Alexandra Cohen is a philanthropist, co-owner of the New York Mets, and wife of hedge fund billionaire Steven Cohen. As president of the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation, which gave out $122 million in grants in 2022 and is the largest funder of Lyme disease research in America and a “major funder” of psychedelic research, Alexandra was named one of the 50 most powerful women in philanthropy in 2023 by Inside Philanthropy. ^{1 2}

Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation

Alexandra Cohen, alongside her husband Steve, co-founded the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation in 2001. She has been the foundation’s president since its founding and is considered “the inspiration behind the foundation.” In 2022, the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation made over $122 million in grants, and it has made over $1 billion in grants since its inception. ^{3 4}

The Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation primarily makes grants to organizations in the areas of providing children’s services, social services, arts programs, and Lyme disease research, treatment, and prevention. In 2022, it also donated $12.7 million to psychedelics research and $2 million to environmentalist groups. ⁵

NewYork-Presbyterian Alexandra Cohen Hospital for Women and Newborns

Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation is known for its assistance in and funding of the creation of the NewYork-Presbyterian Alexandra Cohen Hospital for Women and Newborns. The facility serves as a pediatric emergency department at the NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital and provides services to pregnant mothers and newborns as well. It was named after Alexandra Cohen. ⁶

In July 2023, the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation announced an additional $35 million grant to the NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital to fund a renovation and expansion of its inpatient unit for adolescents. The increased capacity will specifically be to admit additional children in need of mental health attention. ⁷

Funding of Environmentalist programs

The Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation’s sustainability grantmaking program funds conservation efforts including community garden projects as well as organizations that use funds to finance the adoption of environmentalist energy and use of electric vehicles. ⁸

Amazin’ Mets Foundation

After Steven and Alexandra Cohen purchased the New York Mets of Major League Baseball in 2020, Alexandra Cohen founded its official foundation, the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, for which she is president. ⁹ The Amazin’ Mets Foundation funds youth baseball programs in the New York area, donates tickets to Mets baseball games and events, and offers food drives for at-risk families in the New York area. ¹⁰

1. “The 50 Most Powerful Women in U.S. Philanthropy.” United Way Worldwide, December 6, 2023. https://www.unitedway.org/the-latest/in-the-news/the-50-most-powerful-women-in-u.s-philanthropy#.
2. “Meet Alexandra M. Cohen: Cohen Foundation.” Steve and Alex Cohen Foundation, November 8, 2022. https://www.steveandalex.org/team/alexandra-cohen/.
3. “About: Cohen Foundation.” Steve and Alex Cohen Foundation, September 18, 2023. https://www.steveandalex.org/about/.
4. “Meet Alexandra M. Cohen: Cohen Foundation.” Steve and Alex Cohen Foundation, November 8, 2022. https://www.steveandalex.org/team/alexandra-cohen/.
5. “About: Cohen Foundation.” Steve and Alex Cohen Foundation, September 18, 2023. https://www.steveandalex.org/about/.
6. “NewYork-Presbyterian Announces $35 Million Gift from the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation.” PRNewswire. Accessed January 15, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/newyork-presbyterian-announces-35-million-gift-from-the-steven–alexandra-cohen-foundation-to-address-the-youth-mental-health-crisis-and-expand-behavioral-health-services-301871276.html.
7. “NewYork-Presbyterian Announces $35 Million Gift from the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation.” PRNewswire. Accessed January 15, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/newyork-presbyterian-announces-35-million-gift-from-the-steven–alexandra-cohen-foundation-to-address-the-youth-mental-health-crisis-and-expand-behavioral-health-services-301871276.html.
8. “Inspired Giving: Sustainability: Cohen Foundation.” Steve and Alex Cohen Foundation, October 5, 2023. https://www.steveandalex.org/inspired-giving/sustainability/.
9. “Meet Alexandra M. Cohen: Cohen Foundation.” Steve and Alex Cohen Foundation, November 8, 2022. https://www.steveandalex.org/team/alexandra-cohen/.
10. ^[1] “AMF Annual Report 2022.” my.yupub.com. Accessed January 15, 2024. https://my.yupub.com/?tid=812c5b37-775f-45f8-a280-20d90c0b94d9#/.