The Ruth & Leo David Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on pro-Israel and Jewish community causes, funding defense, education, healthcare, and pro-Israel advocacy. Grants are directed at organizations that support Israeli institutions (military and medical), strengthen Jewish religious and vocational education, and shape U.S. policy and public attitudes toward Israel. The foundation favors high-dollar, mission-focused gifts rather than a broad scatter of small grants.
THE RUTH & LEO DAVID FOUNDATION is based in Santa Ana, CA. It reported $3,150,000 in annual grants and $628,839 in total assets on its latest 990 year on file, 2025. Its grantmaking concentrates on pro-Israel and Jewish community causes, including Jewish vocational and religious education, support for Israeli defense personnel, healthcare institutions in Israel, and antisemitism education and advocacy. Recent large grants show this pattern clearly. In 2025, THE RUTH & LEO DAVID FOUNDATION gave $1,000,000 to JEWISH EDUCATIONAL TRADE SCHOOL and $850,000 to FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES. It also awarded $500,000 to FRIENDS OF SHEBA MEDICAL CENTER TEL HASHOME in 2024. Other substantial gifts include $400,000 to FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES, $200,000 to STAND WITH US, and $200,000 to THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
Recent grantmaking spans Jewish vocational education, support for Israeli military personnel, healthcare support, antisemitism education, and Middle East policy research. Notable grants include $1,000,000 to JEWISH EDUCATIONAL TRADE SCHOOL for a program combining Judaic studies and post-secondary courses, $850,000 and $400,000 to FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES to assist men and women in the Israeli armed forces, and $500,000 to FRIENDS OF SHEBA MEDICAL CENTER TEL HASHOME to support a major medical center in Israel. THE RUTH & LEO DAVID FOUNDATION also gave $200,000 to STAND WITH US for education against antisemitism and $200,000 to THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY.
THE RUTH & LEO DAVID FOUNDATION makes large grants, with a typical size of $250,000 at the 25th percentile, $450,000 at the median, and $762,500 at the 75th percentile. Its recent gifts suggest a preference for organizations serving Jewish education, Israeli defense support, medical institutions, and policy or advocacy work related to Israel. The foundation is local in geographic scope and does not fund individuals. The recent grants provided are from 2024 and 2025, indicating active annual grantmaking.
$3.2M
$629K
$605K
$2.1M
Most grants fall between $250K and $763K, with a median of $450K.
25th Percentile
$250K
Median
$450K
75th Percentile
$763K
About 83% of grants go to recipients in CA.
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Concentrated, large-dollar grants to a small set of mission-aligned organizations; repeat funding of flagship grantees (e.g., Friends of the IDF) with a clear Israel/Jewish focus rather than many small or diversified awards.
Notable grantees: Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, Jewish Educational Trade School (JETS), Friends of Sheba Medical Center Tel HaShomer, Stand With Us, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
THE RUTH & LEO DAVID FOUNDATION gives most often in California, which accounts for 83% of its grants and is also its headquarters state. Recent grants in the data were made to recipients in Granada Hills, Marina del Rey, Los Angeles, and Beverly Hills, all in California, plus one recipient in Washington, DC. The recipient country distribution shows all recent grants went to U.S. organizations.
The provided data does not state whether THE RUTH & LEO DAVID FOUNDATION accepts unsolicited applications. It does show a local geographic scope, does not fund individuals, and its recent grants are directed to organizations rather than people.
THE RUTH & LEO DAVID FOUNDATION typically funds Jewish vocational and religious education, support for Israeli defense personnel, healthcare institutions in Israel, antisemitism education, and Middle East policy research. Recent grants include JEWISH EDUCATIONAL TRADE SCHOOL, FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES, FRIENDS OF SHEBA MEDICAL CENTER TEL HASHOME, STAND WITH US, and THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY.
Its typical grant size is $250,000 at the 25th percentile, $450,000 at the median, and $762,500 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants in the data range from $200,000 to $1,000,000.
THE RUTH & LEO DAVID FOUNDATION is based in Santa Ana, CA and gives most often in California. The data shows 83% of its grants go to recipients in California. Recent grants also include one recipient in Washington, DC.
Recent grants include $1,000,000 to JEWISH EDUCATIONAL TRADE SCHOOL, $850,000 and $400,000 to FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES, $500,000 to FRIENDS OF SHEBA MEDICAL CENTER TEL HASHOME, $200,000 to STAND WITH US, and $200,000 to THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEWISH EDUCATIONAL TRADE SCHOOL | GRANADA HILLS, CA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | JETS GIVES YOUNG JEWISH MEN THE TOOLS TO BUILD SUCCESSFUL CAREERS THROUGH A WELL-BALANCED PROGRAM OF EXCEPTIONAL JUDAIC STUDIES AND POST-SECONDARY COURSES COMBINING INDUSTRY AND EDUCATION IN A LOVING AND WARM ENVIRONMENT. |
| FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES | MARINA DEL RAY, CA | $850,000 | 2025 | TO ASSIST MEN AND WOMEN IN THE ISRAELI ARMED FORCES. |
| THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2025 | THE MISSION OF THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE IS TO ADVANCE A BALANCED AND REALISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF AMERICAN INTERESTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND TO PROMOTE THE POLICIES THAT SECURE THEM. |
| FRIENDS OF SHEBA MEDICAL CENTER TEL HASHOME | LOS ANGELES, CA | $500,000 | 2024 | SUPPORTS THE LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL CENTER IN ISRAEL AND THE ENTIRE MIDDLE EAST IN SHEBA |
| FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES | MARINA DEL RAY, CA | $400,000 | 2024 | TO ASSIST MEN AND WOMEN IN THE ISRAELI ARMED FORCES. |
| STAND WITH US | BEVERLY HILLS, CA | $200,000 | 2024 | SUPPORTS ISRAEL AND FIGHTS ANTISEMITISM THROUGH EDUCATION. |
JEWISH EDUCATIONAL TRADE SCHOOL
$1,000,000JETS GIVES YOUNG JEWISH MEN THE TOOLS TO BUILD SUCCESSFUL CAREERS THROUGH A WELL-BALANCED PROGRAM OF EXCEPTIONAL JUDAIC STUDIES AND POST-SECONDARY COURSES COMBINING INDUSTRY AND EDUCATION IN A LOVING AND WARM ENVIRONMENT.
FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES
$850,000TO ASSIST MEN AND WOMEN IN THE ISRAELI ARMED FORCES.
THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY
$200,000THE MISSION OF THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE IS TO ADVANCE A BALANCED AND REALISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF AMERICAN INTERESTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND TO PROMOTE THE POLICIES THAT SECURE THEM.
FRIENDS OF SHEBA MEDICAL CENTER TEL HASHOME
$500,000SUPPORTS THE LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL CENTER IN ISRAEL AND THE ENTIRE MIDDLE EAST IN SHEBA
FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES
$400,000TO ASSIST MEN AND WOMEN IN THE ISRAELI ARMED FORCES.
STAND WITH US
$200,000SUPPORTS ISRAEL AND FIGHTS ANTISEMITISM THROUGH EDUCATION.