The Appel Family Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on medical research—particularly university-based and cardiac research—while also supporting local Jewish community needs. Most dollars flow to a small set of repeat beneficiaries in the Los Angeles area, signaling targeted, institution-focused giving rather than broad, diversified grantmaking.
The Appel Family Foundation’s clearest pattern is repeated support for UCLA medical research, with grants of $100,000 in 2023, $50,000 in 2024, and $76,250 in 2025 to the UCLA Foundation. That university-based giving sits alongside a second durable track: cardiac research through the Jay Schapira Med Foundation, which received $25,000 in 2023 and 2025, plus $22,500 in 2024. The foundation also backs Jewish community relief in Los Angeles, including $35,000 to Jewish Federation for care for the needy. These grants point to a focused portfolio centered on medical research, especially university-linked and heart-related work, with selective support for local social services. The recent record also shows smaller gifts to cancer research, mental health research, climate-related work, and direct service organizations, but these are secondary to the core pattern. Most recipients are institutions rather than individuals, and the funding pattern favors recurring beneficiaries over one-time awards.
Medical research is the foundation’s main thread. UCLA Foundation received large awards for medical research in 2023, 2024, and 2025, showing sustained support for university-based science. Cardiac disease research is another recurring area: Jay Schapira Med Foundation was funded in three separate years for cardiac disease research. Mental health research appears through UCLA Semel Foundation, which received $14,500 in both 2024 and 2025. Cancer work is present as well, with Concern Foundation supported in multiple years for support cancer researchers and UCLA Jonsson Cancer Foundation funded for cancer research and patient care. Beyond health, the foundation gave to Jewish Federation for care for the needy, and to Los Angeles Giving Circle for help women to be self sufficient.
Typical gifts are small to modest, with a p25 of $500, median of $1,000, and p75 of $2,500. The recent record shows a clear mix of repeat awards and one-off grants: UCLA Foundation, Jay Schapira Med Foundation, Concern Foundation, American Friends of Iicc, and UCLA Semel Foundation each appear in multiple years. The foundation is organized as a family foundation and also funds individuals. Its recent grants are concentrated in institutional recipients, with a heavier-weighted pattern at the top and many smaller awards below that.
$164K
$2.6M
$158K
$208K
Most grants fall between $500 and $3K, with a median of $1K.
25th Percentile
$500
Median
$1K
75th Percentile
$3K
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Highly concentrated: a few large grants dominate total giving, with repeated multi-grant support to the same institutions (UCLA Foundation and Jay Schapira Medical Foundation). Relatively small number of grantees and dollars directed to local community services.
Notable grantees: UCLA Foundation, Jay Schapira Medical Foundation, Jewish Federation
Grant recipients are overwhelmingly in the United States, and 70% of grants go to recipients in California. Los Angeles is the main city in the recent list, with repeated awards to UCLA Foundation, Jewish Federation, Jay Schapira Med Foundation, UCLA Semel Foundation, Concern Foundation, American Friends of Iicc, and others. Outside California, the foundation has given to New York recipients such as Doctors Without Borders, Innocence Project, and Los Angeles Giving Circle, as well as Oakland-based groups including Sierra Club, Sogorea Te' Land Trust, and Givewell. The recipient distribution shows a regional giving footprint rather than a national or international one.
The foundation concentrates on medical research, especially university-based medical research and cardiac disease research. It also supports local Jewish community needs, including care for the needy in Los Angeles, and has additional grants tied to mental health research, cancer research, and selective community service work.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including UCLA Foundation, Jay Schapira Med Foundation, UCLA Semel Foundation, Concern Foundation, and American Friends of Iicc. That pattern suggests recurring support rather than only one-time grants.
The recent grant distribution is small-to-modest overall: p25 is $500, median is $1,000, and p75 is $2,500. Larger awards also appear, including six-figure support to UCLA Foundation and $35,000 to Jewish Federation.
Most grants go to California recipients, and 70% of grants are made to organizations in the foundation’s headquarters state. Los Angeles appears repeatedly among recipients, while New York and Oakland also show up in the recent grant list.
Yes. The foundation is marked as funding individuals, and the recent grants also show a mix of institutional recipients and direct-service organizations, including awards tied to emergency aid, college access, and support for women’s self-sufficiency.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | Medical research |
| Jay Schapira Med Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | Cardiac disease research |
| Jewish Federation | Los Angeles, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | create safe, joyful, and connected Jewish life in Los Angeles, Israel, and around the world |
| UCLA Medical Hospitality Fund | Los Angeles, CA | $14,500 | 2026 | advancing excellence in education, research and service |
| Los Angeles Giving Circle | Los Angeles, CA | $7,614 | 2026 | supports economic self-sufficiency programs for women and girls |
| Concern Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | $7,500 | 2026 | Support cancer researchers |
| American Committe for Weizmann Institue of Science | New York, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | Support scientific research |
| American Jewish University | Sherman Oaks, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | supporting transformative educational experiences that strengthen communities and enrich the Jewish world |
| City of Hope | Duarte, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | conquer cancer and diabetes for people everywhere by integrating scientific discovery, clinical ingenuity and compassion. |
| American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra | New York, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | supports the world-class Israel Philharmonic |
| Determined to Succeed | Santa Monica, CA | $4,347 | 2026 | college access & success program |
| Doctors without Borders | New York, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | international medical humanitarian organization |
| Dr Roy Nini | Los Angeles, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | support medical research |
| World Central Kitchen | Washington, DC | $2,000 | 2026 | provide meals during crisis |
| Planned Parenthood Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | $2,000 | 2026 | support reproductive and sexual health and wellness across Los Angeles |
| HEAL PALESTINE | Kent, OH | $1,500 | 2026 | healing and empowering the children of Gaza |
| The Trevor Project | West Hollywood, CA | $1,500 | 2026 | protect and support LGBTQ+ youth in crisis |
| Sogorea Te' Land Trust | Oakland, CA | $1,000 | 2026 | facilitates the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous people |
| JVC SoCal | Los Angeles, CA | $1,000 | 2026 | provide no-cost job training programs |
| Heal The Bay | Santa Monica, CA | $1,000 | 2026 | keeps our beaches, rivers, and watersheds safe, healthy and clean |
| Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services | Culver City, CA | $850 | 2026 | provides compassionate mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention services |
| Various | Santa Monica, CA | $700 | 2026 | general support |
| Jewish Home for the Aging | Reseda, CA | $500 | 2026 | Provide care for older adults |
| Israel Guide Dog Center | Warrington, PA | $500 | 2026 | help visually impaired Israelis |
| Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | $500 | 2026 | assist youth in achieving their full potential |
| LARC | Los Angeles, CA | $500 | 2026 | prepare LA for climate change |
| Best Friends Animal Society | Los Angeles, CA | $500 | 2026 | operates the nation's largest sanctuary for homeless animals and provides adoption, spay/neuter, and educational programs |
| Global Arts | Los Angeles, CA | $300 | 2026 | provide free after-school music classes to students in the Pico Union Neighborhood of Los Angeles |
| Harvard Westlake School | Los Angeles, CA | $250 | 2026 | General Support |
| Corazon de Vida Foundation | Irvine, CA | $249 | 2026 | support orphaned/abandoned children |
| UCLA FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $76,250 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| JAY SCHAPIRA MED FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | CARDIAC DISEASE RESEARCH |
| UCLA SEMEL FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $14,500 | 2025 | MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH |
| CONCERN FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $7,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT CANCER RESEARCHERS |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF IICC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | RAISE AWARENESS OF IICC |
| LARC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $3,057 | 2025 | PREPARE LA FOR CLIMATE CHANGE |
| DETERMINED TO SUCCEED | SANTA MONICA, CA | $3,029 | 2025 | COLLEGE ACCESS & SUCCESS PROGRAM |
| DR ROY NINI | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| GIVEWELL | OAKLAND, CA | $1,500 | 2025 | ASSIST DONORS WHERE TO GIVE |
| CCFA (CROHN'S & COLITIS FNDTN) | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| THE MASKET FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE EYE CARE TO THOSE IN NEED |
| VARIOUS | SANTA MONICA, CA | $850 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ISRAEL GUIDE DOG CENTER | WARRINGTON, PA | $750 | 2025 | HELP VISUALLY IMPAIRED ISRAELIS |
| JEWISH HOME FOR THE AGING | RESEDA, CA | $695 | 2025 | PROVIDE CARE FOR OLDER ADULTS |
| AMERICAN COMMITTE FOR WEIZMANN INSTITUE OF SCIENCE | NEW YORK, NY | $500 | 2025 | SUPPORT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH |
| REGISTER HER | EL SEGUNDO, CA | $325 | 2025 | REGISTER WOMEN TO VOTE |
| THE BOOK FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $250 | 2025 | PROMOTE LITERACY |
| ONE VOICE | SANTA MONICA, CA | $250 | 2025 | ASSIST THE UNDERPRIVILEGED |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $250 | 2025 | PROVIDE LIFE IMPROVING SERVICES |
| CAPITAL AND MAIN | LOS ANGELES, CA | $250 | 2025 | EDUCATE ON MATTERS OF IMPORTANCE |
UCLA Foundation
$50,000Medical research
Jay Schapira Med Foundation
$25,000Cardiac disease research
Jewish Federation
$15,000create safe, joyful, and connected Jewish life in Los Angeles, Israel, and around the world
UCLA Medical Hospitality Fund
$14,500advancing excellence in education, research and service
Los Angeles Giving Circle
$7,614supports economic self-sufficiency programs for women and girls
Concern Foundation
$7,500Support cancer researchers
American Committe for Weizmann Institue of Science
$5,000Support scientific research
American Jewish University
$5,000supporting transformative educational experiences that strengthen communities and enrich the Jewish world
City of Hope
$5,000conquer cancer and diabetes for people everywhere by integrating scientific discovery, clinical ingenuity and compassion.
American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
$5,000supports the world-class Israel Philharmonic
Determined to Succeed
$4,347college access & success program
Doctors without Borders
$2,500international medical humanitarian organization
Dr Roy Nini
$2,500support medical research
World Central Kitchen
$2,000provide meals during crisis
Planned Parenthood Los Angeles
$2,000support reproductive and sexual health and wellness across Los Angeles
HEAL PALESTINE
$1,500healing and empowering the children of Gaza
The Trevor Project
$1,500protect and support LGBTQ+ youth in crisis
Sogorea Te' Land Trust
$1,000facilitates the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous people
JVC SoCal
$1,000provide no-cost job training programs
Heal The Bay
$1,000keeps our beaches, rivers, and watersheds safe, healthy and clean
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services
$850provides compassionate mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention services
Various
$700general support
Jewish Home for the Aging
$500Provide care for older adults
Israel Guide Dog Center
$500help visually impaired Israelis
Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles
$500assist youth in achieving their full potential
LARC
$500prepare LA for climate change
Best Friends Animal Society
$500operates the nation's largest sanctuary for homeless animals and provides adoption, spay/neuter, and educational programs
Global Arts
$300provide free after-school music classes to students in the Pico Union Neighborhood of Los Angeles
Harvard Westlake School
$250General Support
Corazon de Vida Foundation
$249support orphaned/abandoned children
UCLA FOUNDATION
$76,250MEDICAL RESEARCH
JAY SCHAPIRA MED FOUNDATION
$25,000CARDIAC DISEASE RESEARCH
UCLA SEMEL FOUNDATION
$14,500MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH
CONCERN FOUNDATION
$7,500SUPPORT CANCER RESEARCHERS
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF IICC
$5,000RAISE AWARENESS OF IICC
LARC
$3,057PREPARE LA FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
DETERMINED TO SUCCEED
$3,029COLLEGE ACCESS & SUCCESS PROGRAM
DR ROY NINI
$2,500SUPPORT MEDICAL RESEARCH
GIVEWELL
$1,500ASSIST DONORS WHERE TO GIVE
CCFA (CROHN'S & COLITIS FNDTN)
$1,000MEDICAL RESEARCH
THE MASKET FOUNDATION
$1,000PROVIDE EYE CARE TO THOSE IN NEED
VARIOUS
$850GENERAL SUPPORT
ISRAEL GUIDE DOG CENTER
$750HELP VISUALLY IMPAIRED ISRAELIS
JEWISH HOME FOR THE AGING
$695PROVIDE CARE FOR OLDER ADULTS
AMERICAN COMMITTE FOR WEIZMANN INSTITUE OF SCIENCE
$500SUPPORT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
REGISTER HER
$325REGISTER WOMEN TO VOTE
THE BOOK FOUNDATION
$250PROMOTE LITERACY
ONE VOICE
$250ASSIST THE UNDERPRIVILEGED
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES
$250PROVIDE LIFE IMPROVING SERVICES
CAPITAL AND MAIN
$250EDUCATE ON MATTERS OF IMPORTANCE