The Kelly and Sam Bronfman Family Foundation (also known as the Sam Bronfman II Family Foundation) was founded in November 2011 as a private family foundation in New York City. Its namesakes, Kelly and Sam Bronfman II, are members of the wealthy Bronfman Family. The family principally derives its fortune from the Seagram Company, and which is connected with the similarly named, though separate, Samuel Bronfman Foundation, another private grantmaking foundation named after Sam Bronfman’s grandfather. ^{1 2 3}

Activities

The Kelly and Sam Bronfman Family Foundation has financially supported Rachel’s Network, a network of female funders of environmentalist projects that works as a fundraiser to advance advocacy on left-of-center immigration, environmental, and biological issues, that was a signatory to a petition in support of the Green New Deal. ⁴

The foundation also supports a variety of aid-oriented, local, religious, and civic organizations, such as the American Diabetes Association, the American Friends of the Canadian Center for Architecture, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, the Child and Family Research Training Institute, Eagle Valley Behavioral Health, the Eagle Valley Land Trust, Environmental Volunteers, the Northern California Golf Association Foundation, Bnai Vail Congregation, Save the Bay, and the Garden Conservatory. Similarly, the foundation has also made donations to a variety of academic institutions and educational organizations, including Colorado College, Williams College, Deerfield Academy, the Education Foundation of Eagle County, and Publicolor. ⁵

Funding

The Kelly and Sam Bronfman Family Foundation is funded by donations originating within the Bronfman Family. For instance, the organization’s tax returns made in 2011 lists a sole contribution of $3,000,000 from the Ann L. Bronfman Trust. Similarly, subsequent filings by the organization also include donations from the estate of Ann L. Bronfman, foundation president Sam Bronfman’s mother. ^{6 7 8}

Sam Bronfman

Sam Bronfman is the president of the Kelly and Sam Bronfman Family Foundation as well as the co-founder and managing partner of Bacchus Capital Management. Previously, Bronfman was the chairman of Diageo Global Wines, the president of Seagram Chateau and Estate Wines, executive vice president of sales for the Seagram Wine Company, president of Seagram Classics Wine Company, chairman of the Seagram Beverage Company, and director of the Seagram Company Ltd. ^{9 10}

Additionally, Bronfman is a chairman of the board of the Cancer Prevention Institute of California, a board member of Vail Colorado Health Services, and an executive committee member of the Deerfield Academy board of trustees. Previously, Bronfman was the chairman of the Northern California chapter of the Young Presidents Organization as well as the California Wine Institute. ¹¹

1.  “Our Founder.” The Samuel Bronfman Foundation. Accessed June 19, 2023.

   http://www.thesbf.org/our-founder

2. “KELLY AND SAM BRONFMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION.” ProPublica. Accessed June 19, 2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/452543408
3. Traub, Alex. “A Lawyer’s Deathbed Confession About a Sensational 1975 Kidnapping.” New York Times. August 12, 2001. Accessed June 19, 2023.  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/12/nyregion/sam-bronfman-kidnapping-1975-confession-peter-deblasio.html
4. The Kelly and Sam Bronfman Family Foundation. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990), 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/452543408/202233189349102338/full
5. The Kelly and Sam Bronfman Family Foundation. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990), 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/452543408/202233189349102338/full
6. The Kelly and Sam Bronfman Family Foundation. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990), 2012. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/452543408/2013_11_PF%2F45-2543408_990PF_201212
7. The Kelly and Sam Bronfman Family Foundation. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990), 2011. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/452543408/2012_03_PF%2F45-2543408_990PF_201112
8. Bernstein, Adam. “Ann Loeb Bronfman, philanthropist whose son was held for ransom, dies at 78.” The Washington Post. April 7, 2011. Accessed June 19, 2023. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/ann-loeb-bronfman-philanthropist-whose-son-was-held-for-ransom-dies-at-78/2011/04/07/AFKtRKyC_story.html
9. The Kelly and Sam Bronfman Family Foundation. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990), 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/452543408/202233189349102338/full
10. “Sam Bronfman.” Bacchus Capital Management. Accessed June 19, 2023. https://bacchuswinefund.com/team/sam-bronfman/
11. “Sam Bronfman.” Bacchus Capital Management. Accessed June 19, 2023. https://bacchuswinefund.com/team/sam-bronfman/