Lurje Schaina And Josephina Memorial Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $240,000 - $531,000
• Success Rate: 12% (for new applicants who somehow gain consideration)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Average $31,265 (varies widely)
• Geographic Focus: United States (with special focus on Israel for women/children programs)

Contact Details

• Website: Not available
• Phone: Not publicly listed
• Email: Not publicly listed
• Address: New York, NY 10020

Overview

The Lurje Schaina and Josephina Memorial Foundation Inc (EIN: 136176033) is a private grant-making foundation established in 1965 with total assets of $16.4 million as of 2024. Named in memory of Schaina and Josephina Lurje, mother and sister of Holocaust survivor and artist Boris Lurie who were murdered in the 1941 Rumbula massacre in Latvia, the foundation honors their memory through charitable giving. The foundation brings opportunities to underprivileged women and children, particularly in Israel, while also supporting arts and culture, health, and human services organizations across the United States. Founded by gallery owner Gertrude Stein, who helped establish Boris Lurie's NO!Art movement, the foundation continues to reflect the values of social engagement and support for vulnerable populations that characterized Lurie's artistic work.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-discretion grants with no formal programs, distributing $240,000-$531,000 annually through approximately 9-11 grants.

Priority Areas

• Arts and Culture: Museums, art exhibitions, cultural institutions, particularly those focusing on Holocaust remembrance and socially engaged art
• Health: Medical care and healthcare access for underserved populations
• Human Services: Social services supporting vulnerable populations
• Women and Children: Education, healthcare, and basic needs, with special focus on Israel
• Jewish Cultural Organizations: Holocaust education and remembrance initiatives

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but based on giving patterns, unlikely to fund:

• Individual requests
• Political campaigns
• Religious activities outside Jewish cultural preservation
• For-profit entities

Governance and Leadership

Board Officers:

• Morris Lipton - President
• Richard Nadelman - Secretary/Treasurer
• Daniel Rapoport - Vice President

Directors:

• Gertrude Stein - Director (Foundation founder, gallery owner who promoted Boris Lurie's NO!Art movement)
• Anthony Williams - Director
• Claude Ethe - Director

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. According to their IRS filing: "The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Grants are awarded at the discretion of trustees to organizations they identify and select.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and connections, organizations may gain consideration through:

• Existing relationships with board members, particularly through the New York arts and Jewish cultural communities
• Referrals from current grantees such as The Jewish Museum, Grey Art Gallery at NYU, or The New School
• Participation in Holocaust education and remembrance initiatives where foundation leaders are active
• Connections through organizations supporting women and children in Israel, such as American Friends of Soroka Medical Center
• Engagement with the NO!Art movement legacy and socially/politically engaged art communities

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available - decisions made at trustee discretion

Success Rates

Approximately 12% for new organizations that somehow gain consideration, though the foundation primarily supports preselected organizations

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only model

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented giving patterns and the legacy of Boris Lurie:

• Holocaust Connection: Organizations with Holocaust education, remembrance, or survivor support missions align strongly with the foundation's memorial purpose
• Social Justice Through Art: Projects reflecting the NO!Art movement's emphasis on socially and politically engaged art resonate with the foundation's origins
• Women and Children Focus: Programs specifically benefiting underprivileged women and children, especially those providing education and healthcare access
• Israeli Humanitarian Work: Organizations supporting vulnerable populations in Israel, particularly women and children
• Established Credibility: The foundation consistently supports well-established institutions like The Jewish Museum, NYU's Grey Art Gallery, and Planned Parenthood
• New York Connection: Many supported organizations are based in or serve the New York metropolitan area

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder requiring relationship-building rather than traditional grant applications
• Focus areas honor Holocaust victims while supporting contemporary social causes, particularly women and children
• The foundation bridges arts/culture with human services, reflecting Boris Lurie's artistic legacy of social engagement
• Average grants of approximately $31,000 suggest mid-level program support rather than major capital campaigns
• Success depends on alignment with the foundation's values: Holocaust remembrance, social justice, and support for vulnerable populations
• Building connections through the New York Jewish cultural and arts communities may provide pathways to consideration
• The foundation's giving reflects both memorial purposes (honoring Holocaust victims) and forward-looking social impact

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - IRS Form 990 filings (2001-2024): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136176033 (Accessed February 10, 2026)
• Grantmakers.io Foundation Profile: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/136176033-lurje-schaina-and-josephina-memorial-foundation-inc/ (Accessed February 10, 2026)
• Grantable.co Foundation Profile and Grant Recipients: https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/lurje-schaina-and-josephina-memorial-us-foundation-136176033 (Accessed February 10, 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=LURJ001 (Accessed February 10, 2026)
• Boris Lurie Art Foundation - Biographical Information: https://borislurieart.org/boris-lurie/ (Accessed February 10, 2026)
• Wikipedia - Boris Lurie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Lurie (Accessed February 10, 2026)
• PBS/WNET - Plunderer Documentary Series: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/preview-plunderer-the-life-and-times-of-a-nazi-art-thief-part-two-coyn92/8296/ (Accessed February 10, 2026)
• The Jewish Museum: https://thejewishmuseum.org/ (Accessed February 10, 2026)
• Vera List Center Supporters: https://www.veralistcenter.org/about/supporters (Accessed February 10, 2026)