The Overbrook Foundation is a progressive family foundation that supports organizations advancing human rights and conserving the natural environment.
Current Program Areas
Through its Environment Program, the Foundation supports projects focusing on biodiversity conservation in Latin America, and Sustainable Production and Consumption in the United States. Several grants are also awarded for specific climate change initiatives and organizations using media to increase public awareness of environmental issues.
Overbrook’s Human Rights Program supports organizations within the U.S. that are advancing the U.S. domestic human rights movement. It also makes grants to strengthen gender rights in the U.S. through supporting reproductive justice and LGBT rights, with a distinct focus on marriage equality. As they are central to the democratic process and the success of our grantees, the Foundation supports non-profit media and media reform. In Latin America, the Foundation funds organizations defending human rights defenders and advancing gender rights, both women’s rights and LGBT rights.
Foundation Background
The Overbrook Foundation was established in New York in 1948 by Helen and Frank Altschul. The Foundation took its name from Overbrook Farm, the Altschul family home in Stamford, Connecticut. The Foundation is currently led by a staff of seven and governed by a Board of 13 Directors. Of these, most are third and fourth generation family members.
Currently, the Foundation has an endowment of approximately $130 million. It awarded approximately $6.1 million in grants in 2011. Since its inception, the Foundation has given away more than $160 million.
Recently Awarded Grants
After each Board of Directors Meeting, we announce the grants awarded by the Foundation on our Blog. At the Foundation’s March Board Meeting, The Overbrook Foundation’s Board of Directors approved 14 grants through the Human Rights program for a total of $727,500. The Environment Program awarded $410,000 in grants to 10 organizations at this Board meeting. Reading “Environment Grants Awarded” and “Human Rights Grants Awarded” will provide you with more detailed information on each grant and how they fit with the Foundation’s mission and funding strategies.