The Simon Charitable Foundation concentrates its giving on Jewish communal life and Jewish advocacy/anti‑antisemitism work, while also making significant gifts to health care institutions and a smaller number of youth services. Grants are few but large, directed at established national organizations, synagogues, and hospitals, often for general operating support or capital/medical projects. The foundation shows a clear priority for protecting and strengthening Jewish institutions alongside strategic investments in medical care and select youth programs.
David E Simon & Jacqueline S Simon Charitable Foundation’s largest recent gift was a $2,050,000 general operating support grant to AJC in 2024, a signal of how heavily the foundation backs national Jewish advocacy and anti-antisemitism work. Across the recent grants list, the foundation combines large unrestricted awards with program-specific funding for synagogues, hospitals, and select youth-serving organizations. That mix appears in gifts to the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism and the Anti-Defamation League, both at $1,000,000 in 2024, as well as repeated support for Park Avenue Synagogue, Youth Renewal Fund, and medical institutions. The pattern suggests a funder that works through established organizations rather than a broad open call model. It also shows a willingness to support both operating needs and named campaigns, from general support for advocacy groups to capital and clinical projects at health systems. The foundation’s portfolio is not limited to one cause area; Jewish communal life, antisemitism response, health care, and youth services all appear as recurring priorities in the recent record.
Jewish advocacy is the clearest theme in the recent grants. In 2024, the foundation gave $2,050,000 to AJC for general operating support, $1,000,000 to the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism for general operating support, and $1,000,000 to the Anti-Defamation League for operating support. Religious community support is another visible thread. Park Avenue Synagogue received $735,000 in 2024 tied to a gala and book of remembrance support, after a $640,000 general operating grant in 2023, and Congregation Beth-el Zedeck received $54,000 in 2023 for general operating support. Health care also draws large gifts: University of Miami received $1,000,000 in 2023 for Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and another $100,000 in 2024 for a cycling challenge supporting Bippy Siegal. Youth-oriented giving appears through Youth Renewal Fund, which received $600,000 in 2024 and $100,000 in 2023.
Typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $38,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile, but the recent record also includes several seven-figure awards. The foundation is a regular funder with a national footprint, and the recent list shows repeat recipients across years, including Park Avenue Synagogue, Youth Renewal Fund, University of Miami, and Indiana Golf Foundation. That repetition points to ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts. The foundation gives both general operating support and project or event-linked awards, and the grants come from a private charitable foundation structure rather than a DAF or program-related investment vehicle.
$5.7M
$50.3M
$2.6M
$5.9M
Most grants fall between $10K and $100K, with a median of $38K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$38K
75th Percentile
$100K
About 17% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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Concentrated, high-dollar giving: a small number of large grants (many $1M+) to established institutions, with some repeat support to the same religious organizations; funding is focused rather than widely distributed.
Notable grantees: American Jewish Committee (AJC), Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS), Park Avenue Synagogue, University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center / Ascension St. Vincent Foundation
The foundation’s giving is national, and every grant in the recent list went to U.S. recipients. New York City appears frequently among recipient locations, alongside Indianapolis, Miami, and Franklin, Indiana, plus Miami Beach and Las Vegas. California is the top state by grant count, even though Indiana is the headquarters state. Recipients in Indiana account for 18% of grants, reflecting a meaningful local component alongside broader national giving.
Recent grants center on Jewish communal life and Jewish advocacy, especially anti-antisemitism work. The foundation also supports hospitals and cancer care, with additional grants to youth services and select education-related institutions.
Yes. Several large grants are labeled as general operating support or general contribution to operating support, including $2,050,000 to AJC, $1,000,000 to the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, and $1,000,000 to the Anti-Defamation League in the recent record.
Typical grants are $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $38,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes much larger awards, including multiple $1,000,000 grants and a $2,050,000 grant.
There are repeat recipients across years, which suggests ongoing relationships. Park Avenue Synagogue, Youth Renewal Fund, University of Miami, and Indiana Golf Foundation all received grants in more than one year in the recent list.
The giving is national, with 100% of the listed grants going to U.S. recipients. California is the top state by grant count, while Indiana recipients account for 18% of grants.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE (ADL) | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000,000 | 2026 | GRANT PAYMENT |
| UJA-FEDERATION OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MAYO CLINIC | ROCHESTER, MN | $1,000,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE | WASHINGTON, DC | $750,000 | 2026 | INFORMATION AND MEMBER EDUCATION |
| AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION (AIEF) | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INDIANA GOLF FOUNDATION | FRANKLIN, IN | $200,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PARK AVENUE SYNAGOGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $157,748 | 2026 | MEMBERSHIPGRANT PAYMENT BOOK OF REMEMBRANCEKOL NIDRE |
| YOUTH RENEWAL FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2026 | GRANT PAYMENT |
| UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI | MIAMI, FL | $100,000 | 2026 | DOLPHINS CHALLENGE CANCER |
| BABY2BABY | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM | MIAMI BEACH, FL | $10,425 | 2026 | HIGH HOLY DAY DONATION |
| LEHRMAN COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL | MIAMI BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION |
| THE BOYS CLUB OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK CITY, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ADENOID CYSTIC CARCINOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION | NEEDHAM, MA | $1,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BREBEUF JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $500 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE (ADL) | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000,000 | 2025 | GRANT PAYMENT |
| UJA-FEDERATION OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $1,200,000 | 2025 | ISRAEL EMERGENCY DAY AFTER FUND |
| PARK AVENUE SYNAGOGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $815,518 | 2025 | 2024-2025 MEMBERSHIP2024 GRANT PAYMENT 2024 BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE2024 / 2025 KOL NIDRE |
| AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE | WASHINGTON, DC | $750,000 | 2025 | INFORMATION AND MEMBER EDUCATION |
| NER L'HOREINU INC | SUN LAKES, AZ | $500,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO FALLEN HEROES FUND |
| GEMILOS CHASODIM CHASDEI MOSHE | BROOKLYN, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC (AIEF) | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL AND OUTREACH INITIATIVES INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS |
| INDIANA GOLF FOUNDATION | FRANKLIN, IN | $200,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $180,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| YOUTH RENEWAL FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GRANT PAYMENT |
| SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024 TRIBUTE DINNER |
| INDIANA INNOVATION COUNCIL | CARMEL, IN | $50,000 | 2025 | INDIANA POLICY INITIATIVES FY2024 MESSAGING CAMPAIGN |
| CONGREGATION BETH EL ZEDECK | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $27,000 | 2025 | 2024 ANNUAL DUES |
| NEW YORK-PRESBYTERIAN FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024 ANNUAL PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE |
| TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM | MIAMI BEACH, FL | $20,425 | 2025 | 2024 HIGH HOLY DAY DONATION |
| NEW YORK-PRESBYTERIAN FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | PLATES FOR PEDIATRICS |
| WIZO NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HORACE MANN SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | GIFT CARDS TO HORACE MANN SCHOOL ANNUAL BENEFIT |
| BLOUNT COUNTY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER INC | MARYVILLE, TN | $2,000 | 2025 | NEW HOPE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER |
| JEWISH NATIONAL FUND | ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY | $720 | 2025 | PLANT TREE DONATION - 20 TREES |
| PAWSITIVE POSSIBILITIES RESCUE INC | LINDENHURST, NY | $500 | 2025 | WORKING PAWS TRAINING |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF BEIT RUTH INC | JERICHO, NY | $500 | 2025 | QUALITY EDUCATION AND CRITICAL THERAPY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES |
| AJC | NEW YORK, NY | $2,050,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE (ADL) | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION TO OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FOUNDATION TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM (FCAS) | FOXBOROUGH, MA | $1,000,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PARK AVENUE SYNAGOGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $735,000 | 2024 | 2023 GALA IN HONOR OF MARC BECKER2023 BOOK OF REMEMBRANCEGRANT PAYMENT 7/8TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE |
| YOUTH RENEWAL FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $600,000 | 2024 | 2023 GRANT DONATIONDONATION/DARCA |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF RAMBAM MEDICAL CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FALLEN HEROES FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2024 | DONATION IN HONOR OF JAY SCHOTTENSTEIN |
| LEHRMAN COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL | MIAMI BEACH, FL | $260,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION |
| INDIANA GOLF FOUNDATION | FRANKLIN, IN | $200,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $182,470 | 2024 | CASINO NIGHT |
| SIMON YOUTH FOUNDATION | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $100,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF SHEBA MEDICAL CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI | MIAMI, FL | $100,000 | 2024 | CYCLING CHALLENGE TO SUPPORT BIPPY SIEGAL |
MAYO CLINIC
$1,000,000CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION (AIEF)
$250,000CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PARK AVENUE SYNAGOGUE
$157,748MEMBERSHIPGRANT PAYMENT BOOK OF REMEMBRANCEKOL NIDRE
TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM
$10,425HIGH HOLY DAY DONATION
ADENOID CYSTIC CARCINOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION
$1,000CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BREBEUF JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
$500CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PARK AVENUE SYNAGOGUE
$815,5182024-2025 MEMBERSHIP2024 GRANT PAYMENT 2024 BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE2024 / 2025 KOL NIDRE
GEMILOS CHASODIM CHASDEI MOSHE
$500,000CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC (AIEF)
$250,000CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL AND OUTREACH INITIATIVES INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS
SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER
$50,0002024 TRIBUTE DINNER
INDIANA INNOVATION COUNCIL
$50,000INDIANA POLICY INITIATIVES FY2024 MESSAGING CAMPAIGN
CONGREGATION BETH EL ZEDECK
$27,0002024 ANNUAL DUES
TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM
$20,4252024 HIGH HOLY DAY DONATION
WIZO NEW YORK
$10,000CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HORACE MANN SCHOOL
$2,500GIFT CARDS TO HORACE MANN SCHOOL ANNUAL BENEFIT
BLOUNT COUNTY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER INC
$2,000NEW HOPE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER
JEWISH NATIONAL FUND
$720PLANT TREE DONATION - 20 TREES
PAWSITIVE POSSIBILITIES RESCUE INC
$500WORKING PAWS TRAINING
QUALITY EDUCATION AND CRITICAL THERAPY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
FOUNDATION TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM (FCAS)
$1,000,000CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PARK AVENUE SYNAGOGUE
$735,0002023 GALA IN HONOR OF MARC BECKER2023 BOOK OF REMEMBRANCEGRANT PAYMENT 7/8TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE
CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FALLEN HEROES FUND
$500,000DONATION IN HONOR OF JAY SCHOTTENSTEIN
SIMON YOUTH FOUNDATION
$100,000CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT