The Helen Gurley Brown Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Helen Gurley Brown Foundation is a private foundation in New York, New York. In tax year 2024 it gave $9.8 million in 31 grants; the typical grant was $149,335 and the largest $1.5 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$9.8 million
- Number of grants31
- Typical grant$149,335
- Largest grant$1.5 million
- Assets$160 million
- New grantees61%
Giving in 2024 was up from $7.4 million the year before.
61% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $7.4 million | 21 | $145 million |
| 2024 | $9.8 million | 31 | $160 million |
How to apply
The Helen Gurley Brown 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.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Helen Gurley Brown Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 12 states, the most to New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 12 | $3.0 million |
| Vermont | 6 | $2.5 million |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $1.4 million |
| Tennessee | 1 | $857,743 |
| Colorado | 1 | $624,198 |
| Virginia | 1 | $389,428 |
| New Jersey | 3 | $365,000 |
| Connecticut | 2 | $185,423 |
| West Virginia | 1 | $150,000 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $133,920 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cardinal Hayes High School | Youth and education-"bridgeup" 2.0 grant: purpose: "bridgeup: core", and "bridgeout" programs-to work collaboratively to support selected "bridgeup" scholars from cardinal hayes high school, st. Catherine academy, and the academy of mount st. Ursula by providing innovative programming, scholarships, post-graduation college prep and job assistance, and alumni support. | $1.5 million |
| Dana-Farber Cancer Center | Leadership-the helen gurley brown presidential initiative grant: purpose: funding "helen fellows", "helen mentors", and "helen trailblazer" awards at dana-farber cancer institute to develop an initiative which is a supportive environment and network for researchers, and to advance their careers to help shepherd the next era of breakthroughs in cancer medicine and discovery. | $1.4 million |
| Northern Stage Company | Leadership-"bold circle" grant: purpose: to create a network of artistic directors as well as associate artistic directors, producers, and fellows, who in turn will support innovative writers, directors, and designers, and the development of new pieces of artistic work written for the theater stage. | $1.3 million |
| School Seed Foundation | Youth and education- "bridgeup" "giddy up" grant:purpose: to offer under-resourced children a unique track to personal development, empowerment, academic excellence, and the pursuit of higher education through the medium of horseback riding. | $857,743 |
| National Center for Women and Information Technology | Youth and education-"bridgeup" STEM grant:purpose: to provide opportunities for underserved individuals of all backgrounds to learn the skills of computer science in small groups with their peers. | $624,198 |
| Immigrant Justice Corps (Ijc) | Empowering innovation-robert a. Katzmann fellowship grant:purpose: to support ijc in recruiting, training and mentoring katzmann fellows. In addition, the grant supports up to three katzmann fellows through examination preparation, application fees, and scholarship support to attend law school. | $525,669 |
| Middlebury College | Leadership-"bold leadership network" grant:purpose: to establish and fund the "bold leadership network" program at middlebury college, the purpose of which is to develop leadership and support scholars within higher education. | $403,793 |
| Student Conservation Association | Youth and education-"bridgeup" environment grant:purpose: to provide new york city high school youth with the opportunity to learn about environmental conservation, gain professional experience during summers between school years, and to develop, strengthen, and cultivate their skill sets into future conservation leaders. | $389,428 |
| Northern Stage Company | Youth and education-"bridgeup" theater in the schools grant:purpose: "changing the lives of students in vermont and new hampshire"-to support student and family matinee scholarships and to increase theater access and learning resources for rural and underserved youth in vermont and new hampshire through programs that bring teaching artists into the classroom, support curricular needs in underserved schools, and introduce young people to theater through access to professional productions. | $286,200 |
| Columbia University | Empowering innovation-brown institute, brown magic projects-deputy director fund:purpose: fund is used for the role of the deputy director of the brown institute who provides bi-coastal operational support of the brown institute directors and programming that includes education, partnerships, and fostering product thinking and programs to support entrepreneurs. | $283,333 |
| Rutgers University-Newark | Leadership-"bold leadership network" grant:purpose: to establish and fund the "bold leadership network" program at the rutgers university-newark campus for the class of 2025, the purpose of which is to develop leadership and support scholars within higher education. | $247,500 |
| Northern Stage Company | Leadership-"bold ventures" grant:purpose: to provide innovative artists with an opportunity to develop new and transformative works for live theater. | $222,000 |
| The Bell Inc | Empowering innovation-grant:purpose: to help catalyze and jump start the the bell's youth journal coalition (yjc) journalism for all (j4a) program which seeks to address critical underfunding of journalism curriculum in new york city public schools. This citywide, public-private initiative aims to build sustainable journalism programs for students alongside elevated professional development opportunities and continuing education for teachers. | $200,000 |
| Twin Pines Housing | Affordable housing-grant:purpose: funding for an initial investment in the helen gurley brown foundation's move toward supporting affordable housing developments in the rural northeastern section of the united states of america. | $187,355 |
| Individual | $150,000 | |
| University of Connecticut | Leadership-"bold leadership network" grant: purpose: to establish and fund the "bold leadership network" program at the university of connecticut, the purpose of which is to develop leadership and support scholars within higher education. | $149,335 |
| Colby-Sawyer College | Leadership-"bold leadership network" grant:purpose: to establish and fund the "bold leadership network" program at colby-sawyer college, the purpose of which is to develop leadership and support young scholars within higher education. | $133,920 |
| Columbia University | Empowering innovation-brown institute, brown magic projects-directors discretionary fund:purpose: fund is used at the direction of the director of the brown institute through education, partnerships, and fostering product thinking and programs to support entrepreneurs. | $120,000 |
| Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai | Youth and education-"bridgeup" health grant:purpose: to support and develop the next cadre of young scientists, community advocates, and medical providers with the goal of supporting underserved groups. | $113,000 |
| Rutgers University-Newark | Leadership-"bold leadership network" grant:purpose: to establish and fund the "bold leadership network" program at the rutgers university-newark campus for the class of 2026, the purpose of which is to develop leadership and support scholars within higher education. | $112,500 |
| Northern Stage Company | Youth and education-"bridgeup" bootcamp grant:purpose: "professional training & mentorship for the next generation of theater artists". Bootcamp prepares high school juniors and seniors, and recent high school graduates for further training in the theater arts by providing personalized and in-depth theater training, mentorship, and college scholarship funds to achieve the next step in furthering their careers or education. | $105,000 |
| Stanford University | Empowering innovation-brown institute, brown magic projects-directors discretionary fund:purpose: fund is used at the direction of the director of the brown institute through education, partnerships, and fostering product thinking and programs to support entrepreneurs. | $100,000 |
| The George Washington University | Empowering innovation-genius grant for planet forward: purpose: given in honor of frank sesno, founding director of planet forward, these funds were leveraged to support frontline fellowships which brought together a unique and complex group of higher education students to report on environmental stories. | $100,000 |
| University at Albany-Suny | Leadership-"bold leadership network" grant:purpose: scholarship funding for one year of tuition for a scholar(s) who was an enrolled participant at the college of st. Rose "bold leadership network" program, and who needed to transfer to this institution for the remainder of their education due to the closing of the college of st. Rose. | $79,399 |
| Columbia University | Empowering innovation-the william v. Campbell center:purpose: fund is used to support center operations that through education, partnerships, and fostering product thinking aim to encourage and stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship. | $75,000 |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Leadership-"bold leadership network" grant:purpose: scholarship funding for one year of tuition for a scholar(s) who was an enrolled participant at the college of st. Rose "bold leadership network" program, and who needed to transfer to this institution for the remainder of their education due to the closing of the college of st. Rose. | $38,872 |
| University of New Haven | Leadership-"bold leadership network" grant:purpose: scholarship funding for one year of tuition for a scholar(s) who was an enrolled participant at the college of st. Rose "bold leadership network" program, and who needed to transfer to this institution for the remainder of their education due to the closing of the college of st. Rose. | $36,088 |
| Adelphi University | Leadership-"bold leadership network" grant:purpose: scholarship funding for one year of tuition for a scholar(s) who was an enrolled participant at the college of st. Rose "bold leadership network" program, and who needed to transfer to this institution for the remainder of their education due to the closing of the college of st. Rose. | $33,670 |
| Siena College | Leadership-"bold leadership network" grant:purpose: scholarship funding for one year of tuition for a scholar(s) who was an enrolled participant at the college of st. Rose "bold leadership network" program, and who needed to transfer to this institution for the remainder of their education due to the closing of the college of st. Rose. | $21,971 |
| Ithaca College | Leadership-"bold leadership network" grant: purpose: to establish and fund the "bold leadership network" program at ithaca college, the purpose of which is to develop leadership and support scholars within higher education. | $17,582 |
| Individual | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Eve Burton
- Kim St Clair Bodden
- Roger Paschke
Questions people ask
Does The Helen Gurley Brown Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Helen Gurley Brown Foundation give?
$9.8 million in tax year 2024, across 31 grants, with a typical grant of $149,335.
Who runs The Helen Gurley Brown Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Eve Burton (President), Kim St Clair Bodden (Vice President/Secretary) and Roger Paschke (Vice President/Treasurer).
What does The Helen Gurley Brown Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, youth programs and environment and conservation.