September 11th Grants

With Starr’s offices in lower Manhattan, employees living within blocks of the World Trade Center—and perhaps most of all because of the assault on fundamental ideals of democracy and freedom—we felt the September 11th attacks close to home.

Within weeks, the Foundation committed $10 million for first responders and their families and contributed to a disaster relief fund that helped people who suffered 9/11–related emotional trauma and economic hardship. These contributions were followed by over $5 million in grants to New York City-based nonprofits that lost funding when normal fundraising activities were disrupted. These grants supported food distribution organizations as they coped with increased demand and logistical challenges related to reaching residents downtown and organizations helping children and their families cope with the disaster. We joined the New York City government in its commitment to redeveloping the World Trade Center site. With a $25 million grant, The Starr Foundation became a founder of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and later made a lead contribution of $20 million to the Perelman Performing Arts Center, which opened to worldwide acclaim in 2023.

New York City’s economic, social, and cultural vitality remains a central priority of The Starr Foundation.