C & Y Foundation Inc
Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: ~$1,000,000 (2024)
- Total Assets: $10,081,181 (2024)
- Grant Range: $50,000 - $370,000
- Geographic Focus: Jewish organizations, primarily supporting religious and educational institutions
- Application Method: No public application process (invitation only/trustee discretion)
Contact Details
- Address: 218 Broadway, Lawrence, NY 11559-1502
- Website: None available
- Phone: Not publicly available
- Email: Not publicly available
Overview
The C & Y Foundation Inc is a private independent foundation established in 2002, headquartered in Lawrence, New York. The foundation is a corporate foundation of JYF Equities LLC (Brooklyn, NY). With total assets of approximately $10.1 million as of 2024, the foundation has grown substantially from $4.7 million in 2011, demonstrating steady asset accumulation over time. The foundation primarily funds Jewish charitable organizations, with a focus on religious congregations and yeshivas. The foundation is managed by Joseph Friedman (President) and Chana Friedman (Treasurer), both of whom serve without compensation. In fiscal year 2024, the foundation distributed approximately $1 million in charitable disbursements, representing 99.3% of its total expenses.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation made six grants totaling approximately $1 million in 2024:
- Congregation Bnei Yerushalayim: $370,000 (religious congregation)
- Friends of the Brisker Yeshiva: $250,000 (yeshiva/educational institution)
- United Mosdos Torah Veyirah Yerusholyim: $50,000 (religious/educational organization)
- Three additional grants (specific amounts not itemized)
Priority Areas
- Jewish religious congregations
- Yeshivas and Jewish educational institutions
- Torah study and religious development organizations
- Jewish charitable organizations
What They Don't Fund
Based on the foundation's giving patterns, they appear to focus exclusively on Jewish religious and educational causes. There is no evidence of funding for:
- Secular organizations
- Non-Jewish causes
- Individual grants
- General operating support for non-religious organizations
Governance and Leadership
Officers:
- Joseph Friedman - President (unpaid)
- Chana Friedman - Treasurer (unpaid)
The foundation operates with no paid staff and appears to be a family foundation with decisions made by the principal officers.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
This funder does not have a public application process. The C & Y Foundation is a private family foundation that operates by invitation only and trustee discretion. There is no website, application portal, or published guidelines for prospective grantees. Grants appear to be made to organizations with which the foundation principals have existing relationships or connections within the Jewish community.
Decision Timeline
Not applicable - grants are made at the discretion of the trustees without a formal application cycle.
Success Rates
Not applicable - there is no open application process.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion.
Application Success Factors
Given the private nature of this foundation, the following observations may be relevant for organizations hoping to receive support:
- Strong alignment with Orthodox Jewish causes: All documented grants are to Orthodox Jewish religious and educational institutions
- Established organizations: Grant recipients appear to be established congregations and yeshivas rather than new organizations
- Geographic connections: Recipients include organizations in the New York metropolitan area as well as institutions connected to Jerusalem
- Relationship-based: As a family foundation without public application processes, personal connections to the Friedman family likely play a significant role in grant decisions
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- No public application process exists - This foundation operates entirely through trustee discretion
- Exclusive focus on Jewish causes - All documented grants support Orthodox Jewish religious and educational institutions
- Substantial grant amounts - Individual grants range from $50,000 to $370,000
- Family foundation structure - Decisions are made by Joseph and Chana Friedman
- Growing asset base - The foundation has doubled its assets since 2011, suggesting continued grantmaking capacity
- Relationship-driven - Organizations seeking support would need to establish connections through Jewish community networks
- No staff or infrastructure - This is a lean operation focused on grant distribution rather than program management
References
- Cause IQ - C and Y Foundation Profile - Organization details, financial data, and grant information
- Charity Navigator - C & Y Foundation Inc Profile - Basic organization information and EIN verification
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990 data, financial summaries, and officer information
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization records - 501(c)(3) status confirmation since June 2002
Information compiled December 2025 based on publicly available Form 990-PF filings and nonprofit databases.