Don and Maggie Buchwald Foundation: Grants for Theater

OVERVIEW: The Don and Maggie Buchwald Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to the arts, education, health, and human services. The foundation’s arts grantmaking appears to focus on theater.

IP TAKE: The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. This funder’s arts giving appears to focus on outfits in New York City and Western Massachusetts.

PROFILE: The Don and Maggie Buchwald Foundation was founded in 2012 by veteran talent manager Don Buchwald and his wife, Maggie. Don Buchwald and his business partners founded Don Buchwald & Associates in 1977. The agency is perhaps best known for repping radio phenom Howard Stern. The foundation does not maintain a website, which restricts further information on its priority areas and grantmaking strategies. Tax filings suggest that the Don and Maggie Buchwald Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to the arts, education, health and human services.

The Buchwalds steadily support Don’s alma mater Brooklyn College. Apart from education, the foundation’s giving reveals a strong emphasis on the performing arts, particularly theater. Maggie has held senior positions at some of New York's major cultural and educational institutions, including American Ballet Theatre, Thirteen/WNET, and the New York University Medical Center. She currently chairs the board of Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in the Berkshires, which “offers music, dance, theater, opera, movies and family programs.” This funder’s arts giving appears to prioritize organizations in New York City and Western Massachusetts, including towns like Great Barrington and Sheffield.

Grants range from $350 to $200,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $381,000. Past grantees include Atlantic Theatre, Berkshire International Film Festival, Broadway Cares, Classic Stage Company, Gingold Theatrical Group, Roundabout Theater, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and Irish Repertory Theatre.

The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

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CONTACT:

Don and Maggie Buchwald Foundation
10 East 44th St
New York, NY 10017