Marty and Dorothy Silverman Foundation

Marty and Dorothy Silverman Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1995 by entrepreneur and investor Marty Silverman and his wife, Dorothy Silverman. Headquartered in New York City, the foundation is dedicated to supporting transformative initiatives in medical research, higher education, and the arts. It is recognized for making substantial, high-impact grants to leading institutions, particularly in the New York metropolitan area, with a focus on advancing innovation and improving quality of life.

History

The foundation was created following the success of Marty Silverman's diverse business career, which included leadership in companies like Dreyfus Corporation and ventures in real estate development. Inspired by a personal commitment to philanthropy, the Silvermans formalized their giving through the establishment of this private foundation. Following Marty Silverman's death in 2012, the foundation continued its mission under the guidance of its board, which includes family members and close advisors. Its historical grantmaking has consistently targeted large-scale, capital-intensive projects at premier institutions, reflecting the founders' desire to create lasting legacies.

Philanthropic focus

The foundation's philanthropic efforts are concentrated in three primary areas. In medical research, it supports groundbreaking work in neuroscience, cancer research, and cardiovascular disease, often funding the construction of new research facilities. Within education, it provides significant support to private universities and colleges for scholarships, professorships, and infrastructure. Its arts funding prioritizes major cultural institutions, supporting capital campaigns, endowment growth, and public access initiatives at renowned museums, theaters, and orchestras.

Major grants and initiatives

Notable grants include a landmark $75 million donation to New York University for the Marty and Dorothy Silverman Center for the Advanced Study of Human Brain Function, a leading neuroimaging research hub. The foundation also provided a $25 million grant to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for the Dorothy Silverman Radiation Oncology Center. In the arts, it has made multi-million dollar contributions to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New York Philharmonic, and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. These initiatives often bear the Silverman name, signifying their transformative scale and purpose.

Governance and operations

The foundation is governed by a board of directors that includes members of the Silverman family and experienced professionals from fields such as finance, law, and nonprofit management. Day-to-day operations are managed by a small professional staff based in New York City. It operates as a non-operating foundation, meaning its primary activity is making grants to other 501(c)(3) organizations rather than directly running programs. Grant decisions are made strategically, often involving multi-year commitments to a select group of elite institutions aligned with its core focus areas.

Recognition and impact

The foundation's impact is visible in the physical and programmatic infrastructure it has helped create across New York and beyond. Its name is affixed to significant buildings and centers at world-class institutions like New York University, Columbia University, and the Mount Sinai Health System. While not seeking public acclaim, the foundation's substantial grants have been recognized by recipients and within philanthropic circles for their role in accelerating scientific discovery, enhancing cultural institutions, and expanding educational opportunity. Its model of focused, high-capacity giving has established a distinct legacy in American philanthropy.

Category:Foundations based in New York City Category:Philanthropic organizations established in 1995 Category:Medical research organizations in the United States