Mike & Sofia Segal Foundation

Quick Stats

• EIN: 20-7395108
• Annual Giving: $12,209,388 (2024)
• Grant Range: $3,000 - $3,500,000
• Average Grant: $178,000
• Geographic Focus: Primarily New York, District of Columbia, and Florida (76% of grants)
• Application Method: Invitation preferred; letter of intent accepted
• Founded: 2009

Contact Details

Address:
1700 Broadway, Floor 38
New York, NY 10019

Website: https://mssegalfoundation.org

Grant Inquiries:
Noa Gover, Program Officer
Email: Noa.Gover@mssegalfoundation.org

Media Contacts:

• Jim David, Prosek Partners
• Dr. Misha Galperin, Zandafi Philanthropic Advisors

Overview

The Mike & Sofia Segal Foundation was established in 2009 by Mike and Sofia Segal, Ukrainian immigrants who came to the United States in 1978 with $120 and two suitcases. Mike went on to found LS Power in 1990, which has grown to become the largest privately held power generation company in the United States. The foundation has experienced significant growth in its grantmaking, expanding from $2.2 million in annual giving in 2020 to $12.2 million in 2024, with 32 grants awarded in 2024 alone.

The foundation takes an entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy, focusing on causes that are traditionally overlooked and underfunded. The Segals recently "retooled our approach to our philanthropic giving to make it more strategic, to make it more targeted, and to make it more sizable." The foundation provides substantial capital and endowment grants to nonprofits with outstanding leadership that can demonstrate measurable, impactful outcomes. Since 2018, the foundation has awarded 73 individual grants totaling $8,639,508.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation awards grants across six primary focus areas with grants ranging from $3,000 to $3,500,000:

Rare Diseases Research
$3,000 - $3,500,000
The foundation places emphasis on underfunded rare diseases, supporting research, drug development, and cutting-edge science that can lead to new treatment options. Major grants include $17 million to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) research and $6.7 million to The Ehlers-Danlos Society.

Academic Freedom & Civil Discourse
$3,000 - $5,000,000
With a special focus on preserving intellectual freedom on college campuses, the foundation supports organizations promoting open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement. Notable grant: $5 million to Heterodox Academy (April 2024), which led to the renaming of their research center as The Mike & Sofia Segal Center for Academic Pluralism.

Jewish Heritage & Israel
$3,000 - $1,500,000
Preserving Jewish heritage and strengthening identity and Peoplehood in Israel and the United States. Recent grants include $1.5 million to ANU – Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv (May 2024) for The Mike & Sofia Segal Center for Jewish Culture, and support for organizations including Birthright Israel, Niv Nirel Center (trauma rehabilitation in Israel), and Amigour (elder care facilities in Israel).

Elder Care
The foundation considers requests that add to the dignity of the aging population, both in their homes and under facility care, including new technology to improve care and initiatives to keep older people in their homes for as long as possible.

Climate Change
The foundation supports addressing the urgent and multifaceted challenges of global climate change through innovative research, ideas, and technology that contribute to understanding and developing strategies for mitigation and adaptation. The foundation emphasizes long-term solutions and multi-year funding for the continuity of effective programs.

Civil Society & Democracy
The foundation maintains support for organizations that promote democracy and freedom, reflecting the founders' experience emigrating from the Soviet Union where they faced political repression and government-sponsored discrimination.

Priority Areas

• Measurable, impactful outcomes and defined objectives
• Outstanding organizational leadership
• Innovation, originality, and non-duplication of existing efforts
• Realistic and well-detailed budgets
• Capacity to implement proposed projects successfully
• Strategic, targeted, and sizable initiatives
• Organizations addressing traditionally overlooked and underfunded causes
• Multi-year funding commitments for long-term solutions

What They Don't Fund

The foundation "typically selects grantees rather than accepting unsolicited proposals" and "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations." While they do accept letters of intent, the foundation proactively identifies and approaches organizations aligned with their mission.

Governance and Leadership

Mike Segal - Co-Founder
Mike emigrated from Ukraine (then part of the Soviet Union) to the United States in 1978 with his wife Sofia. He holds a Master of Engineering Degree from Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute. In 1990, he founded LS Power, where he serves as Chairman. Under his leadership, LS Power has grown to become the largest privately held power generation company in the United States. Mike serves on the Board of Directors of the Washington Institute for Near East Studies and the Center for Global Energy Policy at Columbia University.

Mike has stated: "LLS' expertise in evaluating and supporting innovative research, combined with our entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy, is the perfect combination." He describes their approach: "Our foundation is now exploring similar potential initiatives focused on other rare diseases."

Sofia Segal - Co-Founder
Sofia also holds a Master of Engineering Degree from Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute. She serves on the Board of Directors of the New Jewish Home in New York and ANU – Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv. The couple married in 1974 and have been deeply committed to philanthropy since establishing their foundation.

On their motivation for academic freedom work, Mike stated: "The principles of intellectual freedom and civil discourse safeguard individual rights, foster cultural and scientific progress, and promote the principles of democracy and human dignity."

Noa Gover - Program Officer
Primary contact for grant inquiries and letters of intent.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Mike & Sofia Segal Foundation does not have a traditional open application process. The foundation "typically selects grantees rather than accepting unsolicited proposals" and "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations." However, organizations may submit a letter of intent for consideration.

Letter of Intent Process:

• Submit no more than a two-page letter of intent
• Email to: Noa.Gover@mssegalfoundation.org
• Rolling deadline - applications accepted year-round
• Include questions or requests for information in your submission

Getting on Their Radar

Since the foundation proactively selects grantees, organizations seeking funding should consider:

Board Connections:
Sofia Segal serves on the boards of the New Jewish Home in New York and ANU – Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv. Mike Segal serves on the boards of the Washington Institute for Near East Studies and the Center for Global Energy Policy at Columbia University. Organizations in these networks or sectors may have enhanced visibility.

Alignment with Personal Experience:
The Segals' experience as Soviet Jewish immigrants who faced political repression strongly influences their philanthropic priorities. Organizations working on intellectual freedom, combating authoritarianism, supporting democratic values, or serving Jewish communities resonate with their personal story.

Demonstrated Leadership:
The foundation specifically seeks "nonprofits with outstanding leadership." Organizations with recognized leaders in their fields or innovative approaches to challenging problems may attract attention.

Strategic Partnerships:
The foundation values partnering with established organizations that have expertise in evaluating and supporting innovative work, as demonstrated by their $17 million partnership with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly published. Given the foundation's approach of proactively selecting grantees and making substantial, strategic grants (average of $178,000), the decision process likely involves:

• Multiple stages of review
• Due diligence on organizational capacity
• Assessment of measurable outcomes potential
• Board approval for larger grants

The foundation has made high-profile grant announcements throughout the year, suggesting decisions are made on a rolling basis rather than in set cycles.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizations must meet several criteria:

• Be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit or affiliated with a 501(c)(3) organization
• Align with the foundation's mission statement and goals
• Have defined and measurable objectives within the proposed timeframe
• Demonstrate organizational capacity to implement the proposed project successfully
• Present a realistic and well-detailed budget
• Offer innovation, originality, and non-duplication of existing efforts

Success Rates

With 32 grants awarded in 2024 and an average grant of $178,000, the foundation makes a relatively small number of substantial awards. The foundation takes a highly selective approach, focusing on strategic partnerships rather than broad grantmaking. Since 2018, the foundation has awarded 73 individual grants, suggesting approximately 10-15 grants per year in earlier years, growing to 32 in 2024.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published. However, the foundation has demonstrated willingness to make multiple grants to the same organization, as evidenced by their two separate gifts to ANU Museum (the terrace in 2019 and the $1.5 million for the Segal Center in 2024).

Application Success Factors

The Entrepreneurial Approach

The foundation explicitly values an "entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy." Mike Segal's background founding and growing LS Power into the largest privately held power generation company in the United States informs their philanthropic strategy. Organizations should demonstrate:

• Business-like planning and execution
• Scalability and growth potential
• Clear metrics for success
• Efficient use of resources
• Innovation and risk-taking balanced with solid planning

Measurable Outcomes Are Essential

The foundation "provides substantial capital and endowment grants to nonprofits with outstanding leadership that can demonstrate measurable, impactful outcomes." Applications must have "defined and measurable objectives within the proposed timeframe." Generic goals or vague impact statements will not succeed. Demonstrate:

• Specific, quantifiable metrics
• Timeline for achieving milestones
• Methods for tracking and reporting progress
• Evidence of past success in meeting goals

Strategic Focus on Underfunded Areas

Mike Segal stated: "Our foundation is now exploring similar potential initiatives focused on other rare diseases," reflecting their commitment to "causes that are traditionally overlooked and underfunded." Organizations working in crowded funding spaces may face more competition. Those addressing gaps in funding landscapes have an advantage.

Outstanding Leadership Matters

The foundation specifically seeks organizations with "outstanding leadership." Highlight:

• Leaders' relevant experience and track record
• Innovation and thought leadership in the field
• Board composition and governance
• Organizational stability and succession planning

Size and Scope

The foundation recently retooled their approach "to make it more strategic, to make it more targeted, and to make it more sizable." They favor substantial, transformative grants over small awards:

• Average grant: $178,000
• Range: $3,000 - $3,500,000
• Recent major grants: $17 million (LLS), $6.7 million (Ehlers-Danlos), $5 million (Heterodox Academy), $1.5 million (ANU Museum)

Small projects may not align with their current strategic direction. Consider whether your proposal represents a significant, game-changing initiative.

Alignment with Founders' Values

The Segals' personal story as Soviet Jewish immigrants deeply influences their giving:

• Projects promoting intellectual freedom and combating authoritarian threats
• Support for Jewish identity, heritage, and Israel
• Democratic values and civil society
• Organizations serving immigrant communities or promoting American opportunity

Evidence of Expertise and Track Record

The foundation partners with established organizations that have proven expertise. For example, they valued "LLS' expertise in evaluating and supporting innovative research" when making their CMML grant. New organizations or untested approaches face higher barriers. Demonstrate:

• Years of operation and stability
• Previous successful programs
• Recognition in the field
• Published research or documented outcomes
• Partnerships with respected institutions

Long-Term Commitment

The foundation emphasizes that "climate change requires long-term solutions and multi-year funding for the continuity of effective programs." This principle likely applies across all focus areas. Single-year projects may be less attractive than multi-year initiatives with sustained impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is not an open application process - The foundation typically selects grantees proactively. A letter of intent may open a conversation, but most successful grantees are likely identified by the foundation rather than through unsolicited applications.

• Think big and strategic - The foundation recently shifted toward grants that are "more strategic, more targeted, and more sizable." The average grant is $178,000, with major grants ranging from $1.5 million to $17 million. Small-scale projects unlikely to succeed.

• Measurable outcomes are non-negotiable - Every application must demonstrate "defined and measurable objectives within the proposed timeframe." Develop specific metrics and evaluation plans before approaching the foundation.

• Entrepreneurial thinking wins - The foundation values their "entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy" and seeks partners who think like innovators and business leaders. Demonstrate scalability, efficiency, and transformative potential.

• Outstanding leadership is essential - The foundation explicitly seeks "nonprofits with outstanding leadership." Ensure your proposal highlights experienced, credible leaders with proven track records.

• Address overlooked areas - The foundation champions "causes that are traditionally overlooked and underfunded." Organizations working in crowded funding spaces face steeper competition than those addressing genuine gaps.

• Leverage board connections if possible - The Segals serve on several boards (Washington Institute for Near East Studies, Center for Global Energy Policy at Columbia, New Jewish Home, ANU Museum). Organizations in these networks may have enhanced visibility, though all organizations must meet the same high standards for measurable outcomes and outstanding leadership.

References

• Mike & Sofia Segal Foundation official website: https://mssegalfoundation.org (accessed March 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Mike & Sofia Segal Foundation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/207395108 (accessed March 2026)
• Inside Philanthropy, "Starting With a Big Boost for Rare Disease Research, This Couple Are Ramping Up Their Giving," November 2023
• Press Release: "The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Receives $17 Million from the Mike and Sofia Segal Family Foundation," October 2023
• Press Release: "The Ehlers-Danlos Society Receives $6.7 Million from the Mike and Sofia Segal Foundation," December 2023
• Press Release: "Mike & Sofia Segal Foundation Pledges $5 Million to Heterodox Academy," April 2024
• Press Release: "ANU - Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv, Israel Receives $1.5 Million from the Mike and Sofia Segal Foundation," May 2024
• Instrumentl 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/mike-and-sofia-segal-foundation (accessed March 2026)
• Grantmakers.io Profile: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/207395108-mike-and-sofia-segal-foundation/ (accessed March 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=SEGA039 (accessed March 2026)
• LS Power - Mike Segal biography: https://www.lspower.com/team-member/mike-segal/ (accessed March 2026)
• Heterodox Academy - The Mike & Sofia Segal Center for Academic Pluralism: https://heterodoxacademy.org/segal-center-for-academic-pluralism/ (accessed March 2026)