Aronow Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $7.3M (annual expenses/grants)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: New York State, particularly Manhattan's Upper East Side

Contact Details

• Website: None
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Email: Not publicly available
• Application Method: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

The Aronow Foundation is a private family foundation established by the Aronow family with assets of approximately $2.8 million and annual giving of around $7.3 million. As a 501(c)(3) private grantmaking foundation, it operates through trustee discretion to support preselected charitable organizations. The foundation is closely tied to the Aronow family's business interests through MetTel telecommunications and their long-standing commitment to Jewish philanthropy, particularly Chabad organizations. Following the recent passing of founding director Joseph Aronow in February 2025, the foundation continues under the leadership of his son Marshall Aronow (President) and Andoni Economou (Vice President).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate public grant programs. All grants are made to preselected organizations chosen by the board of directors.

Priority Areas

Based on the family's documented philanthropic interests:

• Jewish religious and educational institutions (particularly Chabad)
• Health and medical causes (especially kidney donation/transplant programs)
• Educational initiatives
• New York-based religious institutions

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited grant applications from organizations outside their preselected network.

Governance and Leadership

Marshall Aronow - President, Treasurer, and Director

• CEO of MetTel telecommunications since 1996
• Son of founding director Joseph Aronow
• Major donor to Renewal kidney donation organization

Joseph Aronow - Director (Deceased February 2025)

• Founding member of Chabad of the Upper East Side
• Dedicated millions to Jewish institutions worldwide
• Known for exceptional generosity in charitable giving

Andoni Economou - Vice President, Secretary, and Director

• COO and Executive Vice President of MetTel since 1996
• Shares strategic responsibilities with Marshall Aronow

All directors serve without compensation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board based on existing relationships and strategic priorities.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's documented patterns:

• The family has deep connections to Chabad of the Upper East Side, where Joseph Aronow was a founding member since 1992
• Marshall Aronow and Andoni Economou lead MetTel, a major telecommunications company, providing potential networking opportunities through business events
• The family donated the Renewal Aronow-Zupnick International Headquarters building in 2023, indicating strong support for kidney donation causes
• Organizations with existing relationships in the Upper East Side Jewish community may have pathways to introduction

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion without a formal application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only funding model.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only funder, traditional application success factors don't apply. However, organizations that align with the foundation's patterns include:

• Those with established connections to the Chabad movement, particularly Chabad of the Upper East Side
• Organizations supporting kidney donation and transplant programs (the family supports Renewal, which facilitates 18% of altruistic kidney donations in the US)
• Jewish educational institutions with strong reputations in New York
• Organizations that have built relationships with MetTel leadership through business or philanthropic networks

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a private family foundation that does NOT accept unsolicited applications
• All grants are made to preselected organizations based on existing relationships
• Strong focus on Jewish philanthropy, particularly Chabad organizations
• The recent passing of Joseph Aronow (February 2025) may lead to evolving priorities
• Connections through MetTel business networks or Upper East Side Jewish community are most viable paths
• Consider this funder only if your organization has existing relationships with the Aronow family or their networks

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Aronow Foundation (EIN: 814677104). Accessed February 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/814677104
• Grantmakers.io Profile - Aronow Foundation. Accessed February 2025. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/814677104-aronow-foundation/
• Renewal Organization Press Release - "Renewal Opens New Aronow-Zupnick International Headquarters" (April 28, 2023)
• Chabad of the Upper East Side - Joseph Aronow Memorial Tribute (February 2025)
• MetTel Corporate Leadership Information - Marshall Aronow and Andoni Economou profiles
• IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021-2024) via ProPublica