The Raymond Frankel Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on strengthening high‑level policy research and education related to national security, arms control, and Middle East affairs, often through elite universities and policy institutions. Grants emphasize convening experts, shaping public dialogue on nuclear issues, supporting Israel‑related education and combating antisemitism, and advancing practical policy solutions. The foundation favors well‑established institutions and programs that bridge scholarship and policymaking.
The Raymond Frankel Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by repeated, high-dollar support for the Crown Center at Brandeis University, including $1,088,972 in 2023 and $1,000,000 grants in both 2024 and 2025 for education for the Middle East. That pattern sits alongside another long-running emphasis: funding institutions that bring policy experts together around nuclear issues, including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, which received $602,000 in 2023, $586,000 in 2024, and $556,890 in 2025 to create dialogue between nuclear players. The foundation also backs work tied to Israel, antisemitism, and national security through universities, think tanks, and affiliated funds. Recent grants include support for Pef Israel Endowment Fund to combat antisemitism, Harvard University to promote arms control, and Bridging the Gap at American University for education and advancement of national security. Its grantmaking shows a preference for established research and convening institutions that connect scholarship with policy.
Middle East education is a major thread in the foundation’s portfolio. The Crown Center at Brandeis University received $1,000,000 in 2025 for education for the Middle East, following a similar $1,000,000 grant in 2024. Nuclear policy is another core area: the American Academy of Arts and Sciences got $556,890 in 2025 to create dialogue between nuclear players, continuing prior support in 2023 and 2024 for the same purpose. The foundation also funds Israel-focused education and communications, including $200,000 and $100,000 to American Friends of Idi in 2024 and 2023 to educate regarding Israeli issues, plus $70,000 in 2025 to Fuente Latina to distribute pro-Israel communications to Spanish speakers. Antisemitism work appears through Pef Israel Endowment Fund, which received $355,000 in 2025 for combat antisemitism.
Typical grants cluster at a median of $15,000, with a lower quartile of $2,894 and an upper quartile of $50,000, while several awards rise well above that range for recurring institutional commitments. The foundation repeatedly supports the same recipients across multiple years, including Brandeis, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Bridging the Gap at American University, and Pef Israel Endowment Fund. That repeat pattern suggests an ongoing, relationship-based grantmaking style rather than one-off funding. It is a private foundation, and it also funds individuals. No application process is stated in the provided data.
$3.9M
$50.4M
$7.1M
$4.9M
Most grants fall between $3K and $50K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$50K
About 1% of grants go to recipients in NY.
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Raymond Frankel Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 211 | $13.9M | 99.1% |
| 2 | Israel |
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Concentrated, large-dollar grants to a small set of repeat, high-profile grantees (multiple multi‑hundred‑thousand to multi‑million dollar gifts), favoring established universities and national policy institutes rather than many small community organizations.
Notable grantees: Crown Center, Brandeis University, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, PEF Israel Endowment Fund, Bridging the Gap (American University)
Grants are overwhelmingly U.S.-based, with 150 grants in the United States and 2 in Israel. California is the top state by grant count, while Illinois accounts for just 1% of grants. Recipient cities cluster in major policy and research hubs such as Waltham, Cambridge, Boston, Washington, New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle. Non-U.S. giving in the recent-grants list reaches Israel through grants tied to Israeli issues and community-building.
The foundation focuses on Middle East education, nuclear arms control and global security research, national security education, combating antisemitism, and related convenings. Recent grants include $1,000,000 to the Crown Center at Brandeis University for education for the Middle East and $556,890 to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences to create dialogue between nuclear players.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including the Crown Center at Brandeis University, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Bridging the Gap at American University, Pef Israel Endowment Fund, and Fuente Latina. The repeated awards indicate ongoing support rather than isolated gifts.
The foundation’s grant distribution has a p25 of $2,894, a median of $15,000, and a p75 of $50,000. At the same time, it also makes larger recurring institutional grants, including seven-figure awards to Brandeis for Middle East education.
Giving is national, with 150 grants in the United States and 2 in Israel. California is the top state by grant count, and recipient cities include Waltham, Cambridge, Boston, Washington, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, and North Miami.
Yes. The foundation is listed as funding individuals in addition to organizations. The recent-grants data also shows a strong preference for universities, policy centers, and affiliated funds.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| 2 |
| $55K |
0.9% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HARVARD UNIVERSITY | BOSTON, MA | $951,200 | 2026 | TO PROMOTE ARMS CONTROL |
| BRIDGING THE GAP AMERICAN UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $664,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION & ADVANCEMENT OF NATIONAL SECURITY |
| CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES | WASHINGTON, DC | $350,187 | 2026 | ADVANCING PRACTICAL IDEAS TO ADDRESS THE WORLDS GREATEST CHALLENGES |
| AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $267,000 | 2026 | TO CREATE DIALOGUE BETWEEN NUCLEAR PLAYERS |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF IDI | ATLANTA, GA | $250,000 | 2026 | TO EDUCATE REGARDING ISRAELI ISSUES |
| CROWN CENTER BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY | WALTHAM, MA | $125,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION FOR THE MIDDLE EAST |
| MIT | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $120,000 | 2026 | SPECIALIZED EDUCATION FOR GOVERNMENT |
| PEF ISRAEL ENDOWMENT FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM |
| FRIENDS OF ASOR | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $100,000 | 2026 | TO INITITATE, ENCOURAGE, AND SUPPORT RESEARCH INTO, AND PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF, THE HISTORY AND CULTURES OF THE NEAR EAST AND WIDER MEDITERRANEAN |
| PROJECT ON GOVERNMENT OVERSITE | WASHINGTON, DC | $90,000 | 2026 | TO PROMOTE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY |
| INSTITUTE FOR MIDDLE EAST OPTIONS | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2026 | TO PROMOTE ISRAEL |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE GREAT NORTHWEST AND HAWAIIAN ISLANDS | SEATTLE, WA | $75,000 | 2026 | ADVANCEMENT OF HEALTH |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF REICHMAN UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $75,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE REICHMAN UNIVERSITY IN THE UNITED STATES |
| FUENTE LATINA | NORTH MIAMI, FL | $70,000 | 2026 | TO DISTRIBUTE PRO-ISRAEL COMMUNICATIONS TO SPANISH SPEAKERS |
| CREATIVE COMMUNITY FOR PEACE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $60,000 | 2026 | COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY |
| JOHNS HOPKINS CENTER FOR GUN VIOLENCE SOLUTIONS | BALTIMORE, MD | $60,000 | 2026 | TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MIGDAL OHR | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT AT-RISK YOUTH |
| US FRIENDS OF ELNET | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | TO EDUCATE EUROPEAN LEADERS ON ECONOMIC RELATIONS AND INNOVATION |
| BROOKINGS INSTITUTION CENTER FOR MIDDLE EAST STUDIES | WASHINGTON, DC | $40,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION FOR THE MIDDLE EAST |
| US PUGWASH | WASHINGTON, DC | $40,000 | 2026 | TO EDUCATE ON GLOBAL NUCLEAR ARMS ENVIRONMENT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS TEL AVIV UNIV | LOS ANGELES, CA | $40,000 | 2026 | ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION |
| UN WATCH USA | WASHINGTON, DC | $35,000 | 2026 | EDUCATE & ADVANCEMENT OF JUDAISM |
| HANDS ON TZEDEKAH | BOCA RATON, FL | $30,000 | 2026 | PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR THE ALMA CENTER |
| MARYLANDERS TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE | BALTIMORE, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | TO CREATE A SAFER MARYLAND BY ADVANCING COMPREHENSIVE AND EVIDENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE |
| MAINE GUN SAFETY COALITION | PORTLAND, ME | $25,000 | 2026 | TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING GUN EDUCATION AND PROGRAMS |
| REPORT INC | SPRING HOUSE, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATE & ADVANCEMENT OF JUDAISM |
| NORTH HELPLINE | SEATTLE, WA | $15,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY SERVICES & FOOD |
| HARVARD WESTLAKE SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $12,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE EDUCATION |
| DEMOCRACY FORWARD | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | USES THE LAW TO BUILD COLLECTIVE POWER AND ADVANCE A BOLD, VIBRANT, DEMOCRACY FOR ALL PEOPLE |
| NEW ISRAEL FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | ADVANCING LIBERAL DEMOCRACY, EQUALITY, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN ISRAEL |
| AMERICAN ZIONIST MOVEMENT | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE STATE OF ISRAEL AND JEWISH HOMELAND |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COMMUNITY CENTER | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | TO BUILD AND DEVELOP ISRAEL COMMUNITIES |
| CHABAD WEST BEL AIR | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO BUILD A VIBRANT JEWISH COMMUNITY |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF LIBI | BRIGHTON, MA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT IDF SOLDIERS |
| FRIENDS OF YAD SARAH | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | SUPPORTING THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL BY PROVIDING HELP AND HOPE |
| CHESAPEAKE MULTICULTRURAL RESOURCE CENTER | EASTON, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | TO INCREASE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT |
| JNF-USA | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | ADVANCEMENT OF JUDAISM |
| KLINE GALLAND HOSPICE | SEATTLE, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE MEDICAL SUPPORT TO THE SEATTLE COMMUNITY |
| TEMPLE B'NAI ISREAL | EASTON, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | EDUCATE & ADVANCEMENT OF JUDAISM |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN | WASHINGTON, DC | $4,193 | 2026 | USE FOOD TO EMPOWER COMMUNITIES |
| AVALON FOUNDATION | EASTON, MD | $3,000 | 2026 | FOR THE EDUCATION & ADVANCEMENT OF THE ARTS |
| TEMPLE OF THE ARTS | BEVERLY HILLS, CA | $3,000 | 2026 | TO PROMOTE THE SPIRIT AND TEACHINGS OF JUDAISM THROUGH THE ARTS |
| DESCENDANTS MEDIA GROUP | CHICAGO, IL | $3,000 | 2026 | TO INSPIRE AND EDUCATE FUTURE GENERATIONS THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL STORYTELLING |
| ST JOHN'S HOSPITAL | SANTA MONICA, CA | $3,000 | 2026 | ADVANCEMENT OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE |
| TALBOT INTERFAITH SHELTER | EASTON, MD | $3,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS |
| SHORE LEGAL ACCESS FORMERLY MID SHORE PRO BONO INC | EASTON, MD | $2,500 | 2026 | TO ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS TO CIVIL LEGAL HELP |
| WETA | ARLINGTON, VA | $2,500 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE BROADCASTS OF INTELLECTUAL INTERGRITY |
| BELEV ECHAD | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | TO BUILD A COMMUNITY OF KINDNESS AROUND WOUNDED VETERANS OF THE IDF |
| MID SHORE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | EASTON, MD | $2,500 | 2026 | TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE THOUGHOUT THE MID-SHORE REGION |
| CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION | ANNAPOLIS, MD | $2,500 | 2026 | TO EDUCATE REGARDING THE ENVIRONMENT |
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
$951,200TO PROMOTE ARMS CONTROL
BRIDGING THE GAP AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
$664,000EDUCATION & ADVANCEMENT OF NATIONAL SECURITY
CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
$350,187ADVANCING PRACTICAL IDEAS TO ADDRESS THE WORLDS GREATEST CHALLENGES
TO CREATE DIALOGUE BETWEEN NUCLEAR PLAYERS
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF IDI
$250,000TO EDUCATE REGARDING ISRAELI ISSUES
CROWN CENTER BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY
EDUCATION FOR THE MIDDLE EAST
FRIENDS OF ASOR
$100,000TO INITITATE, ENCOURAGE, AND SUPPORT RESEARCH INTO, AND PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF, THE HISTORY AND CULTURES OF THE NEAR EAST AND WIDER MEDITERRANEAN
INSTITUTE FOR MIDDLE EAST OPTIONS
$75,000TO PROMOTE ISRAEL
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE GREAT NORTHWEST AND HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
$75,000ADVANCEMENT OF HEALTH
TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE REICHMAN UNIVERSITY IN THE UNITED STATES
CREATIVE COMMUNITY FOR PEACE
$60,000COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
JOHNS HOPKINS CENTER FOR GUN VIOLENCE SOLUTIONS
$60,000TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE
US FRIENDS OF ELNET
$50,000TO EDUCATE EUROPEAN LEADERS ON ECONOMIC RELATIONS AND INNOVATION
EDUCATION FOR THE MIDDLE EAST
US PUGWASH
$40,000TO EDUCATE ON GLOBAL NUCLEAR ARMS ENVIRONMENT
UN WATCH USA
$35,000EDUCATE & ADVANCEMENT OF JUDAISM
HANDS ON TZEDEKAH
$30,000PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR THE ALMA CENTER
MARYLANDERS TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE
$25,000TO CREATE A SAFER MARYLAND BY ADVANCING COMPREHENSIVE AND EVIDENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE
MAINE GUN SAFETY COALITION
$25,000TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING GUN EDUCATION AND PROGRAMS
REPORT INC
$25,000EDUCATE & ADVANCEMENT OF JUDAISM
DEMOCRACY FORWARD
$10,000USES THE LAW TO BUILD COLLECTIVE POWER AND ADVANCE A BOLD, VIBRANT, DEMOCRACY FOR ALL PEOPLE
ADVANCING LIBERAL DEMOCRACY, EQUALITY, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN ISRAEL
AMERICAN ZIONIST MOVEMENT
$10,000TO SUPPORT THE STATE OF ISRAEL AND JEWISH HOMELAND
TO BUILD AND DEVELOP ISRAEL COMMUNITIES
CHABAD WEST BEL AIR
$5,000TO BUILD A VIBRANT JEWISH COMMUNITY
SUPPORTING THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL BY PROVIDING HELP AND HOPE
CHESAPEAKE MULTICULTRURAL RESOURCE CENTER
$5,000TO INCREASE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
JNF-USA
$5,000ADVANCEMENT OF JUDAISM
KLINE GALLAND HOSPICE
$5,000TO PROVIDE MEDICAL SUPPORT TO THE SEATTLE COMMUNITY
TEMPLE B'NAI ISREAL
$5,000EDUCATE & ADVANCEMENT OF JUDAISM
TEMPLE OF THE ARTS
$3,000TO PROMOTE THE SPIRIT AND TEACHINGS OF JUDAISM THROUGH THE ARTS
DESCENDANTS MEDIA GROUP
$3,000TO INSPIRE AND EDUCATE FUTURE GENERATIONS THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL STORYTELLING
ST JOHN'S HOSPITAL
$3,000ADVANCEMENT OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE
TO ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS TO CIVIL LEGAL HELP
TO BUILD A COMMUNITY OF KINDNESS AROUND WOUNDED VETERANS OF THE IDF
TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE THOUGHOUT THE MID-SHORE REGION