The Jean and Louis Dreyfus Foundation was established in 1979 from the estate of Louis Dreyfus, a music publisher, and that of his wife, Jean. The mission of the Foundation is to enhance the quality of life of New Yorkers, particularly the aging and disadvantaged. The Foundation disburses grants mainly within the five boroughs of New York City and primarily in fields supportive of aging, arts, education, and social services.

The Foundation is committed to funding direct service organizations and those projects which will produce systemic change. To this end the Foundation favors programs which can eventually be replicated or which have the potential to be funded by independent or government sources in the future. Occasionally organizations will be awarded grants to strengthen their infrastructure or for general operating support. The Foundation encourages matching funds from other charitable organizations, public financial drives, individuals, and government bodies.

Grants are made only to organizations whose tax exempt status has been recognized by the IRS. Grants are never made to individuals.