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Davis Memorial Fund Inc

Annual Giving
$9.3M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.0M

Davis Memorial Fund Inc (Parnassa Initiative)

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $9,347,153 (2022)
  • Total Assets: $3,600,897 (2022)
  • Total Revenue: $9,164,115 (2022)
  • Geographic Focus: Long Island, NY (primarily Five Towns Jewish community)
  • Grant Range: $250 - $15,000+ (varies by program and need)
  • Charity Navigator Rating: 2/4 Stars (69% score)
  • Program Expense Ratio: 96.14%
  • Founded: 2002 (tax-exempt since 2004)

Contact Details

Overview

The Davis Memorial Fund Inc, also operating under the name "Parnassa Initiative," is a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002 and tax-exempt since February 2004. The organization is dedicated to identifying and alleviating financial stresses faced by struggling families, with a stated goal to "offer support, care and dignity to those who have nowhere else to turn."

The fund was originally established in 2007 in response to economic downturn and later mobilized significant relief efforts following Hurricane Sandy in 2012, raising over $3 million within two weeks of the disaster. The organization primarily serves the Orthodox Jewish community in the Long Island/Five Towns area of New York.

In fiscal year 2022, the Davis Memorial Fund distributed $9,347,153 in grants to individuals, representing 95.3% of total expenses—an exceptionally high program expense ratio demonstrating strong commitment to direct charitable impact. The organization operates with minimal overhead and all key officers serve without compensation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Single Mothers Program Support for single mothers caring for young children, covering various living expenses including:

  • Holiday assistance
  • Three annual food certificate packages
  • Counseling coordination
  • Family respite opportunities

2. General Needs Program Financial assistance for families facing extenuating financial challenges:

  • Mortgage payments
  • Utility and heating bills
  • Food and clothing expenses
  • Case-by-case review determines award amounts

3. Gift Certificate & Food Discount Program

  • $250 - $1,000 in gift certificates (based on family size and need)
  • Purchased at discounted rates from local grocery and clothing retailers
  • Discount cards offering significant purchase savings

4. Leon Lief Children's Fund Focus on children's specific needs:

  • Clothing expenses
  • Medical and care expenses
  • Day-camp subsidies for hundreds of children

5. Be'er Miriam Marriage Fund (BMMF)

  • Outright grants to needy families to offset costs of marriage and setting up a new home
  • Supports organizations that reduce wedding expense burdens

6. Emergency/Disaster Relief Historical example from Hurricane Sandy relief:

  • Phase 1: $2,000 plus $200 per child, up to $3,000 for immediate relief
  • Phase 2: $10,000 - $15,000 per family for housing restoration

Priority Areas

  • Financial hardship relief for families
  • Single-parent household support
  • Children's welfare and education
  • Special education for children from single-parent families
  • Medical and therapy assistance
  • Holiday and seasonal support
  • Wedding and new household establishment assistance

What They Don't Fund

Based on their mission and structure:

  • This fund provides assistance to individuals and families, not grants to other organizations
  • Focus is specifically on the local community (primarily Five Towns/Long Island Orthodox Jewish community)
  • Not a general grantmaking foundation for nonprofit organizations

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel (all unpaid positions)

  • David Greenblatt - President

    • Rabbi Dovid Greenblatt comes from a heritage of illustrious Rabbis
    • Experienced teacher who has taught for various organizations for over thirty years
    • Founded and administrates several large charity funds
    • Lives in Lawrence, NY with his family

  • Debbie Greenblatt - Vice President

  • Dr. Deborah Dienstag - Secretary

  • Rabbi Yaakov Reisman - Trustee

Board Characteristics

  • 100% independent board members
  • 4 independent board members (Charity Navigator notes this is below their recommended threshold)
  • All officers receive $0 compensation
  • Organization has 3 employees

Organizational Structure

The Davis Memorial Fund also operates the "DMF Platform," an innovative program that provides individuals with the ability to make their nonprofit organization dreams a reality by leveraging DMF's technical experience and logistical resources to help new charities become operational.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Davis Memorial Fund has an online application process for individuals and families seeking financial assistance.

Application Method: 10-step online questionnaire available at https://davismemorialfund.org/apply-3/

Information Required:

Personal & Family Details:

  • Marital status, names, and ages
  • Dependent children (names, ages, schools, special needs)
  • Information about married children and other financial dependents

Employment & Income:

  • Employment status for applicant and spouse
  • Occupational details and employer information
  • Annual household income (provided in range brackets)
  • Educational pursuits or kollel attendance

Financial Situation:

  • Housing expenses (rent/own status)
  • Major recurring expenses (tuition, medical, therapy)
  • Non-recurring expenses from previous three years
  • Outstanding debts
  • Government assistance received (SNAP, Medicaid, Section 8, WIC)

Contact & Community:

  • Multiple phone numbers and email addresses
  • Synagogue affiliation
  • Rabbi/advocate reference

Type of Assistance Needed:

  • One-time assistance
  • Temporary/periodic assistance
  • Ongoing support
  • Seasonal help (summer/holidays)
  • Therapy/medical assistance

Confidentiality

The organization emphasizes: "All information will remain strictly confidential." They encourage honest, complete responses to better understand community needs.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified. The organization reviews cases individually based on the information provided in the application.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The organization operates on a case-by-case basis and does not publish application or approval statistics.

Application Success Factors

Based on the application structure and organizational mission:

  1. Complete and Honest Application: The DMF explicitly encourages thorough, honest responses. Incomplete applications may delay or prevent assistance.

  2. Community Connection: Having a synagogue affiliation and rabbi/advocate reference is part of the application, suggesting community ties are valued.

  3. Documented Need: Applicants should be prepared to detail:

    • Specific financial challenges and their causes
    • Current income and expenses
    • Outstanding debts
    • Government assistance already being received

  4. Clear Articulation of Need Type: The application asks applicants to specify whether they need one-time, temporary, ongoing, or seasonal assistance. Being clear about your specific situation helps DMF tailor their response.

  5. Special Circumstances: The application collects information about children with special needs, therapy requirements, and medical expenses—these circumstances appear to be prioritized.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Note: This funder provides assistance directly to individuals and families in need, not grants to nonprofit organizations. The following information is relevant for social workers, community advocates, or individuals seeking assistance:

  • Direct Assistance Focus: DMF provides grants to individuals and families, not to other nonprofit organizations. If you're a nonprofit seeking funding, this is not the appropriate funder.

  • Community-Specific: The fund primarily serves the Orthodox Jewish community in the Long Island/Five Towns area. Geographic and community connection matters.

  • Multiple Programs Available: Consider which specific program best fits the applicant's needs (single mothers, general needs, children's fund, marriage fund, etc.).

  • High Program Efficiency: 96.14% of expenses go directly to charitable purposes, indicating strong stewardship of donor funds.

  • Confidentiality Assured: The organization emphasizes confidential handling of applications, which may ease concerns for families seeking help.

  • Rabbi/Advocate Reference: Having a community leader who can vouch for the applicant appears to be part of the process.

  • Documentation Matters: Applications require detailed financial information; applicants should gather documentation of income, expenses, debts, and government assistance before applying.

References

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