The Barry S. Sternlicht Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Barry S. Sternlicht Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to poverty, Jewish causes, education, health, arts and culture and environment. New York City is a geographic priority.

IP TAKE: The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. A connection to the Sternlicht family or past grantees of the foundation may be the only way to get this funder’s attention.

PROFILE: Established in 2001, the Barry S. Sternlicht Foundation was launched by real estate mogul Barry Sternlicht, chairman & CEO of Starwood Capital Group, a private alternative investment firm he formed in 1991 that is focused on global real estate, hotel management, oil and gas, and energy infrastructure. The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. According to tax filings, the Barry S. Sternlicht Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, youth, Jewish causes, health, and human services. It also earmarks funds for causes like the arts and the environment.

Grants for Work, Opportunity and Food Systems

The Sternlicht Foundation supports several organizations in New York City that combat poverty through economic opportunity and food systems. Barry is is on the board of Robin Hood Foundation, which has received millions from the foundation over the past several years. Other grantees concerned with poverty and hunger include City Harvest, Citymeals on Wheels and Delivering Good, which distributes supplies and basic needs to people in need throughout the city.

Grants for Jewish Causes

Jewish causes represent a large area of giving for this funder, although the foundation does not name specific goals for its Jewish grantmaking. Recent recipients include the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, the United Jewish Appeal of New York, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and the Birthright Israel Foundation.

Grants for Education

The Sternlicht Foundation does not name specific areas of interest for its education giving. Over the years, the Sternlichts have supported several initiatives at their alma mater, Brown University, including a health and wellness center and residence hall. Other education funding has supported out-of-school learning and youth development organizations including iMentor, Year Up, the Boys’ Club of New York and Reach Prep, which provides “transformative educational experiences” to gifted students.

Grants for Public Health and Diseases

This funder does not name priorities for its health giving, but supports some big names in the field. In a recent year, the foundation gave to New York’s Mount Sinai Medical Center and its Icahn School of Medicine, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Grants for the Environment, Marine and Freshwater Conservation

This funder takes a broad approach to its environmental giving, supporting large and small organizations around the U.S., as well as some that work internationally. Recently, it has made grants to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Environmental Defense Fund, the Nantucket Conservation Foundation, the Everglades Foundation and Oceana, Inc.

Grants for Global Development

This funder has supported a few organizations involved in global development, although this is a smaller area of giving for the Sternlicht Foundation. Grantees include the African Mission Healthcare and Children’s Hope India.

Grants for Arts and Culture

This is a smaller area of giving for the Sternlicht Foundation, yet a few grants each year support arts and culture in New York City. Recent grants have gone to the New York Shakespeare Festival, the Seventh Regiment Armory Conservancy and the Museum of Modern Art.

Important Grant Details

Recently, annual giving surpassed $3 million, with grants mostly ranging from $5,000 to $150,000. The foundation’s average grant size is about $25,000. New York City appears to be a geographic area of concentration. For additional information about past grantmaking, see the foundation’s recent tax filings.

The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Contact information for this funder is provided below.

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CONTACT:

The Barry S. Sternlicht Foundation
Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd.
Wilmington, DE 19809
(800) 839-1754