The Mahir & Helene Reiss Foundation concentrates its support on Orthodox Jewish congregational life, directing substantial, unrestricted charitable contributions to local synagogues. Grants are few but sizable, suggesting the foundation prioritizes direct operational or community-support funding for established congregations in New York.
Highly concentrated: very small number of relatively large gifts, including repeat funding to the same congregation; primarily direct charitable contributions rather than many small or diversified grants.
Notable grantees: Cong Ahavas Tzedokah Vchesed, Cong Ohel Torah
Mahir & Helene Reiss Foundation’s largest recent grant in the data is an $88,350 charitable contribution to Cong Ahavas Tzedokah Vchesed in Brooklyn. That single award sets the tone for a funder that directs meaningful support to Orthodox Jewish congregational institutions, especially synagogues and related communal organizations in New York and nearby New Jersey. The recent record shows repeated gifts to the same congregations across multiple years, including Cong Ohel Torah, Torah Community Fund, and Friends of Tifereth Zion, which points to ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards. Other recipients include yeshivas, kollels, and institutions tied to synagogue life, such as Bais Medrash Zichron Tuvia, Yeshiva Ateret Yisrael, and Belz Institutions of Israel. Many grants are described simply as charitable contributions or charitable donations, indicating a straightforward support model centered on general community benefit rather than narrowly designated projects. The foundation’s pattern suggests a preference for established local religious organizations with recurring operating or programmatic needs.
One clear theme is support for congregational operations. The foundation gave $54,200 in 2024 to Cong Ohel Torah in Brooklyn and $32,906 in 2025 to the same congregation, both listed as charitable contributions. It also made repeated awards to Cong Machzikei Hadas in Lakewood, including $28,200 in 2024 and $29,400 in 2025. A second theme is aid to organizations that support broader Orthodox Jewish education and communal life. In 2025, it gave $36,000 to Bais Medrash Zichron Tuvia in Brooklyn and $15,000 to Yeshiva Novominsk, also in Brooklyn. Community-serving intermediaries appear as well: Helping Hand Foundation received $23,000 in 2024, and Afo Yad Eliezer received $14,000 in 2024. The repeated use of charitable contribution language suggests flexible support across these related institutions.
Typical grant size is modest-to-mid-sized relative to the foundation’s annual giving: the 25th percentile is $950, the median is $2,200, and the 75th percentile is $6,000. The recent-grants list also shows a much larger upper end, with several awards above $20,000 and one at $88,350. Recipients appear across multiple years, including Cong Ahavas Tzedokah Vchesed, Cong Ohel Torah, Torah Community Fund, Friends of Tifereth Zion, and Cong Machzikei Hadas, indicating recurring support rather than one-time-only awards. The foundation is a private foundation with no program-related investments and does not fund individuals.
$564K
$139K
$573K
$578K
Most grants fall between $950 and $6K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$950
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$6K
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Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in New York, which accounts for 66% of grants to recipients in the foundation’s own state. Brooklyn appears frequently, with grants to Cong Ahavas Tzedokah Vchesed, Cong Ohel Torah, Bais Medrash Zichron Tuvia, Bais Ulfana, Belz Institutions of Israel, and Yeshiva Ateret Yisrael. Lakewood, New Jersey, is another recurring destination, including Torah Community Fund, Friends of Tifereth Zion, Cong Machzikei Hadas, and Afo Kollel Shaarei Simcha. Smaller amounts also reach Far Rockaway and Jackson in New York and New Jersey, respectively.
The recent grants focus on Orthodox Jewish congregational and communal organizations: synagogues, yeshivas, kollels, and related local institutions. Examples in the data include congregations in Brooklyn and Lakewood, as well as educational and community-oriented groups such as yeshivas and foundations serving Orthodox Jewish life.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Cong Ahavas Tzedokah Vchesed, Cong Ohel Torah, Torah Community Fund, Friends of Tifereth Zion, and Cong Machzikei Hadas. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than single awards.
The distribution is relatively small at the center, with a 25th percentile of $950, a median of $2,200, and a 75th percentile of $6,000. The list also includes larger grants above $20,000, showing a wide spread around a small typical award size.
New York is the top state by grant count, with 66% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Brooklyn is the most visible city in the grant list, followed by Lakewood, New Jersey.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals and makes no program-related investments, according to the provided profile data.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CONG AHAVAS TZEDOKAH VCHESED | BROOKLYN, NY | $53,100 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| TORAH COMMUNITY FUND | PASSAIC, NJ | $42,100 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| BAIS MEDRASH ZICHRON TUVIA | BROOKLYN, NY | $36,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| CONG OHEL TORAH | BROOKLYN, NY | $32,906 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| BAIS ULFANA | BROOKLYN, NY | $30,360 | 2025 | CHARITABLE DONATION |
| FRIENDS OF TIFERETH ZION | LAKEWOOD, NJ | $30,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CONG MACHZIKEI HADAS | LAKEWOOD, NJ | $29,400 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| BELZ INSTITUTIONS OF ISRAEL | BROOKLYN, NY | $22,600 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF YESHIVA DMIR | BROOKLYN, NY | $22,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| YESHIVA RABBI CHAIM BERLIN | BROOKLYN, NY | $18,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE DONATION |
| YESHIVA ATERET YISRAEL | BROOKLYN, NY | $18,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| AFO KOLLEL SHAAREI SIMCHA | LAKEWOOD, NJ | $18,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| YESHIVA OR YERUSHALAYIM | BROOKLYN, NY | $16,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE DONATION |
| YESHURUN FOUNDATION | BROOKLYN, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| Machon Shiurei Rav Rafael | FAR ROCKAWAY, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE DONATION |
| YESHIVA NOVOMINSK | BROOKLYN, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| CONG YETEV LEV | BROOKLYN, NY | $13,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| AFO YAD ELIEZER | JACKSON, NJ | $11,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| KOLLEL ZICHRON YAAKOV YITZCHAK | LAKEWOOD, NJ | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE DONATION |
| KEHILAS NEW CENTRAL INC | LAKEWOOD, NJ | $8,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF BAIS MEDRASH TAHAROS | AIRMONT, NY | $8,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| BAIS MEDRASH NEFESH CHAYA | LAKEWOOD, NJ | $8,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| Afo Yeshivas Brisk Yerushalayim | BROOKLYN, NY | $7,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE DONATION |
| YESHIVA IMREI YOSEF | BROOKLYN, NY | $7,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE DONATION |
| OHEL | BROOKLYN, NY | $6,360 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| MESIVTA TIFERES SHMUEL | BROOKLYN, NY | $6,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| American Friends of Meshi Inc | BOCA RATON, FL | $6,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE DONATION |
| CHEVRA MISHNAYOS | LAKEWOOD, NJ | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CONG RAMAT SHLOMO | LAKEWOOD, NJ | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CENTRAL FUND OF ISRAEL | CEDARHURST, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE DONATION |
| KEREN MATAN BESESER | BROOKLYN, NY | $3,600 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| ZICHRON KELEM | BROOKLYN, NY | $3,600 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| KEREN TORAH V'CHESED | SUFFERN, NY | $3,600 | 2025 | CHARITABLE DONATION |
| Yad Yisroel Inc | BROOKLYN, NY | $3,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE DONATION |
| YESHIVA SLABODKAH KNESSETH ISRAEL | BROOKLYN, NY | $3,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE DONATION |
| CONG OHOLEI YAAKOV | BROOKLYN, NY | $3,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CONG TIFERES YAAKOV | LAKEWOOD, NJ | $2,800 | 2025 | CHARITABLE DONATION |
| Bikur Cholim of Manhattan Inc | NY, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE DONATION |
| YESHIVA DVAR TORAH | LAKEWOOD, NJ | $2,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MIKVAH YISROEL OF FLATBUSH | BROOKLYN, NY | $2,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE DONATION |
| CONG KEHAL CHASIDEI CHERNOBYL | Lawrence, NY | $1,800 | 2025 | CHARITABLE DONATION |
| GEMACH ZICHRON MOSHE | PASSAIC, NJ | $1,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CONG BAIS AVROHOM | BROOKLYN, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| KOLEL INTERNATIONAL | LAKEWOOD, NJ | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE DONATION |
| IN HIS IMAGE FOUNDATION | Lynbrook, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE DONATION |
| Friends of Pnei Shmuel Inc | MONSEY, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE DONATION |
| KEREN HAYESHIVOS | BROOKLYN, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE DONATION |
| ESHEL PUBLICATIONS | COLUMBIA, MD | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| CATSKILLS HATZOLAH | BROOKLYN, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| FRIENDS OF ADERES HATORAH | LAKEWOOD, NJ | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
CONG AHAVAS TZEDOKAH VCHESED
$53,100CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
BAIS MEDRASH ZICHRON TUVIA
$36,000CHARITY
CONG OHEL TORAH
$32,906CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
BAIS ULFANA
$30,360CHARITABLE DONATION
FRIENDS OF TIFERETH ZION
$30,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CONG MACHZIKEI HADAS
$29,400CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
BELZ INSTITUTIONS OF ISRAEL
$22,600CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
YESHIVA RABBI CHAIM BERLIN
$18,000CHARITABLE DONATION
YESHIVA ATERET YISRAEL
$18,000CHARITY
YESHIVA OR YERUSHALAYIM
$16,000CHARITABLE DONATION
YESHURUN FOUNDATION
$15,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
Machon Shiurei Rav Rafael
$15,000CHARITABLE DONATION
YESHIVA NOVOMINSK
$15,000CHARITY
CONG YETEV LEV
$13,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
AFO YAD ELIEZER
$11,500CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
KOLLEL ZICHRON YAAKOV YITZCHAK
$10,000CHARITABLE DONATION
KEHILAS NEW CENTRAL INC
$8,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
BAIS MEDRASH NEFESH CHAYA
$8,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
Afo Yeshivas Brisk Yerushalayim
$7,500CHARITABLE DONATION
YESHIVA IMREI YOSEF
$7,500CHARITABLE DONATION
OHEL
$6,360CHARITY
MESIVTA TIFERES SHMUEL
$6,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
American Friends of Meshi Inc
$6,000CHARITABLE DONATION
CHEVRA MISHNAYOS
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CONG RAMAT SHLOMO
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
KEREN MATAN BESESER
$3,600CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
ZICHRON KELEM
$3,600CHARITY
KEREN TORAH V'CHESED
$3,600CHARITABLE DONATION
YESHIVA SLABODKAH KNESSETH ISRAEL
$3,000CHARITABLE DONATION
CONG OHOLEI YAAKOV
$3,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CONG TIFERES YAAKOV
$2,800CHARITABLE DONATION
Bikur Cholim of Manhattan Inc
$2,500CHARITABLE DONATION
YESHIVA DVAR TORAH
$2,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
MIKVAH YISROEL OF FLATBUSH
$2,000CHARITABLE DONATION
CONG KEHAL CHASIDEI CHERNOBYL
$1,800CHARITABLE DONATION
CONG BAIS AVROHOM
$1,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
KOLEL INTERNATIONAL
$1,000CHARITABLE DONATION
IN HIS IMAGE FOUNDATION
$1,000CHARITABLE DONATION
Friends of Pnei Shmuel Inc
$1,000CHARITABLE DONATION
KEREN HAYESHIVOS
$1,000CHARITABLE DONATION
ESHEL PUBLICATIONS
$1,000CHARITY
FRIENDS OF ADERES HATORAH
$1,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION