The Gruss Life Monument Funds provides funding for Yeshivot and Jewish day schools in New York City, Westchester and Long Island and supports Jewish education and philanthropic endeavors.
Caroline & Joseph S Gruss Life Monument Funds Inc directs a large share of its grantmaking to the machinery of Jewish education in New York City: student aid, educator benefits, building repairs, and financing tools for yeshivot and Jewish day schools. The largest recent grant in the file went to Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education Inc, at $5,553,557 in 2025, for assistance to students in Jewish day schools. Other sizable awards show the same pattern of institutional support, including $677,971 to Yeshiva Torah Vodaath in Brooklyn for building renovation, life insurance, and scholarships, and $600,000 to Yeshivah of Flatbush for the same bundle of support. The foundation’s programs also extend beyond tuition help. It operates funds for medical reimbursement, pension reimbursement, cost-free life insurance for full-time Jewish educators, enrollment incentive grants, and interest-free loans for educational institutions. Across the recent grants list, the recurring emphasis is on helping schools stay financially stable while serving students and staff in Jewish primary and secondary education. That combination of student aid, school infrastructure support, and educator benefits defines how the foundation funds its stated mission of making Jewish education work.
Student support is a core theme. The Scholarship Fund for Jewish Education offers scholarships to Jewish all-day high school and supplementary high school students in the New York City metropolitan area, with priority given to immigrant students. The Elementary School Scholarship Fund serves Jewish day school students with severe financial need and recently arrived immigrant students. Institutional stability is another clear thread. The Building Renovations Fund gives grants to yeshivot and day schools to eliminate health and safety hazards and improve deteriorating facilities, while the Interest Free Loan Fund provides loans of up to $500,000 for Jewish educational institutions expanding facilities to meet enrollment growth. Educator support also appears directly through the Life Insurance Fund and Medical Reimbursement Program for full-time Jewish educators and schools in the New York City metropolitan area.
$5.6M
$315K
$0
$5.9M
Most grants fall between $10K and $100K, with a median of $28K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$28K
75th Percentile
$100K
JASON CURY
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The recent awards show a wide spread in size, with a p25 of $10,405, a median of $27,544, and a p75 of $100,000. That distribution sits alongside very large institutional grants, including multi-hundred-thousand-dollar awards to schools and school networks. The same recipients appear in multiple years, such as Yeshiva Darchei Torah, Beer Hagolah Institute, Bnos Menachem, Yeshivah of Flatbush, Westchester Torah Academy, Bnos Bais Yaakov of Far Rockaway, Shulamith School for Girls, Westchester Day School, and Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin. The organization’s profile is consistent with a private foundation making restricted-purpose grants, and its active programs include both direct grants and interest-free loans. Several programs are not open to unsolicited applications, while some, including the Building Renovations Fund, Interest Free Loan Fund, Elementary School Scholarship Fund, and Enrollment Incentive Grants, accept unsolicited requests.
Grantmaking is concentrated in the New York City metropolitan area, with 100% of grants in the HQ state, New York. Recent recipients cluster in Brooklyn, Far Rockaway, Harrison, Lawrence, Bellerose, Cedarhurst, and Mamaroneck. Brooklyn appears repeatedly through grants to Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education Inc, Yeshiva Torah Vodaath, Yeshivah of Flatbush, Beer Hagolah Institute, Bnos Menachem, Mesivta Rabbi Chaim Berlin, and Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin. Outside New York City, recent grants also reach schools in Harrison and Mamaroneck, reflecting a local focus rather than a multi-state footprint.
The foundation supports yeshivot, Jewish day schools, and Jewish educational institutions. Recent grants include school student aid, building renovation support, and combined packages for building renovation, life insurance, and scholarships. Its active programs also cover educator benefits, tuition scholarships, and interest-free loans for educational institutions.
It funds scholarships and enrollment-related support for Jewish education. Programs include the Scholarship Fund for Jewish Education, the Scholarship Fund for Jewish Education (High School), the Elementary School Scholarship Fund, and Enrollment Incentive Grants. The recent grants list also shows a $5,553,557 award to Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education Inc for student assistance.
Yes. The Building Renovations Fund supports yeshivot and day schools in the New York City metropolitan area to eliminate health and safety hazards and improve deteriorating facilities. Recent grants also include large awards to schools such as Yeshiva Torah Vodaath, Yeshivah of Flatbush, and Yeshiva Darchei Torah for building renovation alongside other support.
The grant-size distribution is relatively broad: p25 is $10,405, median is $27,544, and p75 is $100,000. The recent grants list also includes several awards above $200,000, showing that the foundation makes both smaller program-specific grants and larger institutional awards.
The foundation gives locally in New York. The recipient distribution shows 100% of grants to recipients in New York, and recent recipients are concentrated in Brooklyn, Far Rockaway, Harrison, Lawrence, Bellerose, Cedarhurst, and Mamaroneck.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CENTER FOR INITIATIVES IN JEWISH EDUCATION INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $5,553,557 | 2025 | ASSIST STUDENTS IN JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS |
| YESHIVA TORAH VODAATH | BROOKLYN, NY | $677,971 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS |
| YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH | BROOKLYN, NY | $600,000 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS |
| YESHIVA DARCHEI TORAH | FAR ROCKAWAY, NY | $395,000 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS |
| WESTCHESTER TORAH ACADEMY | HARRISON, NY | $381,236 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS |
| HEBREW ACADEMY OF THE FIVE TOWNS AND ROCKAWAY | LAWRENCE, NY | $350,000 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS |
| YESHIVA DARCHEI TORAH | FAR ROCKAWAY, NY | $333,893 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| BEER HAGOLAH INSTITUTE | BROOKLYN, NY | $302,224 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| BNOS MENACHEM | BROOKLYN, NY | $284,725 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS |
| BNOS MENACHEM | BROOKLYN, NY | $267,687 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH | BROOKLYN, NY | $251,253 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| BNOS BAIS YAAKOV OF FAR ROCKAWAY | FAR ROCKAWAY, NY | $250,000 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS |
| YESHIVA HAR TORAH | BELLEROSE, NY | $231,736 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| MESIVTA RABBI CHAIM BERLIN | BROOKLYN, NY | $220,000 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| WESTCHESTER TORAH ACADEMY | HARRISON, NY | $216,208 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| BNOS BAIS YAAKOV OF FAR ROCKAWAY | FAR ROCKAWAY, NY | $214,440 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SHULAMITH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS | CEDARHURST, NY | $200,696 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| WESTCHESTER DAY SCHOOL | MAMARONECK, NY | $191,791 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| YESHIVA RABBI CHAIM BERLIN | BROOKLYN, NY | $187,452 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| HEBREW ACADEMY OF NASSAU COUNTY | WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY | $151,700 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS |
| YESHIVA DKIRYAS | OSSINING, NY | $135,000 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS |
| MESIVTA RABBI CHAIM BERLIN | BROOKLYN, NY | $125,000 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS |
| BAIS YAAKOV ACADEMY OF BROOKLYN | BROOKLYN, NY | $101,331 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| DAVIS RENO STAHLER YESHIVA HS FOR BOYS | LONG BEACH, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| YESHIVA HAR TORAH | BELLEROSE, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SAMUEL H WANG YESHIVA UNIVERSITY HS FOR GIRLS | HOLLIS, NY | $93,105 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| UNITD LUBAVITCHER YESHIVOTH ES | BROOKLYN, NY | $89,861 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS |
| ABRAHAM JOSHUA HERSCHEL SCHOO | NEW YORK, NY | $88,009 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SAR ACADEMY | BRONX, NY | $86,140 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| YESHIVA KEHILTH YAKOV OD WILLIAMSBURG | BROOKLYN, NY | $85,358 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| HEBREW ACADEMY OF THE FIVE TOWNS AND ROCKAWAY | LAWRENCE, NY | $83,295 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| MAGEN DAVID YESHIVAH | BROOKLYN, NY | $82,405 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| MASORES BAIS YAAKOV | BROOKLYN, NY | $74,601 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| HEBREW ACADEMY OF NASSAU COUNTY | WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY | $72,984 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| THE LEFFELL SCHOOL | HARTSDALE, NY | $65,379 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| RAMAZ | NEW YORK, NY | $60,656 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| HEBREW ACADEMY OF LONG BEACH | CEDARHURST, NY | $48,781 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| RODEPH SHOLOM SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $38,345 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| NORTH SHORE HEBREW ACADEMY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | GREAT NECK, NY | $37,462 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| UNITED LUBAVITCHER YESHIVAH | BROOKLYN, NY | $34,771 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| YESHIVA UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL FOR BOYS | NEW YORK, NY | $28,949 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| MESILAS BAIS YAAKOV | BROOKLYN, NY | $27,544 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| THE SHEFA SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $25,189 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| WESTCHESTER DAY SCHOOOL | MAMARONECK, NY | $23,414 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SOLOMON SCHECHTER OF NASSAU COUNTY | WILLISTON PARK, NY | $19,923 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| MANHATTAN DAY SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $18,243 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| YESHIVA TIFERES YISROEL | BROOKLYN, NY | $17,644 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| TALMUD TORAH MEVAKSHAI HASHEM | BROOKLYN, NY | $16,438 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| YESHIVA SHAARE TORAH | BROOKLYN, NY | $16,379 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
| BARKAI YESHIVA | BROOKLYN, NY | $13,767 | 2024 | BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS |
ASSIST STUDENTS IN JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS
YESHIVA TORAH VODAATH
$677,971BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS
YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH
$600,000BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS
YESHIVA DARCHEI TORAH
$395,000BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS
HEBREW ACADEMY OF THE FIVE TOWNS AND ROCKAWAY
BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS
YESHIVA DARCHEI TORAH
$333,893BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
BEER HAGOLAH INSTITUTE
$302,224BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
BNOS MENACHEM
$284,725BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS
BNOS MENACHEM
$267,687BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH
$251,253BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
MESIVTA RABBI CHAIM BERLIN
$220,000BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
WESTCHESTER DAY SCHOOL
$191,791BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
YESHIVA RABBI CHAIM BERLIN
$187,452BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
HEBREW ACADEMY OF NASSAU COUNTY
$151,700BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS
YESHIVA DKIRYAS
$135,000BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS
MESIVTA RABBI CHAIM BERLIN
$125,000BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS
BAIS YAAKOV ACADEMY OF BROOKLYN
$101,331BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
DAVIS RENO STAHLER YESHIVA HS FOR BOYS
$100,000BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
UNITD LUBAVITCHER YESHIVOTH ES
$89,861BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS
SAR ACADEMY
$86,140BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
YESHIVA KEHILTH YAKOV OD WILLIAMSBURG
$85,358BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
HEBREW ACADEMY OF THE FIVE TOWNS AND ROCKAWAY
$83,295BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
MAGEN DAVID YESHIVAH
$82,405BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
MASORES BAIS YAAKOV
$74,601BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
HEBREW ACADEMY OF NASSAU COUNTY
$72,984BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
THE LEFFELL SCHOOL
$65,379BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
RAMAZ
$60,656BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
HEBREW ACADEMY OF LONG BEACH
$48,781BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
RODEPH SHOLOM SCHOOL
$38,345BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
UNITED LUBAVITCHER YESHIVAH
$34,771BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
MESILAS BAIS YAAKOV
$27,544BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
WESTCHESTER DAY SCHOOOL
$23,414BUILDING RENO,LIFE INS, SCHOLARSHIPS
SOLOMON SCHECHTER OF NASSAU COUNTY
$19,923BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
MANHATTAN DAY SCHOOL
$18,243BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS
TALMUD TORAH MEVAKSHAI HASHEM
$16,438BUILDING RENO.,LIFE INS., SCHOLARSHIPS