About Helmsley Charitable Trust
What is the Helmsley Charitable Trust?
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust is "a global philanthropy committed to helping people live better lives today and creating stronger, healthier futures for individuals and communities." It began active grantmaking in 2008 and has since grown "from a start-up to a global philanthropy with an $8 billion endowment that works in partnership with organizations across the U.S. and select parts of the world."
Its grants go to six program areas: Crohn's disease, Israel, rural healthcare, type 1 diabetes, vulnerable children in sub-Saharan Africa, and New York City. Featured grants range from research at the University of Oxford into the scar tissue that complicates Crohn's disease, to radiation oncology close to home for rural patients in Iowa, to a rural access program connecting Ethiopians to schools, clinics and economic opportunity. In New York City it invests in "the health and stability of New York City's most critically underserved populations". It accepts grant proposals by invitation only.
Where will I work?
In Midtown Manhattan, mostly. Every current posting is "based at Helmsley's main office in New York City" on Park Avenue, with a "Hybrid work schedule (up to two remote days a week)". The Trust also has an office in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and some roles travel: the program officer for sub-Saharan Africa must be able to travel domestically and internationally. Its five openings in October 2026 are an investment accountant, a program officer and an associate program officer, and two administrative assistants, with posted salary ranges from $73,000–$81,100 to $180,000–$193,000.
What is the Helmsley team like?
"We are a diverse group of people who have expertise and often very personal experience that propels our mission forward," the Trust says. Its team "includes innovators, engineers, scientists, social workers, public health experts, mental health experts, educators, philanthropists, and people whose lives are touched by Crohn's or Type 1 Diabetes." Its postings describe colleagues who are "intelligent, creative, forward thinking, and strongly committed to working productively with each other and with our grantee partners", drawn by the chance "to help build this young organization into a leading global charitable institution".
Work-Life Balance
All five postings list Summer Fridays among the Trust's benefits, along with an end-of-year office closure, "23+ paid vacation and sick days" and "13+ paid holidays". None says which months Summer Fridays run or whether the Friday is a full or half day. Staff can work from home up to two days a week.
Perks and Benefits
- Summer Fridays and an end-of-year office closure
- 23+ paid vacation and sick days and 13+ paid holidays
- Employer-paid medical, dental and vision for employees and their families
- A generous 401(k) employer contribution
- Tuition reimbursement
- Personal and team professional development opportunities
- A hybrid schedule with up to two remote days a week