Sue & Edgar Wachenheim Foundation
The Sue & Edgar Wachenheim Foundation is a private foundation established in 1969 and based in Purchase, New York. Founded by financier Edgar "Ed" Wachenheim III and his wife Sue, the foundation operates as a substantial grantmaking institution with a notably low public profile. The foundation does not maintain a website and maintains a selective, invitation-only approach to grantmaking.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$592.8M
+22.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$28.3M
-12.8% YoY
Grant Count
29
+11.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$975K
-21.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not publicly disclose a formal mission statement. However, tax filings and grantmaking patterns indicate primary funding focus in the following areas:
- Education (K-12 and higher education)
- Arts and Culture
- Democracy and International Affairs
- Health
- Jewish Causes
The foundation prioritizes institutions with which the Wachenheim family maintains personal connections, often through board memberships and long-term relationships.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking decisions are made at the discretion of trustees based on family interests and board connections. The foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking rather than formal grant programs. It is challenging to contact the foundation except by mail, and the foundation takes a proactive rather than reactive approach to grantmaking.
Grant Range
$1,000 to $13,500,000
Average Grant
approximately $679,500
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation prioritizes the New York City and Tri-state area (New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey), with particular emphasis on institutions in these regions where the family maintains connections.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending October 2024:
- Total Assets: $484,631,262
- Total Revenue: $127,242,217
- Total Expenses: $33,707,665
- Total Liabilities: $0
Tax-Exempt Status: April 1969 (EIN: 23-7011002)
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $592,791,507 | $484,631,262 | $412,705,929 |
| Revenue | $137,996,447 | $127,242,217 | $7,265,446 |
| Expenses | $29,836,202 | $33,707,665 | $21,491,945 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $28,290,250 | $32,458,000 | $21,070,200 |
| Net Investment Income | $137,763,817 | $99,881,152 | $13,577,343 |
| Distributable Amount | $35,224,333 | $33,317,886 | $25,301,494 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
131 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Edgar Wachenheim III serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the foundation. He is a financier and investor who graduated from Williams College in 1959 and received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He serves as chairman of Greenhaven Associates, a New York money-management firm. Edgar Wachenheim is trustee emeritus and former board president of Rye Country Day School (1983–1993).
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDGAR WACHENHEIM III | PRESIDENT, CEO | 0.5 | — |
| SUE W WACHENHEIM | VICE PRESIDENT | 0.5 | — |
| LANCE R WACHENHEIM | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| KIM W WAGMAN | SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| CHRIS A WACHENHEIM | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2024:** The Council on Foreign Relations announced a $50 million gift from the Sue and Edgar Wachenheim Foundation to establish the Wachenheim Center for Peace and Security.
$200K Wachenheim Foundation Challenge Grant for Rye Town Park - MyRye.com**2025:** The Sue and Edgar Wachenheim Foundation pledged $200,000 toward the Friends of Rye Town Park's tower building restoration project, contingent on the group raising a matching $200,000 by June 30, 2025. The tower building, which opened in 1909, is registered on the National and New York State historical registries.
$200K Wachenheim Foundation Challenge Grant for Rye Town Park - MyRye.com**2022:** The Jay Heritage Center in Rye announced receipt of a $1.5 million gift to open the Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III Exhibit and Performance Center.
CFR Receives a $50 Million Gift From the Sue and Edgar Wachenheim FoundationRelated Funders
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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