Crow Hill Foundation Trust

## Grantmaking Approach & Strategy

Crow Hill Foundation Trust operates as a classic discretionary private foundation, governed by a small family board of trustees: Amy C. Denton, Sarah Campbell, and Douglas Campbell Jr. Established in 1997 and headquartered at 600 Third Avenue, Suite 2604, New York, NY 10016, the foundation follows a trustee-directed grantmaking model rather than accepting open applications.

The foundation's strategy centers on maintaining a diversified investment portfolio — including equities, fixed income, and occasional asset sales — to generate returns that fund annual charitable disbursements. With zero staff compensation reported across all filings, the foundation operates with minimal overhead, directing virtually all expenditures toward grants. This lean structure is characteristic of family foundations where trustees personally manage grantmaking decisions without professional program staff.

The foundation's website (crowhill.org) currently displays a "Launching Soon" placeholder, suggesting possible plans to formalize or expand their public-facing grantmaking presence. Until that launch, the foundation appears to operate through direct trustee relationships with recipient organizations rather than a competitive application process.

## Funding Patterns & Financial Analysis

Crow Hill Foundation Trust has undergone a dramatic financial transformation in recent years. After a prolonged period of asset decline — from approximately $3.9 million in 2011 down to roughly $1.1 million in 2023 — the foundation received a transformative $7 million contribution in 2024, catapulting total assets to approximately $11 million. This infusion fundamentally changes the foundation's grantmaking capacity.

Historical disbursement range: $145,000–$282,000 annually (2018–2023), with estimated individual grants of $5,000–$50,000. Revenue sources in the most recent filing break down as: contributions (69.1%, $7M), sales of assets (28.2%, $2.9M), and dividends (2.7%, $276K). Total expenses were only $212,000 against $10.1 million in revenue, with $145,000 directed to charitable disbursements.

The foundation's IRS-mandated minimum distribution requirement (approximately 5% of net investment assets) would now be roughly $550,000 annually — a significant increase from historical giving levels. This regulatory requirement means grant disbursements should increase substantially in coming years as the foundation adjusts to its new asset base. The zero-liability balance sheet provides maximum flexibility for grantmaking expansion.

## Peer Comparison

Crow Hill Foundation Trust's $11 million asset base places it in a transitional category — slightly above the "smaller foundation" threshold ($1–10M) but well below mid-size foundations ($50M+). Here is how it compares to peer foundations in New York:

Notable observations: The foundation's historical payout rate has been below the typical 5% minimum distribution, likely offset by qualifying distributions or corpus depletion during the low-asset years. With the 2024 capital infusion, Crow Hill is now positioned to significantly increase its grantmaking to meet the mandatory 5% distribution on its new $11M base. The zero-staff-cost model is common among family foundations of this size but unusual for those above $10M in assets.

## Recent Activity & Developments

The most significant recent development for Crow Hill Foundation Trust is the massive capital infusion recorded in 2024. The foundation received approximately $7 million in contributions, increasing total assets from roughly $1.1 million to $11 million — a tenfold increase. This positions the foundation for a new chapter in its grantmaking history.

Key recent milestones include: - 2024 filing (most recent): $10.1M total revenue, $11M total assets, $145K charitable disbursements, $0 liabilities - Website development: The crowhill.org domain now shows a "Launching Soon" page with a contact form and newsletter signup, indicating possible plans to establish a more formal public presence - Trustee continuity: Amy C. Denton and Sarah Campbell continue as active trustees, all serving without compensation - IRS compliance: The foundation has maintained consistent annual 990-PF filings (2011–2024), demonstrating reliable governance

The combination of dramatically increased assets and the pending website launch suggests the foundation may be preparing to transition from an informal, relationship-based grantmaker to a more structured operation with public-facing programs. Organizations interested in potential funding should monitor the crowhill.org website for updates on any formal application process.

## Application Tips & Recommendations

Current Status: No formal application process exists. Crow Hill Foundation Trust operates as a trustee-directed foundation without a public grant application. Here are strategies for organizations seeking potential funding:

1. Monitor the website launch. The crowhill.org "Launching Soon" page suggests a formal web presence is being developed. Sign up through the contact form to receive updates when the site launches, as this may coincide with the introduction of a structured application process.

2. Leverage the New York nonprofit network. The foundation is based at 600 Third Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. Organizations with strong ties to New York-based philanthropic networks may have better pathways to the Campbell family trustees. Consider reaching out through Philanthropy New York member connections.

3. Prepare for increased grantmaking. With the recent $7 million infusion, the foundation's mandatory minimum distribution will increase substantially (to approximately $550,000/year). This creates new capacity that must be deployed, potentially opening doors for organizations that were previously outside the foundation's scope.

4. Understand the trustee profile. Grants are decided by three family trustees (Amy C. Denton, Sarah Campbell, Douglas Campbell Jr.) who serve without compensation. Proposals should be concise and relationship-driven rather than bureaucratic.

5. Focus on alignment. While specific focus areas are not publicly documented, the foundation's NTEE classification under Philanthropy/Voluntarism suggests broad charitable interests. Organizations with clear, measurable impact and strong fiscal management are likely best positioned.

6. Consider timing. The foundation follows an annual filing cycle. Outreach in Q1–Q2 may align with annual planning for charitable disbursements.