Jennifer and Jonathan Allan Soros Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Jennifer and Jonathan Allan Soros Foundation primarily supports progressive policy advocacy, liberal think tanks and nonprofits, and election and campaign reform in the United States, as well as the arts, educational, and environmental efforts.
IP TAKE: This funder’s grants may be substantial, but it is not accessible. It keeps a very low profile by design and does not accept requests for funding. Nor does it provide a number by which to contact them.
PROFILE: The Jennifer and Jonathan Allan Soros Foundation (JJASF) is the private philanthropic vehicle of Jonathan Allan Soros, son of billionaire investor George Soros, and his wife Jennifer. This foundation should not be confused with the Alexander Soros Foundation, which was founded by Jonathan’s brother. The foundation does not have a website or stated mission, but tax filings show that it primarily funds progressive policy reform, liberal think tanks, and election policy reform, but also supports the arts, educational, and environmental efforts. You can also write them by snail-mail or hope to attend a charity gala where you can network.
Grants for Civic and Democracy
The Jennifer and Jonathan Allan Soros Foundation’s grantmaking for democracy and civic engagement primarily takes the form of support for progressive policy reform, liberal think tanks, and election policy reform. Recent grantees include the New America Foundation, Roosevelt Institute, Campaign Finance Institute, Advancement Project, Common Cause, Campaign Legal Center, Demos, and New York Women’s Foundation.
Grants for Education
The majority of the Jennifer and Jonathan Allan Soros Foundation’s broad grantmaking for education takes the form of direct donations to colleges, universities, primary schools, and secondary schools with which the donors may or may not have a personal connection. These include Wesleyan University, Saint Ann’s School (Brooklyn), Cornell University, and Village Community School.
Grants for Arts and Culture
The majority of the Jennifer and Jonathan Allan Soros Foundation’s grantmaking for arts and culture takes the form of donations to major cultural institutions and arts groups in New York City and, more broadly, the Northeastern United States. The couple have supported the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA), New Museum of Contemporary Art, Manhattan Theater Club, Joyce Theater Foundation, and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Grants for Environmental Conservation
The Jennifer and Jonathan Allan Soros Foundation’s environmental grantmaking typically supports local parks and historical landmarks in New York City and beyond. Past grantees include Park Avenue Armory and Friends of the High Line in New York City, and Summit Metro Parks Foundation and Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. Despite its limited past giving this area of funding, expect to see more awards through this subject.
Important Grant Details:
Grants generally range from $100,000 to $1.5 million. Note that while JJSAF supports organizations across the United States, it shows a preference for New York in certain focus areas. The JJASF does not accept unsolicited requests for funding.
PEOPLE:
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CONTACT:
Jennifer and Jonathan Allan Soros Foundation
888 7th Ave., 40th Fl.
New York City, NY United States 10106-0001