Six String Giving Foundation
Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $794,500 (2023)
- Success Rate: Not applicable - no public application process
- Decision Time: Not applicable - invitation only
- Grant Range: $1,500 - $600,000
- Geographic Focus: Primarily New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut
- Total Assets: $17.4M (2023)
Contact Details
Address: Foundation Source, 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809
EIN: 87-2664106
Note: No website, email, or phone number publicly available
Overview
The Six String Giving Foundation is a private family foundation established in Delaware and administered through Foundation Source, a professional foundation management company. With total assets of approximately $17.4 million and annual giving of $794,500 in 2023, the foundation supports charitable organizations primarily in the northeastern United States. The foundation is led by David Kroin (Director) and Michelle Kroin (Director and President), with Nir Messafi serving as Secretary and Treasurer. The Kroins are also known for their philanthropic support of the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute, where they established the David and Michelle Kroin Graduate Student Professional Development Program. The foundation has maintained consistent grantmaking activity, making 10 awards in 2023, 10 awards in 2022, and 7 awards in 2021, totaling $1,086,000 across 17 grants over this period.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The Six String Giving Foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. All grants are made at the discretion of the foundation's trustees.
Grant Range: $1,500 - $600,000
Application Method: Invitation only - no public application process
Priority Areas
Based on IRS Form 990 classifications, the foundation supports:
- Education: Educational programs and institutions
- Human Services: Social service organizations and programs
- Philanthropy and Voluntarism: Grantmaking foundations and volunteer service organizations
- Food Insecurity: Support for organizations addressing hunger and nutrition needs
- Adolescent Support: Programs serving young people
Geographic Focus
The foundation primarily makes grants to organizations in:
- New York
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
What They Don't Fund
Information about specific exclusions is not publicly available.
Governance and Leadership
David Kroin - Director David Kroin serves as a director of the foundation and is known for his philanthropic support of scientific research and education, particularly at the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute.
Michelle Kroin - Director and President Michelle Kroin serves as both director and president of the foundation. Along with David Kroin, she has been instrumental in supporting graduate student development programs and scientific education initiatives.
Nir Messafi - Secretary and Treasurer Nir Messafi serves as the foundation's secretary and treasurer, managing administrative and financial operations.
The foundation uses Foundation Source, a Delaware-based professional foundation management company, to handle administrative services.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
The Six String Giving Foundation does not have a public application process.
This is a private family foundation that makes grants through trustee discretion. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications from organizations. Grants are awarded to organizations identified by the trustees through their own research, networks, and existing relationships.
Organizations cannot apply for funding through any application portal, letter of inquiry, or proposal submission process.
Decision Timeline
Not applicable - the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis with no public application deadlines or review cycles.
Success Rates
Not applicable due to the absence of a public application process.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable - organizations cannot submit initial applications or reapplications.
Application Success Factors
Since the Six String Giving Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, organizations cannot directly apply for funding. The foundation makes grants through trustee discretion to organizations they have identified through their own networks and research.
Grant Size Flexibility: The foundation has demonstrated flexibility in grant sizes, ranging from $1,500 for smaller projects to $600,000 for major initiatives, suggesting they tailor funding to organizational needs and project scope.
Geographic Pattern: With a clear focus on New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, organizations in these states appear to be the primary beneficiaries of the foundation's philanthropy.
Issue Areas: The foundation's support spans education, human services, and food insecurity issues, with a particular interest in programs serving adolescents and young people.
Consistent Activity: The foundation has maintained steady grantmaking activity over recent years (10 grants in 2023, 10 in 2022, 7 in 2021), indicating ongoing commitment to their philanthropic priorities.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
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No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or applications from organizations. Grant seeking through traditional application methods is not possible.
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Family Foundation Model: As a private family foundation, grantmaking decisions are made at the discretion of trustees David and Michelle Kroin based on their personal philanthropic interests and networks.
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Geographic Concentration: Focus your relationship-building efforts on northeastern connections if your organization operates in New York, Massachusetts, or Connecticut, where the foundation concentrates its giving.
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Moderate Annual Giving: With approximately $795,000 distributed annually across about 10 grants, this foundation makes selective but meaningful investments in organizations they choose to support.
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Broad Grant Range: The wide range of grant sizes ($1,500 - $600,000) suggests the foundation considers both small and large funding opportunities based on trustee interest.
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Professional Administration: The foundation uses Foundation Source for administrative services, which is common among smaller family foundations and suggests a professionally managed operation.
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Limited Public Information: With no website, public contact information, or published guidelines, researching this foundation requires accessing IRS Form 990 filings through nonprofit databases.
References
- Instrumentl 990 Report: Six String Giving Foundation. Accessed January 12, 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/six-string-giving-foundation
- The Share Way: Six String Giving Foundation Profile. Accessed January 12, 2026. https://www.theshareway.com/funder/six-string-08014
- Cause IQ: 2022 Form 990 for Six String Giving Foundation (EIN 87-2664106). Accessed January 12, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/view_990/872664106/65762a35d72258ee25fd2d627667b992
- University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute: "Life Sciences Institute kicks off Look to Michigan Campaign with three gifts supporting faculty and students" (December 2024). Accessed January 12, 2026. https://www.lsi.umich.edu/news/2024-12/life-sciences-institute-kicks-look-michigan-campaign-three-gifts-supporting-faculty