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Max And Marian Farash Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$12.3M
Grant Range
$1K - $1.8M

Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $12,255,269 (2023)
  • Total Grants Made: 147 awards (2023)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,800,000
  • Median Grant: $13,000
  • Average Community Response Grant: $17,000
  • Geographic Focus: Monroe and Ontario Counties, NY (secular grants); Local and global (Jewish initiatives)
  • Total Assets: $326.7 million

Contact Details

Address: 255 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604

Phone: (585) 218-9855

Website: www.farashfoundation.org

Program Officers:

General Contact:

Overview

The Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation was established in 1988 by Max and Marian Farash with a clear mandate: half of the foundation's annual grants should support secular causes in Monroe and Ontario Counties, and half should support Jewish initiatives both locally and globally. With assets of approximately $326.7 million and annual giving exceeding $12 million, the foundation is committed to supporting energetic organizations working to turn the community into "a beacon of opportunity, connection, and joy." The foundation focuses on partnering with big thinkers and visionary organizations of all sizes to provide resources and take risks on bold new initiatives. In recent years, the foundation has undergone strategic evolution, launching Jennie Schaff, Ph.D. as CEO in January 2022 and introducing focused strategies in Jewish Life (2023) and Out-of-School Time programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Jewish Life Grant Program (50% of annual giving)

  • Focus: Supporting an evolving Jewish community through the "4 I's"—Innovation, Institutions, Individuals, and Israel
  • Application: Rolling basis, no deadlines
  • Grant Types: Mix of one-time, annual, and multi-year grants
  • Notable Initiative: Project Campfire—offering free camperships to Jewish children to attend Camp Seneca Lake

Out-of-School Time Programs (primary secular focus)

  • Focus: Innovative, high-quality programs during after-school, summer, and year-round timeframes
  • Approach: Building organizational capacity through longer grant cycles and general operating support
  • First Round: Nearly $1.5 million awarded to eight Rochester-area organizations for expanding OST opportunities
  • Application: Mix of rolling applications and targeted RFPs

Creative Arts Grant Program

  • Focus: Small to mid-size organizations (operating budgets of $2 million or less) with visual, literary, and performing arts at their center
  • Grant Type: Unrestricted operating grants for up to three years
  • Priorities: Accessible arts programming and arts education as part of regular operations
  • Geographic: Monroe and Ontario Counties

Community Response Grants

  • Focus: Urgent needs, emerging opportunities, and innovative approaches
  • Average Grant: $17,000
  • Application: Contact Program Officer to discuss, then submit via Fluxx grants portal
  • Flexibility: Organizations of any financial size; data not required for emerging issues

Priority Areas

Jewish Life:

  • Innovation: Bold ideas that reimagine community support, reduce redundant services, combat antisemitism
  • Institutions: Operating support and business infrastructure (finance, technology, facilities, development)
  • Individuals: Understanding diverse community needs
  • Israel: Travel opportunities, cultural initiatives, and educational programs

Out-of-School Time:

  • Creating more OST opportunities beyond traditional school hours
  • Removing barriers to participation for underserved youth
  • Strong leadership and meaningful youth relationships
  • Safe, intentional learning environments
  • Programs incorporating feedback from parents, caregivers, and youth

Creative Arts:

  • Readily accessible opportunities to experience creative arts
  • Arts education programming
  • Support for diverse communities
  • Visual, literary, and performing arts (music, theater, dance, spoken/written word, film)

What They Don't Fund

All Programs:

  • Research
  • Grants or scholarships for individuals
  • Lobbying or attempts to influence legislation
  • Organizations classified as private foundations or Type III supporting organizations
  • Projects that don't benefit residents of Monroe or Ontario Counties (for secular grants)

Community Response Program:

  • Capital projects
  • Event sponsorships

Out-of-School Time Program:

  • Field trips as the sole focus
  • Transportation grants as the sole focus (though interested in addressing transportation barriers creatively)

Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive Officer: Jennie Schaff, Ph.D. (joined January 2022) - Previously president and CEO of Jewish Family Services. Dr. Schaff works to ensure operational efficiency, evolve the foundation's philanthropic approach, elevate impact measurement, and deepen community partnerships.

Board Chair: Daan Braveman (also serves as President of Nazareth College and Interim JCC Leader)

Leadership Team:

  • Hollis S. Budd, Executive Director
  • Megan Bell, Director of Grants and Programs
  • Susan Rosenbloom, Director of Finance and Administration
  • Trisha Butera, Controller

Board of Trustees:

  • Thomas H. Jackson, Chair - Distinguished University Professor and President Emeritus, University of Rochester
  • Matthew Aroesty - President and CEO, Maxum Properties, Inc.
  • Theresa Mazzullo - Chief Executive Officer, Excell Partners
  • Kenneth D. Bell - Executive Vice President (retired), HSBC Bank

Key Leadership Quotes:

Jennie Schaff on the foundation's approach: "We identify ways in which the Foundation can use its dollars in impactful and meaningful ways — in ways in which we trust, empower, and engage those different grantees."

On education challenges: "One challenge that really stands out to me is education in Rochester and what we're going to do to help address the inequities that we see on a day to day basis."

On Jewish camping: "When I think about Jewish camping, I think about the energy — the ruach – the spirit — that comes alive in a space where kids can proudly embrace their Jewish identity."

On collaboration: "To really make change we all need to work together."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation uses a mixed application approach depending on the program:

Rolling Applications (Jewish Life, some OST and Creative Arts)

  • Submit applications at any time
  • No specific deadlines for Jewish Life grants
  • Contact appropriate Program Officer to discuss fit before applying

Targeted RFPs (Out-of-School Time and other strategic initiatives)

  • Foundation issues specific Requests for Proposals for targeted investments
  • Example: OST Summer Fun & Learning RFP (applications due January 19, 2026)
  • Information webinars and technical assistance workshops typically offered

Invited Requests

  • Some grants awarded through invitation only
  • Build relationships with foundation staff to understand opportunities

Application Portal: Fluxx grants management system (accessed via website)

Pre-Application Guidance: The foundation strongly encourages reaching out to discuss ideas before applying: "If you have an idea for a grant, reach out to us to understand the best course of action for an application."

Grant Amounts: No minimum or maximum amounts required. Grant amounts determined based on request scope, organizational budget, foundation budget, and intended impact.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must benefit residents of Monroe or Ontario Counties (for secular grants)
  • Must be tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3)
  • Cannot be classified as private foundations or Type III supporting organizations
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status may apply through established fiscal sponsors
  • Faith-based organizations accepted

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The foundation reviews Jewish Life grants on a rolling basis. For RFP-based programs, timelines vary by initiative.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. In 2023, the foundation made 147 grants totaling over $12.2 million.

Reapplication Policy

No specific restrictions on reapplication are documented. The rolling application process for Jewish Life suggests organizations can reapply as appropriate.

Application Success Factors

Innovation Over Novelty: The foundation explicitly states: "Innovative ideas do not need to be new ideas—they need to help ignite change. If your organization has been doing innovative programs or approaches but needs to expand or try new ideas, they're here to help."

Focus on Transformation: The foundation "places its highest priority on endeavors designed to transform the lives of individuals and the work of organizations." Applications should clearly articulate transformational impact.

Strong Quality Standards for OST Programs: The foundation's basic quality standards involve:

  • Strong leadership
  • Fostering meaningful and healthy relationships with youth
  • Safe, intentional learning environments

Collaborative Spirit: The foundation values collaboration and innovation as "core to how they bring to life new possibilities for the region." Applications demonstrating partnership and collaborative approaches align well with foundation values.

Unrestricted Operating Support: For Creative Arts grants, the foundation offers unrestricted operating grants that can be used in any capacity—organizations aren't required to designate funds to specific programs or budget items.

Risk-Taking and Bold Vision: The foundation explicitly partners with "big thinkers and visionary organizations of all sizes to provide resources and to take risks on bold new initiatives."

Multi-Year Thinking: The foundation awards "a mix of one-time grants, annual grants, and multi-year grants," indicating openness to sustained partnerships. Creative Arts grants can be up to three years.

Examples of Recent Funded Initiatives:

  • Project Campfire: Groundbreaking initiative offering free camperships to Jewish children
  • OST Program Expansion: Eight Rochester-area organizations received nearly $1.5 million for expanding out-of-school time opportunities
  • Major Jewish Organizations: Jewish Community Federation ($1.8M in 2022), Jewish Senior Life ($1.1M), JCC of Greater Rochester ($753K)
  • Educational Institutions: University of Rochester for Jewish life initiatives

Contact Program Officers Early: The foundation encourages direct conversation before applying. This relationship-building approach suggests that successful applicants likely engage in dialogue to ensure alignment before formal submission.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Understand the 50/50 mandate: Half of all grants support secular causes in Monroe and Ontario Counties; half support Jewish initiatives locally and globally. Ensure your proposal fits the appropriate category.

  • Innovation doesn't mean new: The foundation values transformational change over novelty. If you have proven programs that need expansion or new approaches, emphasize the innovative aspects of scaling or adaptation.

  • Engage before applying: With rolling applications and mixed RFP/invited approaches, contact the appropriate Program Officer to discuss fit. This relationship-building is clearly valued and increases alignment.

  • Think multi-year and unrestricted: The foundation offers unrestricted operating support and multi-year commitments, suggesting they value sustained partnerships over one-off projects. Frame requests accordingly.

  • Demonstrate bold vision: The foundation explicitly seeks "big thinkers" willing to take risks. Conservative, incremental proposals may not align as well as transformational initiatives.

  • Quality over data for emerging needs: For Community Response grants, "data is not required for emerging issues with limited existing evidence," indicating the foundation values responsive, innovative solutions to new problems.

  • Size isn't a barrier: With grants ranging from $1,000 to $1.8 million and explicit welcome to organizations of "any financial size," both small and large organizations can find opportunities.

References

All references accessed December 2024.

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