The Friedman Family Foundation is overwhelmingly an arts and culture funder with a pronounced interest in language, literacy and word-focused public programming. Most of its dollars flow to museum-scale projects and performing arts organizations, with occasional support for education and Israel-focused leadership work. Grants tend to be large, targeted, and made to a small set of repeat recipients rather than broadly distributed across many small nonprofits.
Highly concentrated giving: few, very large grants (one dominant multi-million-dollar commitment), repeat funding to a small set of cultural and education institutions rather than many small or regional grants.
Ann B & Thomas L Friedman Family Found C/o Mb Investments LLC is marked by a single outsized commitment: a $35,796,164 grant to Museum of Language Arts Inc in 2023 for the intent established by the various charities. That grant helps define a pattern of high-dollar support for language- and word-centered institutions, including Planet Word in Washington, DC and museum-scale or public-facing cultural organizations. The foundation also backs classical music and performing arts, with National Symphony Orchestra and Aspen Music Festival and School appearing among its recipients. Beyond arts and culture, it has funded education and youth development through The Seed Foundation Inc, and it has supported Israeli leadership and civic work through Reut USA. The recent record shows a small set of recurring recipients rather than broad, high-volume distribution, with multiple grants to the same organizations across 2023 and 2024. Several awards are sizable enough to suggest targeted, designated-purpose support rather than routine small grants.
A core theme is language, literacy, and public programming built around words. In that area, the foundation awarded $525,000 to Museum of Language Arts Inc in 2024 and $500,000 to Planet Word in 2023, both in Washington, DC. Performing arts are another clear lane: National Symphony Orchestra received $308,276 and $285,000 in 2023, while Aspen Music Festival and School received $60,000 in 2023, $35,000 in 2023, and $40,000 in 2024. Education also appears in the recent record, with The Seed Foundation Inc receiving $275,000 and $250,000 in 2023, plus $125,000 in 2024. Civic and policy-oriented work shows up through Reut USA, which received $250,000 in 2023.
Typical grant size sits at $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile, though the recent record also includes very large designated grants. The foundation’s pattern is recurring rather than one-off: Museum of Language Arts Inc, National Symphony Orchestra, The Seed Foundation Inc, Reut USA, Kol Shalom, Conservation International, Brandeis University, and Aspen Music Festival and School each appear more than once across 2023 and 2024. It funds registered charities and nonprofit organizations, not individuals, and it is not listed as making program-related investments. The grant language repeatedly refers to contributions made for the intent established by the various charities, suggesting restricted or designated-purpose giving.
$2.6M
$55.5M
$52M
$2.6M
Most grants fall between $5K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
About 2% of grants go to recipients in DC.
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Notable grantees: Museum of Language Arts Inc, Planet Word, National Symphony Orchestra, The SEED Foundation Inc, Reut USA
All recent grants in the dataset went to U.S. recipients. Washington, DC is a major landing point, with grants to Museum of Language Arts Inc, Planet Word, The Seed Foundation Inc, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Downtown DC Foundation, The Aspen Institute, and Weta. Other repeated recipient locations include Arlington, VA; Rockville, MD; and New York, NY. California is the top state by grant count, even though the headquarters are in Chicago, IL; Illinois recipients account for 2% of grants.
Its recent grants are concentrated in arts and culture, especially language- and word-focused institutions, plus classical music and performing arts organizations. Education and youth development also appear through The Seed Foundation Inc, and the record includes support for Israeli leadership and civic innovation through Reut USA.
Yes. The recent record shows multiple recipients across 2023 and 2024, including Museum of Language Arts Inc, National Symphony Orchestra, The Seed Foundation Inc, Reut USA, Kol Shalom, Conservation International, Brandeis University, and Aspen Music Festival and School.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grant list also includes much larger awards, including a $35,796,164 grant and several grants in the hundreds of thousands.
All grants in the recipient-country distribution go to the US. Within the U.S., Washington, DC appears frequently in the recent grants list, and California is the top state by grant count. Illinois recipients account for 2% of grants.
No. The foundation is listed as not funding individuals and not making program-related investments. Its recent grants are to registered charities and nonprofit organizations.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GREATER WASHINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| PLANET WORD TO MUSEUM OF LANGUAGE ARTS | WASHINGTON, DC | $500,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL AND SCHOOL | ASPEN, CO | $285,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| THE SEED FOUNDATION INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $226,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| KOL SHALOM | ROCKVILLE, MD | $120,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| WAMU885 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY RADIO | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| WETA | ARLINGTON, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| WORLD LEARNING | BRATTLEBORO, VT | $30,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| ASSOCIATION OF MARSHALL SCHOLARS | BROOKLYN, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| CHILDRENS MUSUEM OF MANHATTAN | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY | WALTHAM, MA | $25,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL | ARLINGTON, VA | $25,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| THE DONALD J TRUMP AND JOHN F KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFOMING ARTS | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| LILLIAN AND ALBERT SMALL CAPITAL JEWISH MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| CONSORTIUM FOR ARTS AND CULTURE IN AMERICA | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| FOUNDATIONS INC | MT LAUREL, NJ | $20,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER WASHINGTON | NORTH BETHESDA, MD | $20,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| HERZL CAMP | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| ASPEN CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIOS | ASPEN, CO | $15,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| BASIC FUND | OAKLAND, CA | $13,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| FRIENDS OF ZARA'S CENTER | MIAMI BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| THE NEWS LITERACY PROJECT | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| DOWNTOWN DC FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| THE VIVA SCHOOL | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| AMERICAN JOURNALISM PROJECT | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUMS | ARLINGTON, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| FIRST TEE-GREATER BALTIMORE | HUNT VALLEY, MD | $10,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| ACUMEN FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| NEW ISRAEL FUND | LEWISTON, ME | $7,500 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| SHALOM HARTMAN INSTITUTE | NEW YORK, NY | $7,500 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| ASPEN INSTITUTE | WASHINGSTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| AMERICAN UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| WASHINGTON URBAN DEBATE LEAGUE | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| THE ABRAHAM INITIATIVES | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| NORTH CHICAGO COMMUNITY PARTNERS | LAKE BLUFF, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| LIVE IT LEARN IT | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| DC PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| OPERATION UNDERSTANDING DC | WASHINGTON, DC | $3,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| WASHINGTON ENGLISH CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,500 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,500 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| INTERFAITH WORKS | ROCKVILLE, MD | $1,000 | 2026 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL AND SCHOOL | ASPEN, CO | $535,000 | 2025 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| MUSEUM OF LANGUAGE ARTS INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $500,000 | 2025 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| THE SEED FOUNDATION INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $175,000 | 2025 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
| KOL SHALOM | ROCKVILLE, MD | $120,000 | 2025 | ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES |
GREATER WASHINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$1,000,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL AND SCHOOL
$285,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
THE SEED FOUNDATION INC
$226,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
KOL SHALOM
$120,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ASSOCIATION OF MARSHALL SCHOLARS
$25,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
CHILDRENS MUSUEM OF MANHATTAN
$25,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
THE DONALD J TRUMP AND JOHN F KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFOMING ARTS
$25,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
CONSORTIUM FOR ARTS AND CULTURE IN AMERICA
$20,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
HERZL CAMP
$20,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
FRIENDS OF ZARA'S CENTER
$10,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
DOWNTOWN DC FOUNDATION
$10,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUMS
$10,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
FIRST TEE-GREATER BALTIMORE
$10,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
SHALOM HARTMAN INSTITUTE
$7,500ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
WASHINGTON URBAN DEBATE LEAGUE
$5,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
NORTH CHICAGO COMMUNITY PARTNERS
$5,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
DC PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION
$5,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
OPERATION UNDERSTANDING DC
$3,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
WASHINGTON ENGLISH CENTER
$2,500ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL AND SCHOOL
$535,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
THE SEED FOUNDATION INC
$175,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES
KOL SHALOM
$120,000ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR THE INTENT ESTABLISHED BY THE VARIOUS CHARITIES