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M D Katz Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$5.5M
Grant Range
$20K - $25.0M

M D Katz Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5.5 million
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
  • Grant Range: $20,000 - $25,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: New York, New Jersey, Israel

Contact Details

Phone: 201-569-4040
Address: 300 E Linden Ave, Englewood, NJ 07631-3719
Website: None (private foundation)
Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The M D Katz Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 1960 by Dr. Mordecai D. "Morty" Katz (deceased 2021) and Dr. Monique C. Katz, a Belgian-born radiologist. With assets of approximately $60 million, the foundation distributes about $5.5 million annually to support Jewish educational institutions and organizations. The foundation has made transformational gifts to major institutions, including a $25 million donation to establish the Katz School of Graduate and Professional Studies at Yeshiva University in 2016. Their philanthropic approach emphasizes long-term institutional support, capital projects, and scholarship programs for students pursuing Jewish education careers.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes grants ranging from scholarship programs to major capital gifts:

  • Transformational Gifts: Up to $25,000,000 (capital projects, new schools/programs)
  • Major Institutional Support: $500,000 - $2,000,000 (annual support to key partners)
  • Scholarship Programs: $20,000 - $60,000/year (supporting Jewish educators)
  • Program Support: Varies (educational initiatives, religious programs)

Priority Areas

  • Jewish higher education institutions (universities, yeshivas, seminaries)
  • Jewish day schools and educational programs
  • Torah study and Jewish identity programs
  • Healthcare institutions with Jewish mission (particularly in Israel)
  • Holocaust education and memorialization
  • Support for Jewish communities globally (Mexico, Russia, Israel)

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, based on their giving patterns, they do not typically fund:

  • Non-Jewish organizations
  • Individual requests
  • General operating support for small organizations
  • Start-up organizations without established track records
  • Organizations outside their geographic focus areas

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership:

  • Monique C. Katz - President/Treasurer (founder, radiologist)
  • Michael D. Katz - Vice President/Secretary (son, Yeshiva University Trustee)
  • Rachel Katz Sidlow, MD - Director (daughter, physician)

The foundation represents second-generation family philanthropy, with adult children actively involved in governance. Michael Katz serves as a Yeshiva University Trustee, and Dr. Rachel Katz Sidlow graduated from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. The family's four children and their spouses maintain involvement in various supported institutions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are made through trustee discretion based on pre-existing relationships and strategic initiatives identified by family members. The foundation operates as a private family foundation without open grant cycles or application portals.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and family involvement, potential pathways include:

  • The Katz family is actively involved with Yeshiva University - Michael Katz serves as a trustee
  • Dr. Monique Katz has been known to speak at Jewish educational events in the Englewood, NJ area
  • The family maintains relationships with major Jewish federations (UJA-Federation) and could potentially be reached through these networks
  • Institutions where family members have personal involvement (Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where daughter Rachel graduated) may provide connection points
  • The foundation has shown interest in innovative Jewish identity programs, particularly those serving underserved populations

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made on an ongoing basis through trustee discretion.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only foundation.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented giving patterns:

  • Established track record: The foundation consistently supports institutions with proven impact rather than start-ups
  • Jewish educational mission: Nearly all grants support Jewish learning, from elementary through graduate education
  • Personal connections: Many major beneficiaries have family members as alumni, trustees, or speakers
  • Transformational potential: The foundation prefers funding that creates lasting change - buildings, endowments, named programs
  • Geographic alignment: Strong preference for NY/NJ institutions and established Israeli organizations
  • Multi-year commitment capacity: Organizations able to sustain long-term relationships receive ongoing support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is a relationship-based funder with no public application process - cold approaches will not succeed
  • Focus is exclusively on Jewish educational and religious institutions
  • The foundation makes both massive transformational gifts ($25M) and smaller program support
  • Family members are actively involved in supported institutions as trustees and volunteers
  • Best approach is through existing connections at Yeshiva University, UJA-Federation, or Englewood-area Jewish institutions
  • The foundation values naming opportunities and creating lasting legacies through capital projects
  • Second-generation leadership suggests continued long-term commitment to current funding priorities

References

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