The Newton and Rochelle Becker Charitable Trust
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications, so a cold request is not the route in; approach it only through an introduction or an existing relationship, and check first that your work fits one of its five priority areas, which include Middle East peace and security, Jewish continuity and identity, and California Jewish communities.
- Most of its grants are modest, with about 8 in 10 falling between $3,000 and $100,000 and a median of $25,000, though that band is typical rather than a ceiling, since its largest grant was $2,500,000.
- Repeat funding is a strong feature of its giving, with 94% of its grant dollars to organisations going to groups it had also funded in earlier filings, so building a relationship before asking is sensible.
- Its stated interest in startups, new projects and aligned groups of non-profits working together may suit proposals built around those themes.
- The filing gives no timetable, so let the timing follow whatever contact you make with the Trust.
Overview
The Newton and Rochelle Becker Charitable Trust is a US private foundation based in Larkspur, CA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Trust is dedicated to safeguarding democratic values and ensuring the future of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Its giving is focused in five priority areas: research and education to advance Middle East peace and security; Jewish continuity and identity; supporting democratic values; California Jewish communities; and cultural and civic institutions. It supports research and educational efforts that bring accuracy, context and understanding to the global conversation about Israel and the Middle East, and organizations that foster and protect the values underlying democratic institutions and societies. Its Jewish-continuity work supports innovative programmes engaging global Jewry and building Jewish identity and leadership. In California, it supports organizations strengthening Jewish communities and civic, cultural and community-based organizations. Its approach is strategic investment in under-addressed problems, building ecosystems of aligned non-profit organizations and funders, and supporting startups and new projects that can address those problems.
Themes
- Middle East Peace
- Jewish Continuity
- Democratic Values
- California Jewish Communities
- Cultural and Civic Institutions
Geographic Focus
Priority: California. From its grants, not stated by the foundation: Florida; New York.
How to apply
The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 94% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 212 grants to organisations were $25,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The Trust invests strategically in under-addressed problems and looks for points of leverage where limited funds can make a big impact.
- The Trust supports groups of aligned non-profit organisations that can work together symbiotically.
- It is willing to support startups and new projects, especially when they bring solutions for under-addressed problems.
- The Trust looks for initiatives and organisations that leverage 21st century tools in new and innovative ways.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 3%
- The largest single recipient received 44% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 94% of grant dollars went to organisations The Newton and Rochelle Becker Charitable Trust had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 53% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 47 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $12,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Schwab Charitable Fund · General support$1,925,0002024 tax year
- Friends of ELNET · General support$334,2452024 tax year
- Bay Area Jewish Federation · General support$203,6002024 tax year
- PEF Israel Endowment Funds · General support$125,0002024 tax year
- PolitiFact · General support$117,0002024 tax year
- SixPoint · General support$115,0002024 tax year
- Jewish Policy Center · General support$100,0002024 tax year
- United Way Bay Area · General support$100,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Dane Ross As Of 32024 — Trustee
- Ken Haas — Trustee
- Ann Becker — Trustee
- David Becker — Managing Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $9,311,313 | $5,145,912 | $140,411,471 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $10,626,491 | $5,926,910 | $147,846,548 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $8,612,794 | $3,663,445 | $157,378,165 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to The Newton and Rochelle Becker Charitable Trust?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Larkspur, CA
- beckertrust.org
Applying to The Newton and Rochelle Becker Charitable Trust?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Larkspur, CA
- beckertrust.org