Summary
The foundation was established in 2004 in New York by Sidney Frank and is based on his estate. Sidney Frank was the founder of "Sidney Frank Importing Company", known for marketing Grey Goose vodka and Jägermeister.
The foundation's assets are estimated at 300 million USD and its annual contribution is about 6 million USD.
The foundation manages its contributions with the help of the consulting company "Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors" and according to the trustees' approval.
Background
Sidney Frank was born in 1919 in Montville, Connecticut, to a Jewish family. His father and mother were Abraham and Sarah Frank. He attended Brown University but left because he could only afford one year of tuition. He later made enormous gifts to the university to ensure that no student would ever be forced to leave Brown because of inability to pay tuition. Brown University named its new Life Sciences building after Sidney Frank, the single most generous donor in the university's history. During World War II, Frank worked for "Pratt and Whitney" as an aircraft engine mechanic in the South Pacific.
Frank's first wife, Louise Rosenstiel, was the daughter of Lewis Rosenstiel, founder of "Schenley Industries", one of the largest American distiller and spirit importers. Frank joined Schenley after his marriage and rose to the company presidency, but was forced out in a family dispute in 1970.
In 1973 his wife died and he started his own company, "Sidney Frank Importing Company", where he served as chairman and chief executive officer. In the 1980s, he obtained importing rights to Jägermeister and promoted it heavily, advertising it as the best drink in the world, turning a specialty brand into a mainstream success. In 1997, he developed Grey Goose vodka and was so successful in promoting it that he sold the brand to Bacardi for 2 billion USD in 2004.
Frank was a well-known philanthropist who contributed a lot to universities and research institutes. His foundation has been one of the biggest supporters of the Israel Olympic Committee and has helped to pay for improvements in several Israeli sports.
After his sudden death in 2006 as a result of heart failure, his daughter Cathy Frank Halstead became chairwoman of "Sidney Frank Importing Company". Sidney's family continues his legacy by extending the range of contributions of the foundation.
Fields of Interest
Animals, Arts, Children, Culture, Environment, Health, Higher Education, Humanitarian Aid, Medicine
Geographical Focus
USA - especially San Francisco, San Diego, California, Hawaii and New York
Israel
Limitations
The foundations does not accept unsolicited requests for funding.
Average Grant
2-250 thousand $
Yearly Number of Grants
8
How to Apply
The foundation considers proposals by invitation only
Months to Apply
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Supported Organizations
Israel
Beth Israel, Van Leer Jerusalem Institute, Israel Science Foundation, Israel Center for Excellence through Education, PEF, Rambam Health Care Campus, Sheba Medical Center, Olympic Committee of Israel.
U.S.A
Brown University, Tippet Rise, Kere Foundation, Panasonic Foundation, Connecticut College, New Leaders, Rocky Mountain Inst, Clayton Early Learning
People
Amy C. Fisch, VP,
Chief Investment Officer
c/o PKF O'Conner Davies LLP
Fifth Avenue #665, New York, NY 10022
Cathy F. Halstead, Trustee
Peter A. Halstead, Trustee
Ann M. Logan, Trustee
Harold R. Logan, JR, Trustee
