The Heckscher Foundation for Children Grants (Education Charities in NYC)

The Heckscher Foundation for Children Grants (Education Charities in NYC) is sponsored by The Heckscher Foundation for Children. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Profile Last Updated: **11/17/2025** Grant Information Last Updated: **06/09/2025** ### Purpose and Activities The primary aim of the Heckscher Foundation's grant making is to level the playing field" for underserved youth by providing access to education and the varied experiences that make for a richer, forward-reaching life.

Our goal is to foster venture philanthropy using three principal funding strategies: catalytic giving, strategic partnerships and targeted problem solving." Incorporated in 1921 in NY - The history of the Heckscher Foundation for Children is a multifaceted story with three principal participants.

Charles August Heckscher, a visionary who achieved great financial success, believed that wealth should be shared with others less fortunate, and thus as one of his many benefactions started the Foundation.

Arthur Smadbeck, a friend of August Heckscher and fellow philanthropist, reluctantly took over a shattered financial and management structure and made possible the survival and emergence of The Heckscher Foundation for Children as a major benefactor. Ruth Smadbeck, who ran the Foundation for more than 50 years brought to its philanthropic activities a lifelong dedication to and love for children.

The Heckscher Foundation was founded in 1921. The assets consisted of land at Fifth Avenue between 104th and 105th Streets in New York City and securities intended to provide funds for the construction of a building on the site and for its operations. The original Foundation building opened in 1922 but not long thereafter was far exceeding its operating costs.

As the Depression deepened, the Foundation assets were in default, and the Foundation itself was on the verge of collapse. August Heckscher turned to Arthur Smadbeck and Ruth Smadbeck, financial equals who shared his deep dedication to public service. Arthur Smadbeck was one of the first and most prolific suburban real estate developers of the era.

Until his death in 1977, Arthur Smadbeck donated his time and efforts to building an endowment and creating a profitable platform on which he positioned the Foundation to support major outside charitable efforts, while at the same time running his own successful businesses and extensive philanthropic endeavors.

Ruth Smadbeck began as a volunteer several years after the Foundation's building opened and ran the Foundation for over 50 years, including its multifaceted programs of dance, orchestra, exercise, swimming, the purchase and distribution of necessities for indigent children, a kindergarten, a theater, a craft room, a senior lounge, a photography group, a library, and a thrift shop, while at the same time broadcasting two radio programs a week offering advice and guidance on child care.

At Ruth Smadbeck’ s death in 1986 distributions to charity had grown to $1,169,219 and assets had grown to $22,072,773. Louis Smadbeck, a renowned real estate entrepreneur and civic leader in his own right, became Chairman of the Heckscher Foundation in 1986 and continued in this capacity until his death in 1992. Virginia Sloane was elected President in 1986 and President Emeritus in 2012.

A new generation assumed leadership roles in 1997. Howard G. (Peter) Sloane became Chairman and CEO and continues to preside over the Foundation's many philanthropic projects.

Today, the Foundation’s assets have grown to well over $300 million and distributions to charity have dramatically increased. Profile Last Updated: **11/17/2025** Grant Information Last Updated: **06/09/2025**