Gross Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,765,203 (2024)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: $50 - $200,000
• Geographic Focus: Brooklyn, NY and Israel

Contact Details

• Phone: 718-851-7724
• Address: 1660 49th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11204
• Website: None
• Email: Not available
• Application Method: No public application process

Overview

The Gross Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 1991 that distributes approximately $3-4 million annually to Orthodox Jewish religious and educational organizations. Based in the Borough Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, the foundation operates exclusively within the Orthodox Jewish community, funding religious institutions, educational programs, and charitable causes primarily in Brooklyn and Israel. As a family foundation with over 30 years of operation, it makes all grants through trustee discretion to preselected organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited applications or proposals.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-discretion grants rather than formal programs:

• General Grants: $50 - $200,000 (average $10,000) for Orthodox Jewish institutions
• Distribution Method: Pre-selected organizations only, no application process

Priority Areas

• Orthodox Jewish educational institutions and yeshivas
• Synagogues and Orthodox congregations
• Kolels (religious study organizations)
• Mikvahs (ritual baths)
• Jewish charitable organizations serving Orthodox communities

What They Don't Fund

• Non-Jewish organizations
• Secular causes
• Organizations outside Orthodox Jewish religious framework
• Individual assistance
• Organizations without existing relationships to the foundation

Governance and Leadership

The foundation operates as a private family foundation with trustee governance. While specific board member names are not publicly available, the foundation has been consistently operational since 1991, suggesting stable family or designated trustee management. As is typical for family foundations of this size and focus, grant decisions are made at the trustees' discretion based on their knowledge of and relationships within the Orthodox Jewish community.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Gross Foundation Inc has formally indicated on its IRS Form 990-PF that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." All grants are made at trustee discretion to organizations already known to the foundation.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's focus on the Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn:

• Organizations must operate within the Orthodox Jewish religious framework
• Existing relationships within the Borough Park Orthodox community are essential
• Connections through Orthodox Jewish communal networks, rabbinical leadership, or existing grantees may provide pathways to consideration
• The foundation appears to identify beneficiaries through community knowledge rather than formal outreach

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants made at trustee discretion throughout the year

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only funding model

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no formal application process exists

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates without a public application process, traditional "success factors" don't apply. However, organizations within their focus area should note:

• Past Recipients: The foundation has funded Congregation Toras Chaim, Congregation Rachmistrivka, Kolel Emes Vemunah Viznitz, and Mikvah Israel of Boro Park
• Geographic Concentration: Strong preference for Brooklyn-based organizations, particularly in Borough Park
• Religious Alignment: Exclusive focus on Orthodox Jewish religious and educational institutions
• Grant Patterns: While they distribute nearly $4 million annually, this appears to go to a relatively concentrated group of recipients
• Community Standing: Recipients are established Orthodox Jewish institutions with recognized community roles

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Gross Foundation is an active grant-maker distributing $3-4 million annually but does not accept applications
• All funding decisions are made through trustee discretion to preselected Orthodox Jewish organizations
• The foundation operates exclusively within the Orthodox Jewish community, primarily in Brooklyn and Israel
• Grant sizes range from $50 to $200,000, with an average of approximately $10,000
• Organizations cannot apply directly but may potentially be considered through existing relationships within the Orthodox Jewish philanthropic network
• This represents a common model among family foundations - 71% of private foundations operate without accepting unsolicited applications
• For organizations within their focus area, building relationships within the Borough Park Orthodox community may be the only pathway to potential consideration

References

• Charity Navigator organizational profile. Accessed March 10, 2026. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/113006419
• GuideStar/Candid profile for Gross Foundation Inc. Accessed March 10, 2026. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/11-3006419
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer Form 990-PF filings. Accessed March 10, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/113006419
• Cause IQ foundation profile and mission statement. Accessed March 10, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/gross-foundation,113006419/
• Grantmakers.io grant recipient data. Accessed March 10, 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/113006419-gross-foundation-inc/
• Inside Philanthropy grant range and recipient information. Accessed March 10, 2026. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/fundraising-in-new-york-city/tag/Gross+Foundation
• Instrumentl 2024 grant distribution data. Accessed March 10, 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/gross-foundation-inc