Mission

The Jean and Louis Dreyfus Foundation, Inc. was established in 1979 from the estate of Louis Dreyfus, a music publisher, and that of his wife, Jean.


The mission of the Jean and Louis Dreyfus Foundation is to enhance the quality of life of New Yorkers, particularly the aging and the disadvantaged. The Foundation focuses on organizations and programs within the five boroughs of New York City in the areas of Aging, Arts, Education and Social Services.

The Foundation prioritizes direct service organizations and favors projects that meet an identified community need, which demonstrate impact and project outcomes, and have the potential to effect systemic change. Although the Foundation occasionally funds pilot programs, we prefer to support organizations with an established track record whose programs have been brought to scale and have the potential to be replicated either within the organization or elsewhere. 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.