The Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on large, strategic gifts that split between Jewish institutional support and environmental/climate work. Its largest commitments fund Jewish higher-education and communal organizations alongside national environmental legal advocacy and Jewish-focused climate initiatives, indicating an interest in combining Jewish continuity with climate action and science/education. Grants are high-dollar and selective, often repeated to favored recipients.
A defining feature of Goldman-sonnenfeldt Foundation Inc is its repeated use of seven-figure grants for a small set of priorities, especially Jewish institutional support and climate-related work. The foundation gave $1,000,000 in 2025 to The Jewish Climate Trust, matching another $1,000,000 grant that same year to MIT and continuing a pattern of major commitments to select recipients rather than broad small-dollar dispersion. Jewish higher-education and communal organizations appear prominently in the recent record, including multiple grants to Aabgu and support for United Jewish Appeal Federation. Environmental and climate advocacy is another clear thread: Earthjustice appears across three consecutive years, and the Jewish Climate Trust received the largest recent grant. The portfolio also extends to research and civic institutions, with support for Center for New American Security, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and American Friends of Tel Aviv University. Across these gifts, the foundation shows a preference for educational and charitable grants to organizations that are already established and often reappear in subsequent years.
Jewish education and institutional support are central to the foundation’s recent giving. It awarded $1,000,000 to Aabgu in 2025 for educational and charitable purposes, following two earlier $1,000,000 grants in 2023 and 2024 to the same recipient. Communal philanthropy is another visible lane: United Jewish Appeal Federation received $500,000 in 2024 and $100,000 in 2025. Climate and environmental work also features prominently, with The Jewish Climate Trust receiving $1,000,000 in 2025 and Earthjustice receiving $350,000 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025. The foundation also supports higher education and research through gifts such as $1,000,000 to MIT in 2025 and $201,800 to American Friends of Tel Aviv University in 2024.
Typical grants cluster around a middle of $10,000, with a wider spread from $4,400 at the 25th percentile to $25,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes many much larger awards, showing a layered approach that combines routine support with major strategic gifts. Recipients often reappear across multiple years: Aabgu, Earthjustice, Center for New American Security, Jcc of Manhattan, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York Presbyterian Fund, and United Jewish Appeal Federation each received more than one grant in the recent list. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
$6.1M
$24.4M
$3.4M
$6.2M
Most grants fall between $4K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$4K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 247 | $13M | 99.6% |
| 2 | Japan |
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Concentrated, high-dollar giving with multiple large grants to a small set of repeat grantees; combines secular environmental advocacy and research funding with targeted Jewish institutional and communal support.
Notable grantees: AABGU (American Associates, Ben-Gurion University) - major repeat recipient, Earthjustice - large multi-year environmental/legal grants, The Jewish Climate Trust - sizable gift linking Judaism and climate action, MIT - significant single grant to a major research university, United Jewish Appeal/Federation - large communal philanthropy gift
Grantmaking is highly concentrated in the United States, with 99.6% of grants going to U.S. recipients. New York City appears frequently among recipient locations, including New York, NY, for Aabgu, United Jewish Appeal Federation, The Whitney Museum, and New York Presbyterian Fund. Washington, DC is another recurring destination, through Center for New American Security. Outside the U.S., the recent list includes one grant to a recipient in Japan, alongside a long tail of domestic giving. The foundation gives most often in DC by grant count, even though its headquarters is in New York, NY.
Recent grants show a strong emphasis on Jewish institutions and climate-related work. Examples include Aabgu, United Jewish Appeal Federation, The Jewish Climate Trust, and Earthjustice, alongside support for universities, research institutions, and community organizations.
The foundation’s typical grant size is $10,000 at the median, with the 25th percentile at $4,400 and the 75th percentile at $25,000. The recent list also includes larger strategic gifts, including several seven-figure awards.
Yes. Several recipients appear more than once in the recent grants list, including Aabgu, Earthjustice, Center for New American Security, Jcc of Manhattan, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York Presbyterian Fund, American Friends of Tel Aviv University, and United Jewish Appeal Federation.
By grant count, its top state is DC. New York, NY also receives a large share of grants, but the recipient distribution shows DC as the most frequent state for giving.
No. The foundation’s profile indicates that it funds organizations rather than individuals.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 1 |
| $50K |
0.4% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIT | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| AABGU | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| THE JEWISH CLIMATE TRUST | PALM BEACH, FL | $1,000,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| EARTHJUSTICE | NEW YORK, NY | $350,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| CENTER FOR NEW AMERICAN SECURITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $300,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| THE WHITNEY MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $232,500 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| NATIONAL BREAST CANCER | DALLAS, TX | $200,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| TURNOUT ACTIVISM | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $200,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| HARLEM VILLAGE ACADEMIES | NEW YORK, NY | $148,140 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| JCC OF MANHATTAN | NEW YORK, NY | $125,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| UNITED JEWISH APPEAL FEDERATION | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| YELLOW DOT STUDIOS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| PEF ISRAEL ENDOWMENT FUNDS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| NEW YORK PRESBYTERIAN FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| THE AMERICAN INDEPENDENT FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| MET OPERA | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| JAPANCRAFT21 | KYOTO | $50,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST | EUGENE, OR | $50,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| ECOAMERICA | WASHINGTON, DC | $36,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF YAHAD-IN UNUM | NEW YORK, NY | $36,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| THE JEWISH MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $27,750 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| ASIA SOCIETY | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| CLIMATE CENTRAL | PRINCETON, NJ | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| APERTURE FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| SAVE THE SOUND | NEW HAVEN, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| YALE | NEW HAVEN, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| USC SHOAH FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN | BRONX, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| OHR HATZAFUN (HIDDEN LIGHT INSTITUTE) | GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| RMI | BOULDER, CO | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| BROTHERHOOD SISTERSOL | NEW YORK, NY | $21,650 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| FOOTSTEPS DONATION | NEW YORK, NY | $18,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| JCC ON THE PALISADES | TENAFLY, NJ | $18,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| AMERICAN ALYN HOSPITAL | NEW YORK, NY | $18,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| BRIGHTRIGHT ISRAEL FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $18,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| HIDE & SEEK FOUNDATION | LONG BEACH, CA | $18,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| CLIMATE CHANGES FOR ALL EDUCATORS | NEW CANAAN, CT | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| VISUAL ARTS FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| GMHC | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTE | WOODS HOLE, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| URBAN GLASS | BROOKLYN, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| NOLS | DRIGGS, ID | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| NATIONAL CENTER FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| ADL - NEW ENGLAND | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| HAMPTON COMMUNITY OUTREACH | BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
| JGIVE - FRIEND OF ASOR | LAKEWOOD, NJ | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE |
AABGU
$1,000,000EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
THE JEWISH CLIMATE TRUST
$1,000,000EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
THE WHITNEY MUSEUM
EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
NATIONAL BREAST CANCER
$200,000EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
HARLEM VILLAGE ACADEMIES
$148,140EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER
$100,000EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
MET OPERA
$50,000EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
JAPANCRAFT21
$50,000EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
APERTURE FOUNDATION
$25,000EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
YALE
$25,000EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
USC SHOAH FOUNDATION
$25,000EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
OHR HATZAFUN (HIDDEN LIGHT INSTITUTE)
$25,000EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
AMERICAN ALYN HOSPITAL
$18,000EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
HIDE & SEEK FOUNDATION
$18,000EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
VISUAL ARTS FOUNDATION
$10,000EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTE
$10,000EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
URBAN GLASS
$10,000EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
NOLS
$10,000EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
ADL - NEW ENGLAND
$10,000EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE
$10,000EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
HAMPTON COMMUNITY OUTREACH
$10,000EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
JGIVE - FRIEND OF ASOR
$10,000EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE