The Lichterman Loewenberg Foundation concentrates its philanthropy locally in Memphis with a clear emphasis on supporting Jewish communal life and emergency Israel-related aid alongside civic cultural institutions and higher education. Most dollars go to a small set of organizations—particularly the Memphis Jewish Federation—while also making substantial one-off gifts to the University of Memphis and an arts museum. The foundation favors program and capital support over numerous small grants, indicating interest in sustained community infrastructure and crisis response.
A defining thread in Lichterman Loewenberg Foundation grantmaking is its sustained support for Memphis Jewish communal infrastructure, paired with targeted aid for Israel-related crisis needs. The foundation gave Memphis Jewish Federation $52,000 in 2025 for its annual pledge, following a $52,000 grant in 2024 and a $62,000 program-related grant in 2023, showing a clear multi-year relationship. It also directed $35,000 to Memphis Jewish Foundation in 2024 for the Israel Crisis Fund, placing emergency response alongside ongoing local commitments. Beyond Jewish community support, the foundation backs institutions that shape civic and educational life in Memphis. A $100,000 grant to University of Memphis Foundation for program services stands out as one of its largest recent awards, and a $50,000 capital pledge to National Ornamental Museum points to interest in physical and program infrastructure. The recent record also includes support for organizations tied to youth development, arts, and community services, with repeat awards to several grantees across multiple years.
The foundation’s recent grants show a strong pattern of support for education and youth-serving programs in Memphis. It gave $10,000 in 2025 to Excel Center for certification of students, and another $9,000 in 2023 to the same organization for program-related support. Youth employment appears as a separate priority: Carpenter Art Garden received $10,000 in 2024 and another $10,000 in 2025 for the teen job hub. After-school, summer, and tutoring work also appears in the record, including an $8,000 grant in 2025 to Emmanuel Center for after school and summer camp programs, literacy tutoring. The foundation also supports higher education tied to nursing, including unrestricted gifts to A Step Ahead Foundation for any program with the Loewenberg College of Nursing.
Typical grant sizes cluster in the low thousands: the p25 is $1,500, the median is $3,400, and the p75 is $7,125. At the top end, the foundation makes occasional larger awards, including six-figure and capital-style grants, while many gifts fall in the $7,500 to $15,000 range. The record also shows repeat support to the same recipients across consecutive years, especially for annual pledges and operating or program support. It funds organizations rather than individuals, does not make program-related investments, and the available pattern suggests a recurring, relationship-based grantmaking style rather than one-off-only support.
$6.5M
$56K
$552K
$6.5M
Most grants fall between $2K and $7K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$7K
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Concentrated, mid-size to large grants to a small number of repeat and flagship local organizations; mix of program support, capital pledges, and crisis-designated gifts rather than many small, diversified grants.
Notable grantees: Memphis Jewish Federation, University of Memphis Foundation, National Ornamental Museum, Memphis Jewish Foundation
Grantmaking is concentrated in Tennessee, with 80% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state. Memphis is the main center of activity, with recipients such as University of Memphis Foundation, National Ornamental Museum, Wolf River Conservancy, and Arts Memphis. Germantown also appears repeatedly through Memphis Jewish Federation, Memphis Jewish Foundation, and Madonna Learning Center. Outside Tennessee, the recent record includes a $10,000 grant to Randall Museum Friends in San Francisco, California. All recorded grants in the provided dataset went to U.S. recipients.
The record shows concentrated support for Memphis Jewish communal life, Israel crisis relief, higher education, and local cultural or civic institutions. Recent grants also point to youth development, after-school and summer programs, literacy tutoring, teen employment, nursing education, and accessibility or site-improvement projects.
Yes. Memphis Jewish Federation received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Memphis Jewish Foundation appears in 2024. Mifa, A Step Ahead Foundation, Arts Memphis, and Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis also show multi-year support in the recent grants list.
The foundation’s typical award is relatively modest: the p25 is $1,500, the median is $3,400, and the p75 is $7,125. The recent record also includes larger awards, such as a $100,000 grant to University of Memphis Foundation and a $50,000 capital pledge to National Ornamental Museum.
Tennessee is the top recipient state, accounting for 80% of grants. Memphis and Germantown are the most common recipient cities in the recent grants list, with a smaller number of grants going elsewhere in the United States, including San Francisco.
The foundation makes program, general operating, annual pledge, capital pledge, unrestricted, and event-related grants. Examples in the record include program services for University of Memphis Foundation, annual pledge support for Memphis Jewish Federation, capital pledge support for National Ornamental Museum, and general operating support for Wolf River Conservancy.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,975,983 | 2026 | STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY THROUGH PHILANTHROPY |
| UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS FOUNDATION | MEMPHIS, TN | $275,000 | 2026 | FOR THE CLINIC AT LOEWENBERG COLLEGE OF NURSING |
| MEMPHIS JEWISH FEDERATION | GERMANTOWN, TN | $52,000 | 2026 | FOR ANNUAL PLEDGE |
| NATIONAL ORNAMENTAL MUSEUM | MEMPHIS, TN | $50,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL PLEDGE |
| WOMEN'S FOUNDATION FOR A GREATER MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $15,000 | 2026 | FOR VANCE AVENUE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER |
| A STEP AHEAD FOUNDATION | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED: FOR ANY PROGRAM WITH THE LOEWENBERG COLLEGE OF NURSING |
| MIFA | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | FOR ANNUAL GRANT |
| EMMANUEL CENTER | MEMPHIS, TN | $8,000 | 2026 | FOR AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS LITERACY TUTORING |
| MADONNA LEARNING CENTER | GERMANTOWN, TN | $7,500 | 2026 | FOR SECURITY SYSTEM |
| ARTS MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $7,500 | 2026 | FOR ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| SISTER SUPPLY | MEMPHIS, TN | $6,250 | 2026 | FOR ANNUAL GRANT |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF WEST TN | MEMPHIS, TN | $6,000 | 2026 | FOR 2025 GRANT FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HARDWOOD CENTER | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,500 | 2026 | FOR PAYMENT OF TWO CLASSROOMS AT NEW UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS CAMP |
| JFELDA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | FOR THE WILDFIRE RELIEF FUND |
| RAVENSWOOD EDUCATION FOUNDATION | MENLO PARK, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | FOR LITERACY CHALLENGE |
| JELF | SANDY SPRINGS, GA | $5,000 | 2026 | FOR STUDENT LOANS |
| OVERTON PARK SHELL | MEMPHIS, TN | $4,000 | 2026 | FOR CO-SPONSORSHIP OF CONCERT |
| RANDALL MUSEUM FRIENDS | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS AND CAMP |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE | GERMANTOWN, TN | $2,500 | 2026 | FOR ANNUAL GRANT |
| CHURCH HEALTH | MEMPHIS, TN | $2,500 | 2026 | FOR GIFT OF A DAY |
| MID-SOUTH FOOD BANK | MEMPHIS, TN | $2,500 | 2026 | FOR ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| ADVOCATES FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHT | MEMPHIS, TN | $2,000 | 2026 | FOR GRANTS. |
| CALVARY RESCUE MISSION | MEMPHIS, TN | $2,000 | 2026 | FOR ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| MIDSOUTH RAPTOR CENTER | MEMPHIS, TN | $1,500 | 2026 | FOR ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| BOY SCOUTS CHICKASAW CONCIL | MEMPHIS, TN | $1,000 | 2026 | FOR ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| HASC | BROOKLYN, NY | $500 | 2026 | FOR ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| MEMPHIS JEWISH FEDERATION | GERMANTOWN, TN | $52,000 | 2025 | FOR ANNUAL PLEDGE |
| NATIONAL ORNAMENTAL MUSEUM | MEMPHIS, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL PLEDGE |
| WOMEN'S FOUNDATION FOR A GREATER MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $15,000 | 2025 | FOR VANCE AVENUE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER |
| WOLF RIVER CONSERVANCY | MEMPHIS, TN | $12,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR WOMEN'S BUILD PAT'S PINK HATS |
| CARPENTER ART GARDEN | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR TEEN JOB HUB |
| A STEP AHEAD FOUNDATION | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED: FOR ANY PROGRAM WITH THE LOEWENBERG COLLEGE OF NURSING |
| EXCEL CENTER | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR CERTIFICATION OF STUDENTS |
| MIFA | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR ANNUAL GRANT |
| EMMANUEL CENTER | MEMPHIS, TN | $8,000 | 2025 | FOR AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS LITERACY TUTORING |
| FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES | MEMPHIS, TN | $7,500 | 2025 | IN MEMORY OF MARGOT STERN STROM |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $7,500 | 2025 | FOR WINGS OF LOVE BEREAVEMENT PROGRAM |
| ARTS MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $7,500 | 2025 | FOR ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| MADONNA LEARNING CENTER | GERMANTOWN, TN | $7,000 | 2025 | FOR OUTDOOR WALKING TRACK-ADA COMPLAINT |
| HARDWOOD CENTER | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,500 | 2025 | FOR PAYMENT OF TWO CLASSROOMS AT NEW UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS CAMP |
| RAVENSWOOD EDUCATION FOUNDATION | MENLO PARK, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| LOEWENBERG COLLEGE OF NURSING | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | STUDENT PROGRAM IN COSTA RICA |
| PROTECT OUR AQUIFER | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR THE WATER WARRIORS PROGRAM |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF WEST TN | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | FEEDING PROGRAM |
| SISTER SUPPLY | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR STAFF TO FILL ORDERS |
| JELF | SANDY SPRINGS, GA | $4,000 | 2025 | FOR STUDENT LOANS |
| OVERTON PARK SHELL | MEMPHIS, TN | $3,500 | 2025 | FOR CO-SPONSORSHIP OF CONCERT |
| ANCA | LOGAN, UT | $3,300 | 2025 | 2024 ANCA ANNUAL SUMMIT |
| INDIE MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | FOR YOUTH PROGRAMS |
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER MEMPHIS
$5,975,983STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY THROUGH PHILANTHROPY
UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS FOUNDATION
$275,000FOR THE CLINIC AT LOEWENBERG COLLEGE OF NURSING
FOR VANCE AVENUE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER
UNRESTRICTED: FOR ANY PROGRAM WITH THE LOEWENBERG COLLEGE OF NURSING
MADONNA LEARNING CENTER
$7,500FOR SECURITY SYSTEM
SISTER SUPPLY
$6,250FOR ANNUAL GRANT
HARDWOOD CENTER
$5,500FOR PAYMENT OF TWO CLASSROOMS AT NEW UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS CAMP
JFELDA
$5,000FOR THE WILDFIRE RELIEF FUND
RANDALL MUSEUM FRIENDS
$2,500FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS AND CAMP
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE
$2,500FOR ANNUAL GRANT
MIDSOUTH RAPTOR CENTER
$1,500FOR ANNUAL SUPPORT
HASC
$500FOR ANNUAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL ORNAMENTAL MUSEUM
$50,000CAPITAL PLEDGE
FOR VANCE AVENUE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF MEMPHIS
$10,000FOR WOMEN'S BUILD PAT'S PINK HATS
CARPENTER ART GARDEN
$10,000FOR TEEN JOB HUB
UNRESTRICTED: FOR ANY PROGRAM WITH THE LOEWENBERG COLLEGE OF NURSING
EXCEL CENTER
$10,000FOR CERTIFICATION OF STUDENTS
FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES
$7,500IN MEMORY OF MARGOT STERN STROM
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF MEMPHIS
$7,500FOR WINGS OF LOVE BEREAVEMENT PROGRAM
MADONNA LEARNING CENTER
$7,000FOR OUTDOOR WALKING TRACK-ADA COMPLAINT
HARDWOOD CENTER
$5,500FOR PAYMENT OF TWO CLASSROOMS AT NEW UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS CAMP
LOEWENBERG COLLEGE OF NURSING
$5,000STUDENT PROGRAM IN COSTA RICA
SISTER SUPPLY
$5,000FOR STAFF TO FILL ORDERS
ANCA
$3,3002024 ANCA ANNUAL SUMMIT
INDIE MEMPHIS
$2,500FOR YOUTH PROGRAMS