The Saul & Gitta Kurlat Charitable Foundation focuses its giving on local Jewish communal life, support for older adults, and health care/rehabilitation in the Greater Boston area. Grants are sizable and often unrestricted or endowed, supporting both umbrella Jewish institutions (annual campaign/multi-year community funds) and congregational operating needs, along with major capital or campaign gifts to senior housing and rehab care.
The Saul & Gitta Kurlat Charitable Foundation C/o Aimee Kowalker makes large, repeated gifts to Jewish communal institutions, elder-care organizations, and health care recipients in Greater Boston. Several of its biggest grants are recurring commitments: Combined Jewish Philanthropy received multiple awards for the Miriam Fund and annual campaign support, while Temple Israel received unrestricted operating support in consecutive years. The foundation also uses six-figure grants for senior services and health-related endowments, including 2Life Communities, Hebrew Senior Life, and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Beyond those core areas, its giving reaches Jewish family-service providers, a scholarship fund, and medical research or professional recognition programs. The pattern is not limited to annual operating support; the foundation also supports endowed funds and permanently restricted gifts, such as endowed chairs and named funds within institutions. That mix shows a donor that combines current-use support with longer-horizon institutional funding, especially for organizations serving local Jewish life, older adults, and rehabilitation care.
Jewish communal funding is the clearest theme in the recent record. The foundation gave $1,000,000 to Combined Jewish Philanthropy for the Miriam Fund and the annual campaign, then followed with additional $333,334 and $333,333 grants for the same purpose. Congregational support also appears in Temple Israel’s unrestricted grants of $333,334 and $333,333, both intended for current use. Elder services are another major thread. 2Life Communities received a $1,000,000 grant intended to support the initiatives detailed in the campaign’s case for support, and Hebrew Senior Life received two $166,667 endowment-fund grants. Health-related philanthropy shows up in two forms: Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital received a $333,333 endowment fund grant, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital received two $33,333 awards to establish a permanently restricted endowed chair.
Typical grants cluster at a mid-five-figure to low-six-figure level: p25 is $21,250, median is $25,000, and p75 is $100,000. The recent record also includes several much larger awards, which pushes annual giving well above the median pattern. Recurring support is clear: multiple recipients appear in both 2024 and 2025, including Combined Jewish Philanthropy, Temple Israel, Hope and Comfort, Hebrew Senior Life, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Yad Chessed, and Jewish Family Service of Metro West. The foundation funds individuals, and its grantmaking includes unrestricted current-use support, annual campaign giving, designated funds, scholarships, and endowed or permanently restricted gifts. It makes no program-related investments.
$2.8M
$4.5M
$223K
$2.9M
Most grants fall between $21K and $100K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$21K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$100K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, high-dollar giving to a small number of local institutions; repeat multi-year support for select grantees; a mix of unrestricted operating grants and designated endowment/campaign gifts rather than many small awards.
Notable grantees: Combined Jewish Philanthropy, 2Life Communities, Temple Israel, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Massachusetts: 93% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Massachusetts is also the top state by grant count. Boston appears repeatedly as a recipient city, along with Brighton, Cambridge, Waltham, Framingham, Newton Upper Falls, East Falmouth, and Woods Hole. Outside Massachusetts, the recent record includes New York City through Covenant House. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 42 grants in the United States and none elsewhere in the dataset.
The recent grants point to Jewish communal organizations, synagogue operating support, senior housing and elder services, health care and rehabilitation, scholarship support, and medical or academic endowments. Examples in the data include annual campaign gifts, unrestricted congregational support, endowed funds for elder-care institutions, and a scholarship fund.
The middle of the grant-size distribution sits at $25,000, with p25 at $21,250 and p75 at $100,000. The recent record also includes a number of six-figure gifts, including several $333,333 awards and $1,000,000 grants.
Yes. Several recipients appear in both 2024 and 2025, including Combined Jewish Philanthropy, Temple Israel, Hope and Comfort, Hebrew Senior Life, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Yad Chessed, and Jewish Family Service of Metro West. That pattern suggests ongoing support rather than one-time giving.
Massachusetts dominates the grant list: 93% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Massachusetts is the top state by grant count. Boston is the most visible city in the recent grants, with additional recipients in Brighton, Cambridge, Waltham, Framingham, Newton Upper Falls, East Falmouth, and Woods Hole.
It supports individuals as well as organizations. The foundation’s profile indicates that it funds individuals, and the grant record also includes a scholarship fund, showing support that can reach people directly through educational funding.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2LIFE COMMUNITITES | BRIGHTON, MA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | INTENDED TO BE USED TO SUPPORT THE INITIATIVES DETAILED IN THE CAMPAIGN'S CASE FOR SUPPORT |
| TEMPLE ISRAEL | BOSTON, MA | $333,333 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY IN ADDRESSING NEW OR EXISTING NEEDS |
| COMBINED JEWISH PHILANTHROPY | BOSTON, MA | $333,333 | 2025 | FOR THE MIRIAM FUND AND TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| HOPE AND COMFORT | NEWTON UPPER FALLS, MA | $166,667 | 2025 | THE SAUL & GITTA KURLAT ENDOWMENT FUND |
| HEBREW SENIOR LIFE | BOSTON, MA | $166,667 | 2025 | THE SAUL & GITTA KURLAT ENDOWMENT FUND |
| HOPE AND COMFORT | NEWTON UPPER FALLS, MA | $166,667 | 2025 | THE SAUL & GITTA KURLAT ENDOWMENT FUND |
| HEBREW SENIOR LIFE | BOSTON, MA | $166,667 | 2025 | THE SAUL & GITTA KURLAT ENDOWMENT FUND |
| MASSACHUSETTS CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION | BOSTON, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | THE GITTA M. KURLAT SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| YAD CHESSED | WALTHAM, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY IN ADDRESSING NEW OR EXISTING NEEDS |
| YAD CHESSED | WALTHAM, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY IN ADDRESSING NEW OR EXISTING NEEDS |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF METRO WEST | FRAMINGHAM, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY IN ADDRESSING NEW OR EXISTING NEEDS |
| BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER | BOSTON, MA | $33,333 | 2025 | INTENDED TO SUPPORT HONORING THE HOSPITAL'S NURSES |
| BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL | BOSTON, MA | $33,333 | 2025 | TO ESTABLISH PERMANENTLY RESTRICTED ENDOWED CHAIR |
| BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL | BOSTON, MA | $33,333 | 2025 | TO ESTABLISH PERMANENTLY RESTRICTED ENDOWED CHAIR |
| COMBINED JEWISH PHILANTHROPY | BOSTON, MA | $1,000,000 | 2024 | FOR THE MIRIAM FUND AND TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| TEMPLE ISRAEL | BOSTON, MA | $333,334 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY IN ADDRESSING NEW OR EXISTING NEEDS |
| COMBINED JEWISH PHILANTHROPY | BOSTON, MA | $333,334 | 2024 | FOR THE MIRIAM FUND AND TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| SPAULDING REHABILITATION HOSPITAL | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $333,333 | 2024 | THE GITTA & SAUL KURLAT ENDOWMENT FUND |
| COVENANT HOUSE | NEW YORK, NY | $166,667 | 2024 | DIVIDED EQUALLY BETWEEN US AND LATIN AMERICA PROGRAMMING |
| JEWISH FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES | WALTHAM, MA | $166,667 | 2024 | INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY |
| MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY | WOODS HOLE, MA | $100,000 | 2024 | THE SAUL & GITTA KURLAT ENDOWMENT FUND FOR IMAGING SCIENCE |
| FALMOUTH JEWISH CONGREGATION INC | EAST FALMOUTH, MA | $100,000 | 2024 | THE GITTA & SAUL KURLAT FUND WITHIN THE ENDOWMENT FUND |
| MASSACHUSETTS CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION | BOSTON, MA | $100,000 | 2024 | THE GITTA M. KURLAT SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF METRO WEST | FRAMINGHAM, MA | $100,000 | 2024 | INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY IN ADDRESSING NEW OR EXISTING NEEDS |
| TEMPLE ISRAEL | BOSTON, MA | $50,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY IN ADDRESSING NEW OR EXISTING NEEDS |
| HOPE AND COMFORT | NEWTON UPPER FALLS, MA | $50,000 | 2024 | THE SAUL & GITTA KURLAT ENDOWMENT FUND |
| BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER | BOSTON, MA | $33,333 | 2024 | INTENDED TO SUPPORT HONORING THE HOSPITAL'S NURSES |
| SPAULDING REHABILITATION HOSPITAL | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $25,000 | 2024 | THE GITTA & SAUL KURLAT ENDOWMENT FUND |
| 2LIFE COMMUNITITES | BRIGHTON, MA | $25,000 | 2024 | INTENDED TO BE USED TO SUPPORT THE INITIATIVES DETAILED IN THE CAMPAIGN'S CASE FOR SUPPORT |
| COVENANT HOUSE | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | DIVIDED EQUALLY BETWEEN US AND LATIN AMERICA PROGRAMMING |
| COMBINED JEWISH PHILANTHROPY | BOSTON, MA | $25,000 | 2024 | FOR THE MIRIAM FUND AND TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| JEWISH FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES | WALTHAM, MA | $25,000 | 2024 | INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF METRO WEST | FRAMINGHAM, MA | $25,000 | 2024 | INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY IN ADDRESSING NEW OR EXISTING NEEDS |
| YAD CHESSED | WALTHAM, MA | $25,000 | 2024 | INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY IN ADDRESSING NEW OR EXISTING NEEDS |
| MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY | WOODS HOLE, MA | $25,000 | 2024 | THE SAUL & GITTA KURLAT ENDOWMENT FUND FOR IMAGING SCIENCE |
| MASSACHUSETTS CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2024 | THE GITTA M. KURLAT SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | INTENDED TO SUPPORT HONORING THE HOSPITAL'S NURSES |
| BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY | WALTHAM, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | TO ESTABLISH PERMANENTLY RESTRICTED ENDOWED CHAIR |
| BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | TO ESTABLISH PERMANENTLY RESTRICTED ENDOWED CHAIR |
| FALMOUTH JEWISH CONGREGATION INC | EAST FALMOUTH, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | THE GITTA & SAUL KURLAT FUND WITHIN THE ENDOWMENT FUND |
| SPAULDING REHABILITATION HOSPITAL | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $25 | 2024 | THE GITTA & SAUL KURLAT ENDOWMENT FUND |
| HEBREW SENIOR LIFE | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2023 | SEE STATEMENT 4 |
2LIFE COMMUNITITES
$1,000,000INTENDED TO BE USED TO SUPPORT THE INITIATIVES DETAILED IN THE CAMPAIGN'S CASE FOR SUPPORT
TEMPLE ISRAEL
$333,333UNRESTRICTED GRANT INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY IN ADDRESSING NEW OR EXISTING NEEDS
COMBINED JEWISH PHILANTHROPY
$333,333FOR THE MIRIAM FUND AND TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
HOPE AND COMFORT
$166,667THE SAUL & GITTA KURLAT ENDOWMENT FUND
HEBREW SENIOR LIFE
$166,667THE SAUL & GITTA KURLAT ENDOWMENT FUND
HOPE AND COMFORT
$166,667THE SAUL & GITTA KURLAT ENDOWMENT FUND
HEBREW SENIOR LIFE
$166,667THE SAUL & GITTA KURLAT ENDOWMENT FUND
MASSACHUSETTS CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION
$100,000THE GITTA M. KURLAT SCHOLARSHIP FUND
YAD CHESSED
$100,000INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY IN ADDRESSING NEW OR EXISTING NEEDS
INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY IN ADDRESSING NEW OR EXISTING NEEDS
INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY IN ADDRESSING NEW OR EXISTING NEEDS
BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER
$33,333INTENDED TO SUPPORT HONORING THE HOSPITAL'S NURSES
BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
$33,333TO ESTABLISH PERMANENTLY RESTRICTED ENDOWED CHAIR
BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
$33,333TO ESTABLISH PERMANENTLY RESTRICTED ENDOWED CHAIR
FOR THE MIRIAM FUND AND TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
TEMPLE ISRAEL
$333,334UNRESTRICTED GRANT INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY IN ADDRESSING NEW OR EXISTING NEEDS
FOR THE MIRIAM FUND AND TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
SPAULDING REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
$333,333THE GITTA & SAUL KURLAT ENDOWMENT FUND
INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY
THE SAUL & GITTA KURLAT ENDOWMENT FUND FOR IMAGING SCIENCE
FALMOUTH JEWISH CONGREGATION INC
$100,000THE GITTA & SAUL KURLAT FUND WITHIN THE ENDOWMENT FUND
MASSACHUSETTS CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION
$100,000THE GITTA M. KURLAT SCHOLARSHIP FUND
INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY IN ADDRESSING NEW OR EXISTING NEEDS
TEMPLE ISRAEL
$50,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY IN ADDRESSING NEW OR EXISTING NEEDS
BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER
$33,333INTENDED TO SUPPORT HONORING THE HOSPITAL'S NURSES
SPAULDING REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
$25,000THE GITTA & SAUL KURLAT ENDOWMENT FUND
2LIFE COMMUNITITES
$25,000INTENDED TO BE USED TO SUPPORT THE INITIATIVES DETAILED IN THE CAMPAIGN'S CASE FOR SUPPORT
FOR THE MIRIAM FUND AND TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY
INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY IN ADDRESSING NEW OR EXISTING NEEDS
INTENDED FOR CURRENT USE TO ASSIST THE AGENCY IN ADDRESSING NEW OR EXISTING NEEDS
THE SAUL & GITTA KURLAT ENDOWMENT FUND FOR IMAGING SCIENCE
MASSACHUSETTS CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION
$10,000THE GITTA M. KURLAT SCHOLARSHIP FUND
BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER
$5,000INTENDED TO SUPPORT HONORING THE HOSPITAL'S NURSES
BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
$5,000TO ESTABLISH PERMANENTLY RESTRICTED ENDOWED CHAIR
FALMOUTH JEWISH CONGREGATION INC
$5,000THE GITTA & SAUL KURLAT FUND WITHIN THE ENDOWMENT FUND
SPAULDING REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
$25THE GITTA & SAUL KURLAT ENDOWMENT FUND
HEBREW SENIOR LIFE
$10,000SEE STATEMENT 4