OVERVIEW: The Janklow Foundation funds grantmaking related to the arts, education, youth, health, human services, and Jewish causes across the United States.
IP TAKE: The foundation keeps a low public profile, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. This is a great funder to know in the arts space, especially. It does not have a website. Contact information is below, but beyond that, grantseekers will need to network.
PROFILE: The Janklow Foundation was established in 1986. Its founders are literary agents Morton Janklow and Linda Nesbitt Janklow, his wife and a descendant of the Warner Bros. movie dynasty. He established a law firm and in 1972, but pivoted to a career as a literary agent when his friend and client, William Safire, asked him to handle a book he was writing about President Nixon, titled “Before the Fall.” The late Morton Janklow was a prominent literary agent and co-founder of Janklow & Nesbit Associates along with Linda. Janklow has worked with the likes of Barbara Walters and Danielle Steel. Linda, meanwhile, is founding chair of ArtsConnection, which “connects artists with children, families, and schools in teaching and learning partnerships.”
Grants for Arts and Culture
The Janklows have been among ARTNews’ Top 200 art collectors, with a focus on modern and contemporary art. Linda is the founding chair of ArtsConnection, which “connects artists with children, families, and schools in teaching and learning partnerships.”
According to tax filings, the Janklow Foundation broadly supports arts and educational organizations. Janklow founded and endowed the Morton L. Janklow Chair in Literary and Artistic Property Law at Columbia Law School, the founder’s alma mater.
Family foundation grantees include ArtsConnection, Parrish Art Museum, Carnegie Hall Society, New York Academy of Art, Morgan Library & Museum, The Met, and Museum of the Moving Image.
Grants for Education and Youth
Janklow’s education grantmaking has prioritized organizations with which the family has a special relationship rather than a built-out grantmaking strategy.
Syracuse University is home to the Morton L. Janklow Arts Leadership Program. Janklow is on the board of visitors of Syracuse’s College of Arts and Sciences.
Other grantees include The Wesley School in North Hollywood, Wesleyan University (the couple’s son Luke graduated from the school), Weill Cornell Medical College, Child Mind Institute, Juilliard School, Prep for Prep, and New Visions for Public Schools.
Grants for Health
Cancer research is a funding priority. The Janklows have supported Cancer Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Grants for Jewish Causes and International Relations
Grantees include policy organizations Council on Foreign Relations, of which Janklow is a member. Other grantees include Jewish organizations like UJA Federation and Congregation Emanu-El.
Important Grant Details:
Grants range from $50 to $50,000. The most common amount is $250. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $226,000. Unfortunately, this foundation lacks transparency making it unclear whether it accepts unsolicited applications or LOIs.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
CONTACT:
Janklow Foundation
285 Madison Avenue – 21st Floor
New York City, NY 10017
