OVERVIEW: The Bernard F. and Alva B. Gimbel Foundation is currently spending down its assets. Its final funding areas are democracy and climate change.
IP TAKE: The Gimbel Foundation is spending down its assets and is not accepting new applications for funding.
PROFILE: The Bernard F. and Alva B. Gimbel Foundation was established in 1943 by the founder of the Gimbel’s department store chain, Bernard F. Gimbel, and his wife, Alva. Its initial aim was to award grants for charitable scientific and educational purposes, but as control of the foundation passed through different hands, its areas of focus were refined. The foundation is currently spending down its assets by making grants in the areas of democracy and climate change.
Beyond naming democracy and climate change as areas of interest, the foundation does not outline specific priorities for its funding. A majority of grants remain in New York City. Past grantees include the Center for an Urban Future, EarthJustice, the New York State Public Policy Initiative and the Waterfront Alliance.
Gimbel grants range from $5,000 to $500,000, with an average grant size of about $50,000. For additional information about past grantees, see the foundation’s past grants page.
Because it is spending down its assets, the foundation is no longer accepting letters of inquiry. General inquiries may be directed to foundation staff at 212-684-9110.
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