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Banyan Tree Roots Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.5M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $541,153 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (private foundation)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $500,000
  • Geographic Focus: Long Island and New York State

Contact Details

Address: Smithtown, NY EIN: 84-3030662

Note: This is a private family foundation with no public website or published contact information for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Banyan Tree Roots Foundation is a private family foundation based in Smithtown, New York. With assets of approximately $10 million, the foundation supports Long Island organizations working in education, human services, healthcare, and youth development. Led by President and Treasurer Kyle Alfond, the foundation has awarded grants ranging from $10,000 to $500,000 to local nonprofits since its establishment. Recent grant activity includes 4 awards in 2024 and 3 awards in 2023. The foundation operates as a traditional family foundation, making grants primarily through trustee discretion to organizations serving Long Island communities, with a particular focus on supporting vulnerable populations from youth to seniors.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but makes discretionary awards based on trustee decisions. Recent grants have ranged from $10,000 to $500,000.

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants, the foundation prioritizes:

  • Education: School supplies for low-resource families, scholarships, workforce development programs
  • Youth Services: Mentoring programs, youth activity centers, STEAM education
  • Healthcare: Hospital emergency department improvements, patient care equipment, cardiac technology
  • Human Services: Support for seniors, pandemic recovery efforts, vulnerable populations
  • Community Development: Programs serving Long Island communities, particularly in Smithtown and surrounding areas

Recent Grant Examples

  • $500,000 to St. Catherine of Siena Hospital for Emergency Department expansion, equipment, and advanced cardiac technology (offered as a challenge grant)
  • $225,000 to United Way of Long Island for education programs, workforce development, and pandemic recovery efforts
  • Grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island for Activity Center with gaming stations, arts and crafts, and STEAM kits

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, though funding appears focused on Long Island-based organizations.

Governance and Leadership

Kyle Alfond - President and Treasurer (20 hours per week, compensated $65,000)

Melissa Alfond - Trustee (1 hour per week, uncompensated)

The foundation operates as a family foundation with a small governance structure focused on strategic philanthropy in the Long Island region.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Banyan Tree Roots Foundation operates as a private family foundation that awards grants through trustee discretion. There is no public website, online application portal, or published application guidelines.

Grants appear to be awarded to organizations that come to the trustees' attention through their involvement in the Long Island community, rather than through a formal solicitation process.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation operating on trustee discretion, decision timelines vary.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. Grant activity shows 3-4 awards annually in recent years.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed.

Application Success Factors

Given the private nature of this foundation, specific application success factors are not publicly documented. However, based on their grant history, the following patterns emerge:

  • Geographic alignment: All documented grants benefit Long Island communities, with emphasis on Smithtown and surrounding areas
  • Established organizations: Grantees include well-known Long Island institutions like United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and St. Catherine of Siena Hospital
  • Direct community impact: Grants support tangible outcomes like equipment purchases, facility improvements, and direct services to vulnerable populations
  • Challenge grant approach: The $500,000 hospital donation was structured as a challenge grant to encourage matching gifts from other community members
  • Youth and senior focus: As noted in the United Way grant announcement, the foundation prioritizes programs serving "Long Islanders in need from youth to seniors"

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is a private family foundation without a public application process - traditional grant applications are not accepted
  • Geographic focus is strictly Long Island, particularly communities around Smithtown, NY
  • Grant sizes vary significantly from $10,000 to $500,000 with only 3-4 awards made annually
  • Funding priorities center on education, healthcare, youth development, and human services
  • The foundation supports established Long Island organizations with proven track records
  • Building relationships within Long Island philanthropic circles may be the most viable path to foundation awareness
  • Recent grants demonstrate interest in capital projects, equipment purchases, and program expansion rather than just general operating support

References

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