Haute 100 NYC: Steven A. Cohen’s Foundation Donates $1.5M

Steven A. Cohen’s charity, Steven and Alex Cohen Foundation, has donated more than a million dollars to Neighbor to Neighbor, a nonprofit organization which serves residents in need throughout the Greenwich, Conn. area.

According to the Greenwich Time, the foundation donated $1.5 million to the organization to help fund the construction of a new building to better house both its food bank and clothing operation. The new facility will include a number of conveniences to ensure the organization continues to serve at need residents. It will be handicapped accessible, allow more freezer space, additional storage space and much more.

Currently, Neighbor to Neighbor’s facility is impracticable as it is inaccessible to the disabled or those who can’t easily get down stairs and it also floods when it rains. The organization has been using space at Christ Church since the program began in 1975.

Construction has not started as of yet. It is estimated to cost $1.7 million, but costs for the architects, attorneys and other fees will surely increase the original quote to nearly $3.5 million.

Nancy Coughlin, executive director of Neighbor to Neighbor, said, “It’s so gratifying to have the foundation’s support. When we first spoke to the foundation, they did a site visit and they saw the space we’re operating in and what we’re trying to accomplish in it and they immediately understood that the space just isn’t adequate anymore. It’s gratifying to see the foundation recognized we’re doing important work that helps the town.”

Since the Steven and Alex Cohen Foundation inception in 2001, the foundation has been helping a number of organizations that directly affect the lives of people in need. The charity “is committed to inspiring philanthropy and community service—with a special interest in children’s health, education, veterans and the arts—by creating awareness, offering guidance and leading by example to show the world what giving can do.”