NET WORTH: Unknown
SOURCE OF WEALTH: Goldman Sachs
FUNDING AREAS: Arts & Culture, Education & Youth, Health/Human Services, Jewish causes
OVERVIEW: Jonathan Sobel and his wife Marcia Dunn move their philanthropy through the The Jonathan Sobel and Marcia Dunn Foundation, a low-profile charity with a minimal web presence. The couple's philanthropy focuses on New York City, where interests include arts and culture. Sobel's board memberships include the Hospital and Special Surgery and Public Art Fund.
BACKGROUND: Born and raised in New Jersey, Jonathan Sobel attended Dwight-Englewood School, and then Columbia University, majoring in economics. Sobel joined Goldman Sachs when he was just finishing his junior year at the age of 20. He went on to become partner, managing director, and global head of the firm’s mortgage department, among other roles. Sobel is currently a principal of Ford Financial Fund in Dallas.
ISSUES:
ARTS & CULTURE: Sobel sits on the boards of the Public Art Fund and the Whitney Museum. The family has supported these outfits as well as Parrish Art Museum on Long Island, Guggenheim, American Museum of Natural History, and Roundabout Theater. In recent years, the couple has directed especially large sums towards the Whitney.
EDUCATION & YOUTH: Sobel supports his alma mater, Columbia. He also sits on the board of the Dalton School, which the couple supports as well. Other grantees have included Waterside School in Stamford, Brown University, School of American Ballet, and Writopia Lab, a youth creative writing nonprofit.
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES: Sobel sits on the board of the Hospital for Special Surgery, home to the Marcia Dunn and Jonathan Sobel Department of Neurology. Other philanthropy includes Mt. Sinai, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, FARE, and Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. It's worth noting that Marcia Dunn is an ophthalmologist. In human services, the couple has supported Robin Hood Foundation, and Food Pantry Farm.
JEWISH CAUSES: Grantees have included American Israel Education Foundation, USC Shoah Foundation, UJA Federation, and Jewish Museum.
LOOKING FORWARD: In a recent tax year, the foundation was all but depleted of assets and gave away an atypically small amount. A prior tax statement, though, indicated that the foundation had no plans to liquidate or terminate, suggesting that more money will be headed towards the Sobel couple's select interest areas.
CONTACT:
The Jonathan Sobel and Marcia Dunn Foundation does not provide a clear avenue for getting in touch with the couple but below is an address:
The Jonathan Sobel and Marcia Dunn Foundation
P.O. Box 73, Bowling Green Sta.
New York City, NY 10274
LINK: