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M K Reichert Sternlicht Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.9M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.6M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,893,514 (2024)
  • Number of Grants: 71 awards (2023)
  • Grant Range: $500 - $600,000
  • Average Grant: $25,000
  • Total Assets: $99,972,191 (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York and Connecticut, with select national and international organizations

Contact Details

M K Reichert Sternlicht Foundation
Foundation Source
501 Silverside Rd
Wilmington, DE 19809
Phone: (800) 839-1754

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals.

Overview

The M K Reichert Sternlicht Foundation was established in 2015 by businesswoman and social entrepreneur Miriam "Mimi" Reichert Sternlicht, co-founder of Bread Ventures and former award-winning copywriter. As a private independent foundation classified under NTEE code T22, the foundation has built substantial assets of nearly $100 million while distributing approximately $3.9 million annually in grants. The foundation reflects Mimi's commitment to projects "where entrepreneurship, education, and design collide to affect social change." With a focused approach to grantmaking, the foundation supports organizations working on social change and global development, education and youth programs, health and mental health initiatives, historic preservation, and environmental conservation. The foundation primarily supports organizations in New York and Connecticut, though it makes select grants to organizations working on national and global issues.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-discretion grantmaking rather than formal grant programs. Grant amounts range from $500 to approximately $600,000, with most grants averaging around $25,000. The foundation made 71 awards in 2023 totaling $3,668,250.

Priority Areas

Social Change and Global Development

  • Grassroots movements addressing poverty and inequality
  • Organizations working internationally on sustainable development
  • Previous support for Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), Acumen Fund, and World Childhood Foundation

Education and Youth

  • K-12 education, particularly charter schools and innovative educational models
  • College access and mentoring programs
  • Higher education institutions
  • Previous support for Harlem Village Academy Charter School, Brown University, Boston University, Columbia University, Boys Club of New York

Health and Mental Health

  • Public health initiatives
  • Mental health support programs
  • Healthcare access in underserved communities

Historic Preservation and Arts

  • Historic building conservation
  • Cultural institutions with preservation missions
  • Previous support for National Trust for Historic Preservation, Seventh Regiment Armory Conservancy, Park Avenue Armory, New York Shakespeare Festival

Environmental Conservation

  • Land and wildlife conservation
  • Ocean conservation initiatives
  • Previous support for Connecticut Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, Oceanic Global Foundation

Work, Opportunity, and Racial Justice

  • Economic empowerment programs
  • Workforce development
  • Racial equity initiatives
  • Previous support for Grameen America, New Profit

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not fund organizations through an open application process. Grants are made exclusively to preselected charitable organizations identified through the founder's networks and board affiliations.

Governance and Leadership

Miriam Klein Sternlicht - Director, President, Secretary/Treasurer (uncompensated)

  • BA from Brown University in English, Organizational Behavior and Management, and Semiotics
  • Founder of Bread Ventures (formerly Bread + Buzz LLC), a boutique creative business development agency
  • Former award-winning copywriter for Y&R and DDB Needham Advertising
  • Board member of Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO)
  • Runs college mentoring program at Harlem Village Academy
  • Serves on arts education committee at Park Avenue Armory
  • Former board member of Teach for America
  • NYC charter member of One Goal Graduation

Richard Zimmerman - Executive Director ($125,000 compensation)

James Sternlicht - Director of Special Projects ($105,000 compensation)

Mimi Sternlicht has stated: "I'm most engaged in projects where entrepreneurship, education, and design collide to affect social change."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states it does not accept unsolicited proposals and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on the founder's personal knowledge, board affiliations, and direct involvement with organizations.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations connected to Mimi Sternlicht's known areas of involvement have received funding:

  • SHOFCO Board: Mimi serves on the board of Shining Hope for Communities, which has received foundation support
  • Harlem Village Academy: Mimi personally runs a college mentoring program at this organization, which has received grants
  • Park Avenue Armory: Mimi serves on the arts education committee, and the Seventh Regiment Armory Conservancy has received support
  • Brown University: As an alumna actively engaged with Brown, the university receives steady support
  • Connecticut/New York Networks: Organizations in Greenwich, CT and New York City where Mimi has personal or business connections

A direct connection to Mimi Sternlicht or past grantees is essential for consideration. Organizations should focus on building authentic relationships within the social entrepreneurship, education innovation, and cultural preservation sectors where Mimi is personally active.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As grants are made through trustee discretion rather than formal application cycles, timing varies based on the founder's engagement and organizational relationships.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only grantmaking model.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable. The foundation identifies grantees through ongoing relationships rather than through application cycles.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's invitation-only model, organizations that have received support share these characteristics:

Entrepreneurial Approach to Social Change Organizations that combine innovative business thinking with social impact align with Mimi's statement about being "most engaged in projects where entrepreneurship, education, and design collide to affect social change." Grameen America, Acumen Fund, and SHOFCO exemplify this approach.

Direct Personal Connection Virtually all funded organizations have a direct connection to Mimi Sternlicht through:

  • Her board service (SHOFCO)
  • Her volunteer work (Harlem Village Academy mentoring program)
  • Her alumni connections (Brown University)
  • Her committee service (Park Avenue Armory)

New York/Connecticut Geographic Ties Organizations based in or serving these regions receive priority, though strong global development organizations also receive support.

Education Innovation Focus Education grantees tend to be innovative models like charter schools, college access programs, and organizations using education as a tool for broader social change rather than traditional educational institutions.

Sustainable, Scalable Models Recipients like Acumen Fund, SHOFCO, and Grameen America demonstrate sustainable approaches to social problems with potential for scale and replication.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No unsolicited proposals accepted - This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications
  • Relationship-based grantmaking - All funding flows through personal connections to Mimi Sternlicht via board service, volunteer involvement, alumni networks, or professional relationships
  • Social entrepreneurship emphasis - Organizations combining business innovation with social impact align with founder's interests
  • Education as transformation - Education grantees typically use innovative models and view education as a tool for broader social change
  • Geographic preference - New York and Connecticut organizations have advantage, though compelling global development work receives consideration
  • Board engagement matters - Organizations where Mimi has direct board or volunteer involvement (SHOFCO, Harlem Village Academy, Park Avenue Armory) receive consistent support
  • Size and stage flexible - Grant range from $500 to $600,000 suggests foundation supports both small emerging organizations and established institutions

References

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