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Joseph Safra Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$11.6M
Grant Range
$1000K - $11.6M

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Joseph Safra Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $11.6 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available (trustee discretion)
  • Grant Range: Typically $1-11.6 million
  • Geographic Focus: United States (primarily New York), Israel, international Jewish communities

Contact Details

Address: New York, NY
EIN: 061640434
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) Private Foundation

Note: No public website, phone, or email contact information available

Overview

The Joseph Safra Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established by Joseph Safra, one of the world's wealthiest bankers and descendant of a Syrian banking family. Following Joseph Safra's death in December 2020, the foundation is now led by his widow, Vicky Safra, who serves as president. The foundation operates with assets of $22.4 million (2023) and distributes approximately $8-12 million annually in grants. The foundation's mission centres on supporting the Jewish community through contributions to synagogues, religious organisations, educational institutions, and health organisations, both in the United States and internationally, particularly in Israel. Leadership includes family members Jacob Safra, David Safra, Carlos Bertaco, and Vicky Safra, all serving as volunteer trustees with zero compensation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grant-making rather than structured grant programmes. The foundation distributed $11.6 million in grants in 2023, with historical giving of $7.2 million (2022) and $6.3 million (2021) according to 990-PF records.

Priority Areas

Jewish Religious Organisations: Primary focus on synagogues, including Congregation Shema Shlomo, Congregation Share Zion of Great Neck, Congregation Sfat Temmin, and Sephardic Synagogue of 5th Avenue.

Jewish Education: Sarah Dabah Elementary School, Shaarei Emunah – Institute of Jewish Studies, and Yeshivah Zichron Yehoshua.

Israel Support: Religious organisations and institutions in Israel through PEF Israel Endowment Funds and other Israeli organisations.

Healthcare: Major gifts to Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Henry Ford Health Systems, and Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Geographic Focus: United States (particularly New York area), Israel, and other international Jewish communities.

What They Don't Fund

As a private family foundation focused on Jewish causes, the foundation typically does not fund:

  • Secular organisations unrelated to Jewish community
  • General community development projects
  • Organisations outside their geographic focus areas
  • Individual scholarships or grants to individuals

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Structure: Following Joseph Safra's death on December 10, 2020, Vicky Safra assumed leadership of the foundation.

Current Trustees (serving with zero compensation):

  • Vicky Safra: President of the foundation council
  • Jacob J. Safra: Son, responsible for international banking operations (Safra National Bank of New York and J. Safra Sarasin)
  • David J. Safra: Son, manages Banco Safra in Brazil
  • Carlos Bertaco: Trustee

Family Background: Joseph Safra was a descendant of a Syrian banking family and was recognised as the world's richest banker. The family maintains extensive banking operations including Banco Safra (Brazil's eighth-largest bank), J. Safra Sarasin (Switzerland), and Safra Bank of New York. The foundation reflects the family's longstanding commitment to Jewish philanthropy spanning generations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Joseph Safra Foundation operates as a private family foundation with trustee-directed grant-making. Grants are made based on the trustees' personal interests, relationships, and discretion rather than through a public application portal or solicitation process.

The foundation's primary purpose is described in tax filings as "support by contribution to other organisations exempt under IRS section 501(c)(3)," indicating a strategy of identifying and supporting organisations aligned with the family's philanthropic priorities rather than accepting unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's private nature and lack of public application process, success factors centre on organisational alignment and relationship building:

Mission Alignment: Organisations must align closely with the foundation's core focus on Jewish religious, educational, and healthcare causes. The foundation demonstrates a strong preference for Sephardic Jewish institutions.

Geographic Relevance: Primary focus on New York-area Jewish organisations and Israeli institutions suggests geographic proximity to family interests is important.

Established Institutions: Recipients include well-established synagogues, schools, and major medical centres rather than startup organisations or smaller community groups.

Significant Impact: Grant-making demonstrates the foundation prefers making substantial gifts to fewer organisations rather than many small grants.

Religious Focus: The concentration of grants to synagogues and religious educational institutions demonstrates this is the foundation's primary philanthropic interest.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The Joseph Safra Foundation is a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited grant applications
  • Grants are made through trustee discretion based on family relationships and interests
  • The foundation focuses almost exclusively on Jewish religious, educational, and healthcare causes
  • Geographic focus centres on New York area and Israel
  • Grant amounts can be substantial, with annual giving exceeding $11 million
  • Organisations seeking funding would need to have existing relationships with the Safra family or trustees
  • The foundation shows strong support for Sephardic Jewish institutions specifically
  • Without a public application process, direct solicitation is unlikely to be successful

References

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