonstrates deep commitment to cultural institutions
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden's $10 million grant shows willingness to make transformational gifts to institutions with personal connections to Wilson

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No public application process: The Trust does not accept or respond to unsolicited applications. Do not submit cold applications.
Relationship-based giving: Grants flow through trustee discretion and professional networks. Building visibility with the accounting firm Anchin or through shared board connections may create pathways.
Consistent grantee base: The majority of grants go to organizations Wilson supported during his lifetime. Breaking into the grantee pool is challenging but not impossible (12% of new applicants funded).
Favor market-based solutions: Organizations that can demonstrate efficient, economically sound approaches to conservation or social problems align with Wilson's philosophy.
New York focus: While the Trust funds nationally, New York-based organizations receive disproportionate support, particularly cultural institutions.
Large grants available: With grants ranging up to $2.7 million and average giving of $153,000+, the Trust makes substantial commitments to priority organizations.
Long-term relationships valued: Wilson served on the EDF board for 25 years and the Whitney board for 30+ years. The Trust appears to favor deep, sustained partnerships over one-time grants.

References

Information compiled December 2025 from publicly available sources including IRS Form 990-PF filings and foundation databases.