Vincent Astor Foundation

charitable endowment

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July 16, 2026

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The Vincent Astor Foundation was a charitable endowment established by Vincent Astor, heir to the Astor family fortune, which originated in the fur trade and later focused on New York City real estate. After Vincent Astor's death in 1959, his widow, Brooke Russell Astor, became president of the foundation.12

Under Brooke Astor's leadership, the foundation distributed approximately $195 million over 35 years, providing nearly 100 grants annually to various organizations. These grants supported cultural institutions, civic programs, and charities in New York City, including those assisting the homeless and initiatives for building parks. The foundation closed in 1997.2

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Brooke Russell Astor
…became the president of the Vincent Astor Foundation. From that time on, she set about providing nearly 100 grants each year to charitable organizations, civic programs, and cultural institutions in New York City, including organizations serving the homeless, programs to build parks in housing projects, and such institutions as the…
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…became the president of the Vincent Astor Foundation. From that time on, she set about providing nearly 100 grants each year to charitable organizations, civic programs, and cultural institutions in New York City, including organizations serving the homeless, programs to build parks in housing projects, and such institutions as the…
Read More