The Z S & M Wilf Foundation concentrates its giving on Jewish communal institutions and higher-education scholarship support. It makes large, multi-hundred-thousand to multi-million dollar gifts to regional Jewish federations and national Jewish organizations, while also funding scholarships at selective universities. Its grants are strategic and concentrated, often given repeatedly to the same core grantees to support community infrastructure and student aid.
Three recurring grant relationships define The Z S & M Wilf Foundation Inc: Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ, Jewish Federations of North America, and Yeshiva University. Across the recent grants list, those organizations appear year after year, with support running from program funding to scholarships. The foundation also backs Jewish communal infrastructure beyond federation work, including capital support for Rutgers Hillel and the Jewish Museum, plus scholarship and operating support for universities such as Yeshiva University, the University of Pennsylvania, Vanderbilt University, New York University School of Law, and Princeton University. The pattern is not limited to higher education. Grants also reach Jewish education institutions and community-serving organizations, including the Jewish Educational Center, Birthright Israel Foundation, and American Friends of or National Missions. Several awards are at the scale of hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the foundation uses different support types across its portfolio: program support, scholarship support, general operating support, capital support, and endowment funding. The result is a grantmaking profile centered on Jewish communal life, student aid, and institutional strength, with repeated funding to a relatively small set of core recipients.
Jewish communal infrastructure is a central theme in the foundation’s giving. In 2024, it gave $3,689,333 to Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ for program support, and in 2025 it added $1,583,333 for the same purpose. It also supported Jewish Federations of North America with $1,760,000 in 2024 and $1,025,000 in 2025. Student aid is another visible priority. Yeshiva University received $1,612,500 in 2024 for scholarships and the same amount again in 2025 for scholarship support. The foundation also funded higher-education scholarships at Vanderbilt University and New York University School of Law. Its giving extends to facilities and institutional assets. Rutgers Hillel received $350,000 in 2025 for capital support, while the Jewish Museum received $400,000 in 2025 for capital support and $300,000 in 2024 for general operating support.
Typical grants cluster at a modest middle range: p25 is $10,000, median grant size is $25,000, and p75 is $60,000. The recent list also shows that the foundation makes far larger, strategic awards to a small set of institutions, including multiple seven-figure gifts. Recipients recur across years, especially in Jewish federation work and university support, which points to a repeat-grantee pattern rather than one-off transactions. The foundation is classified as a regular funder and also funds individuals, with recent scholarships making that clear. No application process is shown in the available data.
$5.6M
$174.7M
$35.8M
$6M
Most grants fall between $10K and $60K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$60K
About 36% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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Concentrated, high-value grants to a small set of repeat grantees — large multi-year or repeated awards rather than many small gifts; balanced between Jewish communal organizations and scholarship endowments at major universities.
Notable grantees: Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, Yeshiva University, Jewish Federations of North America, University of Pennsylvania, Vanderbilt University
Grantmaking is national, but it is especially concentrated in New York and New Jersey. New York City recipients include Jewish Federations of North America, Yeshiva University, New York University School of Law, the Jewish Museum, Birthright Israel Foundation, and American Friends of or National Missions. New Jersey recipients include Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ in Whippany, Rutgers Hillel in New Brunswick, the Jewish Educational Center in Elizabeth, and Visual Arts Center of NJ in Summit. All recent grants in the dataset went to U.S. recipients.
The foundation’s recent grants show sustained support for Jewish communal institutions, universities, and Jewish education organizations. Examples include Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ, Jewish Federations of North America, Yeshiva University, Rutgers Hillel, the Jewish Museum, and the Jewish Educational Center.
Its typical grant sizes are $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $60,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes much larger awards, including multiple grants above $1 million.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ, Jewish Federations of North America, Yeshiva University, University of Pennsylvania, Vanderbilt University, Birthright Israel Foundation, Jewish Museum, and Rutgers Hillel.
The top state by grant count is New York. Recent recipient cities include New York, Whippany, New Brunswick, Philadelphia, Nashville, Princeton, and Elizabeth, and the dataset shows all recent grants going to U.S. recipients.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YESHIVA UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $1,612,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COOPERMAN BARNABAS MEDICAL CENTER | LIVINGSTON, NJ | $1,000,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| JEWISH MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SECURE COMMUNITY NETWORK INC | CHICAGO, IL | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CLAL-THE NATIONAL JEWISH CENTER FOR LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP INC | NEW YORK, NY | $160,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL FOOTBALL LEAGUE | TENAFLY, NJ | $100,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PGA TOUR FIRST TEE FOUNDATION INC | PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL | $100,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SIXPOINT INC | SAINT PETERSBURG, FL | $75,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| REUT USA | WOODLAND HILLS, CA | $75,000 | 2026 | TIKKUN OLAM MAKERS SUPPORT |
| CONGREGATION ETZ CHAIM | LIVINGSTON, NJ | $68,150 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PRINCETON UNIVERSITY | PRINCETON, NJ | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UJA FEDERATION OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| VISUAL ARTS CENTER OF NJ | SUMMIT, NJ | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JEWISH MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT PURIM BALL |
| HENRY STREET SETTLEMENT | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE YOUTH OPPORTUNITY HUB |
| HILLEL INTERNATIONAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CONNECTICUT PUBLIC BROADCASTING | HARTFORD, CT | $50,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| JTA-MJL NEW CORP | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF CENTRAL NEW JERSEY | ELIZABETH, NJ | $40,000 | 2026 | MEMORIAL FUNDS |
| AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $36,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $36,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RUTGERS HILLEL | NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | $36,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PRIZMAH CENTER FOR JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS | NEW YORK, NY | $36,000 | 2026 | CAPACITY BUILDING SUPPORT |
| BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE WEINFELD LAW FUND |
| CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENTS OF MAJOR JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LIMMUD FSU INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JEWISH NEWS SERVICE INC | BOSTON, MA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | JPPI SUPPORT |
| NCSY - NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF SYNAGOGUE YOUTH ORTHODOX UNION | TEANECK, NJ | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE ISRAEL BRIDGE | PALM BCH GDNS, FL | $18,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAM |
| NEWARK ACADEMY | LIVINGSTON, NJ | $18,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| YM-YWHA OF UNION COUNTY INC | UNION, NJ | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BRIS AVROHOM CENTER | HILLSIDE, NJ | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JCC OF CENTRAL NJ | SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CONGREGATION ETZ CHAIM | LIVINGSTON, NJ | $12,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNITED JEWISH FUND AND COUNCIL | ST PAUL, MN | $12,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MINNEAPOLIS JEWISH FEDERATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $12,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CURE BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION INC | CLIFTON, NJ | $12,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CENTRAL EUROPE CENTER FOR RESEARCH | SILVER SPRING, MD | $11,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT TWIN CITIES SUMMER |
| HILLELS OF GEORGIA INC | ATLANTA, GA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JEWISH NATIONAL FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PRINCETON UNIVERSITY | PRINCETON, NJ | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OHR TORAH STONE INSTITUTIONS OF ISRAEL | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF METROWEST | FLORHAM PARK, NJ | $10,000 | 2026 | GALA SPONSORSHIP |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE JORDAN RIVER | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
COOPERMAN BARNABAS MEDICAL CENTER
$1,000,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
$100,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC
$75,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CONGREGATION ETZ CHAIM
$68,150GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
VISUAL ARTS CENTER OF NJ
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HILLEL INTERNATIONAL
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF CENTRAL NEW JERSEY
$40,000MEMORIAL FUNDS
RUTGERS HILLEL
$36,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
$25,000TO SUPPORT THE WEINFELD LAW FUND
CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENTS OF MAJOR JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NCSY - NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF SYNAGOGUE YOUTH ORTHODOX UNION
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE ISRAEL BRIDGE
$18,000TO SUPPORT THE COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAM
NEWARK ACADEMY
$18,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BRIS AVROHOM CENTER
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CONGREGATION ETZ CHAIM
$12,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
CURE BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION INC
$12,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CENTRAL EUROPE CENTER FOR RESEARCH
$11,000TO SUPPORT TWIN CITIES SUMMER
JEWISH NATIONAL FUND
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE JORDAN RIVER
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT