The James & Merryl Tisch Foundation gives very large, concentrated gifts, primarily routed through a Jewish donor-advised vehicle and targeted to cultural, religious and educational causes. Their giving is heavily NYC‑centered and emphasizes support for Jewish communal infrastructure and flagship public cultural institutions. Grants are infrequent but very large, suggesting strategic, high-dollar philanthropy rather than many small awards.
Highly concentrated, small-number portfolio: very large, infrequent grants (three large grants through the Jewish Communal Fund plus a single multi-million-dollar institutional grant), with much of the giving funneled through a donor-advised fund rather than many direct, diverse grantees.
A defining feature of The James & Merryl Tisch Foundation Inc. is the size and concentration of its gifts: in 2025 it routed $19,805,123 through Jewish Communal Fund, following $17,852,166 in 2024 and $11,002,670 in 2023. That pattern points to a donor-advised structure used for broad support across educational, religious, medical, cultural, societal, and environmental causes. The foundation’s public-facing grants also reach major New York institutions, including a $2,700,000 award to New York Public Library in 2023 and $250,000 to International Rescue Committee in both 2023 and 2025. Its giving is overwhelmingly New York-centered, with a mix of communal, cultural, and civic beneficiaries in the city. The recent record also shows support for large cultural organizations and public-interest institutions such as Metropolitan Museum of Art and Alfred E Smith Memorial Foundation, alongside smaller awards to community groups and policy or research organizations. Taken together, the portfolio reflects strategic philanthropy that uses a few very large vehicles and recurring institutional gifts rather than many small standalone grants.
A major theme is Jewish communal life, reflected in the large annual grants routed through Jewish Communal Fund for educational, religious, medical, cultural, societal, and environmental causes. Beyond that umbrella, the foundation has supported public cultural infrastructure in New York City: New York Public Library received $2,700,000 in 2023, plus additional grants of $5,000 in 2024 and 2025. Arts institutions also appear repeatedly, including Metropolitan Museum of Art, which received $160,000 in 2023, $65,000 in 2024, and $60,000 in 2025. The foundation also funds medical and public-health related organizations such as Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Mount Sinai Medical Center, each at $50,000 in recent years, showing that its grants are not limited to one sector.
The grant-size distribution is tilted toward larger awards: the typical gift is $12,500 at the 25th percentile, $28,000 at the median, and $112,500 at the 75th percentile. That spread matches a model of concentrated, high-dollar giving. The same recipients often reappear across years, especially Jewish Communal Fund, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Public Library, and Alfred E Smith Memorial Foundation, indicating recurring support rather than one-off grants. The foundation appears to use donor-advised giving through Jewish Communal Fund as a major channel, alongside direct institutional grants.
$30.4M
$1.6M
$10.1M
$30.4M
Most grants fall between $13K and $113K, with a median of $28K.
25th Percentile
$13K
Median
$28K
75th Percentile
$113K
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Notable grantees: JEWISH COMMUNAL FUND, NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY, Various Jewish nonprofit beneficiaries supported via donor-advised grants at JEWISH COMMUNAL FUND
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in New York: 84% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. New York City dominates the recipient map, with multiple awards to organizations in New York, NY, including Jewish Communal Fund, New York Public Library, and Metropolitan Museum of Art. Outside New York, the list includes a smaller number of recipients in Wading River, NY; Clifton Park, NY; San Francisco, CA; Vienna, VA; and Washington, DC. All recent grants in the dataset went to US recipients.
The recent grants show support for Jewish communal causes, public libraries, arts institutions, medical and health organizations, and civic or policy groups. Named recipients include Jewish Communal Fund, New York Public Library, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
Yes. Jewish Communal Fund received the largest grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025, at $11,002,670, $17,852,166, and $19,805,123 respectively. That repeated pattern suggests a recurring donor-advised channel rather than isolated awards.
The typical grant size is $12,500 at the 25th percentile, $28,000 at the median, and $112,500 at the 75th percentile. The distribution is skewed by a few very large awards, including multimillion-dollar grants.
The foundation gives mostly in New York: 84% of grants go to recipients in NY, and the top recipient city is New York, NY. Recent non-New York recipients include San Francisco, CA; Vienna, VA; and Washington, DC.
No. The recent grants support multiple sectors in a single portfolio, including educational, religious, medical, cultural, societal, and environmental causes through Jewish Communal Fund, plus direct grants to libraries, museums, health organizations, and civic institutions.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEWISH COMMUNAL FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $30,185,741 | 2026 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART | NEW YORK, NY | $120,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| ALFRED E SMITH MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| UJA-FEDERATION OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| NEW YORK UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $7,500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES | NEW YORK, NY | $5,500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| NEW YORK CITY POLICE FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| JEWISH COMMUNAL FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $19,805,123 | 2025 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART | NEW YORK, NY | $60,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| MOUNT SINAI MEDICAL CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| ALFRED E SMITH MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| SAN FRANCISCO MUSUEM OF ART | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $38,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR STUTTERING | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| CITIZEN'S BUDGET COMMISSION | NEW YORK, NY | $19,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $3,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| JEWISH COMMUNAL FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $17,852,166 | 2024 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART | NEW YORK, NY | $65,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| PECONIC HOCKEY FOUNDATION | WADING RIVER, NY | $40,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| CITIZEN'S BUDGET COMMISSION | NEW YORK, NY | $28,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| ALFRED E SMITH MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| NYOH COMMUNITY CENTER FOUNDATION | CLIFTON PARK, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| JEWISH COMMUNAL FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $11,002,670 | 2023 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY | NEW YORK, NY | $2,700,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART | NEW YORK, NY | $160,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY IRAN | VIENNA, VA | $20,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| ALFRED E SMITH MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| AMERICAN SKIN ASSOCIATION | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
| LITERACY PARTNERS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. |
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
ALFRED E SMITH MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$50,000TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE
$250,000TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
ALFRED E SMITH MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$50,000TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
SAN FRANCISCO MUSUEM OF ART
$38,000TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR STUTTERING
$25,000TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
PECONIC HOCKEY FOUNDATION
$40,000TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
ALFRED E SMITH MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$20,000TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
NYOH COMMUNITY CENTER FOUNDATION
$10,000TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY
$5,000TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE
$250,000TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY IRAN
$20,000TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY
$15,000TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
ALFRED E SMITH MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$15,000TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.
TO FURTHER EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.