Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $995,000 (2023)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not specified
- Grant Range: $20,000 typical (median) - $100,000+ for major recipients
- Geographic Focus: New York-New Jersey area
Contact Details
Address: 155 North Dean St, 3rd Floor Ste 3D, Englewood, NJ 07631
Contact Person: Mr. Judah Fischer (Executive Director)
Phone: 201-569-9677
Email: Not publicly available
Website: Not available
Overview
The Atran Foundation Inc is a private foundation established in 1945 and granted 501(c)(3) status in 1948. With assets of approximately $19.9 million (2022), the foundation distributes nearly $1 million annually in grants, awarding 37 grants in 2023. Based in Englewood, New Jersey, the foundation primarily supports Jewish causes and labor movement interests in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area. The foundation's giving reflects a dual commitment to preserving Jewish cultural heritage and advancing labor rights research and education.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
- Standard Grants: $20,000 median award amount
- Major Grants: $100,000+ for select organizations with established relationships
- Application submission: Rolling basis (no deadline)
Priority Areas
- Jewish cultural and educational institutions
- Labor unions and union-side labor relations research
- Arts, sciences, and literature
- Economics and sociology research
- Endowments for academic chairs
- Publications supporting these purposes
- Healthcare and medical research (select institutions)
What They Don't Fund
- Organizations without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
- Projects outside the New York-New Jersey area (rare exceptions)
- General operating support (focus is on specific projects)
Governance and Leadership
Board of Directors:
- Dianne Fischer (President)
- Robert Kaplan (Vice President)
- Sam Norich (Treasurer)
- Alison Fischer (Secretary)
- Harris K. Atran
- David Muller
- Barnett Zumoff
- Edward R. Burns
Staff:
- Judah Fischer (Executive Director)
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
The foundation accepts proposals on a rolling basis with no submission deadline. Proposals should be submitted directly to the foundation office and must include:
- Project Description: Nature of the project and its objectives, including significance and usefulness
- Implementation Plan: Detailed program for achieving objectives with estimated timeline
- Budget Requirements:
- Total project cost
- Contributions by applicant and others
- Specific amount requested from Atran Foundation
- Sustainability Plan: Expected continuation and sources of additional funding
- Dissemination Strategy: How project results will be shared
- Tax Documentation: Copy of IRS ruling granting 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Getting on Their Radar
While the foundation appears to accept unsolicited proposals from qualifying organizations, many of their larger grants go to organizations with established relationships. Building connections through:
- Jewish community organizations in the NY-NJ area
- Labor movement and research institutions
- Academic institutions with relevant programs
Decision Timeline
No specific timeline information is publicly available. Contact the foundation directly for expected response times.
Success Rates
The foundation made 37 awards in 2023 from total proposals received (number not disclosed).
Reapplication Policy
No specific policy stated. Organizations should contact the foundation directly regarding reapplications.
Application Success Factors
Based on the foundation's giving patterns and priorities:
- Geographic alignment: Strong preference for NY-NJ area organizations
- Mission fit: Clear connection to Jewish culture, labor relations, or academic research
- Project specificity: Well-defined projects with measurable objectives preferred over general support
- Established organizations: History shows preference for organizations with track records
- Budget clarity: Detailed budgets showing other funding sources strengthen applications
- Research emphasis: Projects with research components or publications appear favored
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Submit proposals anytime - no deadline restrictions allow strategic timing
- Median grant of $20,000 suggests requesting amounts in the $15,000-$30,000 range unless you have an established relationship
- Emphasize NY-NJ connections and impact even if your organization operates nationally
- Frame projects within labor rights, Jewish heritage, or academic research contexts when possible
- Include detailed dissemination plans - the foundation values publications and knowledge sharing
- Consider multi-year sustainability beyond initial grant period
- Direct contact with Executive Director Judah Fischer may be beneficial before submitting
References
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Atran Foundation Inc (Accessed March 2026): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/135566548
- InfluenceWatch - Atran Foundation (Accessed March 2026): https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/atran-foundation/
- Grantmakers.io Profile - Atran Foundation Inc. (Accessed March 2026): https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/135566548-atran-foundation-inc/
- Instrumentl 990 Report - Atran Foundation Inc (Accessed March 2026): https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/atran-foundation-inc
- The Grantsmanship Center - Atran Foundation Inc. (Accessed March 2026): https://www.tgci.com/funder/atran-foundation-inc
- Candid Foundation Directory (Accessed March 2026): https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=ATRA001
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