← Back to US Funders Directory

Joelson Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.9M
Grant Range
$7K - $0.6M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $948,000
  • Total Assets: $16.6 million
  • Grant Range: $6,500 - $617,500
  • Grant Median: $482,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York (with Princeton, NJ address)
  • Application Method: Invitation only/preselected organizations

Contact Details

Address: Princeton, NJ

Note: The foundation does not have a public website and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.

Overview

The Joelson Foundation was established in 1966 in New York by Julius Joelson and Stella P. Joelson. This private family foundation holds total assets of $16.6 million and distributes approximately $948,000 annually in grants. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, making contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations. While specific programmatic focus areas are not publicly detailed, known grantees include organizations serving elderly populations and Jewish community organizations, such as DOROT, a New York-based intergenerational service organization founded on Jewish values. The foundation is currently led by the Fife family, with Barbara J. Fife serving as President.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Joelson Foundation provides general operating support grants to selected nonprofit organizations. Grant amounts vary considerably:

  • Range: $6,500 - $617,500
  • Median Grant: $482,000

Recent grant-making activity has fluctuated significantly:

  • 2020: 127 grants awarded
  • 2021: 88 grants awarded
  • 2022: 1 grant awarded
  • 2024: Grant-making resumed with distributions of $947,765

Priority Areas

Based on available information about known grantees:

  • Services for elderly populations
  • Jewish community organizations
  • Organizations based primarily in New York

Note: The foundation lists grants as "various contributions" in tax filings without detailing specific programmatic focus areas publicly. Complete grantee lists are available in the foundation's Form 990-PF filings.

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific exclusions is not publicly available. However, the foundation only funds preselected organizations, effectively excluding unsolicited applications from any organization.

Governance and Leadership

Current Board Members (2024):

  • Barbara J. Fife - President (35 hours/week, $150,000 compensation)
  • Evelyn Lipton (also known as Evelyn Segal Lipton) - Director/President (20 hours/week, $90,000 compensation)
  • Stephen Fife - Director (1 hour/week, $12,000 compensation)
  • Howard Fife - Director (1 hour/week, no compensation)

The foundation is managed by family members and pays compensation to key officers who dedicate significant time to grant-making decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Joelson Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation makes contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's board of directors. There is no online portal, application form, or formal proposal process available to the general public.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation selects grantees through internal processes rather than through competitive applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since the Joelson Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application strategies do not apply. However, organizations interested in this funder should consider:

Understanding Their Giving History

  • Review Form 990-PF filings: The foundation's IRS Form 990-PF contains lists of prior grantees. Examining patterns in previous grants can reveal organizational types, program areas, and geographic regions the foundation supports.

  • Identify alignment: Organizations similar to known grantees (such as DOROT, which serves elderly populations through programs grounded in Jewish values) may be more likely to align with the foundation's interests.

Grant Size Considerations

  • The foundation makes grants ranging from small ($6,500) to very large ($617,500)
  • The median grant of $482,000 suggests capacity for significant investments in selected organizations
  • General operating support is the stated purpose for grants, indicating flexibility in how funds can be used

Strategic Considerations

For foundations with "preselected organizations only" policies:

  • This language often indicates a family foundation with specific interests and connections
  • Board members may identify potential grantees through their personal and professional networks
  • The foundation may already have established relationships with organizations in their focus areas
  • Building awareness of your organization within relevant professional and social circles may be more effective than direct outreach

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation exclusively funds preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited proposals - do not attempt to submit an application
  • Review 990-PF filings: The most valuable research tool is the foundation's Form 990-PF, which lists all grants made; analyze these to understand funding patterns
  • Significant grant capacity: With a median grant of $482,000 and annual distributions near $1 million, this foundation makes substantial investments in selected organizations
  • Fluctuating activity: Grant-making activity varies significantly year to year (from 1 grant to 127 grants), suggesting discretionary decision-making rather than formal grant cycles
  • General operating support: The foundation provides flexible funding for general operations rather than project-specific grants
  • Family foundation governance: Led by the Fife family with paid officers dedicating substantial time to foundation management
  • Focus areas appear to include: Elderly services and Jewish community organizations based in New York, though this is based on limited publicly available grantee information

References

← Back to US Funders Directory