RJL Charitable Foundation makes a small number of relatively large gifts focused on cultural and Jewish community life. In the recent period the foundation supported a local synagogue with repeat grants and made a major gift to a prominent contemporary art museum, indicating an interest in both Jewish religious life and visual arts institutions. Their pattern suggests place-based giving in the New York region with emphasis on sustaining a few high-priority organizations.
Concentrated giving: few (3) grants totaling modest overall dollars, with repeat support to one religious institution and one large one-off gift to an arts institution.
A $65,000 general-support grant to New Museum anchors RJL Charitable Foundation C/o Michael Kessler’s recent giving and shows how the foundation balances cultural institutions with Jewish community life. The same period also includes repeat support for The Hampton Synagogue, with gifts of $52,600 in 2023 and $28,560 in 2024, pointing to an ongoing relationship rather than a one-time award. Across the grant list, the foundation appears to favor unrestricted support for a small set of organizations rather than spreading funds broadly across many recipients. The pattern is rooted in New York-area institutions and includes both religious and civic nonprofits. Grants to Chabad of North East Queens, Chabad of Long Island, Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation, and The Brotherhood sit alongside support for the New Museum and New York-based health and advocacy groups. The foundation’s recent giving also reaches beyond strictly Jewish settings, with gifts to NYU Faces, Friends of Faces, Project Lyme, and Children’s Tumor Foundation. Taken together, the portfolio suggests a donor advised toward organizational stability in a few selected institutions, especially where Jewish communal life and cultural programming intersect.
Jewish congregational support is a clear theme. The foundation gave $52,600 in 2023 and $28,560 in 2024 to The Hampton Synagogue, plus $10,000 in both 2023 and 2024 to Chabad of North East Queens and $5,000 in both years to Chabad of Long Island. Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation also received support, showing attention to synagogue and Chabad programming across Long Island and Queens. Cultural institutions are another visible area. In 2024, RJL Charitable Foundation C/o Michael Kessler gave $65,000 to New Museum for general support. The foundation also backed The Algemeiner with $4,600 and made a $2,575 grant to King Baudouin Foundation United States. Health-related grants appear as well, including $25,000 to NYU Langone Health and support for Project Lyme, Children’s Tumor Foundation, and International Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva Association.
Typical grants cluster around $5,000, with a p25 of $2,850, median of $5,000, and p75 of $10,000. The recent list also includes larger discretionary awards, including $25,000 and $65,000 grants, suggesting a core band of routine support with occasional higher-dollar gifts. The pattern is not highly dispersed: a small number of organizations receive repeat funding across multiple years, including The Hampton Synagogue, Chabad of North East Queens, Chabad of Long Island, Go With Courage, The Brotherhood, and Friends of Faces. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$329K
$30K
$311K
$333K
Most grants fall between $3K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Notable grantees: The Hampton Synagogue, New Museum, Regional Jewish congregations and cultural institutions (representative category)
Grantmaking is concentrated in New York, which accounts for 73% of grants and serves as the top state by grant count. Within the recent list, New York City appears often, including grants to New Museum, NYU Faces, Project Lyme, and The Algemeiner. Other New York recipients include Westhampton Beach, Bayside, Commack, Roslyn, Old Westbury, and Brooklyn, reinforcing a strong Long Island and city footprint. Outside New York, grants reached Washington, DC; Reston, Virginia; St Helena, California; Kansas City, Missouri; and Baltimore, Maryland. All recent grants in the file went to US recipients.
The foundation supports Jewish congregations and Chabad institutions, cultural organizations, and selected health-related nonprofits. Recent grants include The Hampton Synagogue, Chabad of North East Queens, Chabad of Long Island, New Museum, NYU Langone Health, Project Lyme, and Children’s Tumor Foundation.
The foundation’s grant sizes are relatively concentrated: p25 is $2,850, median grant size is $5,000, and p75 is $10,000. Recent giving also includes larger awards such as $25,000 and $65,000.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including The Hampton Synagogue, Chabad of North East Queens, Chabad of Long Island, Go With Courage, The Brotherhood, and Friends of Faces. That pattern suggests ongoing support for a selected group of organizations.
New York is the top state by grant count, and 73% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent recipients include organizations in New York City, Westhampton Beach, Bayside, Commack, Roslyn, Old Westbury, and Brooklyn.
The recent grants are listed as general support, and the philosophy tags point to general operating support, unrestricted support, core organizational support, and organizational sustainability. That indicates the foundation tends to fund organizations broadly rather than specific projects.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $135,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NYU FACES | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE HAMPTON SYNAGOGUE | WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY | $25,400 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YESHIVA OF SOUTH SHORE | HEWLETT, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF IDF | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GO WITH COURAGE | ROSLYN, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CANOPY CANOPY CANOPY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE SHAKH FAMILY FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE BROTHERHOOD | BROOKLYN, NY | $3,986 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH NATIONAL FUND | ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY | $3,708 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OLD WESTBURY HEBREW CONGREGATION | OLD WESTBURY, NY | $3,360 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF MANHATTAN | NEW YORK, NY | $3,198 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST MARYS HOSPITAL | BAYSIDE, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF CHABAD OF PORTUGAL INC | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $1,854 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OUR PLACE | BROOKLYN, NY | $1,050 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MACCABI USA INC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $1,030 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SHILOH ISRAEL CHILDREN | BOCA RATON, FL | $1,030 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ALZHEIMER DRUG DISCOVERY FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| URBAN UPBOUND | LONG ISLAND CITY, NY | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL JEWISH MEMORIAL WALL | CORAL GABLES, FL | $180 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEW MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $85,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE HAMPTON SYNAGOGUE | WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY | $25,400 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF FACES | RESTON, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NYU FACES | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENTS OF MAJOR JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS | NEW YORK, NY | $8,890 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OLD WESTBURY HEBREW CONGREGATION | OLD WESTBURY, NY | $5,856 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHABAD OF NORTH EAST QUEENS | BAYSIDE, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GO WITH COURAGE | ROSLYN, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHABAD OF LONG ISLAND | COMMACK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE BROTHERHOOD | BROOKLYN, NY | $4,030 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF CHABAD OF PORTUGAL INC | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $3,600 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GOFUNDME | NEW YORK, NY | $3,600 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPOT |
| CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF MANHATTAN | NEW YORK, NY | $2,158 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST ALBANS SCHOOL | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES | NEW YORK, NY | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HAYMAKERS FOR HOPE | WELLESLEY, MA | $1,030 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OUR PLACE | BROOKLYN, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY | BALTIMORE, MD | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH NATIONAL FUND | ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEW MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $65,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE HAMPTON SYNAGOGUE | WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY | $28,560 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NYU FACES | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF FACES | RESTON, VA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHABAD OF NORTH EAST QUEENS | BAYSIDE, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| US HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,145 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHILDRENS TUMOR FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $5,133 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AJC | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHABAD OF LONG ISLAND | COMMACK, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GO WITH COURAGE | ROSLYN, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
NEW MUSEUM
$135,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NYU FACES
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE HAMPTON SYNAGOGUE
$25,400GENERAL SUPPORT
YESHIVA OF SOUTH SHORE
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF IDF
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GO WITH COURAGE
GENERAL SUPPORT
THE SHAKH FAMILY FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE BROTHERHOOD
$3,986GENERAL SUPPORT
JEWISH NATIONAL FUND
$3,708GENERAL SUPPORT
OLD WESTBURY HEBREW CONGREGATION
$3,360GENERAL SUPPORT
ST MARYS HOSPITAL
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF CHABAD OF PORTUGAL INC
$1,854GENERAL SUPPORT
OUR PLACE
$1,050GENERAL SUPPORT
SHILOH ISRAEL CHILDREN
$1,030GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL JEWISH MEMORIAL WALL
$180GENERAL SUPPORT
NEW MUSEUM
$85,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE HAMPTON SYNAGOGUE
$25,400GENERAL SUPPORT
CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENTS OF MAJOR JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS
$8,890GENERAL SUPPORT
OLD WESTBURY HEBREW CONGREGATION
$5,856GENERAL SUPPORT
CHABAD OF NORTH EAST QUEENS
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GO WITH COURAGE
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHABAD OF LONG ISLAND
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE BROTHERHOOD
$4,030GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF CHABAD OF PORTUGAL INC
$3,600GENERAL SUPPORT
GOFUNDME
$3,600GENERAL SUPPOT
ST ALBANS SCHOOL
$2,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
$1,500GENERAL SUPPORT
HAYMAKERS FOR HOPE
$1,030GENERAL SUPPORT
OUR PLACE
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JEWISH NATIONAL FUND
$500GENERAL SUPPORT
THE HAMPTON SYNAGOGUE
$28,560GENERAL SUPPORT
NYU FACES
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHABAD OF NORTH EAST QUEENS
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
US HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL
$5,145GENERAL SUPPORT
CHABAD OF LONG ISLAND
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GO WITH COURAGE
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT