The David & Fela Shapell Family Foundation concentrates its giving on Jewish memory, education, and Israel-focused institutions, with particularly large commitments to Holocaust remembrance and museum work. Grants are directed to major national and international organizations that preserve Holocaust history, support Jewish communal life, and strengthen Israeli philanthropy. The foundation favors institutional, mission-driven grantees (both U.S. and Israel-based) over many small community grants.
The David & Fela Shapell Family Foundation makes some of its largest commitments to Holocaust remembrance and Jewish historical institutions, including a $7,000,000 grant to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2024. That emphasis appears alongside recurring support for organizations connected to Jewish education, Israel-focused philanthropy, and communal life. Across the recent grants list, the foundation backs large institutional grantees more often than small local awards, with repeated gifts to organizations such as American Society for Yad Vashem, Hadassah, and PEF Israel Endowment Funds Inc. The pattern suggests a foundation that favors mission-driven nonprofits working at national scale, especially those preserving memory, supporting Jewish continuity, and strengthening links to Israel. Los Angeles-area organizations also appear in the record, including Simon Wiesenthal Center Museum of Tolerance, Beth Jacob Congregation, Jewish Federation Council, and Shalhevet High School, showing that the foundation’s portfolio includes both major national institutions and community-based recipients. Its grants are framed broadly as support for charitable, educational, literary, and scientific research, but the recipient mix gives a clearer picture of its priorities: Holocaust education, Jewish communal infrastructure, and Israel-centered institutions.
Holocaust remembrance is a central theme. The foundation gave $1,036,000 to American Society for Yad Vashem in 2023 and another $1,000,000 in 2024, reinforcing support for Holocaust history and education. It also funded Simon Wiesenthal Center Museum of Tolerance with $400,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Jewish education and communal institutions are another consistent area. American Friends of Darche Noam - David Shapell College received $600,000 in 2023, $618,000 in 2024, and $610,000 in 2025, while Beth Jacob Congregation received grants of $85,000 in 2023, $93,000 in 2024, and $87,500 in 2025. Israel-focused philanthropy appears through Pef Israel Endowment Funds Inc, which received $1,000,000 in 2025, and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, which received $500,000 in 2024 and $518,000 in 2025.
Typical grants are large: the 25th percentile is $25,000, the median is $400,000, and the 75th percentile is $833,500. The list includes repeated awards to the same organizations across multiple years, indicating ongoing relationships rather than one-off gifts. Several recipients appear in 2023, 2024, and 2025, including American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science and American Friends of Darche Noam - David Shapell College. The foundation is a private family foundation, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Grant descriptions are generally broad, using the same charitable, educational, literary, and scientific research language across awards.
$3.4M
$60.3M
$1.8M
$3.9M
Most grants fall between $25K and $834K, with a median of $400K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$400K
75th Percentile
$834K
About 44% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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Concentrated, large gifts to a small number of institutional grantees; multiple repeat grants to flagship organizations rather than many one-off or small awards.
Notable grantees: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, American Society for Yad Vashem, Hadassah, PEF Israel Endowment Funds
Grant recipients are entirely in the United States. The largest concentration is in Washington, DC and New York, NY, with additional awards in Los Angeles, CA and Beverly Hills, CA. California recipients account for 44% of grants, which shows a strong in-state presence even though the top state by grant count is DC. Outside California, the portfolio leans heavily toward institutions in New York, plus a smaller set in Washington, DC.
The recent grants point to Jewish memory, education, and Israel-focused institutions. Examples include the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC, American Society for Yad Vashem in New York, and Pef Israel Endowment Funds Inc in New York. The foundation also supports communal organizations and schools.
Yes. Several recipients appear more than once across 2023–2025, including American Society for Yad Vashem, Hadassah, American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, American Friends of Darche Noam - David Shapell College, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, and Beth Jacob Congregation.
The distribution is weighted toward larger awards. The 25th percentile is $25,000, the median grant is $400,000, and the 75th percentile is $833,500.
Recipients are all in the United States. California receives 44% of grants, while the top state by grant count is DC. New York, New York and Washington, DC appear frequently among recipients, alongside Los Angeles and Beverly Hills in California.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PEF ISRAEL ENDOWMENT FUNDS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR THE WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE | NEW YORK, NY | $667,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF DARCHE NOAM - DAVID SHAPELL COLLEGE | FRESH MEADOWS, NY | $610,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES | NEW YORK, NY | $518,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTERMUSEUM OF TOLERANCE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| BETH JACOB CONGREGATION | BEVERLY HILLS, CA | $87,500 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF BEIT ISSIE SHAPIRO | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| JEWISH FEDERATION COUNCIL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| 1939 CLUB INC | BEVERLY HILLS, CA | $650 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $7,000,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| HADASSAH | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR YAD VASHEM | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR THE WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE | NEW YORK, NY | $667,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF DARCHE NOAM - DAVID SHAPELL COLLEGE | FRESH MEADOWS, NY | $618,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTERMUSEUM OF TOLERANCE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $400,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| BETH JACOB CONGREGATION | BEVERLY HILLS, CA | $93,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF BEIT ISSIE SHAPIRO | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| SHALHEVET HIGH SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| 1939 CLUB INC | BEVERLY HILLS, CA | $650 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR YAD VASHEM | NEW YORK, NY | $1,036,000 | 2023 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000,000 | 2023 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| HADASSAH | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2023 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR THE WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE | NEW YORK, NY | $667,000 | 2023 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF DARCHE NOAM - DAVID SHAPELL COLLEGE | FRESH MEADOWS, NY | $600,000 | 2023 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTERMUSEUM OF TOLERANCE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $400,000 | 2023 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| BETH JACOB CONGREGATION | BEVERLY HILLS, CA | $85,000 | 2023 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF BEIT ISSIE SHAPIRO | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2023 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2023 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| SHALHEVET HIGH SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $20,000 | 2023 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| THE 1939 CLUBSOCIETY INC | BEVERLY HILLS, CA | $650 | 2023 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
| YESHIVA OHR ELCHONON CHABAD W COAST TALMUDICAL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $175 | 2023 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. |
PEF ISRAEL ENDOWMENT FUNDS INC
$1,000,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF DARCHE NOAM - DAVID SHAPELL COLLEGE
$610,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTERMUSEUM OF TOLERANCE
$400,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
BETH JACOB CONGREGATION
$87,500TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
JEWISH FEDERATION COUNCIL
$50,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
1939 CLUB INC
$650TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM
$7,000,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
HADASSAH
$1,000,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR YAD VASHEM
$1,000,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF DARCHE NOAM - DAVID SHAPELL COLLEGE
$618,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTERMUSEUM OF TOLERANCE
$400,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
BETH JACOB CONGREGATION
$93,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
SHALHEVET HIGH SCHOOL
$20,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
1939 CLUB INC
$650TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR YAD VASHEM
$1,036,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM
$1,000,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF DARCHE NOAM - DAVID SHAPELL COLLEGE
$600,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTERMUSEUM OF TOLERANCE
$400,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
BETH JACOB CONGREGATION
$85,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
SHALHEVET HIGH SCHOOL
$20,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
THE 1939 CLUBSOCIETY INC
$650TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
YESHIVA OHR ELCHONON CHABAD W COAST TALMUDICAL
$175TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.