Singer Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• EIN: 84-1327455
• Annual Giving: $3,490,000 (2024)
• Total Assets: $44,041,271 (2024)
• Grant Range: $2,000 - $1,013,000
• Median Grant: $18,000
• Number of Grants: 62 awards (2024), 56 awards (2023)
• Geographic Focus: Colorado, New York, Virginia (with concentration in Denver)
• Tax Status: 501(c)(3) Private Independent Foundation

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 22066, Denver, CO 80222-0066

Phone: (303) 321-0606

Contact for Applications: Andrea S. Pollack

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website. Information is available through tax filings and nonprofit databases.

Overview

The Singer Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1995 in Colorado. With assets exceeding $44 million and annual grant distributions of approximately $3.5 million, the foundation has been operating for nearly 30 years. The foundation is led by Andrea S. Pollack as President and her daughter Cintra Pollack as Secretary & Treasurer. Cintra Pollack, who manages a family investment office called Race Street Management, oversees both the grant-making process and the foundation's investment corpus. The foundation operates as a private independent foundation focused on supporting charitable organizations primarily in Colorado, with additional grants to organizations in New York and Virginia.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on a rolling application basis with no published deadlines or restrictions. Grant amounts vary significantly based on project scope and organizational needs.

Grant Distribution (2024):

• 62 grants awarded
• Grant range: $2,000 to $1,013,000
• Median grant: $18,000
• Total giving: $3,490,000

Priority Areas

Based on tax filing data, the foundation's primary focus areas include:

• Education: Supporting educational institutions and programs
• Philanthropy & Grantmaking: Supporting other charitable infrastructure
• Human Services: Funding social service organizations and family services
• Arts & Culture: Supporting cultural institutions and programs

The foundation shows a pattern of giving to organizations in Colorado (particularly Denver), New York, and Virginia, suggesting possible family connections to these regions.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's specific exclusions are not publicly published. As a private family foundation, grant decisions are made at the trustees' discretion based on family priorities and values.

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Andrea S. Pollack - President

• Primary contact for grant applications
• Background in oil and gas business (Aviva, Inc., a family-owned exploration company)
• Oversees foundation operations and grant-making

Cintra Pollack - Secretary & Treasurer

• Responsible for both grant-making process and investing the foundation's corpus
• Founder and Manager of Race Street Management (family investment office established in 2009)
• Former roles: Vice President at Aviva, Inc.; Research Analyst at Granite Point Capital; Equity Analyst at Amazon.com
• Board member at JEWISHcolorado (former)
• Trustee at Davidson College
• Member of Aspen Institute network

Compensation: Both officers receive $0 compensation, consistent with typical private family foundation governance.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Singer Family Foundation accepts applications on a rolling basis with no deadlines or restrictions.

Application Method: Contact Andrea Pollack directly at the foundation's address or phone number provided above.

Application Requirements: The foundation does not publish formal application guidelines or requirements. Interested organizations should make initial contact via phone or mail to inquire about alignment with foundation priorities.

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not publish standard decision timelines. As a private family foundation with discretionary grant-making authority, timelines may vary based on board meeting schedules and application review processes.

Board Meetings: Not publicly disclosed

Notification Method: Not publicly disclosed; likely direct contact with applicants

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, the foundation makes 55-62 grants annually, suggesting a selective but active grant-making approach.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation has not published formal reapplication policies. Given the rolling application structure and no published restrictions, organizations may likely reapply if circumstances change or for different projects.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Considerations for Applicants

Geographic Connection: The foundation shows strong preference for Colorado-based organizations, particularly in the Denver metro area, with additional support for organizations in New York and Virginia. Organizations outside these regions may face greater difficulty securing funding.

Grant Size Flexibility: With grants ranging from $2,000 to over $1 million and a median of $18,000, the foundation appears willing to consider both small and large requests. The wide range suggests they match grant size to project scope rather than adhering to rigid funding tiers.

Long-term Relationships: As a private family foundation with consistent annual giving levels, they may develop ongoing relationships with grantees. The foundation made 62 grants in 2024 compared to 52 in 2020, showing modest growth in the number of organizations supported.

Family Foundation Dynamics: With mother-daughter leadership and a family investment office managing the corpus, the foundation likely prioritizes causes that align with the Pollack family's values and interests. Understanding the family's background in business and their Denver community connections may provide insight into funding priorities.

Direct Communication Valued: Without published guidelines or a website, the foundation appears to prefer direct communication with potential grantees. A phone call or letter to Andrea Pollack may be more effective than formal proposals submitted without prior contact.

Focus Areas: While the foundation's primary focus areas include education, human services, and philanthropy/grantmaking, the specific types of programs funded within these categories are not publicly detailed. Organizations should clearly articulate how their work aligns with these broad categories.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Make initial contact: Call or write to Andrea Pollack before submitting a formal proposal to gauge interest and understand current priorities
• Emphasize Colorado connections: Denver-area organizations appear to have strongest alignment, though New York and Virginia connections also exist
• Be flexible on grant size: The foundation funds projects from $2,000 to $1 million+; request what you need rather than conforming to a typical grant size
• Understand the family foundation model: Decisions are made by family trustees based on their values and priorities; building relationships and trust is important
• No deadline pressure: Rolling applications mean you can apply when ready, but also means no urgency driving decisions
• Highlight community impact: With focus on education, human services, and community support, demonstrate measurable local impact
• Consider Cintra Pollack's professional network: Her connections to Jewish community organizations, Davidson College, and the investment community may provide insight into funding priorities

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Singer Family Foundation (EIN 84-1327455). Accessed February 12, 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/841327455

2. Cause IQ - Singer Family Foundation Profile. Accessed February 12, 2025. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/singer-family-foundation,841327455/

3. Instrumentl - Singer Family Foundation 990 Report. Accessed February 12, 2025. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/singer-family-foundation-5a29158a-e681-43aa-a07d-abef8b042e50

4. Grantmakers.io - Singer Family Foundation Profile. Accessed February 12, 2025. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/841327455-singer-family-foundation/

5. JEWISHcolorado - "Cintra Pollack Steps Down from the Board & Steps Up to New Challenges." Accessed February 12, 2025. https://www.jewishcolorado.org/cintra-pollack-steps-down-from-the-board-steps-up-to-new-challenges/

6. Aspen Institute - Cintra Pollack Profile. Accessed February 12, 2025. https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/cintra-pollack/

7. GuideStar - Singer Family Foundation Profile (EIN 84-1327455). Accessed February 12, 2025. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/84-1327455