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Goergen Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$1.7M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.1M

Goergen Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1.1 - $2.3 million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $100 - $100,000
  • Geographic Focus: Connecticut and New York (primarily), with Florida connections
  • Application Process: Does not accept unsolicited proposals

Contact Details

Address: c/o Ropart, 3 Greenwich Office Park, Greenwich, CT 06831

Phone: (203) 661-1988

Note: The foundation does not maintain a website or accept unsolicited applications. Grants are made by invitation only or through trustee discretion.

Overview

The Goergen Foundation Inc. was established in 1986 by businessman Robert "Bob" Goergen and his wife Pamela "Pam" Goergen as a private family foundation. Originally based in Greenwich, Connecticut, the foundation is now headquartered in North Palm Beach, Florida, though it maintains strong connections to Connecticut and New York. The foundation gave away approximately $1.1 to $2.3 million annually in recent years, supporting organizations primarily in the arts (particularly museums), education, environmental conservation, animal welfare, health, and youth services. The foundation operates with a low public profile and does not maintain a website, making it one of the more discreet philanthropic entities. Bob Goergen's successful business career—including his role as chairman and CEO of Blyth Inc. and chairman of Ropart Group—has enabled substantial philanthropic giving, including major gifts to the University of Rochester (where he served as board chairman from 1990-2007) and the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Goergen Foundation does not offer formal grant programs with structured application processes. Instead, grants are awarded through trustee discretion, typically to organizations with which the family has established relationships.

Grant Size: $100 - $100,000 Application Method: Invitation only; does not accept unsolicited proposals

Priority Areas

Arts & Culture (particularly museums):

  • Museums and cultural institutions
  • Theater organizations
  • Visual arts institutions

Education:

  • Primary and secondary schools
  • Higher education institutions
  • Youth education programs
  • Programs for disadvantaged children

Environment & Animals:

  • Botanical gardens
  • Zoological conservation centers
  • Wildlife protection
  • Environmental conservation

Health:

  • Cancer research and treatment centers
  • Medical institutions and hospitals

Youth Services:

  • Programs serving young people
  • Educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the foundation:

  • Does not accept unsolicited proposals
  • Focuses on organizations in Connecticut and New York primarily
  • Appears to prefer established institutions with track records

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Robert Blyth "Bob" Goergen - Founder and Trustee Bob Goergen is a successful businessman and entrepreneur who earned his degree from the University of Rochester (1960) and MBA from Wharton School of Business (1962). He served as chairman and CEO of Blyth Inc. and currently chairs Ropart Group, a private equity investment firm. He served as chairman of the University of Rochester board from 1990 to 2007 and has been a board member since 1982. Goergen is a member of the Horatio Alger Association and has been recognized for his entrepreneurial achievements and philanthropic leadership.

Pamela "Pam" Goergen - Secretary and Treasurer Pam Goergen holds a bachelor's degree from Immaculata University and an MBA from Baruch College. She serves as secretary and treasurer of the Goergen Foundation and is a partner at Ropart. She is an honorary trustee of the Bruce Museum of Arts and Science in Greenwich and serves as a trustee of the Norton Museum of Art. She also works with the Lost Tree Village Charitable Foundation in North Palm Beach, Florida.

Robert Goergen Jr. - Vice President of Board of Trustees The Goergens' son serves as Vice President of the Board of Trustees at The Goergen Foundation and is also Founder and Principal at G5 Capital.

Notable Foundation Quotes

While the foundation maintains a low profile, Bob Goergen has spoken about entrepreneurship and giving back. In connection with the University of Rochester, he emphasized the importance of supporting education and research in data science, committing $11 million to rename the Institute for Data Science as the Goergen Institute for Data Science.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Goergen Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals and operates primarily through trustee discretion. Grants are typically made to organizations with which the Goergen family has established relationships, often through board service or long-term connections to Connecticut, New York, and Florida communities.

Organizations seeking support from the foundation should focus on relationship-building and networking strategies rather than formal applications.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's invitation-only approach, organizations should consider the following strategies based on the foundation's documented patterns:

Geographic Connections: The foundation has strong ties to Greenwich, Connecticut, New York City, and North Palm Beach, Florida. Organizations in these areas may have better opportunities for connection.

Board and Leadership Connections: Both Bob and Pam Goergen serve on multiple boards including:

  • University of Rochester (Bob served as chairman 1990-2007)
  • Bruce Museum of Arts and Science (Pam is honorary trustee)
  • Norton Museum of Art (Pam is trustee)
  • Wharton Board of Overseers (Bob served for over 10 years)
  • Lost Tree Village Charitable Foundation (Pam is involved)

Organizations connected to these institutions or their networks may have opportunities to establish relationships.

Business Connections: The foundation operates through Ropart, the Goergen family's private equity firm. Business and professional networks associated with Ropart may provide avenues for introduction.

Areas of Established Giving: The foundation has demonstrated consistent support for:

  • Museum and cultural institutions (Bruce Museum, Whitney Museum, Norton Museum of Art)
  • Educational institutions (Grace Church School, University of Rochester, Wharton School)
  • Conservation organizations (LEO Zoological Conservation Center, New York Botanical Garden)
  • Healthcare institutions (Memorial Sloan Kettering Center, Wilmot Cancer Institute)
  • Theater organizations (Manhattan Theatre Club, Society of the Four Arts)

Organizations in these sectors with strong reputations and Connecticut/New York presence may be more likely to come to the foundation's attention.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As grants are made through trustee discretion rather than formal review cycles, timing likely varies based on individual circumstances and trustee meeting schedules.

Success Rates

Success rates are not available as the foundation does not accept open applications. All grants are made by invitation or through established relationships.

Reapplication Policy

Given the invitation-only nature of the foundation, there is no formal reapplication policy. Organizations that have received past support may continue to be considered for future funding based on their ongoing relationship with the trustees.

Application Success Factors

While the Goergen Foundation does not accept formal applications, understanding what attracts the foundation's support can help organizations position themselves for potential future consideration:

Established Institutional Reputation: The foundation's past grantees include well-established, respected institutions such as the Whitney Museum, Memorial Sloan Kettering Center, and New York Botanical Garden. These are not startup organizations but established entities with proven track records.

Arts and Museum Focus: Museums appear to be a particular passion, especially those with which Pam Goergen has board connections. The Bruce Museum in Greenwich (where Pam is an honorary trustee) and Norton Museum of Art (where Pam is a trustee) have received support.

Educational Excellence: The foundation has made substantial gifts to educational institutions, particularly the University of Rochester (Bob's alma mater) and Wharton School. Their original 1976 formation purpose was "to fund education for disadvantaged children," suggesting education remains a core interest.

Environmental and Conservation Work: Support for organizations like the New York Botanical Garden and LEO Zoological Conservation Center (which closed in 2019) demonstrates interest in environmental and wildlife conservation efforts.

Connecticut and New York Ties: The vast majority of documented grants have gone to organizations in Connecticut (particularly Greenwich) and New York. This geographic focus appears consistent despite the foundation's headquarters now being in North Palm Beach, Florida.

Board Service as Pathway: Both Bob and Pam Goergen's board service appears to be a strong predictor of foundation support. Organizations where family members serve on boards or have deep connections receive significant support.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Bob Goergen's business background and the establishment of the Goergen Entrepreneurial Management Program at Wharton suggest interest in innovation and entrepreneurial approaches, particularly in education.

Healthcare and Cancer Research: Recent major gifts to Wilmot Cancer Institute ($2 million in 2025) and past support for Memorial Sloan Kettering Center indicate ongoing interest in cancer research and treatment.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is an invitation-only funder: Do not submit unsolicited proposals. The foundation explicitly does not accept them and has no website or public application process.

  • Relationship-based giving: All grants appear to flow from established relationships, board connections, or long-term family ties to institutions. Focus on networking and relationship-building in Connecticut and New York nonprofit circles.

  • Geographic focus matters: Despite Florida headquarters, the foundation's giving remains heavily concentrated in Connecticut (especially Greenwich) and New York City.

  • Museums are a sweet spot: If you're a museum, particularly in Connecticut or New York, and can connect with the Goergen family through board networks or Greenwich community ties, you align well with their documented giving patterns.

  • Education must be exceptional: Educational institutions receiving support tend to be either prestigious universities (Rochester, Wharton) or well-regarded independent schools (Grace Church School).

  • Long-term institutional relationships: The foundation supports institutions where family members have deep, long-term involvement (University of Rochester board service for decades, ongoing museum trusteeships).

  • Consider the family's multiple philanthropic vehicles: The Goergens may also give through other means beyond the foundation. Building a relationship with family members through their various board positions and business connections may lead to support through different channels.

References

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