The Woldenberg Foundation concentrates large, targeted gifts in the New Orleans region, prioritizing higher education and public environmental institutions. Its recent grants show a clear split between major support for Tulane University and substantial backing for the Audubon Nature Institute, suggesting interest in strengthening regional civic and cultural infrastructure through education and conservation.
A $606,800 grant to Tulane University stands out in Woldenberg Foundation’s recent giving and points to a pattern of concentrated support for New Orleans institutions. The foundation’s grant record also includes a $450,000 award to Audubon Nature Institute, which places education and environmental stewardship near the center of its portfolio. Together, those grants suggest a funder that backs major civic anchors rather than dispersing support broadly. Recent awards show a mix of higher education, animal and environmental work, Jewish causes, health, arts and culture, and human services. Several grants are directed to organizations that serve the New Orleans metropolitan area, while others reach Jewish-serving institutions and scholarship recipients in Kentucky and beyond. The foundation’s structure also allows it to fund across multiple program areas through a general grantmaking process, including Animals & Environment, Arts & Culture, Civil Affairs, Education/Recreation & Opportunities for Children, and Human Services. The scale is substantial: annual grants total $5,229,599 against $23,563,538 in assets, with a regional giving pattern centered on Louisiana. Recent grant recipients include the National WWII Museum, Children’s Hospital, Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, and City Year New Orleans.
Higher education is a clear part of the portfolio. In 2024, Woldenberg Foundation gave $606,800 to Tulane University in New Orleans, and in 2025 it made scholarship grants to several Kentucky institutions, including $65,000 to University of Kentucky and $55,000 to Western Kentucky University. Jewish causes are another recurring theme. The foundation awarded $200,000 to Friends of Ir David Inc in New York and $150,000 to American Friends of Alyn Hospital in New York in 2025, alongside $138,500 to Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans in Metairie in 2024. It also supported Birthright Israel with $100,000 in 2025. Arts and culture appear through museum support, including $215,000 to The National Wwii Museum Inc in 2024 and another $215,000 to National Ww II Museum in 2025. Human services and community support also show up in grants such as $50,000 to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans and $25,000 to Bridge House Grace House.
$1.6M
$23.6M
$1.1M
$1.9M
Most grants fall between $3K and $3K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$3K
About 19% of grants go to recipients in KY.
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Very concentrated giving: a small number of large grants (six-figure gifts) focused on a few regional institutions rather than many smaller awards; appears to favor established organizations with high public visibility.
Notable grantees: Tulane University, Audubon Nature Institute
Woldenberg Foundation’s typical grant size is $3,000 at the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile, even though the recent grant list also includes much larger awards. The pattern suggests a mixed portfolio of many smaller grants alongside a few major commitments. The foundation funds only organizations, not individuals, and it does not make program-related investments. Its general grantmaking is open to unsolicited inquiries through a Letter of Inquiry process. The recent grant list also shows repeat support across years for several organizations, including American Friends of Alyn, City Year, Birthright Israel, and the National WWII Museum, indicating ongoing relationships rather than only one-time gifts.
Grantmaking is concentrated in Louisiana, which accounts for the largest share of recipient locations and 20% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. New Orleans appears repeatedly, including Tulane University, Audubon Nature Institute, The National Wwii Museum Inc, Children’s Hospital, City Year New Orleans, and Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans. Metairie also appears through Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans and Goldring Family Foundation. Outside Louisiana, the foundation gives to recipients in New York, Kentucky, Florida, Washington, DC, and Mississippi. The recipient country distribution is entirely US-based, with 355 grants to US organizations.
Its general grantmaking programs accept unsolicited inquiries. Applicants begin by submitting a Letter of Inquiry through the Foundations’ online portal.
The foundation funds nonprofit organizations, with recent and program-level support spanning education, animals and environment, arts and culture, civil affairs, human services, health, and Jewish causes.
The typical grant size is $3,000 at the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile, even though the recent record also includes much larger grants such as $606,800 and $450,000.
No. Louisiana is its top giving state, but recent grants also go to recipients in New York, Kentucky, Florida, Washington, DC, and Mississippi. The grant record shown here is entirely US-based.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including American Friends of Alyn, City Year, Birthright Israel, and the National WWII Museum, which points to ongoing relationships rather than isolated gifts.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Woldenberg Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations operating in the Greater New Orleans area (further eligibility details available through the application portal).
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL WW II MUSEUM | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $215,000 | 2025 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF ALYN HOSPITAL | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | JEWISH CAUSES |
| BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | JEWISH CAUSES |
| UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY | LEXINGTON, KY | $65,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| OWENSBORO CTC | OWENSBORO, KY | $64,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY | BOWLING GREEN, KY | $55,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MDA | PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | JEWISH CAUSES |
| CITY YEAR | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $50,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $46,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY | RICHMOND, KY | $45,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| FRIENDS OF IDF | NEW YORK, NY | $30,000 | 2025 | JEWISH CAUSES |
| ELIZABETHTOWN CTC | ELIZABETHTOWN, KY | $28,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| JEWISH CHILDREN'S REGIONAL SERVICE | METAIRIE, LA | $25,000 | 2025 | JEWISH CAUSES |
| KENTUCKY WESLEYAN COLLEGE | OWENSBORO, KY | $25,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| BRIDGE HOUSE | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $25,000 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| NEW SCHOOLS NEW ORLEANS | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| AVODAH NEW ORLEANS | BROOKLYN, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | JEWISH CAUSES |
| OWENSBORO CATHOLIC HS | OWENSBORO, KY | $19,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| MIDWAY UNIVERSITY | MIDWAY, KY | $17,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| STEEG FAMILY FOUNDATION | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| NEW ORLEANS WOMEN & CHILDREN'S SHELTER | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $15,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| POSSE FOUNDATION | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN INDIANA | EVANSVILLE, IN | $15,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY | CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY | $15,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE | KNOXVILLE, TN | $14,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| GREATER NEW ORLEANS DEVELOP FOUNDATION | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $12,500 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| BETHLEHEM HIGH SCHOOL | BARDSTOWN, KY | $12,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY | COLUMBUS, OH | $12,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| GEORGETOWN COLLEGE | GEORGETOWN, KY | $12,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL | ST MATTHEWS, KY | $12,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| UNIVERSITY OF CUMBERLANDS | WILLIAMSBURG, KY | $11,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| TULANE UNIVERSITY | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $10,000 | 2025 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| COVENANT HOUSE | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $10,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| LSU | BATON ROUGE, LA | $10,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROJECT | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| TX A&M KINGSVILLE | KINGSVILLE, TX | $7,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| INDIANA UNIVERSITY SE | NEW ALBANY, IN | $7,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| KEARNEY CATHOLIC HS | KEARNEY, NE | $7,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| PURDUE UNIVIVERSITY | LAFAYETTE, IN | $7,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| HANOVER COLLEGE | HANOVER, IN | $7,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| ROCHESTER INS TECH | ROCHESTER, NY | $7,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA | TUCSON, AZ | $7,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SACRED HEART ACADEMY | LOUISVILLE, KY | $7,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA-RENO | RENO, NV | $7,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND-BIDDEFORD | BIDDEFORD, ME | $7,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| VIRGINIA TECH | BLACKSBURG, VA | $7,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| ASSUMPTION HS LOUISVILLE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $7,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY | NOTRE DAME, IN | $7,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA | FLORENCE, AL | $7,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
NATIONAL WW II MUSEUM
$215,000ARTS & CULTURE
BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL
$100,000JEWISH CAUSES
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
$65,000SCHOLARSHIPS
OWENSBORO CTC
$64,000SCHOLARSHIPS
WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
$55,000SCHOLARSHIPS
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MDA
$50,000JEWISH CAUSES
CITY YEAR
$50,000EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE
$46,000SCHOLARSHIPS
EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
$45,000SCHOLARSHIPS
FRIENDS OF IDF
$30,000JEWISH CAUSES
ELIZABETHTOWN CTC
$28,000SCHOLARSHIPS
AVODAH NEW ORLEANS
$20,000JEWISH CAUSES
OWENSBORO CATHOLIC HS
$19,000SCHOLARSHIPS
MIDWAY UNIVERSITY
$17,000SCHOLARSHIPS
STEEG FAMILY FOUNDATION
$15,000EDUCATION
POSSE FOUNDATION
$15,000EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN INDIANA
$15,000SCHOLARSHIPS
CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY
$15,000SCHOLARSHIPS
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
$14,000SCHOLARSHIPS
GREATER NEW ORLEANS DEVELOP FOUNDATION
$12,500HUMAN SERVICES
BETHLEHEM HIGH SCHOOL
$12,000SCHOLARSHIPS
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
$12,000SCHOLARSHIPS
TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL
$12,000SCHOLARSHIPS
TULANE UNIVERSITY
$10,000EDUCATION
OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART
$10,000ARTS & CULTURE
COVENANT HOUSE
$10,000HUMAN SERVICES
LSU
$10,000SCHOLARSHIPS
TX A&M KINGSVILLE
$7,000SCHOLARSHIPS
INDIANA UNIVERSITY SE
$7,000SCHOLARSHIPS
KEARNEY CATHOLIC HS
$7,000SCHOLARSHIPS
PURDUE UNIVIVERSITY
$7,000SCHOLARSHIPS
ROCHESTER INS TECH
$7,000SCHOLARSHIPS
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
$7,000SCHOLARSHIPS
SACRED HEART ACADEMY
$7,000SCHOLARSHIPS
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA-RENO
$7,000SCHOLARSHIPS
UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND-BIDDEFORD
$7,000SCHOLARSHIPS
VIRGINIA TECH
$7,000SCHOLARSHIPS
ASSUMPTION HS LOUISVILLE
$7,000SCHOLARSHIPS
NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY
$7,000SCHOLARSHIPS
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA
$7,000SCHOLARSHIPS
