SOURCE OF WEALTH: Broadway producer
FUNDING AREAS: LGBT, Arts, Human Services
OVERVIEW: Edward Snowdon Jr. does his grantmaking through the Ted Snowdon Foundation, a low profile organization which has given away under $1 million annually in recently reported tax years. Snowdon through his foundation primarily funds arts and LGBT causes. Snowdon also supports human services. Snowdon is also a trustee of the Hill-Snowdon Foundation, a charity set up by his late grandfather, which prioritizes social justice issues.
BACKGROUND: Edward ("Ted") W. Snowdon Jr. received his B.S. in speech and drama from Syracuse University and his M.F.A. in directing from Catholic University. He is a producer of Broadway plays and musicals, such as the Tony Award winning shows "The Elephant Man" and "Spring Awakening."
ISSUES:
ARTS: Given Snowdon's long career in the arts, it is no surprise that the arts are well-reflected in his philanthropy. Grantees include Lincoln Center Theater, The Met Opera, New Dramatists, Potomac Theatre Project, Ballet Hispanico, and Fire Island Opera Festival.
LGBT: Snowdon recently married his partner in Upstate New York and clearly supporting the LGBT community is personal for him. Grantmaking here spans advocacy and policy, as well as supporting health in the community and more. Via the Ted Snowdon Foundation, Snowdon has helped fund organizations like Empire State Pride Agenda Foundation, Freedom to Marry, Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS, Gay Men's Health Crisis, Lambda Legal Defense Education Fund, and Astrea Foundation.
HUMAN SERVICES: Grantees include Community Service Society of New York which works for low-income workers, and The Doe Fund, a " New York nonprofit organization helping formerly homeless men and women achieve independence and self-sufficiency."
HILL-SNOWDON FOUNDATION: Snowdon is among several Snowdons who serve as trustees of the Hill-Snowdon Foundation, which was set up by his grandfather Arthur B. Hill. The foundation is strongly interested in low-income families, particularly low-income, youth of color and low-wage workers. Its main focus areas are Economic Justice, Youth Organizing, and the Fund for D.C.
LOOKING FORWARD: Expect Snowdon to stay laser-focused on his select interest areas.
CONTACT:
Applicants must first submit a one-page letter of introduction requesting the grant application procedure. Below is contact information:
The Ted Snowdon Foundation
50 Riverside Dr., No. 15-C
New York City, NY 10024
E-mail: snowdonfound@aol.com
Tel./Fax: (212) 787-2413
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