The Zidell Charitable Foundation concentrates its giving in the Portland area, making a small number of large institutional gifts that support Jewish communal life, major healthcare initiatives, and civic arts organizations. Grants skew toward capital campaigns, special event underwriting, matching/challenge funds, and programmatic boosts for local nonprofits rather than broad-based small grants. The foundation repeatedly funds a handful of core local institutions, blending cultural, religious, and medical philanthropy.
A defining feature of Jay and Diane Zidell Charitable Foundation is its repeated backing of Portland Jewish institutions, especially Portland Jewish Academy and Oregon Jewish Museum. Those grants sit alongside sizeable support for local healthcare and civic arts, showing a foundation that funds a small cluster of institutions rather than a broad national portfolio. In the recent grant list, that pattern appears through a $295,324 auction match sponsorship for Portland Jewish Academy, a $265,020 capital campaign pledge and annual support grant to Oregon Jewish Museum, and major gifts to Providence St Vincent Medical Foundation and Providence Portland Medical Foundation. The foundation also shows steady support for Jewish communal infrastructure, including Jewish Federation of Portland, Eastside Jewish Commons, Congregation Neveh Shalom, Oregon Hillel, Maayan Torah Day School, and NCSY. Its giving includes both operating support and campaign-oriented funding, suggesting a mix of sustaining day-to-day work and helping organizations advance specific projects. The overall picture is of a locally focused funder with recurring relationships across Jewish life, medical institutions, and Portland cultural organizations.
Jewish education and community institutions are a central thread in the foundation’s recent grants. Portland Jewish Academy received $295,324 for auction match sponsorship and $293,548 for general operations support, while Maayan Torah Day School received $36,000 for its annual fundraiser and $35,000 for general operations support. The same pattern extends to Oregon Hillel, which received $50,000 for a support pledge and $40,000 for a board fellowship tied to the University of Oregon and Oregon State University. The foundation also backed Eastside Jewish Commons with $54,000 for operational support and Congregation Neveh Shalom with $46,000 for its Funding Our Future campaign and general support. Outside the Jewish education and community sphere, it supported the Oregon Zoo Foundation with $60,000 for the Oregon Zoo Primate Forest and Urban Gleaners with $35,000 for general operations support.
Typical grants cluster around a mid-sized local range, with a p25 of $5,400, median of $13,750, and p75 of $31,250. The recent record shows recurring awards to the same organizations across multiple years, including Portland Jewish Academy, Oregon Jewish Museum, Providence Portland Medical Foundation, Providence St Vincent Medical Foundation, Oregon Symphony, Bnai Brith, Oregon Zoo Foundation, Congregation Neveh Shalom, Oregon Hillel, Maayan Torah Day School, Urban Gleaners, and Free Clinic of Sw Washington. That repeat pattern points to relationship-based giving rather than one-time transactions. The foundation is a private family foundation by name and funds individuals, while making no program-related investments.
$1.7M
$14.9M
$2M
$2M
Most grants fall between $5K and $31K, with a median of $14K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$14K
75th Percentile
$31K
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Concentrated, high-dollar local giving: few (8) grants but large amounts, frequent repeat support to the same institutions, emphasis on capital campaigns, event sponsorships, and matching/challenge grants to leverage additional fundraising.
Notable grantees: Portland Jewish Academy, Providence Portland Medical Foundation, Oregon Jewish Museum, Oregon Symphony, Jewish Federation of Portland
Giving is highly concentrated in Oregon, with 80% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state and a top state by grant count of OR. Portland is the main hub, including grants to Portland Jewish Academy, Oregon Jewish Museum, Providence St Vincent Medical Foundation, Oregon Symphony, Jewish Federation of Portland, Eastside Jewish Commons, Congregation Neveh Shalom, Maayan Torah Day School, and Urban Gleaners. Outside Portland, the foundation also funded Beaverton-based Bnai Brith and Eugene-based Oregon Hillel. In neighboring Washington, grants went to Vancouver-based Community Foundation for Sw Washington and Free Clinic of Sw Washington.
Its recent grants center on Jewish education and communal institutions, healthcare, and arts or civic organizations. Examples include Portland Jewish Academy, Oregon Jewish Museum, Providence St Vincent Medical Foundation, Providence Portland Medical Foundation, Oregon Symphony, and Jewish Federation of Portland.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Portland Jewish Academy, Oregon Jewish Museum, Providence Portland Medical Foundation, Providence St Vincent Medical Foundation, Oregon Symphony, Bnai Brith, Oregon Zoo Foundation, Congregation Neveh Shalom, Oregon Hillel, Maayan Torah Day School, Urban Gleaners, and Free Clinic of Sw Washington.
The distribution is relatively compact: p25 is $5,400, median is $13,750, and p75 is $31,250. The recent list also includes larger outliers, such as $295,324 to Portland Jewish Academy and $265,020 to Oregon Jewish Museum.
It gives primarily in Oregon. The top state by grant count is OR, and 80% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Portland is the main recipient city in the recent grant list, with additional awards in Beaverton and Eugene.
The foundation uses several support modes: general operations, pledge and campaign support, matching grants, event sponsorship, and program-specific funding. Recent examples include auction match sponsorship, capital campaign pledge and annual support, gala underwriting, and operational support.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PORTLAND JEWISH ACADEMY | PORTLAND, OR | $297,944 | 2026 | 2024 AUCTION MATCH SPONSORSHIP |
| PROVIDENCE ST VINCENT MEDICAL FOUNDATION | PORTLAND, OR | $250,000 | 2026 | REIMAGINING EMERGENCY ROOM |
| PROVIDENCE PORTLAND MEDICAL FOUNDATION | PORTLAND, OR | $150,000 | 2026 | CREATING HOPE 2025 SUPPORT & PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF PORTLAND | PORTLAND, OR | $148,000 | 2026 | CATALYST FUND $1 FOR $2 MATCH, SECURITY FUND MATCHING GRANT, & L.A. FIRE RELIEF FUND |
| BNAI BRITH | BEAVERTON, OR | $102,000 | 2026 | 2025 BB BASH LEGACY BUILDING & ANNUAL PLEDGE |
| OREGON SYMPHONY | PORTLAND, OR | $100,000 | 2026 | 2025 GALA |
| EASTSIDE JEWISH COMMONS | PORTLAND, OR | $54,000 | 2026 | DONOR CHALLENGE GRANT |
| OREGON HILLEL | EUGENE, OR | $50,000 | 2026 | 2024-2025 SUPPORT PLEDGE |
| NCSY | PORTLAND, OR | $45,000 | 2026 | THE Q PROJECT 2025 |
| OREGON JEWISH MUSEUM | PORTLAND, OR | $45,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| MAAYAN TORAH DAY SCHOOL | PORTLAND, OR | $36,000 | 2026 | 2025 ANNUAL FUNDRAISER |
| URBAN GLEANERS | PORTLAND, OR | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| TIVNU BUILDING JUSTICE | PORTLAND, OR | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| FREE CLINIC OF SW WASHINGTON | VANCOUVER, WA | $30,000 | 2026 | FREE CLINIC OPERATIONS |
| NORTHWEST MOTHERS MILK BANK | TIGARD, OR | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| CLARK COUNTY FOOD BANK | VANCOUVER, WA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR SW WASHINGTON | VANCOUVER, WA | $25,000 | 2026 | 2025 SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF PORTLAND | BEAVERTON, OR | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| GREATER PORTLAND HILLEL | PORTLAND, OR | $18,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| MAIMONIDES JEWISH DAY SCHOOL | PORTLAND, OR | $18,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| SHAARIE TORAH SISTERHOOD | PORTLAND, OR | $15,000 | 2026 | BAKE SALE |
| CONGREGATION SHAARIE TORAH | PORTLAND, OR | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| OAICU | PORTLAND, OR | $12,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| PATH HOME | PORTLAND, OR | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| TRAUMA INTERVENTION PROGRAMS INC | PORTLAND, OR | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| CONGREGATION NEVEH SHALOM | PORTLAND, OR | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| YWCA CLARK COUNTY | VANCOUVER, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF SW WASHINGTON | VANCOUVER, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | OPERATION SCHOOL BELL |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SW WASHINGTON | VANCOUVER, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| EXPONENT PHILANTHROPY | WASHINGTON, DC | $6,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| GESHER | PORTLAND, OR | $5,400 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| PORTLAND KOLLEL | PORTLAND, OR | $5,400 | 2026 | CAMP SEED YOUTH CAMP |
| JEWISH FAMILY & CHILD SERVICES | PORTLAND, OR | $5,400 | 2026 | WRAP AROUND SENIOR SERVICES PLANNING STAGE |
| OVARIAN CANCER ALLLIANCE OF OREGON & SW WASHINGTON | VANCOUVER, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| PORTLAND YOUTH PHILHARMONIC | PORTLAND, OR | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| ST JOHN SCHOOL | PLAQUEMINE, LA | $5,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| OHSU | PORTLAND, OR | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| MITTLEMAN JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER | PORTLAND, OR | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| MIZELL SENIOR CENTER | PALM SPRINGS, CA | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| PORTLAND JEWISH ACADEMY | PORTLAND, OR | $295,324 | 2025 | 2023 AUCTION MATCH SPONSORSHIP |
| OREGON JEWISH MUSEUM | PORTLAND, OR | $265,020 | 2025 | 2024 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PLEDGE & ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| PROVIDENCE ST VINCENT MEDICAL FOUNDATION | PORTLAND, OR | $250,000 | 2025 | REIMAGINING EMERGENCY ROOM |
| PROVIDENCE PORTLAND MEDICAL FOUNDATION | PORTLAND, OR | $150,000 | 2025 | CREATING HOPE 2024 SUPPORT AND PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF PORTLAND | PORTLAND, OR | $130,000 | 2025 | CATALYST FUND $1 FOR $2 MATCH & SECURITY FUND MATCHING GRANT |
| OREGON SYMPHONY | PORTLAND, OR | $100,000 | 2025 | 2024 GALA |
| BNAI BRITH | BEAVERTON, OR | $97,000 | 2025 | 2024 BB BASH LEGACY BUILDING & ANNUAL PLEDGE |
| OREGON ZOO FOUNDATION | PORTLAND, OR | $60,000 | 2025 | OREGON ZOO PRIMATE FOREST |
| EASTSIDE JEWISH COMMONS | PORTLAND, OR | $54,000 | 2025 | 2024-2025 OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR SW WASHINGTON | VANCOUVER, WA | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024 SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| OREGON HILLEL | EUGENE, OR | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024-2025 SUPPORT PLEDGE |
CREATING HOPE 2025 SUPPORT & PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH
JEWISH FEDERATION OF PORTLAND
$148,000CATALYST FUND $1 FOR $2 MATCH, SECURITY FUND MATCHING GRANT, & L.A. FIRE RELIEF FUND
BNAI BRITH
$102,0002025 BB BASH LEGACY BUILDING & ANNUAL PLEDGE
OREGON SYMPHONY
$100,0002025 GALA
EASTSIDE JEWISH COMMONS
$54,000DONOR CHALLENGE GRANT
OREGON HILLEL
$50,0002024-2025 SUPPORT PLEDGE
NCSY
$45,000THE Q PROJECT 2025
OREGON JEWISH MUSEUM
$45,000GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT
MAAYAN TORAH DAY SCHOOL
$36,0002025 ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
TIVNU BUILDING JUSTICE
$30,000GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT
NORTHWEST MOTHERS MILK BANK
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF PORTLAND
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT
GREATER PORTLAND HILLEL
$18,000GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT
MAIMONIDES JEWISH DAY SCHOOL
$18,000GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT
SHAARIE TORAH SISTERHOOD
$15,000BAKE SALE
CONGREGATION SHAARIE TORAH
$15,000GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT
OAICU
$12,500GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT
TRAUMA INTERVENTION PROGRAMS INC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT
CONGREGATION NEVEH SHALOM
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF SW WASHINGTON
$10,000OPERATION SCHOOL BELL
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SW WASHINGTON
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT
EXPONENT PHILANTHROPY
$6,500GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT
GESHER
$5,400GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT
PORTLAND KOLLEL
$5,400CAMP SEED YOUTH CAMP
OVARIAN CANCER ALLLIANCE OF OREGON & SW WASHINGTON
$5,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
PORTLAND YOUTH PHILHARMONIC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT
ST JOHN SCHOOL
$5,000SCHOLARSHIP FUND
OHSU
$5,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
MIZELL SENIOR CENTER
$1,000GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT
OREGON JEWISH MUSEUM
$265,0202024 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PLEDGE & ANNUAL SUPPORT
CREATING HOPE 2024 SUPPORT AND PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH
JEWISH FEDERATION OF PORTLAND
$130,000CATALYST FUND $1 FOR $2 MATCH & SECURITY FUND MATCHING GRANT
OREGON SYMPHONY
$100,0002024 GALA
BNAI BRITH
$97,0002024 BB BASH LEGACY BUILDING & ANNUAL PLEDGE
EASTSIDE JEWISH COMMONS
$54,0002024-2025 OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR SW WASHINGTON
$50,0002024 SCHOLARSHIP FUND
OREGON HILLEL
$50,0002024-2025 SUPPORT PLEDGE