OVERVIEW: The Donald and Barbara Zucker Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to health and the arts. It also earmarks funds for causes like the environment, Jewish causes, and education.
IP TAKE: The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities.
PROFILE: Established in 2006, the Donald and Barbara Zucker Family Foundation was founded by real estate mogul Donald Zucker, his wife Barbara, and family. Donald launched Donald Zucker Company, a Midtown-based firm that builds, buys and manages apartment and retail properties. The foundation does not maintain a website, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. According to tax filings, the Donald and Barbara Zucker Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to health and the arts. It also earmarks funds for causes like the environment, Jewish causes, and education.
Donald and Barbara Zucker gave gifts totaling $61 million to Hofstra University and Northwell Health, including $50 million to establish and endow a scholarship fund for medical students; $10 million to endow the Barbara Hrbek Zucker Emerging Scientists Program at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research; and $1 million to provide scholarship support for students at the Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. The Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine was renamed the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Donald is on the board of trustees of Northwell Health. Barbara is on the board of Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and has an interest in mental health. The couple gave a $7.5 million gift to New York Aquarium earlier in the decade. Barbara is a life trustee of Wildlife Conservation Society, which runs the aquarium, home to the a shark exhibit which bears the Zucker name.
Grants range from $55 to around $16.7 million. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away approximately $23.3 million. Past grantees include Port Washington Library, Jewish Center of the Hamptons, Columbia University, Anti-Defamation League, Whitney Museum, The Met, LaGuardia Community College, and Lincoln Center.
The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.
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CONTACT:
Donald and Barbara Zucker Family Foundation
103 W. 55th St.
New York, NY 10019