
To contribute to the flourishing of the United States and Israel as just, inclusive, compassionate and democratic societies, and to improve the quality of life of all citizens in both countries.
The Jack Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation’s giving shows a clear pattern: large, multi-year commitments that tie leadership development to Jewish life, urban engagement, and institutional capacity. One of its biggest recent gifts went to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, with support for the Mandel Leadership Excellence Center, community security, Ukraine and Ethiopia emergency relief, and a turnaround plan for Menorah Park. Another major grant supported the Jewish Federations of North America Inc, covering LiveSecure operational support and programs linked to Jewish education, youth engagement, and cultural activities. The foundation also backs endowments and capital work, including a permanent fund at United Way of Greater Cleveland and a campus rehabilitation project at Hebrew Academy of Cleveland. Across its recent awards, the foundation funds both organizations and specific initiatives. Its portfolio includes Jewish federations, universities, youth organizations, community institutions, and cultural nonprofits. The mix of operating support, program funding, and capital-related grants suggests a funder that uses several tools at once rather than relying on a single grantmaking model. Named programs such as leadership centers, educator cohorts, and student-focused initiatives recur across the grant list, pointing to an emphasis on organizational strength and talent development rather than isolated project grants.
Leadership development appears across several grants and programs. The foundation gave $1,355,000 to M2 the Institute for Experiential Jewish Education to create a Center for Values in Action, and $663,029 to the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland for the M2 Cleveland Educators Cohort. In higher education and scholarship, it awarded $1,500,000 to John Carroll University to establish the Mandel Endowed Chair in Jewish Studies and $1,014,714 to Middlebury College for scholarships for the Hebrew MA program. Youth and campus engagement also receive support. Bnai Brith Youth Organization Inc received $3,600,000 for future BBYO conventions, while Hillel the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life received $325,880 for a mental health and wellness pilot program. In the cultural sphere, Jerusalem Foundation Inc was granted $1,200,000 for the Sidra Tarbut cultural program, and $300,000 for the Mandel Artists’ Greenhouse for Excellence at Musrara-The Naggar School of Art & Society.
$48.8M
$3.1B
$105.1M
$72.3M
Most grants fall between $250K and $1.4M, with a median of $663K.
25th Percentile
$250K
Median
$663K
75th Percentile
$1.4M
About 49% of grants go to recipients in FL.
MOZELLE JACKSON
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Typical grant size is substantial: the 25th percentile is $250,000, the median is $663,029, and the 75th percentile is $1,355,000. The recent grant list also shows repeat support to the same organizations across multiple years, including Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Jewish Federations of North America Inc, Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County Inc, Cleveland Zoological Society, Jerusalem Foundation Inc, and Digitalc. The foundation is classified as a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Several active programs accept unsolicited proposals, including Mandel Foundation Leadership & Sector Programs, Community Development Corporation Leadership Program participant grants, and Mandel Foundation - Israel; other named programs are invitation-based.
Grantmaking is national, but the recipient map is concentrated in Ohio. Forty-nine percent of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Cleveland appears repeatedly through awards to Jewish Federation of Cleveland, United Way of Greater Cleveland, Digitalc, Midtown Cleveland, and the Cleveland Zoological Society. Outside Ohio, West Palm Beach and Boynton Beach show up in Florida through Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County Inc and the Jewish Community Center of the Greater Palm Beaches Inc. New York recipients include Jewish Federations of North America Inc, Repair the World, and Jerusalem Foundation Inc; Washington, DC appears with Bnai Brith Youth Organization Inc and Hillel.
Its recent grants go to Jewish federations, universities, youth organizations, community institutions, and cultural nonprofits. Examples include the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, John Carroll University, Bnai Brith Youth Organization Inc, Hillel the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, and the Jerusalem Foundation Inc.
The typical award is in the mid-six figures. The 25th percentile is $250,000, the median is $663,029, and the 75th percentile is $1,355,000.
Yes. Leadership development is one of its named focus areas, and the recent grants include support for the Mandel Leadership Excellence Center, the M2 Cleveland Educators Cohort, and the Center for Values in Action at M2 the Institute for Experiential Jewish Education.
Yes. The active program list says Mandel Foundation Leadership & Sector Programs, Community Development Corporation Leadership Program participant grants, and Mandel Foundation - Israel accept unsolicited requests, while several other named programs do not.
Ohio is the main concentration, with 49% of grants to recipients in the HQ state. Cleveland appears frequently among recipients, including Jewish Federation of Cleveland, United Way of Greater Cleveland, Digitalc, Midtown Cleveland, and the Cleveland Zoological Society.
2024
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2024.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $22,491,000 | 2024 | COMMISSION ON JEWISH CONTINUITY, MANDEL LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE CENTER, 2023 CAMPAIGN FOR JEWISH NEEDS, COMMUNITY SECURITY INITIATIVE, UKRAINE/ETHIOPIA EMERGENCY RELIEF, TURNAROUND PLAN FOR MENORAH PARK, ISRAEL AT 75 |
| JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA INC | NEW YORK, NY | $6,018,500 | 2024 | LIVESECURE OPERATIONAL SUPPORT, CREATION OF SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, JAFI TO SUPPORT SHINSHINIM, UNITED ISRAEL'S SOLDIERS CULTURAL DAYS, KIRYAT YAM RENOVATIONS, JAFI PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $5,485,000 | 2024 | PERMANENTLY ENDOWED JACK, JOSEPH AND MORTON MANDEL FUND |
| BNAI BRITH YOUTH ORGANIZATION INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $3,600,000 | 2024 | FUTURE BBYO CONVENTIONS |
| JOSEPH AND FLORENCE MANDEL JEWISH DAY SCHOOL | BEACHWOOD, OH | $2,500,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL EXPANSION |
| JERUSALEM FOUNDATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,200,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR THE SIDRA TARBUT CULTURAL PROGRAM |
| DIGITALC | CLEVELAND, OH | $1,044,850 | 2024 | CONNECTIVITY & EMPOWERMENT BUSINESS UNITS |
| LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $1,000,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR HOUSING WORK IN NE OHIO POST COVID |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF PALM BEACH COUNTY INC | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $1,000,000 | 2024 | 2023 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN, MANDEL CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT |
| HEBREW ACADEMY OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH | $1,000,000 | 2024 | TAYLOR ROAD CAMPUS REHABILITATION PROJECT |
| JEWISH EDUCATION CENTER OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH | $663,029 | 2024 | M2 CLEVELAND EDUCATORS COHORT |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE GREATER PALM BEACHES INC | BOYNTON BEACH, FL | $525,000 | 2024 | RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF PRESCHOOL EDUCATORS, THE CREATION OF A TEEN ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE |
| CLEVELAND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | CLEVELAND, OH | $500,000 | 2024 | RENOVATIONS TO THE ZOO ADMINISTRATION BUILDING |
| MIDTOWN CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $400,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF GREATER BOSTON INC | NEWTON, MA | $300,000 | 2024 | DISCOVERY AFTER SCHOOL CLUB |
| BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY | WALTHAM, MA | $250,000 | 2024 | JACK, JOSEPH AND MORTON MANDEL CENTER FOR STUDIES IN JEWISH EDUCATION & CENTER FOR THE HUMANITIES |
| CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY | CLEVELAND, OH | $250,000 | 2024 | JACK, JOSEPH AND MORTON MANDEL SCHOOL OF APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES |
| PEF ISRAEL ENDOWMENT FUNDS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2024 | BENJI HILLMAN FOUNDATION |
| CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF ART | CLEVELAND, OH | $125,000 | 2024 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NEAR WEST SIDE MULTI-SERVICE CORPORATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $100,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| MACCABI WORLD UNION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE CREATION AND EXECUTION OF A NEW STRATEGIC PLAN FOR MACCABI WORLD UNION |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $11,163,733 | 2023 | COMMISSION ON JEWISH CONTINUITY, MANDEL LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE CENTER, 2022 CAMPAIGN FOR JEWISH NEEDS, COMMUNITY SECURITY INITIATIVE, COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID PROGRAM, JEWISH CAMP COUNSELOR FELLOWS PROGRAM, UKRAINE EMERGENCY RELIEF, AND GREATER CLEVELAND POPULATION STUDY |
| JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA INC | NEW YORK, NY | $4,487,300 | 2023 | MANDEL CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE PROGRAM, LIVESECURE OPERATIONAL SUPPORT, SUPPORT FOR ETHIOPIAN OLIM, CREATION OF SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS |
| DIGITALC | CLEVELAND, OH | $2,000,000 | 2023 | CONNECTIVITY & EMPOWERMENT BUSINESS UNITS |
| CLEVELAND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | CLEVELAND, OH | $2,000,000 | 2023 | RENOVATIONS TO THE ZOO ADMINISTRATION BUILDING |
| JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY | UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, OH | $1,500,000 | 2023 | ESTABLISH THE MANDEL ENDOWED CHAIR IN JEWISH STUDIES |
| REPAIR THE WORLD | NEW YORK, NY | $1,450,000 | 2023 | JEWISH SERVICE ALLIANCE |
| M2 THE INSTITUTE FOR EXPERIENTIAL JEWISH EDUCATION | BROOKLYN, NY | $1,355,000 | 2023 | CREATE A CENTER FOR VALUES IN ACTION |
| PRESIDENT & FELLOWS OF MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE | MIDDLEBURY, VT | $1,014,714 | 2023 | SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HEBREW MA PROGRAM |
| HEBREW COLLEGE | NEWTON CENTRE, MA | $1,000,000 | 2023 | NEW HUB FOR JEWISH LIFE AND LEARNING |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF PALM BEACH COUNTY INC | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $975,000 | 2023 | 2022 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN, MANDEL CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT |
| MOISHE HOUSE | ENCINITAS, CA | $835,000 | 2023 | EXPAND THE JEWISH LEARNING COLLABORATIVE |
| CUSTOM AND CRAFT JEWISH RITUALS INC | JERSEY CITY, NJ | $700,000 | 2023 | DIY JEWISH NETWORK |
| BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY | WALTHAM, MA | $400,000 | 2023 | JACK, JOSEPH AND MORTON MANDEL CENTER FOR STUDIES IN JEWISH EDUCATION & CENTER FOR THE HUMANITIES |
| HILLEL THE FOUNDATION FOR JEWISH CAMPUS LIFE | WASHINGTON, DC | $325,880 | 2023 | MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS PILOT PROGRAM |
| JERUSALEM FOUNDATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $300,000 | 2023 | MANDEL ARTISTS' GREENHOUSE FOR EXCELLENCE AT MUSRARA-THE NAGGAR SCHOOL OF ART & SOCIETY |
| JOSEPH AND FLORENCE MANDEL JEWISH DAY SCHOOL | BEACHWOOD, OH | $250,000 | 2023 | CAPITAL EXPANSION |
| CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY | CLEVELAND, OH | $250,000 | 2023 | JACK, JOSEPH AND MORTON MANDEL SCHOOL OF APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES |
| JPRO NETWORK INC | NORTH MIAMI, FL | $150,000 | 2023 | 2022 JPRO CONFERENCE IN CLEVELAND |
| CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF ART | CLEVELAND, OH | $125,000 | 2023 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $125,000 | 2023 | ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| CENTRAL EUROPE CENTER FOR RESEARCH & DOCUMENTATION INC | SILVER SPRING, MD | $110,000 | 2023 | DIGITAL INITIATIVE |
| MENORAH PARK FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $100,000 | 2023 | ANNUAL FUND |
| COMMUNITY SECURITY SERVICE | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2023 | EXPAND & STRENGTHEN JEWISH SECURITY |
| MIDTOWN CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $50,000 | 2023 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND
$22,491,000COMMISSION ON JEWISH CONTINUITY, MANDEL LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE CENTER, 2023 CAMPAIGN FOR JEWISH NEEDS, COMMUNITY SECURITY INITIATIVE, UKRAINE/ETHIOPIA EMERGENCY RELIEF, TURNAROUND PLAN FOR MENORAH PARK, ISRAEL AT 75
JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA INC
$6,018,500LIVESECURE OPERATIONAL SUPPORT, CREATION OF SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, JAFI TO SUPPORT SHINSHINIM, UNITED ISRAEL'S SOLDIERS CULTURAL DAYS, KIRYAT YAM RENOVATIONS, JAFI PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL
UNITED WAY OF GREATER CLEVELAND
$5,485,000PERMANENTLY ENDOWED JACK, JOSEPH AND MORTON MANDEL FUND
BNAI BRITH YOUTH ORGANIZATION INC
$3,600,000FUTURE BBYO CONVENTIONS
JOSEPH AND FLORENCE MANDEL JEWISH DAY SCHOOL
$2,500,000CAPITAL EXPANSION
JERUSALEM FOUNDATION INC
$1,200,000SUPPORT FOR THE SIDRA TARBUT CULTURAL PROGRAM
DIGITALC
$1,044,850CONNECTIVITY & EMPOWERMENT BUSINESS UNITS
LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND
$1,000,000SUPPORT FOR HOUSING WORK IN NE OHIO POST COVID
JEWISH FEDERATION OF PALM BEACH COUNTY INC
$1,000,0002023 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN, MANDEL CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
HEBREW ACADEMY OF CLEVELAND
$1,000,000TAYLOR ROAD CAMPUS REHABILITATION PROJECT
JEWISH EDUCATION CENTER OF CLEVELAND
$663,029M2 CLEVELAND EDUCATORS COHORT
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE GREATER PALM BEACHES INC
$525,000RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF PRESCHOOL EDUCATORS, THE CREATION OF A TEEN ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE
CLEVELAND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
$500,000RENOVATIONS TO THE ZOO ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
MIDTOWN CLEVELAND
$400,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF GREATER BOSTON INC
$300,000DISCOVERY AFTER SCHOOL CLUB
BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY
$250,000JACK, JOSEPH AND MORTON MANDEL CENTER FOR STUDIES IN JEWISH EDUCATION & CENTER FOR THE HUMANITIES
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
$250,000JACK, JOSEPH AND MORTON MANDEL SCHOOL OF APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES
PEF ISRAEL ENDOWMENT FUNDS INC
$250,000BENJI HILLMAN FOUNDATION
CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF ART
$125,000OPERATING SUPPORT
NEAR WEST SIDE MULTI-SERVICE CORPORATION
$100,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
MACCABI WORLD UNION INC
$100,000SUPPORT THE CREATION AND EXECUTION OF A NEW STRATEGIC PLAN FOR MACCABI WORLD UNION
JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND
$11,163,733COMMISSION ON JEWISH CONTINUITY, MANDEL LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE CENTER, 2022 CAMPAIGN FOR JEWISH NEEDS, COMMUNITY SECURITY INITIATIVE, COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID PROGRAM, JEWISH CAMP COUNSELOR FELLOWS PROGRAM, UKRAINE EMERGENCY RELIEF, AND GREATER CLEVELAND POPULATION STUDY
JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA INC
$4,487,300MANDEL CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE PROGRAM, LIVESECURE OPERATIONAL SUPPORT, SUPPORT FOR ETHIOPIAN OLIM, CREATION OF SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
DIGITALC
$2,000,000CONNECTIVITY & EMPOWERMENT BUSINESS UNITS
CLEVELAND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
$2,000,000RENOVATIONS TO THE ZOO ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY
$1,500,000ESTABLISH THE MANDEL ENDOWED CHAIR IN JEWISH STUDIES
REPAIR THE WORLD
$1,450,000JEWISH SERVICE ALLIANCE
M2 THE INSTITUTE FOR EXPERIENTIAL JEWISH EDUCATION
$1,355,000CREATE A CENTER FOR VALUES IN ACTION
PRESIDENT & FELLOWS OF MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE
$1,014,714SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HEBREW MA PROGRAM
HEBREW COLLEGE
$1,000,000NEW HUB FOR JEWISH LIFE AND LEARNING
JEWISH FEDERATION OF PALM BEACH COUNTY INC
$975,0002022 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN, MANDEL CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
MOISHE HOUSE
$835,000EXPAND THE JEWISH LEARNING COLLABORATIVE
CUSTOM AND CRAFT JEWISH RITUALS INC
$700,000DIY JEWISH NETWORK
BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY
$400,000JACK, JOSEPH AND MORTON MANDEL CENTER FOR STUDIES IN JEWISH EDUCATION & CENTER FOR THE HUMANITIES
HILLEL THE FOUNDATION FOR JEWISH CAMPUS LIFE
$325,880MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS PILOT PROGRAM
JERUSALEM FOUNDATION INC
$300,000MANDEL ARTISTS' GREENHOUSE FOR EXCELLENCE AT MUSRARA-THE NAGGAR SCHOOL OF ART & SOCIETY
JOSEPH AND FLORENCE MANDEL JEWISH DAY SCHOOL
$250,000CAPITAL EXPANSION
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
$250,000JACK, JOSEPH AND MORTON MANDEL SCHOOL OF APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES
JPRO NETWORK INC
$150,0002022 JPRO CONFERENCE IN CLEVELAND
CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF ART
$125,000OPERATING SUPPORT
UNITED WAY OF GREATER CLEVELAND
$125,000ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
CENTRAL EUROPE CENTER FOR RESEARCH & DOCUMENTATION INC
$110,000DIGITAL INITIATIVE
MENORAH PARK FOUNDATION
$100,000ANNUAL FUND
COMMUNITY SECURITY SERVICE
$100,000EXPAND & STRENGTHEN JEWISH SECURITY
MIDTOWN CLEVELAND
$50,000ANNUAL SUPPORT