The Sidney & Mildred Edelstein Foundation concentrates its giving on supporting Israeli higher-education institutions and related academic programs, channeling large, primarily unrestricted gifts through U.S.-based friends organizations. Its grants are few but substantial, directed repeatedly to the same beneficiaries rather than spread across many small causes, suggesting a focused, mission-driven approach to Jewish/Israel-focused educational philanthropy.
Concentrated giving: a small number of large, unrestricted grants; repeated multi-year support to the same core grantees via American friends organizations rather than broad, distributed funding.
The Sidney & Mildred Edelstein Foundation’s largest recent grant was a $617,000 unrestricted gift to American Friends of Hebrew University in 2025, continuing a three-year sequence of major support for the same channel. That pattern is central to the foundation’s profile: it gives through U.S.-based friends organizations and uses unrestricted grants to support Israeli higher education and related academic work. The grants are concentrated rather than broad, with a small set of recurring recipients receiving most of the dollars. In addition to Hebrew University, the foundation has backed American Committee for Shenkar College in each of the last three years, again with unrestricted support. The recent record shows a foundation that prioritizes institutional strength over project-by-project funding. Most awards are directed to organizations that serve as intermediaries for Israeli educational institutions, while a smaller number support Jewish, cultural, disability, food security, and education-related nonprofits in the U.S. The grants vary from $1,500 to several hundred thousand dollars, but the recurring pattern is the same: flexible support to organizations the foundation has already chosen to back. That combination of repeat grantees, unrestricted language, and a narrow institutional focus defines how it funds.
Israeli higher education is the foundation’s clearest focus. In 2025, it gave $617,000 to American Friends of Hebrew University for an unrestricted grant to further the organization’s exempt purpose, following similar awards in 2024 and 2023. It also supported American Committee for Shenkar College with $100,000 unrestricted grants in 2025, 2024, and 2023. Beyond those anchor institutions, the foundation has made smaller unrestricted grants to a mix of organizations connected to education, Jewish communal life, and social services. Examples include $12,000 to Names Not Numbers Inc in 2023 and $10,000 to The Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance & Education in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025. It also supported Friends of the Port Washington Public Library Inc with $10,000 in 2025. These grants show a secondary interest in education, memory, and community institutions.
The typical grant size is $2,500 at the 25th percentile, $7,500 at the median, and $10,500 at the 75th percentile, but the foundation also makes far larger institutional grants. Its recent pattern is strongly repeat-oriented: American Friends of Hebrew University, American Committee for Shenkar College, The Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance & Education, The Community Synagogue, and Community Food Bank of New Jersey Inc each appear in multiple years. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. The grants listed are overwhelmingly unrestricted, often described as supporting the recipient’s exempt purpose.
$2M
$1.7M
$239K
$796K
Most grants fall between $3K and $11K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$11K
About 20% of grants go to recipients in TN.
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Notable grantees: American Friends of Hebrew University, Hebrew University (beneficiary), American Committee for Shenkar College, Shenkar College (beneficiary)
All of the recent grants in the data went to U.S. recipients. New York, NY appears frequently, including American Friends of Hebrew University, American Committee for Shenkar College, Hadassah, and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. New Jersey recipients include Livingston, Hillside, and Lakewood, with grants to Lifetown Inc, Community Food Bank of New Jersey Inc, and The School for Children With Hidden Intelligence. Other recipient cities include Suffern, Port Washington, Bronx, Howard Beach, and Parkland, showing a regional spread across the Northeast and South.
It most often funds organizations tied to Israeli higher education through U.S.-based friends organizations. The largest recent awards went to American Friends of Hebrew University and American Committee for Shenkar College, both described as unrestricted grants to further exempt purposes. Smaller grants also went to Jewish, educational, and community organizations.
Yes. The recent grants are repeatedly described as unrestricted grants to further the organizations’ exempt purposes. That language appears across the largest awards to American Friends of Hebrew University and American Committee for Shenkar College, as well as smaller grants to other recipients.
The grant-size distribution is centered at modest levels for this foundation’s overall portfolio: p25 is $2,500, the median is $7,500, and p75 is $10,500. At the same time, the foundation makes much larger grants to a small number of recurring institutional recipients.
Yes. American Friends of Hebrew University received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and American Committee for Shenkar College also received grants in each of those three years. The Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance & Education and Community Food Bank of New Jersey Inc also appear across multiple years.
The top state by grant count is Tennessee, while 20% of grants went to recipients in New Jersey. The recipient list is still concentrated in U.S. organizations, with many grantees located in New York and New Jersey cities.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF HEBREW UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $617,000 | 2025 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR SHENKAR COLLEGE | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER METROWEST | WHIPPANY, NJ | $10,000 | 2025 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FRIENDS OF THE PORT WASHINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY INC | PORT WASHINGTON, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & CENTER FOR TOLERANCE & EDUCATION | SUFFERN, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| LIFETOWN INC | LIVINGSTON, NJ | $5,000 | 2025 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| MIKA SPORTS ASSOCIATION INC | HOWARD BEACH, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORANIZATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF NEW JERSEY INC | HILLSIDE, NJ | $2,500 | 2025 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| DANIELS MUSIC FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $1,500 | 2025 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| MAKE SCHOOLS SAFE INC | PARKLAND, FL | $1,500 | 2025 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| WINNING WAYS INC | RESTON, VA | $1,000 | 2025 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| WE'VE GOT FRIENDS INC | FAIRFIELD, NJ | $1,000 | 2025 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF HEBREW UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $504,000 | 2024 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR SHENKAR COLLEGE | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & CENTER FOR TOLERANCE & EDUCATION | SUFFERN, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE COMMUNITY SYNAGOGUE | PORT WASHINGTON, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| DANIELS MUSIC FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2024 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF NEW JERSEY INC | HILLSIDE, NJ | $2,500 | 2024 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| TERRA FIRMAFUND FOR THE CITY OF NY INC | BRONX, NY | $2,500 | 2024 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2024 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORANIZATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF HEBREW UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $415,000 | 2023 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR SHENKAR COLLEGE | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2023 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NAMES NOT NUMBERS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $12,000 | 2023 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| HADASSAH | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2023 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & CENTER FOR TOLERANCE & EDUCATION | SUFFERN, NY | $10,000 | 2023 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE COMMUNITY SYNAGOGUE | PORT WASHINGTON, NY | $10,000 | 2023 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH HIDDEN INTELLIGENCE | LAKEWOOD, NJ | $5,000 | 2023 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| DANIELS MUSIC FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2023 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| TERRA FIRMAFUND FOR THE CITY OF NY INC | BRONX, NY | $2,500 | 2023 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| JOSEPH KUSHNER HEBREW ACADEMY | LIVINGSTON, NJ | $2,500 | 2023 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF NEW JERSEY INC | HILLSIDE, NJ | $1,500 | 2023 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $1,000 | 2023 | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF HEBREW UNIVERSITY
$617,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR SHENKAR COLLEGE
$100,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER METROWEST
$10,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
FRIENDS OF THE PORT WASHINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY INC
$10,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & CENTER FOR TOLERANCE & EDUCATION
$10,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
LIFETOWN INC
$5,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
MIKA SPORTS ASSOCIATION INC
$5,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES
$2,500AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORANIZATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF NEW JERSEY INC
$2,500AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
DANIELS MUSIC FOUNDATION
$1,500AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
MAKE SCHOOLS SAFE INC
$1,500AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
WINNING WAYS INC
$1,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
WE'VE GOT FRIENDS INC
$1,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF HEBREW UNIVERSITY
$504,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR SHENKAR COLLEGE
$100,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & CENTER FOR TOLERANCE & EDUCATION
$10,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
THE COMMUNITY SYNAGOGUE
$10,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
DANIELS MUSIC FOUNDATION
$2,500AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF NEW JERSEY INC
$2,500AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
TERRA FIRMAFUND FOR THE CITY OF NY INC
$2,500AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES
$2,500AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORANIZATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF HEBREW UNIVERSITY
$415,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR SHENKAR COLLEGE
$100,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
NAMES NOT NUMBERS INC
$12,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
HADASSAH
$10,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & CENTER FOR TOLERANCE & EDUCATION
$10,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
THE COMMUNITY SYNAGOGUE
$10,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
THE SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH HIDDEN INTELLIGENCE
$5,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
DANIELS MUSIC FOUNDATION
$2,500AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
TERRA FIRMAFUND FOR THE CITY OF NY INC
$2,500AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
JOSEPH KUSHNER HEBREW ACADEMY
$2,500AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF NEW JERSEY INC
$1,500AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE
ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
$1,000AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE