Chairman’s Grants
While a relatively small part of our philanthropic efforts, we support a limited number of initiatives that align with and extend beyond our core program areas. These grants focus on causes that are personally important to our Chairman and the Gerstner family, such as hunger relief, disaster response and other special projects.
In response to the rising demand for hunger relief, this area has become a priority in our grantmaking. We concentrate on addressing “last mile” challenges to ensure food reaches those who need it most. Our efforts are focused in our core geographies, supporting regional food banks, food rescue organizations, and local pantries to get more food to people now and in the future.
Beyond emergency relief, we prioritize transformational gifts and comprehensive services designed to create sustainable solutions. By investing in programs that ensure ongoing access to food for underserved populations, we aim to build stronger, more resilient communities for the long term.
“Through our Helping Hands program, we have often discovered that individuals receiving emergency cash assistance are also grappling with food insecurity. It is unacceptable that 13.5% of households in the United States face this challenge.” - Louis V. Gerstner, Jr., Chairman
Featured Grantee
Treasure Coast Food Bank
Founded in 1988, the Treasure Coast Food Bank (TCFB) is the largest hunger relief organization serving Florida’s Treasure Coast, including Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Okeechobee counties. Gerstner Philanthropies began its partnership with TCFB in 2013, supporting critical food access initiatives such as mobile food distributions and SNAP benefit enrollment programs to address hunger in these communities. In 2024, Gerstner Philanthropies awarded TCFB a $1 million grant to support the construction of a new warehouse, significantly enhancing their ability to meet the growing needs of the region. This new facility will increase TCFB’s food storage and distribution capacity by 76% and enable them to engage 5,000 additional volunteers by 2028.To learn more, visit stophunger.org.
Our Grantees
2024 Chairman's Grants
Grants listed below may be from the Gerstner Family Foundation or another Gerstner family philanthropic vehicle. Amounts may reflect cumulative annual grants or multi-year grants. To see annual amounts, please see listings of grants paid each year.
-
Treasure Coast Food Bank
Fort Pierce, FL | Visit Website
To support construction of the new warehouse.
$1,006,819
To support food distribution in the Treasure Coast.
$400,000
-
St. Luke’s Parish
New York, NY | Visit Website
To support the food pantry expansion project.
$1,150,000
-
Catholic Charities Community Services
New York, NY | Visit Website
To fund Pop-Up Food Pantries.
$890,000
To support the Bridge to Healthcare training program.
$431,585
-
Spoonfuls
Boston, MA | Visit Website
Launch two new food rescue and recovery routes.
$250,000
To support the Food Rescue and Recovery Network program.
$150,000
-
Boca Helping Hands
Boca Raton, FL | Visit Website
To fund the Pantry and Backpacks programs.
$200,000
To support the purchase of a refrigerated truck for food delivery.
$100,000
-
The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty
New York, NY | Visit Website
To support the Pantry Network program.
$250,000
-
Seton College
Bronx, NY | Visit Website
To fund meals and emergency funds at Seton College at Mt. St. Vincent.
$175,000
-
Yale School of Management
New Haven, CT | Visit Website
To support the Yale SOM program on Stakeholder Innovation and Management.
$167,000
-
Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart and St. Francis of Assisi (Newburgh)
New York, NY | Visit Website
To support the Parish Food Pantry Feasibility study.
$150,000
-
Catholic Charities USA
National | Visit Website
To support disaster relief services following Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
$100,000
-
-
FamilyAid
Boston, MA | Visit Website
To support the food security network at the West Newton Family Navigation Center.
$100,000
