Grantmakers in the News

January 1, 2007

The Starr Foundation Awards $25 Million to Harlem Children's Zone

The New York City-based Starr Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the country, announced a record $25 million grant to Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ). The five-year grant, the largest the Starr Foundation has ever made to a human services organization, will support the expansion of the HCZ's highly acclaimed system of community development services. Harlem Children's Zone is a nonprofit organization that engages parents, teachers, neighbors, community and religious leaders, and others to create a safe and positive environment in which to raise children. Working within a 60-block area in Central Harlem, the organization works to improve the lives of children of all ages through early intervention and by helping to create stable family environments and providing affordable housing, academic opportunities, and constructive after-school activities.

According to HCZ Board of Trustees Chairman Stanley Druckenmiller, "...I had all but given up on going ahead with Phase 3 six months ago. Starr’s gift, and its energizing effect on our board, has given us the wherewithal to proceed. In addition, we are embarking on a Capital Campaign to ensure the project’s longevity after the initial five years." Matching the Starr Foundation's grant, Druckenmiller made a $25 million pledge to the capital campaign, and other trustees of HCZ have made additional large gifts of their own. The Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, a long-time supporter of Harlem Children's Zone, has also awarded it a $5 million grant.

Harlem Children's Zone will begin its expansion in January 2007. "I am absolutely thrilled that the Starr Foundation’s Chairman, Hank Greenberg, who has been such a visionary and leader in the world of business, is giving our agency this incredible vote of confidence," said Harlem Children's Zone President and CEO Geoffrey Canada. "This unprecedented grant from the Starr Foundation will help us finally realize the original vision of the Harlem Children's Project – to reach a scale where we are helping thousands of poor children in Harlem get a real shot at the American Dream of a middle-class life."

Harlem Children's Zone was founded in 1970 as the Rheedlen Centers for Children and Families to help prevent truancy among Harlem students. In 1997, under the leadership of Geoffrey Canada, it began operating as the Harlem Children's Zone Project with parenting (Baby College) and computer courses, a prekindergarten program (Baby Gems), a charter school (HCZ Promise Academy Charter School), and recreation and community programs.

Students selected for the program will train for service learning, undertake internships, study with and be mentored by professionals, develop and implement policy and other research, work on Center publications, and attend conferences, workshops, and seminars.

Source: "Starr Foundation Gives Unprecedented $25 Million Grant to Expand Harlem Children's Zone Project". October 19, 2006.