The Smart Family Foundation of New York focuses on cultural and civic life—particularly performing arts, public media, and museum programming—while also supporting Jewish and Israel-related institutions, higher-education research, and community services in the New York–Connecticut–New Jersey region. They fund both artistic access (theater companies, regional performing arts centers, public broadcasting) and Jewish communal life and research (Yeshiva, AJC, Israel-focused endowments and medical research), alongside targeted grants for university research and local social services such as refugee/immigrant health and youth enrichment programs.
Smart Family Foundation of New York’s recent grantmaking shows a clear pattern of support for cultural institutions, Jewish communal organizations, and research-centered university programs. On the arts side, the foundation backed Peccadillo Theater Company with $200,000 for underprivileged access to theatre and general operating expenses, and it supported New Jersey Performing Arts Center with $125,000 for programming during the 2024-25 season and Spotlight Gala. It also funded Folksbeine Yiddish Theatre and Untermyer Gardens Conservancy, indicating interest in both performance and cultural heritage. The foundation also gives to Jewish and Israel-related institutions at meaningful levels. Recent grants include $150,000 to American Jewish Committee for general support, $150,000 to Pef Israel Endowment Funds for general operations, and $100,000 to Yeshiva University for the museum operating budget. That same mix extends into research and public-facing scholarship, with grants to the University of Chicago’s Smart Museum, New York University’s law prize program, and medical and scientific projects at the University of Texas Foundation and Israel Cancer Research Fund. Across the record, the foundation’s work connects arts access, Jewish life, and targeted research or service programs within the New York–New Jersey–Connecticut region.
In performing arts, the foundation supported New Jersey Performing Arts Center with $125,000 for the 2024-25 season and Spotlight Gala, and it gave $100,000 to Folksbeine Yiddish Theatre for a strategic plan. It also backed Peccadillo Theater Company with $200,000 for underprivileged access to theatre and general operating expenses. Its Jewish communal and heritage giving includes $150,000 to American Jewish Committee for general support, $150,000 to Pef Israel Endowment Funds for general operations, and $100,000 to Yeshiva University for the museum operating budget. The foundation also funds research and academic work. Examples include $175,000 to New York University for the School of Law David Boies Prize Program and $120,000 to the University of Texas for prevention of iron deficiency. On the health side, it gave $75,000 to Israel Cancer Research Fund for work preventing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients.
$3.1M
$49.8M
$4M
$4M
Most grants fall between $13K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$13K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Mid- to large-sized grants distributed across ~50 grants with multiple repeat recipients; giving is concentrated in arts/culture and Jewish/Israel causes but diversified across universities, public media, and local social service organizations. Many multi-year or recurring gifts and a mix of institutional operating support and programmatic funding.
Notable grantees: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, PEF Israel Endowment Funds, Inc., New York University (NYU School of Law / arts initiatives), Science Friday Initiative, Inc., Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Service, Inc.
Typical grant sizes cluster around $12,750 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile, with several six-figure awards above that range. The foundation appears to make both recurring and one-off grants: New Jersey Performing Arts Center received support in 2024 and 2025, Pef Israel Endowment Funds received grants in two consecutive years, and Yeshiva University appears more than once as well. Smart Family Foundation of New York is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it also funds individuals. The profile suggests a mix of general operating support, program support, and research-oriented awards rather than a single grant format.
Grant recipients are concentrated in the Northeast, especially New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. New York recipients include New York City, Yonkers, and Staten Island; New Jersey awards include Newark and Madison; Connecticut grants include Westport, New Haven, and Hartford. The foundation gives most often in New York, and 41% of its grants go to recipients in the HQ state. All recorded grants in the dataset go to US recipients.
The foundation supports performing arts groups, Jewish communal organizations, university programs, public media, research projects, and local social-service organizations. Recent grants include support for theatre access, museum programming, law prizes, refugee and immigrant health services, and biomedical research.
The grant-size distribution centers on $12,750 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes larger awards such as $200,000, $175,000, and $150,000.
Yes. New Jersey Performing Arts Center received grants in both 2024 and 2025, Pef Israel Endowment Funds received grants in both years as well, and Yeshiva University appears more than once in the recent record. That points to ongoing relationships with some recipients.
Most grants go to recipients in New York, which is the top state by grant count. The recent record also includes recipients in New Jersey and Connecticut, with New York, Newark, New Haven, Westport, Yonkers, and Hartford all appearing in the grant list.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUPPORT NETWORK | MADISON, NJ | $200,000 | 2025 | CURJOYFUL STORE PILOT PROGRAM |
| PECCADILLO THEATER COMPANY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED ACCESS TO THEATRE AND GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
| NEW YORK UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $175,000 | 2025 | NYU SCHOOL OF LAW DAVID BOIES PRIZE PROGRAM |
| NEW JERSEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | NEWARK, NJ | $125,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT PROGRAMMING DURING THE ARTS CENTER 2024-25 SEASON AND SPOTLIGHT GALA |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS OF SMART MUSEUM |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS FOUNDATION | AUSTIN, TX | $100,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR WORK ON FIGHTING INFECTIONS VIA RARE ISOTOPE BIOFILMS |
| NEW JERSEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | NEWARK, NJ | $100,000 | 2025 | STONE FAMILY CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT FUND |
| SOCIAL IMPACT PARTNERS INC | WESTPORT, CT | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT CONSULTING PROGRAMS RELATING TO CT STATE COLLEGE SYSTEM AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS |
| PEF ISRAEL ENDOWMENT FUNDS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FOLKSBEINE YIDDISH THEATRE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR STRATEGIC PLAN |
| UNTERMYER GARDENS CONSERVANCY | YONKERS, NY | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ISRAEL CANCER RESEARCH FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $66,000 | 2025 | FUND PROJECT OF AVI-HAI HOVAV, PHD OF HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM |
| STEPHEN SILLER TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $65,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING AND PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CONNECTICUT PUBLIC BROADCASTING INC | HARTFORD, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE NEW ENGLAND NEWS COLLABORATIVE |
| FOOTE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION INC | NEW HAVEN, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | HORIZONS AT FOOTE |
| CONNECTICUT NEWS PROJECT INC | HARTFORD, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING AND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| INTEGRATED REFUGEE & IMMIGRANT SERVICE INC | NEW HAVEN, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR RESETTLED REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS |
| CHATHAM DAY SCHOOL INC | CHATHAM, NJ | $50,000 | 2025 | TOGETHER WE PLAY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| FOLKSBEINE YIDDISH THEATRE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR 12-PART ONLINE YIDDISH CONCERT SERIES |
| SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY | FAIRFIELD, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | WSHU GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
| SCIENCE FRIDAY INITIATIVE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICANS FOR BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | FUND PROF SHOSH ARAD'S SULFATED POLYSACCHARIDES OF RED MICROALGAE-BIOTECHNOLOGY |
| AEOLIAN CHAMBER PLAYERS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | BACH VIRTUOSI FESTIVAL AND BACH VIRTUOSI FESTIVAL MAINE |
| YESHIVA UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COLUMBUS HOUSE | NEW HAVEN, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
| LEAP | NEW HAVEN, CT | $35,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ENRICHMENT PROGRAM FOR YOUTH OF COLOR IN NEW HAVEN |
| ST MARTIN DE PORRES ACADEMY INC | NEW HAVEN, CT | $35,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR SMPA GRADUATE SUPPORT PROGRAM |
| HOPKINS SCHOOL INCORPORATED | NEW HAVEN, CT | $35,000 | 2025 | PATHFINDERS PROGRAM |
| SUMMITT MUSIC FESTIVAL | PLEASANTVILLE, NY | $32,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC | MONTCLAIR, NJ | $25,000 | 2025 | FUND RESEARCH PROJECT ON INFORMATION ASYMMETRY IN DIGITAL MARKETS |
| BETH EL SYNAGOGUE CENTER | NEW ROCHELLE, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAMMING FOR THE SENIOR POPULATION |
| FRACTURED ATLAS INC | HARTSDALE, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | WESTCHESTER REVIEW |
| HEBREW FREE LOAN SOCIETY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TOWN OF HARRISON | HARRISON, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES AND PROGRAMS |
| USHER III INITITATIVE | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN TREATMENTS AND A CURE FOR USHER III DISEASE |
| NEW ROCHELLE POLICE FOUNDATION INC | NEW ROCHELLE, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | FUND NEW ROCHELLE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S MENTORING IN BLUE PROGRAM |
| PURCHASE COLLEGE FOUNDATION | PURCHASE, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | THE PURCHASE COLLEGE JEWISH STUDIES PROGRAM |
| CHAMELEON ARTS ENSEMBLE OF BOSTON INC | BOSTON, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024-2024 SEASON PROGRAMS |
| JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY | BALTIMORE, MD | $25,000 | 2025 | ADVANCE FIVE PRIORITY GUN VIOLENCE SOLUTIONS POLICIES |
| INDEPENDENT FEATURE PROJECT INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | VISION FRAME LLC DOCUMENTARY FILM "LAPIDUS: ARCHITECT OF JOY" |
| INDEPENDENT FEATURE PROJECT INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | VAST PRODUCTIONS DOCUMENTARY FILM "SINGING UP THE PAST" |
| FRIENDS ASSOCIATION FOR CARE & PROTECTION OF CHILDREN | WESTCHESTER, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| THE OPPORTUNITY PROJECT INC | MILLBURN, NJ | $25,000 | 2025 | OPPORTUNITY PROJECT CLUBHOUSE |
| ARTISIDES DESOUSA MENDES FOUNDATION US | GREENLAWN, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | SEYMON PINKHASOV FILM "THE HAGGADAHOF SARAJEVO" |
| FRACTURED ATLAS INC | HARTSDALE, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | HOLOCAUST AWARENESS THROUGH DOCUMENTARY FILM |
| MUSIC CONSERVATORY OF WESTCHESTER | WHITE PLAINS, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CONSERVATORY'S MUSIC INSTRUCTION PROGRAMS FY2024-2025 |
| PURCHASE COLLEGE FOUNDATION | PURCHASE, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND OTHER NEEDS OF JEWISH STUDIES PROGRAM |
| SYMPHONY OF WESTCHESTER INC | NEW ROCHELLE, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | MUSICIAN FEES FOR REHEARSAL AND PERFOORMANCES |
| CONNECTICUT HOSPICE INC | BRANFORD, CT | $20,000 | 2025 | GUIDE INITIATIVE |
SUPPORT NETWORK
$200,000CURJOYFUL STORE PILOT PROGRAM
PECCADILLO THEATER COMPANY INC
$200,000SUPPORT FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED ACCESS TO THEATRE AND GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES
SUPPORT PROGRAMMING DURING THE ARTS CENTER 2024-25 SEASON AND SPOTLIGHT GALA
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS FOUNDATION
$100,000FUNDING FOR WORK ON FIGHTING INFECTIONS VIA RARE ISOTOPE BIOFILMS
SUPPORT CONSULTING PROGRAMS RELATING TO CT STATE COLLEGE SYSTEM AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
FOLKSBEINE YIDDISH THEATRE INC
$100,000SUPPORT FOR STRATEGIC PLAN
FUND PROJECT OF AVI-HAI HOVAV, PHD OF HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM
GENERAL OPERATING AND PROGRAM SUPPORT
SUPPORT OF THE NEW ENGLAND NEWS COLLABORATIVE
FOOTE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION INC
$50,000HORIZONS AT FOOTE
CONNECTICUT NEWS PROJECT INC
$50,000SUPPORT INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING AND OPERATING EXPENSES
PROVIDE MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR RESETTLED REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS
SUPPORT FOR 12-PART ONLINE YIDDISH CONCERT SERIES
AMERICANS FOR BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY INC
$50,000FUND PROF SHOSH ARAD'S SULFATED POLYSACCHARIDES OF RED MICROALGAE-BIOTECHNOLOGY
AEOLIAN CHAMBER PLAYERS INC
$50,000BACH VIRTUOSI FESTIVAL AND BACH VIRTUOSI FESTIVAL MAINE
LEAP
$35,000SUPPORT ENRICHMENT PROGRAM FOR YOUTH OF COLOR IN NEW HAVEN
HOPKINS SCHOOL INCORPORATED
$35,000PATHFINDERS PROGRAM
SUMMITT MUSIC FESTIVAL
$32,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FUND RESEARCH PROJECT ON INFORMATION ASYMMETRY IN DIGITAL MARKETS
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE CENTER
$25,000PROGRAMMING FOR THE SENIOR POPULATION
TOWN OF HARRISON
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES AND PROGRAMS
USHER III INITITATIVE
$25,000SUPPORT RESEARCH IN TREATMENTS AND A CURE FOR USHER III DISEASE
NEW ROCHELLE POLICE FOUNDATION INC
$25,000FUND NEW ROCHELLE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S MENTORING IN BLUE PROGRAM
CHAMELEON ARTS ENSEMBLE OF BOSTON INC
$25,0002024-2024 SEASON PROGRAMS
JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
$25,000ADVANCE FIVE PRIORITY GUN VIOLENCE SOLUTIONS POLICIES
VISION FRAME LLC DOCUMENTARY FILM "LAPIDUS: ARCHITECT OF JOY"
VAST PRODUCTIONS DOCUMENTARY FILM "SINGING UP THE PAST"
GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
THE OPPORTUNITY PROJECT INC
$25,000OPPORTUNITY PROJECT CLUBHOUSE
ARTISIDES DESOUSA MENDES FOUNDATION US
$25,000SEYMON PINKHASOV FILM "THE HAGGADAHOF SARAJEVO"
SUPPORT THE CONSERVATORY'S MUSIC INSTRUCTION PROGRAMS FY2024-2025
SUPPORT PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND OTHER NEEDS OF JEWISH STUDIES PROGRAM
SYMPHONY OF WESTCHESTER INC
$20,000MUSICIAN FEES FOR REHEARSAL AND PERFOORMANCES