OVERVIEW: The Barry S. Sternlicht Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, youth, Jewish causes, health, and human services. It also earmarks funds for causes like the arts and the environment.
IP TAKE: The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities.
PROFILE: Established in 2001, the Barry S. Sternlicht Foundation was launched by real estate mogul Barry Sternlicht, chairman & CEO of Starwood Capital Group, a private alternative investment firm he formed in 1991 that is focused on global real estate, hotel management, oil and gas, and energy infrastructure. The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. According to tax filings, the Barry S. Sternlicht Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, youth, Jewish causes, health, and human services. It also earmarks funds for causes like the arts and the environment.
Barry Sternlicht strongly supports his alma mater Brown University, from where his ex-wife Mimi also graduated. The Sternlichts help fund the nascent health and wellness center and residence hall. Barry is is on the board of Robin Hood Foundation, which he strongly supports. The Sternlichts are also strong backers of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where the former couple have a diabetes research fund in their name. Barry also made a gift of $1 million to Harvard Stem Cell Institute to establish the Sternlicht Director’s Fund for Graduate Students in Diabetes Research.
Grants range from $1,000 to $1.5 million. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $5.5 million. Past grantees include Year Up, iMentor, Birthright Israel Foundation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Rainforest Alliance, and Museum of Modern Art.
The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.
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CONTACT:
The Barry S. Sternlicht Foundation
Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd.
Wilmington, DE 19809
(800) 839-1754