OVERVIEW: The Dobkin Family Foundation supports Jewish causes, women’s causes and the arts. Its funding prioritizes New York City.
IP TAKE: The Dobkin Family Foundation is an open-minded grantmaker that accepts middling levels of funding risk. It has remained dedicated to its distinct funding areas since it was established, providing crucial support to funding areas such as women and media that tend to receive less philanthropic support. While this funder’s giving emphasizes New York organizations, it spreads funding across the U.S. to both small and larger foundations. Without a website and a relatively low public profile, the foundation lacks clarity on grantmaking strategies and recent grantees. This funder does not appear accessible, it accepts contact. Some networking will be required here.
PROFILE: The Dobkin Family Foundation was established in 1984 by Eric and Barbara Dobkin. Eric Dobkin studied business at Harvard University and went to work for Goldman Sachs in 1967. He made partner in 1982 and came to be known as the father of the modern IPO for his role in the globalization and popularization of initial public offerings of stock. Dobkin retired in 2016. His wife, Barbara, has been involved with Jewish philanthropy in New York for many years. The Dobkin Family Foundation’s grantmaking focuses on Jewish causes, women’s causes and the arts. This funder maintains a low profile, which limits information about its grantmaking.
Grants for Jewish Causes
The Dobkin Family Foundation’s Jewish funding is its largest area of grantmaking though it is broad in scope. Funding reaches across the U.S., with an emphasis on New York City, and Israel.
- The foundation does not name specific goals for its grantmaking in this area, but past grantees include the Jewish Community Center of Manhattan; Keshet; J Street Eduction Fund; the New Israel Fund, which promotes democracy in Israel; and the American Jewish World Service, a human rights organization with which Barbara Dobkin has been involved for many years.
Grants for Women, Media and Film
Dobkin’s grants have supported feminist organizations and women’s causes, with an emphasis on documentaries and film projects that aim to inspire social change.
- The foundation has demonstrated a commitment to feminism through grants to Soap Box Inc., which organizes speaking and social media events featuring feminist thinkers, and Gloria’s Foundation, which is named for Gloria Steinem and aims to support feminist movements.
- In media and film, the foundation has also supported the Feminist Press, Women Make Movies, Utah Film Center, the Fledgling Fund,
- Grantees dedicated to other aspects of grants for women and women’s empowerment include Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women, the Women’s Sports Foundation, the Ms. Foundation, the Women’s Donor Network, and the Roosevelt Institute’s Women Rising Program.
Grants for Arts, Culture and Visual Arts
Although the Dobkin Family Foundation’s arts and culture funding mainly focuses on film and visual arts, its grantmaking in this area overlaps considerably with its other areas of interest.
- The foundation has supported the publication Lilith, a Jewish feminist magazine and the Jewish Women’s Archive, which features the writing of Jewish women from around the world and throughout history. Another grantee, Fractured Atlas, supports artists across all media with promotional services, fundraising and technology.
- Dobkin supports only a handful of visual arts organizations each year, focusing on smaller art museums and exhibit spaces. Past visual arts crantees grantees include the Brooklyn Museum, Unison Arts Center and the Museum of New Mexico Foundation.
Important Grant Details:
The Dobkin Family Foundation’s grantmaking totals around $6 million a year. Grants range anywhere from a few thousand to over $1 million, but its average grant amount is about $25,000.
- Jewish causes are Dobkin’s main area of interest, followed by feminist organizations and women’s causes.
- More than half of its grants are directed toward organizations in New York City.
- The Dobkin Family Foundation does not maintain a website or provide a direct avenue for getting in touch. An address and phone number are provided below.
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CONTACT:
The Dobkin Family Foundation
51 Locust Ave Ste 201
New Canaan, CT 06840
(212) 440-0800