The J Blair & Tena Frank Foundation makes a small number of very large, targeted gifts, combining support for higher education, Jewish/Israel causes and legal advocacy with some local or community cultural funding. Grants are concentrated among a few repeat recipients and include both direct institutional support (e.g., Bates College) and large contributions routed through donor-advised vehicles. The foundation’s giving suggests a philanthropic priority on elite education and pro‑Israel/Jewish legal advocacy rather than broad, grassroots philanthropy.
Highly concentrated giving: very few but large grants, repeated funding to select institutions, mix of direct institutional grants and major pass‑through donations via donor‑advised funds.
A defining feature of J Blair & Tena Frank Foundation’s giving is the size of its largest recent gifts and the concentration of support around a few institutions and Jewish communal causes. In the recent record, Bates College in Lewiston, Maine received major general-support grants in 2024 and 2023, while Fidelity Charitable Fund received the two largest grants on file, showing that the foundation uses both direct institutional giving and donor-advised pass-through vehicles. The pattern also includes large gifts to Friends of the Israel Defense Force and the Louis D. Brandeis Center, alongside support for Maine-based community funding through Meto Inc. That mix points to a foundation that backs higher education, Jewish and Israel-related organizations, and legal advocacy, with some local cultural or community funding layered in. The grants are not broad and diffuse; they cluster around a small set of recipients and a narrow set of priorities. Across the recent list, the foundation appears to favor flexible general support rather than restricted project funding, and its portfolio includes both long-running recipients and newer grantees in the same thematic lanes.
Higher education is a clear theme. J Blair & Tena Frank Foundation gave $914,400 to Bates College in 2024 for general support, following a $906,400 gift in 2023 and a smaller $45,000 grant in 2023, which shows repeated institutional backing. Jewish education and campus engagement also appear in the record: it gave $100,000 to Foundation for Jewish Camp Inc, $100,000 to Prizmah Center for Jewish Day Schoo, and $100,000 to Hillel at Florida International Uni, each for general support. In Israel- and advocacy-related work, the foundation gave $300,000 to The Louis D Brandeis Center Inc and $25,000 to Anti-defamation League Foundation, both for general support. It also supported service and community organizations such as Brothers for Life Organization Inc and Friends of Israel Disabled Veterans.
Typical grant size centers on modest-to-midrange awards, with a p25 of $5,000, a median of $10,000, and a p75 of $65,000. The distribution is skewed by a small number of large grants, including six-figure awards and very large pass-through gifts. Recipients do repeat across years: Bates College appears in 2023 and 2024, and Meto Inc appears in 2024 and 2025. The foundation’s recent grants are overwhelmingly labeled general support, indicating flexible funding rather than project-specific awards. It does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$2M
$52.3M
$22.5M
$2M
Most grants fall between $5K and $65K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$65K
About 7% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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Notable grantees: Bates College, Fidelity Charitable Fund, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, The Louis D. Brandeis Center, Inc., METO Inc
Grants go nationally, with recipients in 46 U.S. grants on the recent list. The top state by grant count is Massachusetts, while only 6% of grants go to recipients in Maine, the headquarters state. Recent recipients are spread across multiple cities, including Lewiston, ME; New York, NY; Washington, DC; Miami, FL; and Encino, CA. The record also includes recipients in Seattle, WA, Austin, TX, and Cincinnati, OH, showing that the foundation’s giving extends well beyond New England.
The recent record centers on higher education, Jewish education and campus engagement, Israel-related organizations, legal advocacy, and some Maine community or cultural groups. Examples include Bates College, Foundation for Jewish Camp Inc, Prizmah Center for Jewish Day Schoo, The Louis D Brandeis Center Inc, and Meto Inc.
Yes. Bates College appears in 2023 and 2024, and Meto Inc appears in 2024 and 2025. That pattern suggests at least some multi-year relationships rather than one-off gifts.
The recent distribution shows a p25 of $5,000, a median of $10,000, and a p75 of $65,000. The grant list also includes much larger awards, so the foundation combines many smaller grants with a few sizable commitments.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments, according to the provided profile data.
The foundation gives nationally. In the recent grants list, recipients appear in 46 U.S. grants, with cities including Lewiston, New York, Washington, Miami, Encino, Seattle, Austin, and Cincinnati.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE LOUIS D BRANDEIS CENTER INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $225,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CYBER EDUCATION CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $155,000 | 2026 | GENEARL SUPPORT |
| FOUNDATION FOR JEWISH CAMP INC | NEW YORK, NY | $125,000 | 2026 | GENEARL SUPPORT |
| PRIZMAH CENTER FOR JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS | NEW YORK, NY | $125,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HILLEL THE FOUNDATION FOR JEWISH CAMPUS LIFE | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNION OF ORTHODOX JEWISH CONGREGATIONS OF AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BROTHERS FOR LIFE | SEATTLE, WA | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF OGEN INC | UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, OH | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YOUTH RENEWAL FUND-DARCA ODEM SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH KIDS GROUP FOUNDATION INC | ATLANTA, GA | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $55,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF HABAITA INC | WILMINGTON, DE | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FOUNDATION FOR THE DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACIES | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MECHON HADAR | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY MIDDLE EAST STUDIES PROGRAM | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BROTHERS FOR LIFE | SEATTLE, WA | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF IRGUN NECHEI ZAHAL | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE OF CURRICULUM SERVICES | BERKLEY, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AGUDA ASSOCIATION FOR LGBTQ EQUALITY IN ISRAEL | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SUMMER CAMP ISRAEL | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF NATAL INC | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BROTHERS FOR LIFE | SEATTLE, WA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HAROLD GRINSPOON FOUNDATION | AGAWAM, MA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF SOROKA HOSPITAL | SCARSDALE, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MEM GLOBAL | CHARLOTTE, NC | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OPENDOR MEDIA INC | SUNRISE, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TIKVAH FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PROJECT HEROES | AVENTURA, FL | $14,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HONEST REPORTING COM INC | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF AUSTIN | AUSTIN, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ISRAEL ON CAMPUS COALITION INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ZIONESS MOVEMENT INC | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITED NATIONS WATCH | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWBELONG | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF GLOBAL ANTISEMITISM AND POLICY | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOUNDLESS ISRAEL INC | WALTHAM, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STOPANTISEMITISM INC | ENCINO, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL UNION FOR DEMOCRACY IN IRAN FUND INC | POTOMAC, MD | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ISRAEL-IS | CEDARHURST, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MIDDLE EAST MEDIA AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHRISTIANS UNTIED FOR ISRAEL | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MIDDLE EAST FORUM | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN-ISRAELI COOPERATIVE ENTERPRISE | CHEVY CHASE, MD | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMENTARY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF THE ISREAL DEFENSE FORCE | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| METO INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $438,425 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE LOUIS D BRANDEIS CENTER INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
THE LOUIS D BRANDEIS CENTER INC
$225,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CYBER EDUCATION CENTER
$155,000GENEARL SUPPORT
HILLEL THE FOUNDATION FOR JEWISH CAMPUS LIFE
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNION OF ORTHODOX JEWISH CONGREGATIONS OF AMERICA
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BROTHERS FOR LIFE
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JEWISH KIDS GROUP FOUNDATION INC
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF HABAITA INC
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MECHON HADAR
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY MIDDLE EAST STUDIES PROGRAM
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BROTHERS FOR LIFE
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF IRGUN NECHEI ZAHAL
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
INSTITUTE OF CURRICULUM SERVICES
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AGUDA ASSOCIATION FOR LGBTQ EQUALITY IN ISRAEL
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SUMMER CAMP ISRAEL
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BROTHERS FOR LIFE
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF SOROKA HOSPITAL
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MEM GLOBAL
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TIKVAH FUND
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PROJECT HEROES
$14,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF AUSTIN
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF GLOBAL ANTISEMITISM AND POLICY
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
STOPANTISEMITISM INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL UNION FOR DEMOCRACY IN IRAN FUND INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ISRAEL-IS
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MIDDLE EAST MEDIA AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHRISTIANS UNTIED FOR ISRAEL
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN-ISRAELI COOPERATIVE ENTERPRISE
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
THE LOUIS D BRANDEIS CENTER INC
$300,000GENERAL SUPPORT