The Louis & Helen Fanaroff Char Foundation makes targeted, modest-sized grants focused on health care workforce development and services for Jewish students with disabilities. Its giving supports a local hospital's nursing education/clinical programs and a Jewish special-needs education organization, suggesting a preference for practical, service-oriented investments that strengthen community health and Jewish education inclusion.
A defining thread in the Louis & Helen Fanaroff Char Foundation’s grantmaking is the pairing of health-care training with Jewish education and community support. The largest recent grant in the data is $18,000 to Suburban Hospital Foundation for nursing education and clinical programs, which fits a broader pattern of practical, service-oriented support. Another recurring line of giving is to Matan, including $15,400 in 2025 to assist Jewish students with special needs and a $5,000 grant in 2024 for the same purpose. The foundation also supports Jewish communal institutions and education, with grants to Maryland Hillel for Jewish undergraduates, Friends of Lubavitch for promotion of religion, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington for community needs. Health-related support extends beyond training into cancer support, medical facilities, and general hospital philanthropy. Grant sizes are modest and consistent, with many awards clustered in the low thousands rather than large one-time outlays. Taken together, the record points to a regional funder focused on concrete local benefit rather than broad thematic experimentation.
In health workforce development, the foundation gave $18,000 to Suburban Hospital Foundation in 2024 and repeated support of $10,000 in both 2024 and 2025 for nursing education and clinical programs. It also backed Shady Grove Medical Center Foundation with $6,000 to help provide modern medical facilities and treatments. Jewish education and inclusion is another clear theme. The foundation awarded $15,400 to Matan in 2025 to assist Jewish students with special needs, along with a $5,000 grant in 2024 for the same purpose. It also gave $10,000 to Maryland Hillel to enhance the lives of Jewish undergraduates. Community and religious life appear in grants to Friends of Lubavitch for promotion of religion and to the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington for support in community need. The foundation also made gifts to the Anti-Defamation League and the US Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Typical grant sizes are small: the 25th percentile is $1,500, the median is $2,000, and the 75th percentile is $5,000. The recent record shows repeated awards to the same organizations across 2024 and 2025, including Suburban Hospital Foundation, Matan, Hope Connection for Cancer Support, Friends of Lubavitch, and Aquilino Cancer Center, indicating an ongoing relationship pattern rather than isolated gifts. The foundation is a char foundation, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The grants shown are generally specific-purpose awards, alongside some general support.
$145K
$2.1M
$198K
$186K
Most grants fall between $2K and $5K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Very concentrated giving: few mid-size grants per cycle (two grants in this dataset) split between health care workforce development and Jewish special-needs education; appears to favor targeted, program-specific support rather than broad institutional endowments.
Notable grantees: Suburban Hospital Foundation, Matan
Giving is regional and concentrated in the Washington-area corridor. The top state by grant count is DC, while 57% of grants go to recipients in Maryland, showing that the foundation gives most often outside its headquarters state. Recent recipients include Bethesda, Rockville, College Park, Potomac, and Washington, DC, with additional grants to New York, NY. All grants in the dataset went to US recipients.
The record centers on nursing education and clinical training, Jewish education and community institutions, and services for students with special needs. Examples include grants for nursing programs at Suburban Hospital Foundation, special-needs support at Matan, and Jewish undergraduate support at Maryland Hillel.
Yes. The data shows repeat giving across multiple years to several organizations, including Suburban Hospital Foundation, Matan, Hope Connection for Cancer Support, Friends of Lubavitch, and Aquilino Cancer Center. That suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards.
The foundation’s grant sizes are modest. The 25th percentile is $1,500, the median is $2,000, and the 75th percentile is $5,000. Many recent awards sit in that range, with a smaller number of larger grants.
By recipient location, Maryland receives 57% of grants, and DC is the top state by grant count. Recent grants also go to recipients in Bethesda, Rockville, College Park, Potomac, and Washington, DC, plus New York, NY.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATAN | NEW YORK, NY | $15,400 | 2025 | TO ASSIST JEWISH STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS |
| HOPE CONNECTION FOR CANCER SUPPORT | BETHESDA, MD | $10,700 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER WASHINGTON | ROCKVILLE, MD | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT COMMUNITY IN NEED |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | TO COMBAT DEFAMATION AND HATE-CRIMES RELATED TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY |
| MARYLAND HILLEL | COLLEGE PARK, MD | $10,000 | 2025 | ENHANCE THE LIVES OF JEWISH UNDERGRADUATES |
| FRIENDS OF LUBAVITCH | POTOMAC, MD | $10,000 | 2025 | PROMOTION OF RELIGION |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE JEWISH COMMUNITY |
| SUBURBAN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | BETHESDA, MD | $10,000 | 2025 | TO FUND NURSING EDUCATION AND CLINICAL PROGRAMS |
| CHARLES E SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL | ROCKVILLE, MD | $7,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AND YOUTH EDUCATION |
| AQUILINO CANCER CENTER | ROCKVILLE, MD | $6,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MILES FOR MIGRAINE | LAFAYETTE, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO RAISE AWARENESS AND FUND RESEARCH FOR MIGRAINE AND OTHER HEADACHE DISEASES |
| SO WHAT ELSE INC | ROCKVILLE, MD | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SHADY GROVE ADVENTIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | GAITHERSBURG, MD | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CARINGMATTERS | GAITHERSBURG, MD | $3,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INTERFAITH WORKS | ROCKVILLE, MD | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| B'NAI B'RITH | WASHINGTON, DC | $3,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE JEWISH COMMUNITY |
| SHAARE TORAH | GAITHERSBURG, MD | $3,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT JEWISH COMMUNITY |
| COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES | GAITHERSBURG, MD | $3,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE AUTISTIC COMMUNITY |
| TEMPLE ADATH ISRAEL | EVANSVILLE, IN | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH CAMP AND CONFERENCE SERVICE | WAYNESBORO, PA | $2,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT CAMP ACTIVITIES FOR THE YOUTH |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION | DALLAS, TX | $2,000 | 2025 | FIGHT HEART DISEASE |
| AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION | BALTIMORE, MD | $2,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT DIABETES RESEARCH |
| BNAI ISRAEL | ROCKVILLE, MD | $1,500 | 2025 | PROMOTE RELIGION |
| NATIONAL RAMAH COMMISSION | NEW YORK, NY | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SUNFLOWERS FOR SALLIE | MILLERSVILLE, MD | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| REBUILD TOGETHER MONTGOMERY COUNTY | KENSINGTON, MD | $1,000 | 2025 | IMPROVE THE HOMES AND LIVES OF LOW-INCOME HOMEOWNERS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY |
| SOUTHEAST HEBREW CONGREGATION | SILVER SPRING, MD | $500 | 2025 | SUPPORT JEWISH COMMUNITY |
| SUBURBAN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | BETHESDA, MD | $18,000 | 2024 | TO FUND NURSING EDUCATION AND CLINICAL PROGRAMS |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2024 | TO COMBAT DEFAMATION AND HATE-CRIMES RELATED TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY |
| SUBURBAN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | BETHESDA, MD | $10,000 | 2024 | TO FUND NURSING EDUCATION AND CLINICAL PROGRAMS |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2024 | TO COMBAT DEFAMATION AND HATE-CRIMES RELATED TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE JEWISH COMMUNITY |
| FRIENDS OF LUBAVITCH | POTOMAC, MD | $10,000 | 2024 | PROMOTION OF RELIGION |
| BENDER JCC OF GREATER WASHINGTON | ROCKVILLE, MD | $8,550 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT JEWISH COMMUNITY |
| HOPE CONNECTION FOR CANCER SUPPORT | BETHESDA, MD | $8,200 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOPE CONNECTION FOR CANCER SUPPORT | BETHESDA, MD | $8,100 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AQUILINO CANCER CENTER | ROCKVILLE, MD | $6,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| US HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $6,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AQUILINO CANCER CENTER | ROCKVILLE, MD | $6,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SHADY GROVE MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION | ROCKVILLE, MD | $6,000 | 2024 | TO HELP PROVIDE MODERN MEDICAL FACILITIES AND TREATMENTS |
| CHARLES E SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL | ROCKVILLE, MD | $5,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AND YOUTH EDUCATION |
| FRIENDS OF LUBAVITCH | POTOMAC, MD | $5,000 | 2024 | PROMOTION OF RELIGION |
| SHADY GROVE MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION | ROCKVILLE, MD | $5,000 | 2024 | TO HELP PROVIDE MODERN MEDICAL FACILITIES AND TREATMENTS |
| SO WHAT ELSE INC | ROCKVILLE, MD | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SO WHAT ELSE INC | ROCKVILLE, MD | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHARLES E SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL | ROCKVILLE, MD | $5,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AND YOUTH EDUCATION |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER WASHINGTON | ROCKVILLE, MD | $5,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT COMMUNITY IN NEED |
| MATAN | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | TO ASSIST JEWISH STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER WASHINGTON | ROCKVILLE, MD | $5,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT COMMUNITY IN NEED |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
MATAN
$15,400TO ASSIST JEWISH STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
HOPE CONNECTION FOR CANCER SUPPORT
$10,700GENERAL SUPPORT
ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE
$10,000TO COMBAT DEFAMATION AND HATE-CRIMES RELATED TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY
MARYLAND HILLEL
$10,000ENHANCE THE LIVES OF JEWISH UNDERGRADUATES
FRIENDS OF LUBAVITCH
$10,000PROMOTION OF RELIGION
TO SUPPORT THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AND YOUTH EDUCATION
AQUILINO CANCER CENTER
$6,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MILES FOR MIGRAINE
$5,000TO RAISE AWARENESS AND FUND RESEARCH FOR MIGRAINE AND OTHER HEADACHE DISEASES
SO WHAT ELSE INC
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CARINGMATTERS
$3,500GENERAL SUPPORT
B'NAI B'RITH
$3,000TO SUPPORT THE JEWISH COMMUNITY
SHAARE TORAH
$3,000SUPPORT JEWISH COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES
$3,000SUPPORT THE AUTISTIC COMMUNITY
TEMPLE ADATH ISRAEL
$3,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JEWISH CAMP AND CONFERENCE SERVICE
$2,500SUPPORT CAMP ACTIVITIES FOR THE YOUTH
AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION
$2,000TO SUPPORT DIABETES RESEARCH
BNAI ISRAEL
$1,500PROMOTE RELIGION
SUNFLOWERS FOR SALLIE
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
REBUILD TOGETHER MONTGOMERY COUNTY
$1,000IMPROVE THE HOMES AND LIVES OF LOW-INCOME HOMEOWNERS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY
SOUTHEAST HEBREW CONGREGATION
$500SUPPORT JEWISH COMMUNITY
TO COMBAT DEFAMATION AND HATE-CRIMES RELATED TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY
ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE
$10,000TO COMBAT DEFAMATION AND HATE-CRIMES RELATED TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY
FRIENDS OF LUBAVITCH
$10,000PROMOTION OF RELIGION
BENDER JCC OF GREATER WASHINGTON
$8,550TO SUPPORT JEWISH COMMUNITY
HOPE CONNECTION FOR CANCER SUPPORT
$8,200GENERAL SUPPORT
HOPE CONNECTION FOR CANCER SUPPORT
$8,100GENERAL SUPPORT
AQUILINO CANCER CENTER
$6,000GENERAL SUPPORT
US HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM
$6,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AQUILINO CANCER CENTER
$6,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TO HELP PROVIDE MODERN MEDICAL FACILITIES AND TREATMENTS
CHARLES E SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL
$5,000TO SUPPORT THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AND YOUTH EDUCATION
FRIENDS OF LUBAVITCH
$5,000PROMOTION OF RELIGION
SHADY GROVE MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION
$5,000TO HELP PROVIDE MODERN MEDICAL FACILITIES AND TREATMENTS
TO SUPPORT THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AND YOUTH EDUCATION
MATAN
$5,000TO ASSIST JEWISH STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT