OVERVIEW: The Joseph H. & Barbara I. Ellis Foundation is the philanthropic vehicle of Goldman Sachs veteran Joseph Ellis and his wife Barbara. The couple’s New York City giving focuses on the environment, arts and culture, and more.
IP TAKE: The foundation keeps a low profile and does not appear to accept unsolicited proposals. Networking is key here.
PROFILE: Joseph Ellis joined Goldman Sachs in 1970, where he went on to serve as a general partner. Ellis and his wife Barbara are based in Connecticut and their charitable foundation, the Joseph H. & Barbara I. Ellis Foundation, focuses much of its grantmaking on the Northeast.
Grants for New York City
Some of the couple’s grantmaking focuses on New York City, and a top priority is supporting the environment. Ellis serves as secretary of the board of National Audubon Society, which he and Barbara steadily support via their foundation. Ellis also once served as vice chair of the board of New York State Nature Conservancy and is also currently on the board of RARE. In New York City, recent grantees have included National Audubon Society and African Parks Foundation.
Grants for Higher Education
Columbia University serves as an important site of philanthropy and the couple graduated from the school. Some of this work has been of the environmental variety where they’ve supported sustainable development education at the school. The couple has also directed funds the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, among others.
Grants for Jewish Causes
The family also supports the arts and Jewish causes in New York City. Grantees have included Museum of American Bird Art, The Met, Park East Synagogue, Park Slope Jewish Center, and Congregation Bnai Torah.
Grants for Environment
In recent years, climate change and environmental conservation has been a funding priority. The foundation has given large grants to Earth Justice, World Wildlife Fund, National Audubon Society, and Nature Conservancy’s New York City Office.
Important Grant Details
The bulk of the foundation’s grant money annually goes to environmental causes in New York and far beyond. In a recent tax year, the foundation made around $920,000 in grants. $1,000 was the most common amount, however. This is an outfit, unfortunately, though, that keeps a low profile and does not provide a whole lot of information for grantseekers.
PEOPLE:
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CONTACT:
The Joseph H. & Barbara I. Ellis Foundation does not provide a clear avenue for getting in touch with the couple, but below is an address:
Joseph H. & Barbara I. Ellis Foundation
100 Wood Ave. S., Ste. 209
Iselin, NJ 08830
