The Barbara A. Stiefel Foundation is a left-of-center grantmaking organization created by Barbara Stiefel that has supported other left-of-center political advocacy organizations , including the New Venture Fund and the Proteus Fund. ^{1 2} In recent years, the foundation has increased its giving to environmentalist organizations, providing grants to organizations including the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Nature Conservancy and Ocean Conservancy. ³

Located in Coral Gables, Florida, the Foundation generates approximately $2.82 million annually in revenue and has three employees. ⁴

Overview

The Barbara Stiefel Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation that supports left-of-center causes. ⁵ The foundation was founded in 2010 by Barbara Stiefel, the heiress of Stiefel Medicinal Soap Company and a major donor to many left-of-center organizations and politicians.

Much of the foundation’s grantmaking supports left-of-center environmentalist organizations. The foundation has funded some major international organizations, such as the World Wildlife Fund, and small, local conversation groups like Catskill Mountainkeeper. The foundation’s grants typically range from $1,000 to $25,000, though the foundation has given grants as large as $100,000. Other past grantees include the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Nature Conservancy, and Ocean Conservancy. ⁶

The Barbara Stiefel Foundation has also supported Solid’Africa, a non-governmental organization that helps patients in need in public health facilities. It provides food, water, medicine, and health care assistance to economically disadvantaged patients on the African continent. ⁷ In 2013, the foundation also donated to the Regional Dermatology Training Centre in Moshi, Tanzania that trains officers in all major diseases affecting the skin. ⁸

Political Donations

The employees and officers of the Barbara Stiefel Foundation have donated $1,645,115 to various left-of-center party committees, political candidates, PACs, and other outside groups since 1990. In 2018, these included American Bridge 21^st Century, NextGen Climate Action, the Senate Majority PAC, and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). ⁹

In 2020, employees provided donations to the DNC Services Corp, Women Vote!, the Democratic Party of Nevada, President Joe Biden, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D—AZ), the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), Empowering Each Community PAC, For Our Future, and the Maine Democratic State Committee . ¹⁰

People

Barbara Stiefel is the founder of the Barbara Stiefel Foundation. She is the heiress of the Stiefel Medicinal Soap Company and has been a large donor to many left-of-center politicians and organizations, including Priorities USA Action, former President Barack Obama, and the Democratic National Committee (DNC). ^{11 12 13}

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8. “Regional Dermatology Training Centre in Moshi, Tanzania – Pursuing A Dream.” Continuing Medical Education. Accessed March 9, 2021. https://www.cmej.org.za/index.php/cmej/rt/printerFriendly/2814/3087.
9. “Barbara A Stiefel Foundation Profile: Summary.” OpenSecrets. Accessed March 9, 2021. https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/barbara-a-stiefel-foundation/summary?toprecipcycle=2020&contribcycle=2020&lobcycle=2020&outspendcycle=2020&id=D000071842&topnumcycle=A.
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11. “Contributors.” Obama Foundation. Last modified November 10, 2020. https://www.obama.org/contributors/.
12. “Individual Contributions Arranged By Type, Giver, Then Recipient.” Federal Election Commission. Accessed March 9, 2021. https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/6/61/B._Stiefel_FEC_contributions.pdf.
13. “Barbara Stiefel Foundation: Grants for Environmental Conservation”.” Inside Philanthropy. Accessed March 9, 2021. https://grants2064.rssing.com/chan-68366401/latest-article9-live.php.