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Friedman Family Charitable Trust

Annual Giving
$3.0M
Grant Range
$0K - $2.0M

Friedman Family Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,000,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (invitation/preselection only)
  • Grant Range: $180 - $2,000,000
  • Grant Median: $25,000
  • Total Grants (2023): 21
  • Geographic Focus: New York/New Jersey (primary), with national and international giving to Jewish causes

Contact Details

Address: 15 West 63rd Street, New York, NY

Note: The trust does not maintain a website, phone number, or email for public contact. They do not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Friedman Family Charitable Trust (formally named "Friedman Fam Charitable Tr Agreement 11052003") was established in November 2003 by Philip and Rosa Friedman. Philip Friedman immigrated to the United States from the Soviet Union in 1976 with $500 in his pocket, seeking religious freedom after having to study Hebrew in secret for his bar mitzvah. He founded Computer Generated Solutions (CGS) in 1984, which became an international technology company. The trust made $3 million in grants in 2023 from assets of approximately $358,452, with the majority of funding coming from ongoing contributions ($2.57 million in 2024). The foundation is laser-focused on Jewish causes, particularly supporting organizations that serve immigrants from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia, Holocaust remembrance, Israeli institutions, and Jewish education. Philip Friedman serves as Vice Chairman of Yeshiva University's Board of Trustees and was formerly president of the American Committee of Shaare Zedek Hospital.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust makes unrestricted grants "to further the donee's exempt purpose." Recent major grants (2023) include:

  • Major Grants ($100,000+): PEF Israel Endowment Funds ($2,000,000), American Friends of Yahad-In Unum ($350,000), Congregational Kipas Brindel ($180,000), PS Rescue Org ($100,000)
  • Educational Institutions: Yeshiva University ($85,171)
  • Smaller Grants ($1,000-$50,000): Various Jewish organizations

The trust does not have fixed grant cycles or application deadlines, as all grants are made to preselected organizations.

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

  • Jewish education and religious institutions (synagogues, yeshivas)
  • Holocaust remembrance and education (Yad Vashem, Yahad-In Unum)
  • Israeli charitable organizations and institutions (PEF Israel Endowment Funds, Shaare Zedek Hospital)
  • Organizations serving Jewish immigrants, particularly from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia
  • Jewish community support (federations, community centers)

Types of Support:

  • Unrestricted operating support
  • Capital campaigns
  • Educational scholarships and programs
  • Religious and cultural institutions

What They Don't Fund

  • Non-Jewish causes
  • Organizations outside their preselected network
  • Individual requests
  • General operating support for organizations without strong Jewish connections

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • Philip Friedman (Founder): CEO of Computer Generated Solutions (CGS), Vice Chairman of Yeshiva University Board of Trustees, former President of the American Committee of Shaare Zedek Hospital. Neither trustee receives compensation for their service (each dedicates 0.5 hours per week).
  • Rosa Friedman (Co-Founder): Co-trustee alongside her husband

Philanthropic Philosophy: According to Inside Philanthropy, the Friedmans are "laser-focused on the Jewish community" and deeply personally involved through board memberships and leadership roles. Philip Friedman has stated he is "living proof of the American Dream" and demonstrates commitment to supporting others in the Jewish community, particularly immigrants. In 2008, he said of the Alexander Friedman Scholarship Fund at Yeshiva University (named for his father): "I can think of no greater way to honor my father's memory than by helping young people receive a Jewish education."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Friedman Family Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. The trust only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations with which the trustees have pre-existing relationships or connections.

According to multiple sources, the foundation:

  • Does not maintain a public website
  • Does not provide contact information for grant inquiries
  • Does not have a formal application process
  • Makes all grants on trustee discretion to organizations they have selected

Getting on Their Radar

While the trust does not accept unsolicited proposals, understanding their network and interests may be valuable for Jewish organizations:

Philip Friedman's Known Affiliations:

  • Yeshiva University (Vice Chairman of Board of Trustees)
  • American Committee of Shaare Zedek Hospital (former President, current board member)
  • Tom Lantos Institute (Executive Committee member)
  • The Conference Board
  • Various Jewish community organizations in New York and New Jersey

Networking Opportunities: Organizations that work within the Jewish communal infrastructure, particularly in New York/New Jersey, and that share connections with Yeshiva University, Shaare Zedek Hospital, or the Greater MetroWest Jewish Federation, may have indirect pathways to the trustees' awareness through shared board members or community leaders.

Key Themes in Their Giving:

  • Personal connection to the cause (Soviet Jewish immigration, Holocaust remembrance)
  • Jewish education and religious observance
  • Supporting Israel
  • Organizations where trustees serve in leadership roles

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made on a discretionary basis throughout the year to preselected organizations.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the trust does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - funding is by trustee selection only.

Application Success Factors

Since this trust does not accept applications, traditional "success factors" do not apply. However, understanding their funding patterns provides insight:

Funded Organizations Typically:

  • Have strong connections to Jewish education, culture, or humanitarian work
  • Often serve immigrant populations (especially from former Soviet Union)
  • Frequently have direct connections to the Friedman family through board service or personal relationships
  • Focus on Holocaust remembrance and education
  • Support Israeli institutions or serve the Israeli community
  • Are based in or serve the New York/New Jersey Jewish community

The Friedmans' Personal Interests:

  • Philip Friedman's immigrant experience drives support for organizations helping Jewish immigrants
  • Holocaust remembrance (connected to his experience in the Soviet Union where Jewish practice was suppressed)
  • Jewish education at all levels, from primary education to university
  • Religious freedom and observance
  • Israeli medical and educational institutions

Grant Size Patterns:

  • One very large grant annually ($2 million to PEF Israel Endowment Funds in 2023)
  • Several mid-size grants ($100,000-$350,000) to priority organizations
  • Multiple smaller grants ($1,000-$85,000) to support various community organizations
  • Median grant is $25,000

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This trust cannot be approached through traditional grant applications. All funding is by trustee selection of preselected organizations.

  • Exclusively Jewish Causes: 100% of grants support Jewish organizations, education, culture, and humanitarian causes. Organizations outside this focus should not pursue this funder.

  • Relationship-Driven Grantmaking: Grants go to organizations where the Friedmans have personal connections, board involvement, or community relationships, particularly through Yeshiva University and the New York/New Jersey Jewish community.

  • Immigrant and Holocaust Focus: Philip Friedman's personal history as a Soviet Jewish immigrant creates strong support for organizations serving Jewish immigrants and Holocaust remembrance initiatives.

  • Large-Scale Giving from Small Asset Base: The trust gives significantly more than its assets suggest ($3 million in grants from ~$358,000 in assets), indicating ongoing major contributions from the Friedmans fund current grantmaking.

  • Long-Term Institutional Relationships: Review of grants shows consistent support for key organizations (Yeshiva University, Shaare Zedek, PEF Israel) over many years, suggesting loyalty to established relationships.

  • Network Through Shared Affiliations: While direct applications are not possible, Jewish organizations working in their priority areas might gain visibility through shared community networks, particularly in the New York/New Jersey Jewish Federation system or through Yeshiva University connections.

References

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