Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $5,378,200 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 2 months
• Grant Range: $2,500 - $1,833,200
• Geographic Focus: Washington DC metro, National, Israel

Contact Details

• Website: www.nncf.net
• Phone: (301) 652-2230
• Email: info@nncf.net
• Grant submissions: NNCFGRANTS@gmail.com
• Executive Director: alison@nncf.net

Overview

The Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 1959 by Nehemiah Meyer Cohen and Naomi Halperin Cohen, Jerusalem-born immigrants who built the Giant supermarket chain in Washington, DC. With total assets of approximately $90-95 million and annual grant-making of roughly $5 million across 70-78 grants, NNCF is a significant regional funder in the DC metropolitan area. The foundation is led by the founders' grandchildren and operates with a mission to promote shared Jewish-Arab society in Israel, protect reproductive rights, alleviate homelessness and poverty in Washington DC, and support civic engagement nationally. The foundation exclusively supports existing grantee relationships and does not accept unsolicited proposals from new organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Shared Society in Israel: $40,000 - $1,833,200 (integrated bilingual Jewish-Arab education and equal rights programs)
• Social Justice and Civic Affairs (DC): $40,000 - $200,000 (homelessness services, affordable housing, legal aid)
• Civic Engagement (National): Voter education and mobilization, particularly in communities of color
• Jewish Programs (Greater Washington): Core communal programs and Jewish social justice organizations
• Reproductive Health and Choice: Long-acting reversible contraceptives for teens in DC/Maryland
• Environment (Limited): Ocean conservation and recycling (small selective program)

Priority Areas

• Peaceful shared society between Arab and Jewish citizens of Israel
• Homelessness and affordable housing in Washington, DC
• Voter education and civic participation nationally
• Reproductive health access for underserved teens
• Jewish communal institutions in Greater Washington

What They Don't Fund

• Unsolicited applications from new organizations
• Organizations outside defined geographic focus
• Organizations not aligned with six program areas

Governance and Leadership

• Diane Solomon Brown, M.D. - President/Director, granddaughter of founders, retired NIH physician-scientist
• Daniel Solomon - Vice President/Trustee, grandson of founders, co-founder of DC Vote
• Stuart Brown - Treasurer/Director, directs Israel/Jewish philanthropy, former IRS Chief Counsel
• Jane Mansour Solomon - Director, directs environmental program
• Alison McWilliams - Executive Director, 30+ years nonprofit experience

Founder's quote: "Giving to those less fortunate... brings us contentment and true happiness." — N.M. Cohen

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Only organizations that received a grant from NNCF in the previous year are eligible to apply for continued funding.

For eligible prior grantees:

1. Submit narrative and financial report on previous grant activities
2. Submit proposal narrative with organization plans and priorities
3. Submit Form 990, current budget, and funder list
4. Email materials to NNCFGRANTS@gmail.com

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation has no documented pathway for new organizations to enter the grantee pool. Executive Director Alison McWilliams serves on steering committees of LISC DC and Partnership to End Homelessness. Stuart Brown chairs American Friends of Hand in Hand and is active in Jewish philanthropic networks. The foundation runs the Greater Washington Forum on Israeli Arab Issues.

Decision Timeline

Program Area	Submission Deadline	Notification
Reproductive Health/Environment	July 15	September
Local Social Justice	October 15	December
National Civic Engagement	January 15	March
Israel/Jewish	April 15	June

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. Foundation awarded 72-78 grants annually from 2021-2023, suggesting stable grantee portfolio.

Reapplication Policy

Grantees who received funding in the previous year may apply for renewal. No documented waiting period. New organizations without prior relationship are not eligible.

Application Success Factors

• Prior relationship is required: Only existing grantees can apply
• Strong accountability reporting: Detailed narrative and financial reports on prior grants essential
• DC homelessness alignment: Social justice grants align with DC's "Homeward DC" strategic plan
• Comprehensive programs preferred: Foundation favors organizations providing advocacy and direct services
• Self-sufficiency focus: Programs should help individuals achieve self-sufficiency
• Organizational stability: Must demonstrate strong board, staff, and financial health
• Notable 2023 grants: Hand in Hand ($1.83M), Jewish Federation ($275K), DC Central Kitchen ($200K)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No open applications - exclusively funds existing grantee relationships
• Four program-specific annual deadlines - miss yours and wait a year
• Median grant is $40,000; outlier grants represent multi-year partnerships
• Use foundation's language: "shared society," "self-sufficiency," "civic affairs"
• Stuart Brown (stuart@nncf.net) oversees Israel/Jewish programs
• Alison McWilliams (alison@nncf.net) is executive contact
• All grant submissions go to NNCFGRANTS@gmail.com

References

1. Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation Official Website: https://www.nncf.net/ (Accessed February 2026)
2. NNCF How to Apply for a Grant: https://www.nncf.net/how-to-apply-for-a-grant/ (Accessed February 2026)
3. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - NNCF: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/201135004 (Accessed February 2026)
4. GrantExec - NNCF: https://grantexec.com/foundations/201135004 (Accessed February 2026)
5. Inside Philanthropy - NNCF: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-c/naomi-and-nehemiah-cohen-foundation (Accessed February 2026)
6. Cause IQ - NNCF: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/naomi-and-nehemiah-cohen-foundation-virginia-corpo,201135004/ (Accessed February 2026)
7. LISC Washington DC Funder Spotlight: https://www.lisc.org/dc/regional-stories/funder-spotlight-naomi-nehemiah-cohen-foundation/ (Accessed February 2026)