Our Approach

Vision

The aim of the William E. Simon Foundation is to help inner-city youth and families gain access to education and community-based services that promote their independence, personal success, and full participation in America’s free, democratic society.

Mission

The William E. Simon Foundation supports programs that are intended to strengthen the free enterprise system and the moral and spiritual values on which it rests: individual freedom, initiative, thrift, self-discipline, and faith in God. The mission of the Foundation reflects the unique accomplishments of the individual for whom it is named, and the principles of a free society that have made these accomplishments possible.

The main charitable purpose of the Foundation is to assist those in need by providing the means through which they may help themselves. In implementing this philosophy, the Foundation’s primary aim is to provide inner-city youth with environments, opportunities, and encouragement to develop the personal values and skills that will enable them to become independent, contributing members of society. The Foundation achieves this goal through its support of direct services and public policy research.

In its direct service portfolio, the Foundation focuses primarily on two geographical areas: Jersey City and the South Bronx. To carry on the longstanding interests of Mr. Simon’s family, direct service grants also are awarded for programs in Morristown, New Jersey. Public policy grants are awarded to select institutions that have either a national or in some cases, regional, focus in the chief areas of the Foundation’s charitable work: K-12 education, faith, and family. The Foundation also contributes legacy grants to a number of programs and institutions that were of distinct personal interest to William E. Simon and which are a testament to his personal philanthropy and leadership.