The Levitt Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on supporting Jewish community infrastructure and a small number of large health-focused charities. Most dollars go to Jewish federations and umbrella Jewish service organizations in multiple metropolitan areas, while a second major funding stream supports a health nonprofit (Curebound). Grants are few but sizable, often made more than once to the same organizations.
Highly concentrated giving: a small number of large grants totaling nearly $2M, frequent repeat grants to the same organizations, and a dual focus on Jewish federations plus a single notable health grantee.
The Levitt Foundation’s giving is anchored by long-term support for Jewish community infrastructure, with sizable repeat grants to federations and umbrella organizations in multiple cities. In recent years, the foundation has also maintained a second major line of support for Curebound, a health nonprofit in San Diego. That mix points to a funder that uses general support to strengthen established institutions rather than many small, project-specific awards. The recent grants list shows recurring commitments to Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines, and Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago, alongside repeated support for Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center and the Smithsonian Institution. The foundation also funded Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation's Capital and Chabad Shul of Potomac, both in the Washington area. Across these awards, the pattern is less about one-off program bets and more about sustaining organizations that already serve defined communities. Its portfolio also reaches beyond Jewish communal groups. Awards to Northwestern University, Mayo Clinic, the University of Iowa, the Des Moines Art Center, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art show a narrower set of additional beneficiaries, but the central throughline remains institutional support for organizations with ongoing operating needs.
Jewish community infrastructure is the clearest cause area in the recent grants. The Levitt Foundation gave $500,000 in 2024 and $335,000 in 2025 to Jewish Federation of Greater Washington for general support, and $265,100 in 2024 to Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines for general support. It also awarded $250,000 in 2024 to Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago for general support, reinforcing a preference for umbrella organizations. A second thread is health-related philanthropy. The foundation gave $300,000 in 2025 to Curebound for general support after a $300,000 charitable contribution in 2023. That repeated support places Curebound among the foundation’s largest recipients. The recent grants also include education and cultural institutions. Northwestern University received $64,000 in 2024 and $64,000 in 2025 for general support, while the Smithsonian Institution received $110,000 in 2025 and $22,250 in 2024 for general support. These awards fit the foundation’s pattern of backing established nonprofits with ongoing institutional roles.
$1.3M
$7.2M
$1.3M
$1.3M
Most grants fall between $465 and $11K, with a median of $4K.
25th Percentile
$465
Median
$4K
75th Percentile
$11K
About 21% of grants go to recipients in IA.
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Notable grantees: Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Curebound, Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines, Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago
Typical grant sizes are modest relative to the foundation’s larger awards, with a p25 of $465, a median of $3,600, and a p75 of $10,625. The recent grants list also shows a small number of much larger grants, including several in the six-figure range. The Levitt Foundation’s giving is recurrent rather than purely one-off. Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Curebound, Des Moines Art Center, the Smithsonian Institution, Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center, and Northwestern University each appear more than once across recent years. The foundation is a private foundation, not a donor-advised fund, and it does not make program-related investments. Grants in the recent list are generally classified as general support or charitable contribution, with no individual grants to people.
The foundation gives nationally, and all recent grants in the recipient country distribution went to U.S. organizations. Iowa is the top state by grant count, with Des Moines and Iowa City appearing repeatedly in the recent grants list. Washington, DC is also prominent, with multiple awards to organizations there and nearby in Rockville and Potomac. Beyond the U.S. capital area and Iowa, recent recipients include San Diego, Chicago, Rochester, Minneapolis, and Washington, DC-area institutions.
Its recent grants cluster around Jewish community federations and umbrella Jewish service organizations, with repeated general support to groups such as Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines, and Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago. It also supports a smaller set of health, education, and cultural institutions.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple recent years, including Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Curebound, Des Moines Art Center, the Smithsonian Institution, Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center, and Northwestern University. The pattern suggests ongoing institutional support rather than isolated awards.
The grant-size distribution is relatively small at the center, with a p25 of $465, a median of $3,600, and a p75 of $10,625. Recent grant totals also include larger six-figure awards, showing a wide spread between routine awards and major commitments.
Iowa is the top state by grant count. Recent grants include multiple awards in Des Moines and Iowa City, while Washington, DC and nearby Maryland locations also appear frequently in the grants list.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Levitt Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations and local partners that activate neighborhood public spaces through a Levitt VIBE music series (matching grant).
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations and local collaborators that will present concerts across multiple neighborhoods (matching grant).
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER WASHINGTON | ROCKVILLE, MD | $335,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CUREBOUND | SAN DIEGO, CA | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION | WASHINGTON, DC | $110,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DES MOINES ART CENTER | DES MOINES, IA | $75,200 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MILTON GOTTESMAN JEWISH DAY SCHOOL OF THE NATION'S CAPITAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | CHICAGO, IL | $64,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EDLAVITCH DC JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHABAD SHUL OF POTOMAC | POTOMAC, MD | $26,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA | IOWA CITY, IA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PEF ISRAEL ENDOWMENT FUNDS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD | SILVER SPRING, MD | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER DES MOINES | WAUKEE, IA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE BACKSTORYGROUP | ROCKVILLE, MD | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREATER WASHINGTON COMMUNITY KOLLEL | SILVER SPRING, MD | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| IOWA HILLEL | IOWA CITY, IA | $8,600 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ISRAEL ON CAMPUS COALITION | WASHINGTON, DC | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE FROTH AND BUBBLE FOUNDATION FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $5,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TIFERETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE | DES MOINES, IA | $5,360 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHARLES E SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL | ROCKVILLE, MD | $5,180 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DES MOINES SYMPHONY | DES MOINES, IA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STANLEY MUSEUM OF ART | IOWA CITY, IA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| IOWA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY | WUAKEE, IA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WALKER ART CENTER | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL OF GREATER WASHINGTON | ROCKVILLE, MD | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ZIONIST RABBINIC COALITION | POTOMAC, MD | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DES MOINES PERFORMING ARTS | DES MOINES, IA | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM | PALM SPRINGS, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MEOR MARYLAND | COLLEGE PARK, MD | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ADAS ISRAEL CONGREGATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATURE SACRED | ANNAPOLIS, MD | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DESERT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | PALM DESERT, CA | $550 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MUSEUM OF ARTS & DESIGN | NEW YORK, NY | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ALEF BET MONTESSORI SCHOOL | BETHESDA, MD | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE BRENTON ARBORETUM | DALLAS CENTER, IA | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF CENTRAL IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TEMPLE ISRAEL | OMAHA, NE | $100 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DES MOINES METRO OPERA | INDIANOLA, IA | $100 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BEIT T'SHUVAH | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF THE DESERT | RANCHO MIRAGE, CA | $100 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MUSEUM OF MODERN ART | NEW YORK, NY | $100 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF THE DESERT | PALM SPRINGS, CA | $100 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREATER DES MOINES BOTANICAL GARDEN | DES MOINES, IA | $50 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AURORA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $50 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART | CHICAGO, IL | $50 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER WASHINGTON | ROCKVILLE, MD | $500,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER DES MOINES | WAUKEE, IA | $265,100 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
DES MOINES ART CENTER
$75,200GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GENERAL SUPPORT
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
$64,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHABAD SHUL OF POTOMAC
$26,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE BACKSTORYGROUP
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GREATER WASHINGTON COMMUNITY KOLLEL
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
IOWA HILLEL
$8,600GENERAL SUPPORT
THE FROTH AND BUBBLE FOUNDATION FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE
$5,500GENERAL SUPPORT
TIFERETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
$5,360GENERAL SUPPORT
DES MOINES SYMPHONY
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
STANLEY MUSEUM OF ART
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
IOWA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WALKER ART CENTER
$3,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ZIONIST RABBINIC COALITION
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
MEOR MARYLAND
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ADAS ISRAEL CONGREGATION
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATURE SACRED
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MUSEUM OF ARTS & DESIGN
$500GENERAL SUPPORT
ALEF BET MONTESSORI SCHOOL
$500GENERAL SUPPORT
THE BRENTON ARBORETUM
$500GENERAL SUPPORT
TEMPLE ISRAEL
$100GENERAL SUPPORT
DES MOINES METRO OPERA
$100GENERAL SUPPORT
AURORA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION
$50GENERAL SUPPORT
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
$50GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
