The Essex Avenue Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Essex Avenue Foundation is a private foundation in Wilmington, Delaware. In tax year 2024 it gave $27.8 million in 77 grants; the typical grant was $300,000 and the largest $1.9 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$27.8 million
- Number of grants77
- Typical grant$300,000
- Largest grant$1.9 million
- Assets$861 million
- New grantees21%
Giving in 2024 was up from $23.4 million the year before.
21% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $23.4 million | 69 | $698 million |
| 2024 | $27.8 million | 77 | $861 million |
How to apply
The Essex Avenue Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What The Essex Avenue Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 17 states, the most to New York. It also paid $500,000 in 1 grant to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 47 | $17.4 million |
| District of Columbia | 4 | $1.5 million |
| Virginia | 3 | $1.3 million |
| Illinois | 2 | $1.2 million |
| Florida | 2 | $1.1 million |
| Oregon | 2 | $850,000 |
| California | 1 | $750,000 |
| Louisiana | 2 | $710,000 |
| Connecticut | 1 | $625,000 |
| Maryland | 1 | $525,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Escuela Comunitaria del Bronx Bronx Community Scho | General & Unrestricted | $1.9 million |
| Breaking Ground Housing Development Fund Corporati | Working Capital Fund | $1.0 million |
| City and Country School Inc | General & Unrestricted | $1.0 million |
| The New York Foundling | the Home of Integrated Behavioral Health and the Road to Success program | $1.0 million |
| Ali Forney Center | General & Unrestricted | $750,000 |
| Health in Harmony Inc | General & Unrestricted | $750,000 |
| We Care Solar | General & Unrestricted | $750,000 |
| Coalition for the Homeless Inc | Eviction Prevention Fund and General support | $700,000 |
| Jubilee Justice Inc | Black Farmers Rice Project | $700,000 |
| Refed Inc | General & Unrestricted | $700,000 |
| Women in Need Inc | programming and Emergency needs fund | $700,000 |
| Greenwave Organization Corp | General & Unrestricted | $625,000 |
| Coral Restoration Foundation Inc | General & Unrestricted | $600,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity International Inc | to assist 10 Habitat for humanity statewide offices in starting-up solar programs in anticipation of the roll-out of the federal solar for all program, and to provide seed funding for future solar campaigns in additional states beyond the original 10 states | $580,000 |
| City Parks Foundation Inc | Tree Time Program: Sidewalk tree planting along Vandervoort Avenue in Brooklyn, NY | $530,000 |
| Solar United Neighbors | General & Unrestricted | $525,000 |
| Trees for the Future Inc | Senegal program | $525,000 |
| Billion Oyster Project | Design & Permitting of Oyster Reefs | $500,000 |
| Bronxworks Inc | General & Unrestricted | $500,000 |
| Christian Herald Assn Inc | General & Unrestricted | $500,000 |
| City and Country School Inc | Caroline Pratt Institute | $500,000 |
| Council on the Environment Inc | General & Unrestricted | $500,000 |
| Fauna & Flora International USA Inc | Deforestation Prevention in the Annamite Mountains | $500,000 |
| Green City Force | General & Unrestricted | $500,000 |
| Project Drawdown | General & Unrestricted | $500,000 |
| Refed Inc | Catalytic Grant Fund | $500,000 |
| Rethink Food NYC Inc | General & Unrestricted | $500,000 |
| The Childrens Aid Society | General & Unrestricted | $500,000 |
| The Conservation Fund A Nonprofit Corporation | Working Farms Fund | $500,000 |
| The Dream Life Two Sixty | General & Unrestricted | $500,000 |
| Wild Landscapes Inc | Green Heart of the Everglades project | $500,000 |
| Women in Need Inc | to continue the legal aid program and to address food insecurity | $500,000 |
| Womens Housing and Economic Development Corporatio | the emergency fund and general support | $494,000 |
| University of Maine Foundation | Kelp Strain Selection Laboratory and Production System work | $410,000 |
| Fauna & Flora International USA Inc | Mangrove Projects | $400,000 |
| City Parks Foundation Inc | NYC Green Relief and Recovery Fund | $350,000 |
| Project Renewal Inc | General & Unrestricted | $350,000 |
| Cec Stuyvesant Cove Inc | General & Unrestricted | $300,000 |
| Earth Matter Ny Inc | General & Unrestricted | $300,000 |
| National Network of Abortion Funds | General & Unrestricted | $300,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Valerie Crosswhite
- Ann Jenkins
- Greta Jenkins
- Leo Jenkins
- Michael Jenkins
- Sophia Jenkins
- Elizabeth Lasorte
Questions people ask
Does The Essex Avenue Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Essex Avenue Foundation give?
$27.8 million in tax year 2024, across 77 grants, with a typical grant of $300,000.
Who runs The Essex Avenue Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Valerie Crosswhite (Sec), Ann Jenkins (Dir, Pres), Greta Jenkins (Dir) and Leo Jenkins (Dir) among 7 officers and trustees.
What does The Essex Avenue Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly housing and homelessness, environment and conservation and education.