OVERVIEW: The Paul E. Singer Foundation is the charitable outfit of hedge fund billionaire Paul Singer, CEO of Elliott Management and a Giving Pledge signatory. Much of the foundation's grantmaking takes place in New York City. Areas of grantmaking interest include conservative, Jewish and LGBTQ causes. The foundation also supports health in the New York area.
IP TAKE: Though lacking transparency, this funder seeks organizations with proven records of accomplishment and those that can demonstrate measurable results in the mid- and long terms. This is neither an accessible or approachable funder.
Singer is known for his libertarian-conservative political views, which are reflected in his foundation’s grantmaking despite its progressive topics. Progressive outfits will have less success here unless working in the LGBTQ space.
PROFILE: Paul Singer, a signatory of the Giving Pledge, moves his philanthropy through the Paul E. Singer Foundation, which aims to “support and create innovative and effective organizations and initiatives that strengthen American democracy, the future of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, and Jewish continuity.” Paul Singer was born and raised in New Jersey. He studied psychology at the University of Rochester and earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Early in his career, he worked as an attorney with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, an investment bank. He founded his own hedge fund, Elliot Associates, in 1977, focusing on distressed assets and restructuring. The fund manages more than $25 billion in capital.
The Singer Foundation employs a formal staff and operates a website; however, information on that website is sparse. The foundation currently focuses its funding on free market and pro-growth economic policies, U.S. national security, individual freedom, Israel, Jewish causes, LGBT equality and healthcare delivery innovation.
Grants for Public Health and Diseases
The Paul E. Singer Foundation’s website does not provide detailed information about its grantmaking priorities, but the foundation does have a stated interest in “health-care delivery innovation.” Its giving mainly prioritizes cancer research and care, with major grants to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Melanoma Research Alliance Foundation, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.Other past grantees include organizations such as the Children’s Tumor Foundation and the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research.
Grants for Global Security and Human Rights
In the global security space, the Singer Foundation awards grants to organizations that advocate for peace building and for human rights; however, the foundation awards grants primarily to larger international organizations. Singer supports Jewish causes in the U.S. and Israel. Past grantees include the American Israel Education Foundation, the Friends of Israel Defense Forces, Hillel International and the Israel on Campus Coalition. Singer co-founded Start-Up Nation Central, an "organization committed to solving global problems through deepening ties between Israel’s start-up ecosystem and the global innovation economy."
Grants for LGBTQ
Singer became involved in LGBTQ rights advocacy after his son came out. Since then, Singer has been instrumental in advocating for the legalization of same-sex marriage in the state of New York. Singer started the American Unity PAC with $1 million in initial funding, in order to "encourage Republican candidates to support same-sex marriage." He has also supported the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
Grants for Civic and Democracy
The Singer Foundation is a major supporter of conservative think tanks and policy outfits, especially those that promote free-market capitalist principles. He serves as chair of the board of trustees of the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. He has also supported the nonpartisan organization Intelligence Squared US, which aims to “restore critical thinking, facts, reason and civility to American public discourse.”
Grants for Jewish Causes
Singer supports Jewish causes in the U.S. and Israel. Past grantees include the American Israel Education Foundation, the Friends of Israel Defense Forces, Hillel International and the Israel on Campus Coalition.
Singer also co-founded Start-Up Nation Central, an "organization committed to solving global problems through deepening ties between Israel’s start-up ecosystem and the global innovation economy."
Important Grant Details:
According to tax fillings, the foundation awards sizable grants in the $200,000 to $500,000 range, the majority of awards range from $25,000 to $100,000.
The Paul E. Singer Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications or requests for funding.
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