William E. Simon Foundation

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The William E. Simon Foundation is a 501(c)3 private foundation named in honor of William E. Simon, a former merchant banker and government official. The grant-making body often gives to educational foundations and schools, Christian missionary groups and churches, and politically conservative groups, such as State Policy Network think tanks, or DonorsTrust. They also make contributions to social issue groups, such as poverty and homeless advocacy groups or shelters, medical foundations, among others.

In 2011, the William E. Simon Foundation reported $7,618,802 in revenue, $14,589,885 in expenses, and $97,321,827 in assets (fair market value). [1]

Causes and Issues

"Named after its principal benefactor, the William E. Simon Foundation supports programs that are intended to strengthen the free enterprise system and the spiritual values on which it rests: individual freedom, initiative, thrift, self-discipline and faith in God." [2]

The foundation is a supporter of the free market system, Christian morals and beliefs, choice in education, strengthening families with proper resources and skills, as demonstrated through a quote by the founder:

"The free enterprise system has blessed the United States of America with the greatest prosperity, the highest standards of living, and most important, the greatest individual freedom ever known to man. If we can preserve this system, we can look forward to turning over to our children and our children's children an America that is more productive, prosperous, and stronger economically, financially, morally and spiritually than the one we inherited." [3]

In 2011, the William E. Simon Foundation reported $7,618,802 in revenue.

Grants Given

While the Foundation does give to charitable social organizations, universities and schools, its some of largest contributions to organizations or institutes from 2009 to 2011 have been:

  • 1. Morristown Medical Health Foundation: $9,438,948
  • 2. Philanthropy Roundtable: $2,230,500
  • 3. Witherspoon Institute: $1,800,000
  • 4. University of Rochester: $1,635,000

Grant Summary, 2009-2011

2009

Total grants payable in 2009 amounted to $7,976,851, which include, but are not limited to: [4]

2010

Their total grants amounted to $9,383,534 in 2010, and include, but are not limited to:[5]

2011

Their total grants given in 2011 amount to $12,220,143, and include but are not limited to: [6]

Grants Summary, 2004-2010

[7]

Total Grants

  • 2010 Grants: $9,383,534
  • 2009 Grants: $7,976,851
  • 2008 Grants: $8,762,901
  • 2007 Grants: $7,802,039
  • 2006 Grants: $10,936,687
  • 2005 Grants: $7,929,789
  • 2004 Grants: $6,409,784

Education Grants

  • 2010 Grants: $3,641,825
  • 2009 Grants: $3,202,810
  • 2008 Grants: $4,023,655
  • 2007 Grants: $3,983,338
  • 2006 Grants: $6,059,636
  • 2005 Grants: $3,620,726
  • 2004 Grants: $3,090,941

Faith Grants

  • 2010 Grants: $1,558,575
  • 2009 Grants: $1,392,298
  • 2008 Grants: $1,796,834
  • 2007 Grants: $1,174,100
  • 2006 Grants: $1,030,000
  • 2005 Grants: $938,500
  • 2004 Grants: $949,500

Family Grants

  • 2010 Grants: $1,595,369
  • 2009 Grants: $1,761,243
  • 2008 Grants: $1,241,685
  • 2007 Grants: $1,432,601
  • 2006 Grants: $668,178
  • 2005 Grants: $782,686
  • 2004 Grants: $403, 945

There is not a separate grant category for groups with political purposes, but political think tanks such as Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, Heritage Foundation, DonorsTrust, and more, are often listed the Form 990s as education, faith, and family grants, or they are simply listed as "other."

Key Personnel

Board of Directors

William E. Simon Jr., co-chairman
J. Peter Simon, co-chairman
James Piereson, President
Aimee Bloom, trustee
Katie Morris, trustee
Daniel L. Mosley, trustee
Julie Simon Munro, trustee
Leigh Porges, trustee
Mary Streep, trustee
William Wachenfeld, trustee

Additional Staff

Sara E. Fay Snider, Program Director
Janice B. Riddell, Senior Program Officer
Amy Tyler Allred, Program Officer
Karen Parlock, Office Coordinator

Prizes

"The William E. Simon Prize in Social Entrepreneurship is awarded to an outstanding innovator, entrepreneur, or volunteer who has demonstrated the important role one person can have in improving the lives of others." [1]

"The William E. Simon Prize in Philanthropic Leadership is awarded to a prominent philanthropist who has taken great care in his or her charitable giving to ensure that his or her philanthropy supports causes and programs that not only have achieved positive results, but also, in the words on Andrew Carnegie, "help people to help themselves."" [2]

Prize Program Advisory Board

Source


Contact

Web: http://www.wesimonfoundation.org

140 East 45th Street, Suite 14D
New York, NY 10017

T: (212) 661-8366
F: (212) 661-9450
E: info@wesimonfoundation.org

References

  1. William E. Simon Foundation 2011 Form 990, organization's annual filing of Internal revenue Services documents, January 14, 2013.
  2. William E. Simon Foundation History of William E. Simon Foundation
  3. William E. Simon Foundation Foundation website
  4. William E. Simon Foundation 2009 Form 990, organization's annual filing of Internal Revenue Services, November 19, 2010.
  5. William E. Simon Foundation 2010 Form 990, organization's annual filing of Internal Revenue Services documents, November, 18, 2011.
  6. William E. Simon Foundation 2011 Form 990, organization's annual filing of Internal revenue Services documents, January 14, 2013.
  7. William E. Simon Foundation Grants Summary 2004-2010