OVERVIEW: The Kneisel Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, the arts, health, and human services.
IP TAKE: The Kneisel Foundation is an under the radar funder that supports nonprofits in the New England area. The foundation does not maintain a website, which restricts transparency about grantmaking strategies and guidelines. Also, it’s not very accessible and does not provide a clear way for grantseekers to get in touch. Networking is probably your only way forward here.
PROFILE: Established in 1991, the Kneisel Foundation was founded by financier Bill Kneisel and his wife Anne Hooper Kneisel. Bill joined Morgan Stanley in 1974 and eventually became head of Morgan’s Worldwide Equity Capital Market Group. The foundation does not maintain a website, which makes it difficult to locate further information on its grantmaking strategies. Tax filings suggest the Kneisel Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, the arts, health, and human services.
Grants for K-12 and Higher Education
Education grantmaking typically supports schools that have a personal connection, including Bill’s alma maters Harvard Business School and Dartmouth College.
- Other than these, grantees are usually private schools and boarding schools, including Pingree School (Anne’s school), Babson College, The Highlands School, Teach for America, and Hopkins School.
Grants for Arts and Culture
In the arts, the foundation’s grantmaking touches museums and other arts groups.
- Past local grantees include Bruce Museum, Peabody Essex Museum, Cape Ann Museum, and Mint Museum Auxiliary. WSHU Public Radio, New York City Ballet.
Grants for Health and Human Services
In the health and human services giving areas, the foundation supports hospitals and community health organizations.
- Occasionally, grants support national nonprofits focused on disease research and treatment.
- Previous grantees include A Child’s Place of Charlotte, Save the Children Federation, North Shore Community Development Coalition, Women’s Health Research at Yale, National Down Syndrome Society, World Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Important Grant Details
Grants typically range from $100 to $60,000. In a recent year, the foundation gave away around $360,000 in grants and held more than $4 million in assets.
- Boston is a primary focal point for grantmaking, along with New Hampshire and Connecticut, although the funder does not publish its grantmaking guidelines.
- Learn more about past giving in the funder’s grant history.
- The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.
- Reach out with questions at (978) 922-5000.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
CONTACT:
The Kneisel Foundation
8 Washington St.
Beverly, MA 01915
(978) 922-5000
