← Back to US Funders Directory

Windsong Trust

Annual Giving
$24.5M
Grant Range
$100K - $1.0M

Windsong Trust - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $24,477,171 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $429 million
  • Average Grant Size: $291,395
  • Number of Grants: 84 awards (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: United States (California, Nevada, Maryland, New York, Oklahoma) and Caribbean (St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla)
  • Application Method: Invitation only / preselected organizations

Contact Details

Address: 838 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266-4933
Phone: 310-747-4600
EIN: 56-2461733

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.

Overview

Windsong Trust was established in 2004 following the death of Martin Crowley, co-founder of Patrón Spirits Company. Crowley, who died in Anguilla in 2003, left his 50% ownership of Patrón to create this charitable foundation dedicated to providing educational opportunities for underprivileged children worldwide. With total assets of approximately $429 million, the trust has become one of the largest charities in Southern California. The foundation is led by Co-Trustees Gigi Osco-Bingemann and Vadim Fridman, who both served as Co-Executors of the Crowley Estate and have expressed their commitment to fulfilling Martin Crowley's legacy. In 2023, the trust distributed over $24.4 million in grants to 84 organizations, representing 89.1% of their total expenses. The foundation's revenue primarily comes from investment returns rather than contributions, reflecting its endowed structure.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Windsong Trust does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Instead, the foundation works exclusively with preselected charitable organizations. Known funding areas include:

  • Educational Support for Schools: Multi-year partnerships with schools serving disadvantaged children
  • Literacy Programs: Support for childhood literacy initiatives (e.g., $185,000 to Spread the Word Nevada in 2017, marking seven consecutive years of support)
  • Scholarship Programs: Long-term scholarship commitments, including partnerships with the Andre Agassi Foundation for K-12 scholarships
  • Educational Infrastructure: Capital support such as school buses and facility improvements
  • Caribbean Education Initiatives: Significant commitments including a $1 million pledge to Nevis and previous commitments to Anguilla

Grant sizes vary significantly. Examples include:

  • $185,000 (Spread the Word Nevada, 2017)
  • $125,000 (ongoing support for five at-risk elementary schools in Nevada)
  • $100,000 (three-school sponsorship program)
  • $1 million+ (multi-year commitments to Caribbean education systems)
  • Multi-year K-12 scholarships covering full tuition

Priority Areas

  • Education of underprivileged children under age 18
  • Childhood literacy and reading programs
  • Schools serving low-income and underrepresented communities
  • Arts-based education initiatives for children
  • Educational opportunities in developing regions and the Caribbean
  • Programs that provide long-term, sustainable impact

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's focus is exclusively on education for children under 18. The foundation does not support:

  • Organizations outside their education mission
  • Adult education programs
  • Organizations that have not been preselected by the trustees
  • One-time projects without potential for ongoing impact

Governance and Leadership

Co-Trustees:

  • Gigi Osco-Bingemann - Co-Trustee (Compensation: $678,000 annually)
  • Vadim Fridman - Co-Trustee (Compensation: $678,000 annually)

Both trustees served as Co-Executors of Martin Crowley's estate and have maintained their commitment to his vision of supporting disadvantaged children's education globally. The trustees exercise full discretion in selecting organizations for funding and determining grant amounts.

The foundation operates with a clear mission focus inherited from its founder, with trustees making strategic decisions about long-term partnerships rather than responding to competitive applications.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Windsong Trust does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded based on trustee discretion. Organizations cannot apply for funding through any formal application portal or process. The foundation proactively identifies and selects organizations that align with their mission of supporting education for underprivileged children.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's known partnerships, specific patterns emerge for how organizations enter the Windsong Trust's funding circle:

  • Long-term track record: Organizations that have received funding show multi-year histories of serving disadvantaged children (e.g., Spread the Word Nevada received seven consecutive years of support through 2017)

  • Partnership with established foundations: The Andre Agassi Foundation partnership with The Meadows School demonstrates the trust collaborates with other philanthropic entities that share their mission

  • Geographic connections: The foundation has shown particular interest in Nevada (where Martin Crowley had business connections) and the Caribbean region (where Crowley lived and died in Anguilla in 2003)

  • Government education partnerships: The foundation has worked directly with government education ministries (e.g., Nevis Ministry of Education received school buses and a $1 million pledge)

Organizations already working in childhood education in Nevada, California, or the Caribbean with demonstrated impact may have higher likelihood of being noticed by the trustees, though there is no guaranteed pathway to funding.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications. Funding decisions are made at the discretion of the trustees based on their own identification and vetting process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - organizations cannot apply for funding.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications or reapplications.

Application Success Factors

Since Windsong Trust does not accept applications, the traditional concept of "application success" does not apply. However, examining organizations that have received funding reveals patterns:

Characteristics of Funded Organizations:

  • Multi-year commitment to mission: Organizations like Spread the Word Nevada that received seven consecutive years of funding demonstrate sustained impact in childhood literacy

  • Direct service to underprivileged children: All identified grants support programs directly serving disadvantaged youth, not administrative or advocacy organizations

  • Measurable educational outcomes: Funded programs have clear educational deliverables (books distributed, schools served, scholarships provided, infrastructure improved)

  • Geographic alignment: Strong presence in Nevada, California, or the Caribbean where the founder had personal connections

  • Scalable impact: Grants often support programs that can expand (e.g., five-school literacy programs, K-12 scholarship programs renewable through graduation)

Examples of Recent Funded Projects:

  • Spread the Word Nevada's Kids to Kids and Breakfast with Books programs serving five at-risk elementary schools (Cortez, Lake, Pittman, Sewell, and Squires)
  • Windsong Trust Scholarship program at The Meadows School providing full K-12 scholarships for five underrepresented students annually
  • LEAP SKN's "A Chance to Dance" arts-based education program (annual grants since March 2020)
  • Two Toyota Coaster school buses donated to Nevis Ministry of Education (2021)

Foundation Philosophy:

The trustees focus on fulfilling Martin Crowley's legacy of supporting disadvantaged children's education worldwide. Organizations that align with this specific mission and demonstrate both need and capacity for long-term impact appear most likely to receive consideration.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No application process exists: Windsong Trust exclusively funds preselected organizations. Traditional grant applications are not accepted and unsolicited requests will not be reviewed.

  • Focus is narrow and specific: Education for underprivileged children under 18 is the sole funding priority. Any organization outside this mission will not be considered.

  • Multi-year partnerships are the model: The foundation favors ongoing relationships over one-time grants, as evidenced by seven consecutive years of funding to Spread the Word Nevada and renewable K-12 scholarships.

  • Geographic connections matter: California (especially Southern California), Nevada, and the Caribbean receive priority, reflecting the founder's business and personal ties.

  • Average grant size is substantial: With $291,395 as the average grant and only 84 awards annually from a $24+ million budget, the foundation makes significant commitments to a limited number of carefully selected partners.

  • Trustee discretion is absolute: Co-Trustees Gigi Osco-Bingemann and Vadim Fridman exercise full authority over all funding decisions without external advisory committees or competitive review processes.

  • Build visibility through aligned networks: Organizations working with the Andre Agassi Foundation, government education ministries, or other established childhood education entities in the foundation's geographic areas may have better positioning for potential future consideration.

References

← Back to US Funders Directory