Baratta Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $800,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only grantmaking)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $50,000 - $400,000
• Average Grant: $160,000
• Number of Grants: 5 awards (2024)
• Total Assets: $9,764,003
• Geographic Focus: Saratoga Springs, New York State, and Utah

Contact Details

Address: Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Email: Admin@BarattaFamily.Foundation

Website: https://barattafamily.foundation/

EIN: 83-0767499

Note: This foundation does not have a formal public application process. Contact should be made directly via email for inquiries.

Overview

The Baratta Family Foundation was established as a private independent foundation and granted tax-exempt status in February 2019. Led by Joseph Baratta, Global Head of Private Equity at Blackstone, and his wife Abigail Baratta, both Georgetown University alumni, the foundation operates with the motto "Acta, Non Verba" (Deeds, Not Words). With total assets exceeding $9.7 million and annual giving of $800,000 in 2024, the foundation focuses its grant-making primarily within Saratoga Springs, New York State, and Utah. The foundation does not engage in direct charitable activities but instead supports other 501(c)(3) organizations through strategic contributions. The Barattas bring significant philanthropic experience, having made major gifts to Georgetown University ($11 million), Jesuit High School Sacramento ($3 million combined), and serving on boards of organizations including Year Up, the Tate Foundation, and Trinity School.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private family foundation without designated grant programs or public funding cycles. Based on 2024 data:

• Typical Award Range: $50,000 - $400,000
• Average Grant Size: $160,000
• Number of Annual Grants: 5 awards (2024)
• Application Method: Invitation only / pre-existing relationships

Priority Areas

Based on the foundation's 990 filings and the leadership's demonstrated philanthropic interests, funding priorities include:

Primary Focus Areas:

• Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking: Supporting other grantmaking organizations and philanthropic infrastructure
• Arts, Culture & Humanities: Consistent with Joseph Baratta's trusteeship at the Tate Foundation
• Recreation & Sports: General community enrichment activities

Geographic Priorities:

• City of Saratoga Springs (primary focus)
• New York State (broader state-wide initiatives)
• Utah (secondary geographic focus)

Inferred Interests (based on leadership's board service and major gifts):

• Youth Employment & Economic Opportunity: Joseph Baratta serves on the Year Up board, an organization closing the opportunity divide for young adults
• Higher Education: Major gifts to Georgetown University for global business education
• K-12 Education Access: $3 million in combined gifts to Jesuit High School Sacramento for tuition assistance
• Global Business Education: Established the Baratta Center for Global Business at Georgetown

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation focusing on specific 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, they likely do not fund:

• Individuals (except through qualified scholarship programs)
• For-profit enterprises
• Organizations outside their geographic focus areas (unless connected to leadership interests)
• Unsolicited applications from organizations without existing relationships

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Joseph Baratta - President & Treasurer (uncompensated)

• Global Head of Private Equity at Blackstone
• Georgetown University McDonough School of Business (B.S.B.A. '93)
• Board Member: Year Up (youth employment organization)
• Board Member: Georgetown University (also serves on endowment investment committee)
• Trustee: Tate Foundation (arts)
• Board of Trustees: Trinity School, New York City
• Named to Year Up's Opportunity Hall of Fame (2020) for longstanding support

Abigail Baratta - Vice President & Secretary (uncompensated)

• Georgetown University School of Foreign Service (SFS '96)
• Active partner in family philanthropic initiatives

Leadership Philosophy

The foundation's motto, "Acta, Non Verba" (Deeds, Not Words), reflects a focus on tangible impact rather than rhetoric. In a LEADERS Magazine interview, Joseph Baratta emphasized the importance of purpose-driven work, stating his commitment to organizations that create meaningful opportunities for underserved communities. His involvement with Blackstone's Career Pathways Initiative and Year Up demonstrates dedication to closing opportunity gaps through education and employment pathways.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important: The Baratta Family Foundation does not have a public application process. This is a private family foundation that makes grants through invitation only or to organizations with which the foundation leadership has pre-existing relationships.

For Organizations Seeking Funding:

• Direct contact via email: Admin@BarattaFamily.Foundation
• Be prepared to demonstrate alignment with the foundation's geographic focus (Saratoga Springs, NY, or New York State)
• Establish connection to the foundation's areas of interest
• Note that unsolicited proposals may not receive responses

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation operating without formal grant cycles, decisions are made at the discretion of the board (Joseph and Abigail Baratta).

Success Rates

Not publicly available. As an invitation-only grantmaker, traditional success rates do not apply. The foundation made 5 grants totaling $800,000 in 2024.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Organizations should contact the foundation directly regarding reapplication opportunities.

Application Success Factors

While there is no public application process, the following factors appear important based on the foundation's giving patterns and leadership priorities:

Geographic Alignment: Organizations based in or serving Saratoga Springs, New York have the strongest alignment with the foundation's stated geographic focus.

Connection to Leadership Interests: The Barattas have demonstrated commitment to:

• Youth employment and economic opportunity (Year Up board service)
• Education access and equity (major gifts for tuition assistance)
• Arts and culture (Tate Foundation trusteeship)
• Global business education (Georgetown gifts)

Demonstrated Impact: Given the motto "Acta, Non Verba," the foundation likely values organizations with proven track records and measurable outcomes over aspirational proposals.

Organizational Capacity: With average grants of $160,000 and a range of $50,000-$400,000, the foundation appears to fund established organizations capable of deploying significant resources effectively.

Educational Focus: The majority of publicly documented major gifts from the Barattas have supported educational institutions, suggesting this may be a priority area.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Do not submit standard grant proposals without prior contact or invitation.

• Relationship-Based: Success requires establishing a connection with the foundation leadership or being within their known network of organizations.

• Geographic Priority: Location in or service to Saratoga Springs, NY significantly increases alignment. New York State organizations have secondary priority.

• Substantial Grants: With an average grant of $160,000, this foundation makes meaningful investments in fewer organizations rather than small grants to many.

• Education Focus: The leadership's demonstrated commitment to educational access and opportunity across K-12, higher education, and workforce development suggests this is a priority.

• Long-Term Relationships: The Barattas have shown patterns of sustained giving to organizations they support (multiple gifts to Jesuit High School, ongoing Year Up involvement), suggesting preference for partnership over one-time funding.

• Contact Strategically: If you have genuine alignment with their interests and geography, a brief, professional inquiry to Admin@BarattaFamily.Foundation explaining the connection may be appropriate, but expect that most funding goes to known organizations.

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Baratta Family Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/830767499. Accessed February 11, 2026.

2. Instrumentl - Baratta Family Foundation 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/baratta-family-foundation. Accessed February 11, 2026.

3. Cause IQ - The Baratta Family Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/baratta-family-foundation,830767499/. Accessed February 11, 2026.

4. Baratta Family Foundation Official Website. https://barattafamily.foundation/. Accessed February 11, 2026.

5. Georgetown University - "Georgetown Receives $7.3 Million Gift for Global Business Education Expansion." https://www.georgetown.edu/news/georgetown-receives-7-3-million-gift-for-global-business-education-expansion/. Accessed February 11, 2026.

6. Jesuit High School Sacramento - "Jesuit High School Receives Record $2 Million Gift from Alumnus Joseph Baratta '89 to Support Co-Divisional Transition." https://www.jesuithighschool.org/update/jesuit-high-school-receives-record-2-million-gift-alumnus-joseph-baratta-89-support-co-0. Accessed February 11, 2026.

7. Year Up - Joseph Baratta Board Profile. https://www.yearupunited.org/about/leadership/joseph-baratta. Accessed February 11, 2026.

8. Blackstone - Joseph Baratta Biography. https://www.blackstone.com/people/joseph-baratta-2/. Accessed February 11, 2026.

9. LEADERS Magazine - "Interview with Joseph Baratta, Global Head of Private Equity and Marcus Felder, Vice President, Portfolio Operations, Blackstone." https://www.leadersmag.com/issues/2021.2_Apr/Purpose/LEADERS-Joseph-Baratta-Marcus-Felder-Blackstone.html. Accessed February 11, 2026.

10. GuideStar - Baratta Family Foundation Profile. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/83-0767499. Accessed February 11, 2026.