The Norman Spero Day School Endowment Fund is a Cleveland-area, Jewish-focused education fund that consistently supports local Jewish day schools and youth institutions, primarily through scholarships and program/capital support. Grants are often directed to recurring grantees (multiple grants to the same schools) and include both student financial aid and funding for specific educational programs or facility dedications. Its giving emphasizes sustaining Jewish day school access and programming in the greater Cleveland community.
The Norman Spero Day School Endowment Fund C/o Barry Lefko repeatedly backs Jewish day school education through scholarships, retreats, room dedications, and program support. Its largest recent grant in the provided list is $13,500 to Fuchs Mizrachi School for scholarships, alongside another $12,109 grant to the same school for a high school retreat and a $12,128 room dedication gift to Hebrew Academy of Cleveland. Those awards show a funder that supports both student access and school experiences, not just tuition aid. The grant list also includes recurring support for Gross Schechter Day School, Camp Stone, and Green Road Synagogue, which points to a steady relationship with institutions serving Jewish youth in the Cleveland area. The fund’s recent grants mix educational programming, summer camp scholarships, and designated school gifts, with some support extending to Jewish organizations in New York and New Jersey. Across the data provided, the pattern is consistent: small-to-mid-sized grants directed to schools and youth-serving organizations, often with a specific purpose attached to each award.
Scholarship support is a clear thread in the fund’s giving. In 2024, it granted $13,500 to Fuchs Mizrachi School for scholarships, and it also gave $7,000 to Gross Schechter Day School for Spero Fund scholarships. Summer camp access appears as a separate emphasis: Camp Stone received $6,000 in 2025 for scholarships, after earlier scholarship grants of $5,000 in 2023, $5,000 in 2024, and $3,000 in 2024. The fund also supports school programming and student experiences. Gross Schechter Day School received $7,355 in 2023 and $7,278 in 2024 for educational program support, while Fuchs Mizrachi School received $12,896 in 2023 and $12,109 in 2024 for a high school retreat. These grants show attention to both classroom learning and youth formation outside the classroom.
Typical grants are modest in size, with a p25 of $500, a median of $2,500, and a p75 of $7,139. The recent record shows repeated gifts to the same organizations over multiple years, including Fuchs Mizrachi School, Hebrew Academy of Cleveland, Gross Schechter Day School, Camp Stone, and Green Road Synagogue. That repeat pattern suggests ongoing institutional relationships rather than one-time awards. The fund is a nonprofit endowment fund, and it also makes grants to individuals. The provided data does not show an application process, but it does show a mix of scholarships, program support, and designated gifts.
$151K
$764K
$36K
$42K
Most grants fall between $500 and $7K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$500
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$7K
About 74% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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Concentrated, local giving with repeat multi-year or multiple grants to a small set of Jewish education institutions; moderate-sized awards focused on scholarships, program support, and occasional capital/recognition gifts.
Notable grantees: Fuchs Mizrachi School, Hebrew Academy of Cleveland, Gross Schechter Day School, Camp Stone
Grantmaking is regional and heavily centered in Ohio: 74% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. The Cleveland-area cluster includes University Heights, Cleveland, Pepper Pike, Beachwood, and nearby institutions such as Fuchs Mizrachi School, Hebrew Academy of Cleveland, Gross Schechter Day School, Camp Stone, Green Road Synagogue, and Young Israel of Greater Cleveland. The top state by grant count is New York, with named recipients in New York, NY such as American Friends of United Hatzalah and American Friends of Magen David Adom. New Jersey also appears through Zaka Telaviv in Jackson Township.
It supports Jewish day schools and youth-serving institutions, with grants for scholarships, retreats, educational programs, room dedications, and youth programming. Recent recipients include schools in University Heights, Cleveland, and Pepper Pike, plus a synagogue and summer camp support.
The grant size distribution is centered on smaller awards: p25 is $500, median grant size is $2,500, and p75 is $7,139. Recent grants range from $500 to $13,500 in the data provided.
Yes. The same organizations appear in multiple years, including Fuchs Mizrachi School, Hebrew Academy of Cleveland, Gross Schechter Day School, Camp Stone, and Green Road Synagogue. Some of these grantees received multiple awards for different purposes across 2023, 2024, and 2025.
No. Most grants go to recipients in Ohio, and 74% of grants are in the HQ state, but the top state by grant count is New York. Recent named recipients also include organizations in New York, NY and Jackson Township, NJ.
The fund gives for scholarships, educational programs, high school retreats, and room dedications. Examples in the recent grants list include scholarships to Fuchs Mizrachi School, educational program support to Gross Schechter Day School, and room dedication gifts to Hebrew Academy of Cleveland.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUCHS MIZRACHI SCHOOL | UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT |
| GROSS SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $7,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| HEBREW ACADEMY OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $7,000 | 2025 | ROOM DEDICATION |
| CAMP STONE | BEACHWOOD, OH | $6,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF YESHIVAT KOL TZOFAYIAH | BEACHWOOD, OH | $4,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| GREEN ROAD SYNAGOGUE | BEACHWOOD, OH | $1,500 | 2025 | YOUTH PROGRAM AND CAMP STONE SCHOLARSHIPS |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF UNITED HATZALAH | NEW YORK, NY | $750 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM | NEW YORK, NY | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ZAKA TELAVIV | JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT. |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MEIR PANIM | BROOKLYN, NY | $250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT. |
| CHILDREN'S BRIDGE OF ZICHRON MENACHEM | NEW YORK, NY | $250 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| FUCHS MIZRACHI SCHOOL | UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, OH | $13,500 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| HEBREW ACADEMY OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $12,128 | 2024 | ROOM DEDICATION |
| FUCHS MIZRACHI SCHOOL | UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, OH | $12,109 | 2024 | HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT |
| GROSS SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $7,278 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| HEBREW ACADEMY OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $7,000 | 2024 | SPERO FUND SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| GROSS SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $7,000 | 2024 | SPERO FUND SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| CAMP STONE | BEACHWOOD, OH | $5,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF YESHIVAT KOL TZOFAYIAH | BEACHWOOD, OH | $3,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| CAMP STONE | BEACHWOOD, OH | $3,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| GREEN ROAD SYNAGOGUE | BEACHWOOD, OH | $1,500 | 2024 | YOUTH PROGRAM. |
| GREEN ROAD SYNAGOGUE | BEACHWOOD, OH | $1,000 | 2024 | YOUTH PROGRAM AND CAMP STONE SCHOLARSHIPS |
| AFMDA | NEW YORK, NY | $500 | 2024 | EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. |
| YOUNG ISRAEL OF GREATER CLEVELAND | BEACHWOOD, OH | $500 | 2024 | YOUTH PROGRAM |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MEIR PANIM | BROOKLYN, NY | $500 | 2024 | NEEDY PERSONS/FOOD BANK. |
| ZAKA TELAVIV | JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ | $500 | 2024 | EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. |
| UNITED HATZALAH | NEW YORK, NY | $500 | 2024 | EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. |
| MENORAH PARK FOUNDATION | BEACHWOOD, OH | $500 | 2024 | DAY SCHOOL VISITATION FUND |
| CHILDREN'S BRIDGE OF ZICHRON MENACHEM | NEW YORK, NY | $250 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| CHILDREN'S BRIDGE OF ZICHRON MENACHEM | NEW YORK, NY | $250 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| FUCHS MIZRACHI SCHOOL | UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, OH | $12,896 | 2023 | HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT |
| HEBREW ACADEMY OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $7,454 | 2023 | ROOM DEDICATION |
| GROSS SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $7,355 | 2023 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| CAMP STONE | BEACHWOOD, OH | $5,000 | 2023 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF YESHIVAT KOL TZOFAYIAH | BEACHWOOD, OH | $2,500 | 2023 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| GREEN ROAD SYNAGOGUE | BEACHWOOD, OH | $1,500 | 2023 | YOUTH PROGRAM AND CAMP STONE SCHOLARSHIPS |
| YOUNG ISRAEL OF GREATER CLEVELAND | BEACHWOOD, OH | $500 | 2023 | YOUTH PROGRAM |
| CHILDREN'S BRIDGE OF ZICHRON MENACHEM | NEW YORK, NY | $250 | 2023 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
FUCHS MIZRACHI SCHOOL
$10,000HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT
GROSS SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL
$7,000EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
HEBREW ACADEMY OF CLEVELAND
$7,000ROOM DEDICATION
CAMP STONE
$6,000SCHOLARSHIPS
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF YESHIVAT KOL TZOFAYIAH
$4,000EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
GREEN ROAD SYNAGOGUE
$1,500YOUTH PROGRAM AND CAMP STONE SCHOLARSHIPS
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF UNITED HATZALAH
$750GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM
$500GENERAL SUPPORT
ZAKA TELAVIV
$500GENERAL SUPPORT.
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MEIR PANIM
$250GENERAL SUPPORT.
CHILDREN'S BRIDGE OF ZICHRON MENACHEM
$250EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
FUCHS MIZRACHI SCHOOL
$13,500SCHOLARSHIPS.
HEBREW ACADEMY OF CLEVELAND
$12,128ROOM DEDICATION
FUCHS MIZRACHI SCHOOL
$12,109HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT
GROSS SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL
$7,278EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
HEBREW ACADEMY OF CLEVELAND
$7,000SPERO FUND SCHOLARSHIPS.
GROSS SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL
$7,000SPERO FUND SCHOLARSHIPS.
CAMP STONE
$5,000SCHOLARSHIPS.
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF YESHIVAT KOL TZOFAYIAH
$3,000SCHOLARSHIPS.
CAMP STONE
$3,000SCHOLARSHIPS
GREEN ROAD SYNAGOGUE
$1,500YOUTH PROGRAM.
GREEN ROAD SYNAGOGUE
$1,000YOUTH PROGRAM AND CAMP STONE SCHOLARSHIPS
AFMDA
$500EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES.
YOUNG ISRAEL OF GREATER CLEVELAND
$500YOUTH PROGRAM
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MEIR PANIM
$500NEEDY PERSONS/FOOD BANK.
ZAKA TELAVIV
$500EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES.
UNITED HATZALAH
$500EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES.
MENORAH PARK FOUNDATION
$500DAY SCHOOL VISITATION FUND
CHILDREN'S BRIDGE OF ZICHRON MENACHEM
$250EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
CHILDREN'S BRIDGE OF ZICHRON MENACHEM
$250SCHOLARSHIPS.
FUCHS MIZRACHI SCHOOL
$12,896HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT
HEBREW ACADEMY OF CLEVELAND
$7,454ROOM DEDICATION
GROSS SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL
$7,355EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
CAMP STONE
$5,000SCHOLARSHIPS
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF YESHIVAT KOL TZOFAYIAH
$2,500EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
GREEN ROAD SYNAGOGUE
$1,500YOUTH PROGRAM AND CAMP STONE SCHOLARSHIPS
YOUNG ISRAEL OF GREATER CLEVELAND
$500YOUTH PROGRAM
CHILDREN'S BRIDGE OF ZICHRON MENACHEM
$250EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM