The Motulsky-Nacht Family Foundation does not appear to make programmatic grants itself; instead it has funneled a very large, single-cycle allocation to a donor-advised public charity. Both recorded grants go to Fidelity Charitable with the stated purpose of furthering the donee’s exempt purpose, indicating the family is using an intermediary to manage and recommend charitable distributions rather than funding operating programs directly.
Highly concentrated: a single, very large transfer to a donor-advised granting vehicle (Fidelity Charitable). No evidence of direct programmatic or geographic grantmaking or repeat grantees beyond the intermediary.
Notable grantees: Fidelity Charitable
The largest recorded activity for Motulsky-nacht Family Foundation C/o John a Motulsky is a pair of very large transfers to Fidelity Charitable, including a $22,361,671 grant in 2025 and a $21,659,959 grant in 2023, both marked to further the donee’s exempt purpose. That pattern suggests the foundation operates through donor-advised giving rather than direct program grants. Smaller grants show the same intermediary structure alongside direct support for operating charities and universities. Jewish Communal Fund received $550,000 in 2025, while Stanford University, Oceana Inc, Salk Institute, Innocence Project, and Cure Blindness Project all appear among the recent recipients. The foundation’s record also includes grants to religious, legal, environmental, medical, educational, and basic-needs organizations, showing breadth in where the capital is directed even though the mechanism is consistent. Multiple recipients appear in more than one year, including Oceana Inc, Salk Institute, Innocence Project, Himalayan Cataract Project, Big Life Foundation USA, Camfed USA, Cornell University, and New York Common Pantry, which points to repeated relationships rather than isolated gifts.
A major throughline is pass-through philanthropy. Fidelity Charitable received $22,361,671 in 2025 and $21,659,959 in 2023, both for the donee’s exempt purpose. The same structure appears in the grant to Jewish Communal Fund for $550,000 in 2025. Beyond that intermediary activity, the foundation has made direct gifts to a range of organizations across sectors. In science and health, Salk Institute received $75,000 in 2025 after earlier $50,000 grants in 2023 and 2024. In ocean conservation, Oceana Inc received $100,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2025. Legal and justice work also appears, with Innocence Project receiving $51,000 in 2025 and smaller grants in prior years. Education and youth development show up through Stanford University, Cornell University, Summer Search, Camfed USA, and Right to Play.
Typical grant size is modest relative to the foundation’s largest transfers: the reported distribution shows a p25 of $500, a median of $5,000, and a p75 of $25,000. The file also shows a highly skewed pattern, with two very large grants to Fidelity Charitable accounting for most recent dollars and a long tail of smaller gifts. Recurring recipients are common: several organizations appear in multiple years, including Oceana Inc, Salk Institute, Innocence Project, Himalayan Cataract Project, Big Life Foundation USA, Camfed USA, Cornell University, and New York Common Pantry. The foundation is classified as a regular funder and does not fund individuals or program-related investments. The grant language repeatedly states that awards are made to further the donee’s exempt purpose.
$578K
$197M
$16.2M
$2.3M
Most grants fall between $500 and $25K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$500
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Grant activity is regional and concentrated in the United States. Recipients in New York account for 51% of grants, while Ohio is the top state by grant count. Cincinnati, OH appears as the location for Fidelity Charitable, the largest recipient. Other recurring recipient cities include New York, NY; La Jolla, CA; Waterbury, VT; Washington, DC; and Ithaca, NY. The recipient country distribution is entirely domestic, with 71 grants to US organizations.
The record shows a donor-advised pattern. Two grants to Fidelity Charitable were extremely large, and the grant language says they were made to further the donee’s exempt purpose. That sits alongside smaller direct gifts to operating charities, universities, and advocacy organizations.
The reported size distribution is small to mid-sized for most grants: p25 is $500, median is $5,000, and p75 is $25,000. The distribution is skewed by two very large transfers to Fidelity Charitable in 2023 and 2025.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Oceana Inc, Salk Institute, Innocence Project, Himalayan Cataract Project, Big Life Foundation USA, Camfed USA, Cornell University, and New York Common Pantry. That suggests repeated relationships rather than one-time grants only.
The recent record includes religious, legal, environmental, medical, educational, and basic-needs organizations. Examples include Jewish Communal Fund, Innocence Project, Oceana Inc, Salk Institute, Stanford University, Cornell University, Gods Love We Deliver, and New York Common Pantry.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SALK INSTITUTE | LA JOLLA, CA | $250,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| INNOCENCE PROJECT | NEW YORK, NY | $50,100 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CURE BLINDNESS PROJECT | NORWICH, VT | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| OCEANA INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CONGREGATION OR ZARUA | NEW YORK, NY | $25,710 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NEW YORK COMMON PANTRY | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| VOLUNTEERS OF LEGAL SERVICES | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| GODS LOVE WE DELIVER | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| BIG LIFE FOUNDATION USA | RIDGEFIELD, WA | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CROSSROADS COMMUNITY SERVICES | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CAMFED USA | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| WEST SIDE CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUNGER | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| SECOND STAGE THEATER | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| VILLAGES IN PARTNERSHIP | ALLENTOWN, NJ | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| L'A ARETZ FOUNDATION | BROOKLYN, NY | $1,800 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| ROCK HOUSE FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| GAY MEN'S HEALTH CLINIC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NETWORK FOR GOOD | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION | JACKSON, WY | $1,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| ELEPHANT VOICES US | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CONGREGATION KNESES TIFERETH ISRAEL | PORT CHESTER, NY | $360 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| POMFRET SCHOOL | POMFRET, CT | $250 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE TAFT SCHOOL | WATERTOWN, CT | $250 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| SUPPORT CONNECTION | YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY | $100 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THIRTEENWNET | NEW YORK, NY | $100 | 2026 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FIDELITY CHARITABLE | CINCINNATI, OH | $22,361,671 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| JEWISH COMMUNAL FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $550,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| SALK INSTITUTE | LA JOLLA, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| INNOCENCE PROJECT | NEW YORK, NY | $51,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CURE BLINDNESS PROJECT | NORWICH, VT | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| OCEANA INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION | JACKSON, WY | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| GODS LOVE WE DELIVER | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE JEWISH NATIONAL FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| BIG LIFE FOUNDATION USA | RIDGEFIELD, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| SUMMER SEARCH | OAKLAND, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NEW YORK COMMON PANTRY | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CAMFED USA | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | ITHACA, NY | $10,100 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| WEST SIDE CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUNGER | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| VILLAGES IN PARTNERSHIP | ALLENTOWN, NJ | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CROSSROADS COMMUNITY SERVICES | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| VOLUNTEERS OF LEGAL SERVICES | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CONGREGATION OR ZARUA | NEW YORK, NY | $2,590 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| ELEPHANT VOICES US | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE SIDNEY KIMMEL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER | BALTIMORE, MD | $500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| POMFRET SCHOOL | POMFRET, CT | $250 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE ISRAEL TENNIS & EDUCATION FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $250 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE TAFT SCHOOL | WATERTOWN, CT | $250 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| HAYMAKERS FOR HOPE | WELLESLEY HILLS, MA | $200 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
SALK INSTITUTE
$250,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
CURE BLINDNESS PROJECT
$50,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
CONGREGATION OR ZARUA
$25,710TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
BIG LIFE FOUNDATION USA
$25,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
WEST SIDE CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUNGER
$5,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
SECOND STAGE THEATER
$5,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
L'A ARETZ FOUNDATION
$1,800TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
NETWORK FOR GOOD
$1,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
ELEPHANT VOICES US
$500TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
CONGREGATION KNESES TIFERETH ISRAEL
$360TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
POMFRET SCHOOL
$250TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
SUPPORT CONNECTION
$100TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
FIDELITY CHARITABLE
$22,361,671TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
SALK INSTITUTE
$75,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
CURE BLINDNESS PROJECT
$50,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
THE JEWISH NATIONAL FUND
$25,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
BIG LIFE FOUNDATION USA
$25,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
WEST SIDE CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUNGER
$5,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
CONGREGATION OR ZARUA
$2,590TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
ELEPHANT VOICES US
$1,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
POMFRET SCHOOL
$250TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
HAYMAKERS FOR HOPE
$200TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE