In 2014, the Stella and Charles Guttman Foundation directed a substantial portion of its grantmaking to programs that serve low-income infants, toddlers and preschoolers as they transition to kindergarten. Special emphasis is placed on programs that improve quality, expand services and create a strong continuum of care for children ages 0-3 in high-need neighborhoods.
Strategic investments in early childhood programs include the expansion of evidence-based home visiting programs, infant health and mental health programs and professional development for center-based teachers, as well as home-based caregivers.
The Foundation is also committed to fund programs in neighborhoods with high levels of poverty and a large concentration of public housing. In addition to early childhood programs, the Foundation will support programs that work to build a network of education, health and social services for children from birth through college graduation.
The Foundation also supports place-based efforts in neighborhoods with high levels of poverty and a large concentration of public housing. Place-based strategies are primarily led by an anchor organization that facilitates the transformation of fragmented services into a coordinated network of education, health and social services for children and their families.
Because the Guttmans spent their lives in New York City and directed the majority of their charitable contributions to local projects, it is the policy of the Foundation to direct its grants to organizations providing services in New York City. In addition, grants to organizations outside of New York City’s five boroughs will not be considered.
Grants for endowments, building funds and capital campaigns are rarely made.
The Foundation attempts to respond promptly to requests for information and to letters of inquiry. The Board of Directors meets four times a year to review proposals. There is no set schedule for these meetings.
To be considered for a grant, an organization must be a qualified charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Initial contact with the Foundation should be a letter of inquiry of no more than two pages addressed to Suzanne C. Sousa, Executive Director, by mail or electronically at ssousa@guttmanfoundation.org. If, after review of the letter of inquiry, the Foundation has further interest in a program, organizations will be invited to submit formal proposals.
Proposals from organizations operating programs in Israel are not being accepted at this time.