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Hess Philanthropic Fund

Annual Giving
$21.3M

Hess Philanthropic Fund

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $21,330,591 (2024)
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: N/A
  • Grant Range: Varies by invitation
  • Geographic Focus: United States and Canada, with emphasis on New York and major urban centers
  • Total Assets: $234 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: c/o TAG, 810 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019

Phone: Not publicly available

Email: Not publicly available

Website: Not publicly available

Overview

The Hess Philanthropic Fund was established in 2016 as a private foundation based in New York City. With total assets of approximately $234 million as of 2024, the foundation distributed $21.3 million in grants in 2024 (69 awards) and approximately $21.3 million in 2023 (62 awards). The foundation is directed by family members Marlene Hess, Peter Hess Friedland, and Margaret Hess Chi, who serve without compensation. Marlene Hess, a prominent philanthropic consultant and former Managing Director of Global Philanthropic Services at JP Morgan Private Bank, brings extensive nonprofit leadership experience to the foundation, serving on boards including the Museum of Modern Art (as Vice Chair), American Museum of Natural History, The Metropolitan Opera, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, and Lincoln Center Theater. In 2022, she was honored by the New York Landmarks Conservancy as a Living Landmark for her contributions to New York City.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with defined amounts or application cycles. All grants are made at the discretion of the foundation's directors to preselected organizations.

Priority Areas

While the Hess Philanthropic Fund does not publish explicit funding priorities, the foundation appears to support organizations across the United States and Canada, with a focus on major urban centers including New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto. The foundation also supports initiatives in California, Texas, and Massachusetts.

Based on Marlene Hess's documented personal philanthropic interests and board affiliations, the foundation likely supports:

  • Arts and Culture: Major arts institutions, museums, and cultural organizations
  • Women's Health: Organizations focused on women's health and international women's health issues
  • Education: Universities, educational institutions, and international relief and education programs
  • Healthcare: Hospitals and health-related organizations
  • International Relief: Organizations providing international humanitarian assistance

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Governance and Leadership

Directors:

  • Marlene Hess: Independent philanthropic consultant and former Managing Director of Global Philanthropic Services at JP Morgan Private Bank. Board member of Museum of Modern Art (Vice Chair), Lincoln Center Theater (past Vice Chair), American Museum of Natural History, The Metropolitan Opera, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, The WNET Group, International Women's Health Coalition, Rockefeller University, and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
  • Peter Hess Friedland: Family member serving as director
  • Margaret Hess Chi: Family member serving as director

All directors serve without compensation.

The Hess family's philanthropic legacy stems from Leon and Norma Hess, founders of what became Hess Corporation. The family's grantmaking is characterized by individual family members' personal interests and board affiliations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Hess Philanthropic Fund explicitly states that it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded based on the directors' discretionary decisions and their personal philanthropic interests and affiliations.

Getting on Their Radar

Given Marlene Hess's extensive board involvement with major New York institutions, organizations may gain visibility through:

  • Board Networks: Marlene Hess serves on multiple prestigious boards including MoMA, American Museum of Natural History, The Metropolitan Opera, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Lincoln Center Theater, The WNET Group, International Women's Health Coalition, Rockefeller University, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Organizations connected to these institutions or operating in similar sectors may be more likely to come to her attention.

  • New York Philanthropic Community: As a former Managing Director of Global Philanthropic Services at JP Morgan Private Bank and a Living Landmark honoree from the New York Landmarks Conservancy, Marlene Hess is deeply embedded in New York's philanthropic ecosystem.

  • Focus on Excellence: The foundation's support appears directed toward established, high-profile institutions rather than emerging organizations, based on the family's documented patterns of supporting major cultural, educational, and healthcare institutions.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As grants are made to preselected organizations, there is no standard application timeline.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the Hess Philanthropic Fund does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that might be considered for support likely share these characteristics:

  • Established Reputation: The foundation appears to support well-established, high-profile institutions rather than emerging organizations
  • Geographic Connection: Presence in New York City or other major urban centers where the foundation is active (Los Angeles, Toronto, California, Texas, Massachusetts)
  • Alignment with Director Interests: Strong connection to arts and culture, women's health, education, healthcare, or international relief
  • Institutional Excellence: Organizations that represent the highest level of achievement in their fields
  • Board Connections: Organizations where directors or their network have existing relationships or knowledge

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications; all grants are made to preselected organizations
  • Relationship-Driven: Grants appear to be driven by the personal interests and board affiliations of the directors, particularly Marlene Hess
  • Substantial Resources: With $234 million in assets and $21+ million in annual giving, this is a significant funder when organizations are selected
  • Geographic Focus: While supporting organizations across the U.S. and Canada, there is emphasis on New York and major metropolitan areas
  • High-Profile Institutions: The foundation's leadership profile suggests support for established, prestigious organizations rather than grassroots or emerging groups
  • Arts and Culture Emphasis: Given Marlene Hess's extensive involvement with major cultural institutions, arts organizations may be a priority
  • Discretionary Grantmaking: With approximately 62-69 grants annually from substantial assets, grants are selective and strategic

References

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