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Hochstein Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$6.6M
Grant Range
$0K - $4.4M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,561,300 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: $26 - $4,400,000
  • Geographic Focus: New York, NY and Israel (primarily Jewish causes)

Contact Details

Address:
Hochstein Foundation
1411 Broadway, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10018

Phone: (212) 751-9100

Website: No public website

Note: The foundation does not have a public inquiry process and does not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Hochstein Foundation Inc (also known as the Hochstein Family Foundation) was established in 1963 by Bernard Hochstein, founder of Mastercraft Pipes, and his wife Miriam. With assets of approximately $87-120 million, the foundation distributed $6,561,300 in grants during 2023. The foundation is a private family foundation that keeps a low profile and focuses primarily on Jewish causes, including significant support for Israel. Miriam Hochstein continues to steer the foundation along with other family members, maintaining the legacy of Bernard Hochstein, who served as president of 18 Jewish institutions during his lifetime and passed away in 2008 at age 96. The foundation's recent grantmaking includes support for educational institutions, Jewish community organizations, and religious institutions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Hochstein Foundation primarily makes unrestricted grants to preselected charitable organizations. Recent grants include:

  • 2024: $6,950,000 (Unrestricted Grant, New York, NY)
  • 2023: $6,561,300 (Unrestricted Grant, New York, NY)
  • 2022: $7,133,311 (Unrestricted Grant, New York, NY)

While specific recipients are not always publicly detailed, the foundation typically makes one large grant per year to organizations in New York.

Priority Areas

Jewish Causes and Education:

  • Jewish educational institutions
  • Yeshivas and religious schools
  • Jewish community organizations
  • Synagogues and congregations

Israel Support:

  • Israeli educational institutions
  • Organizations supporting Israel
  • Programs in Jerusalem

Community Services:

  • Free loan associations (gemachim)
  • Jewish communal funds

Past Grantees Include:

  • Jerusalem College of Technology (home to Bernard and Miriam Hochstein School of Industrial Management)
  • American Friends of Hebron Yeshiva Jerusalem
  • Central Fund for Israel
  • Congregation Tiferes Yaakov
  • Jewish Communal Fund
  • Aish HaTorah Jerusalem

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and only funds preselected charitable organizations aligned with their Jewish philanthropic mission.

Governance and Leadership

Board Members:

  • Helen Fuss - Board Member
  • Michael Hochstein - Board Member
  • Stephen Hochstein - Board Member
  • Richard Hochstein - Board Member
  • Miriam Hochstein - Continues to steer the foundation (wife of founder Bernard Hochstein)

Foundation History:

The foundation was established by Bernard Hochstein, who was deeply involved in the Jewish community and served as president of 18 institutions during his lifetime, including Aish HaTorah Jerusalem. Bernard also launched Hochstein Gemach in Jerusalem, a professional free loan association that serves as "a beacon of hope for thousands of Israelis."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation has explicitly indicated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are made at the discretion of the board of trustees, who consist of family members of the founders. The foundation maintains a low profile and does not maintain a public website.

Getting on Their Radar

The Hochstein Foundation makes grants exclusively to preselected organizations that align with their mission of supporting Jewish causes and Israel. The foundation's grantmaking is directed by family members who continue the legacy of founders Bernard and Miriam Hochstein.

Specific strategies for this foundation:

  • Alignment with Bernard Hochstein's legacy: Organizations that were connected to the 18 institutions Bernard Hochstein served as president, particularly Aish HaTorah Jerusalem, may have connections to the foundation's network
  • Jerusalem College of Technology connection: The foundation has an established relationship with Jerusalem College of Technology, which houses the Bernard and Miriam Hochstein School of Industrial Management
  • Community service model: Bernard Hochstein founded Hochstein Gemach, a professional free loan association in Jerusalem, indicating the foundation values practical community service approaches that combine professionalism with charitable impact

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. The foundation appears to make major grant decisions on an annual basis, with one large unrestricted grant distributed each year.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation only makes grants to preselected organizations.

Application Success Factors

Since the Hochstein Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, understanding what the foundation values can provide insight:

Bernard and Miriam Hochstein's Philanthropic Values:

  • Jewish education and religious institutions: The foundation consistently supports yeshivas, Jewish schools, and educational institutions, including the Bernard and Miriam Hochstein School of Industrial Management at Jerusalem College of Technology
  • Support for Israel: Significant resources are directed to Israeli organizations and causes, with some giving channeled through donor-advised funds within PEF Israel Endowment Funds
  • Community service infrastructure: Bernard's founding of Hochstein Gemach in Jerusalem—described as "run with all the professionalism and knack of a real bank"—suggests an appreciation for professionally managed charitable services
  • Long-term institutional relationships: Bernard served as president of 18 institutions, indicating a preference for deep, sustained engagement rather than one-off donations
  • Unrestricted support: Recent grants are characterized as "unrestricted grants," suggesting the foundation trusts recipient organizations to use funds where most needed

Grant Patterns:

  • Grants range dramatically from $26 to $4.4 million, though recent years show a pattern of single large grants around $6-7 million annually
  • Recipients are primarily located in New York or Israel
  • The foundation appears to make one major grant annually rather than distributing funds across many recipients

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: The Hochstein Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals and only funds preselected organizations
  • Jewish focus is essential: All grantmaking is directed toward Jewish causes, education, community organizations, and Israel support
  • Family-directed philanthropy: The foundation is steered by Miriam Hochstein and family members, continuing the legacy of founder Bernard Hochstein
  • Large, unrestricted grants: Recent years show a pattern of single large unrestricted grants ($6-7 million) rather than numerous smaller grants
  • Values professionalism in service: Bernard Hochstein's creation of a professionally run gemach suggests appreciation for organizations that combine charitable mission with operational excellence
  • Relationship-based: Bernard's service as president of 18 institutions indicates that personal relationships and long-term engagement are important to the family's philanthropic approach
  • Consider indirect routes: Organizations might explore connections through institutions already in the foundation's network, particularly Jerusalem College of Technology or Aish HaTorah Jerusalem

References

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