Zs & M Wilf Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $12,039,533 (2023)
Total Grants Made: 85 awards (2023)
Grant Range: $500 - $3,000,000
Average Grant: $141,700 (calculated)
Geographic Focus: United States (especially NY, NJ, MN, FL), Israel, and global communities
Application Process: No unsolicited applications accepted - invitation only
EIN: 223553441

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
820 Morris Turnpike
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2624

Phone: 973-924-8246

Website: https://www.wilffamilyfoundations.org

Media Inquiries: WilfFamilyFoundations@berlinrosen.com

Note: The foundation explicitly states: "The Foundations do not accept unsolicited grant applications and any funding requests will not receive a response."

Overview

The Zs & M Wilf Foundation Inc is one of six private family foundations that comprise the Wilf Family Foundations, established in 1997 by brothers Jeffrey, Mark, and Zygmunt Wilf, co-owners of the NFL's Minnesota Vikings. The foundation received its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in June 1998. The Wilf Family Foundations collectively continue the philanthropic legacy initiated by their founders, Harry and Joseph Wilf, both Polish Holocaust survivors who immigrated to the United States in the early 1950s and built a successful real estate business before dedicating themselves to charitable giving.

Guided by the Jewish traditions of tzedakah (charitable giving) and tikkun olam (repairing the world), the Zs & M Wilf Foundation focuses on supporting Jewish causes, underserved communities, educational opportunities, and the advancement of social justice for all. The foundation's grantmaking is characterized by strategic, pre-selected giving rather than responsive grantmaking, with concentrations in the New York, New Jersey, Minnesota, Florida regions and Israel. More than half of all grants support Jewish causes, reflecting the family's heritage and commitment to strengthening Jewish communities worldwide.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through discretionary grantmaking determined by family trustees rather than formal grant programs. All grants are made to organizations pre-selected by the Wilf family, with decisions guided by second and third generation family members who recommend program support and collaborate with communities where they work.

Grant Size Range:

Grants typically range from $500 to $3,000,000
Many organizations receive funding from multiple Wilf Family Foundations simultaneously, resulting in higher total awards
The 2023 average grant was approximately $141,700 across 85 awards

Priority Areas

The foundation supports organizations working in the following areas:

1. Jewish Community & Israel

Jewish Federations and community organizations
Holocaust remembrance and education
Support for Israeli communities and displaced populations
Religious education institutions
Birthright Israel and diaspora connection programs

2. Education

Universities and higher education institutions (NYU, Princeton, Columbia, Rutgers, Georgetown, Yeshiva University)
Need-based and merit scholarships
K-12 Jewish education
Educational equity programs (Teach for America, Black Girls Code)

3. Social Justice

Voting rights protection (Brennan Center for Justice, Black Voters Matter)
Criminal justice reform (Vera Institute of Justice, Fines and Fees Justice Center, Rutgers Center on Policing)
Law enforcement training and reform
Racial equality and civil rights (NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Anti-Defamation League)
Fighting antisemitism

4. Veterans & Military

Green Beret Foundation
Heroes to Heroes Foundation
Operation Finally Home
Support for military families

5. Health & Human Services

Children's hospitals (University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital)
Food security programs
Housing assistance
Healthcare access for vulnerable populations

6. Emergency Relief & Humanitarian Aid

Disaster response (Hurricane Sandy, COVID-19, California wildfires)
Support for Ukrainian Jewish refugees
Crisis intervention programs

7. Arts & Culture

Museums and cultural institutions
Cultural preservation

8. Community Services

Basic needs support (food, housing, financial assistance)
Youth development programs

Geographic Concentrations

Primary Focus: New York, New Jersey, Minnesota, Florida
International: Israel (significant giving)
Secondary: Other U.S. states and global humanitarian efforts

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated in their materials, the foundation's pattern indicates they:

Do not fund organizations outside their established priority areas
Do not support projects unrelated to their Jewish heritage, social justice, education, or humanitarian mission
Do not make grants to individuals (except through established scholarship programs at universities)
Do not respond to unsolicited funding requests from any organization

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (Zs & M Wilf Foundation Inc)

Officers:

Zygmunt "Zygi" Wilf - President, Treasurer & Trustee
Mark Wilf - Vice President, Secretary & Trustee

Additional Trustees:

Elizabeth Wilf (matriarch, Holocaust survivor)
Leonard Wilf (cousin, President of Garden Homes)
Elana Wilf Tanzman
Jason Wilf
Jonathan Wilf
Steven Wilf
Stephanie Wilf
Rachel S. Wilf
Daniel Wilf

Key Family Members & External Leadership

Zygmunt "Zygi" Wilf (born 1950 in West Berlin): Son of Holocaust survivors Joseph and Elizabeth Wilf. After working as an attorney, he became head of Garden Commercial Properties, growing it from four shopping centers to over a hundred properties. Co-owner of the Minnesota Vikings.

Mark Wilf (born 1962): President and co-owner of the Minnesota Vikings, chairman and co-owner of Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride. Elected Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) in 2018. Elected Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel in July 2022. Mark has stated the family's giving philosophy: "If you give a scholarship, you not only invest in the University, you invest in people."

Leonard Wilf: President of Garden Homes (family real estate company), son of Harry Wilf (Joseph's brother). Has noted the family's multi-generational commitment: "three decades of support" to organizations like Yeshiva University.

Family Foundation Heritage: The late Joseph Wilf (1925-2016) and his brother Harry were Holocaust survivors who founded the family business and established the philanthropic tradition. Joseph's wife Elizabeth (born 1932) survived the Holocaust as a child and remains active as a trustee. The family has collectively donated more than $200 million to Jewish communities and Israel over the past decades.

Quoted Guidance from Leadership

Mark Wilf on the family's giving priorities: "deals with children, with medical needs, with education — the three pillars of our family's giving."

The foundation's stated principle: "The Foundations understand the importance of taking action when one has an ability to make a difference."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Zs & M Wilf Foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation's official policy states explicitly: "The Foundations do not accept unsolicited grant applications and any funding requests will not receive a response."

All grants are made to pre-selected charitable organizations identified through the trustees' networks, existing relationships, and strategic priorities determined by family members. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, with second and third generation Wilf family members recommending organizations for support and collaborating directly with communities where they work.

Getting on Their Radar

Minnesota Vikings Connection: For organizations in Minnesota, the Minnesota Vikings Foundation (established in 2017 with a $1 million initial investment from the Wilf Family) operates as a separate vehicle for community engagement. The Vikings Foundation has its own grant-making structure focused on youth health and education initiatives in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region. Organizations working in these areas may find opportunities through Vikings Foundation programming.

Jewish Community Networks: The Wilf family maintains strong connections to major Jewish organizations including:

Jewish Federations (particularly Greater MetroWest NJ, which received $15 million in 2022)
Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) - Mark Wilf serves as Board Chair
Jewish Agency for Israel - Mark Wilf serves as Chairman of the Board of Governors
Birthright Israel Foundation - Jane F. Wilf serves as honorary board member
Yeshiva University (Wilf Campus is named after the family)
Jewish Theological Seminary
Rabbinical College of America

Organizations already receiving support from or connected to these institutions may be more visible to the Wilf family's philanthropic network.

Geographic Connections: The family's real estate business, Garden Commercial Properties and Garden Homes, operates primarily in New Jersey. The family also has significant presence in Minnesota through their ownership of the Vikings. Organizations operating in Short Hills, NJ area or Minneapolis-St. Paul may have geographic proximity advantages.

Sector-Specific Networks: Organizations working in social justice (particularly voting rights and criminal justice reform) may gain visibility through the foundations' established partners like the Brennan Center for Justice, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, or Rutgers Center on Policing.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As an invitation-only funder, the foundation operates on its own timeline based on trustee meetings and strategic planning cycles rather than published application deadlines.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications or reapplications. Organizations are selected by trustees based on the family's strategic priorities and existing relationships.

Application Success Factors

While there is no application process, organizations seeking to understand alignment with Wilf Family Foundations should note:

Strong Alignment Indicators

1. Jewish Community Connection More than half of all Wilf grantmaking supports Jewish causes. Organizations with missions connected to:

Supporting Jewish communities in the U.S. and Israel
Holocaust education and remembrance
Jewish education (K-12 and higher education)
Fighting antisemitism
Strengthening Israel-diaspora connections

2. Social Justice Impact Following George Floyd's murder in Minnesota (where the Wilf family owns the Vikings), the foundations committed $4 million+ to social justice causes. Organizations working on:

Voting rights protection
Criminal justice and law enforcement reform
Racial equality and civil rights
Reducing socioeconomic disparities
Educational curriculum on racial equality and Black history

3. Education and Youth Development The family has stated that children and education are central pillars of their giving. Strong track records in:

Youth health and wellness
Educational access and equity
Scholarship programs
K-12 and higher education support

4. Veterans and Military Causes Consistent support for organizations serving military families and veterans

5. Emergency Response and Humanitarian Relief The foundations have responded to major crises including:

Hurricane Sandy relief
COVID-19 pandemic ($5M+ in relief)
Ukrainian refugee crisis (supporting Jewish refugees)
California wildfires ($1M matching contribution in 2025)
October 7th attacks in Israel (launched Machane Am Echad program serving displaced Israeli children)

Values and Approach

Personal Investment Philosophy: Leonard Wilf: "If you give a scholarship, you not only invest in the University, you invest in people." The family values direct relationships and measurable impact.

Multi-Year Commitments: The foundations maintain ongoing relationships with grantees rather than one-time gifts. Organizations like Birthright Israel, Anti-Defamation League, United Jewish Appeal Federation, and Jerusalem Foundation receive sustained support.

Collaborative Approach: The foundation website notes they "collaborate with communities where they work," suggesting preference for partnership models over transactional grantmaking.

Holocaust Legacy: The family's heritage as children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors deeply influences their commitment to Jewish causes, humanitarian relief, and fighting injustice.

Geographic Priorities: Demonstrated concentration in New York, New Jersey, Minnesota, Florida, and Israel reflects where family members live and work.

Past Grantees as Models

Organizations that have received Wilf Family support include:

Jewish Causes: Birthright Israel, ADL, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest ($15M), Jewish Agency for Israel, Jerusalem Foundation, Yeshiva University (Wilf Campus, $1.5M+ annually in scholarships)
Education: NYU, New York Law School ($5M for Wilf Scholars Program), Princeton, Columbia, Rutgers, Georgetown, Teach for America, Black Girls Code
Social Justice: Brennan Center for Justice, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Black Voters Matter, Texas Civil Rights Project, Rutgers Center on Policing, Vera Institute of Justice, Fines and Fees Justice Center
Veterans: Green Beret Foundation, Heroes to Heroes Foundation, Operation Finally Home
Health: University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital ($5M for Wilf Family Center)
Community: Camp Equity, various food banks and social service organizations

What Doesn't Align

Organizations without connection to Jewish community, education, social justice, veterans, or humanitarian relief
Single-issue advocacy unrelated to their priority areas
Organizations outside their geographic focus without compelling humanitarian need
Projects that don't align with the family's values of tikkun olam (repairing the world) and tzedakah (charitable giving)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No Public Application Process: Do not submit unsolicited proposals - they will not receive a response. This is a pre-selected, invitation-only funder.
Jewish Causes Are Central: More than 50% of giving supports Jewish organizations. If your mission connects to Jewish community strengthening, Israel support, Holocaust remembrance, or Jewish education, you have stronger alignment.
Family Values Drive Decisions: The Wilf family's Holocaust survivor heritage and stated "three pillars" (children, medical needs, education) guide their giving. Understand and honor this legacy.
Multiple Foundations, Strategic Giving: Many organizations receive grants from several of the six Wilf Family Foundations simultaneously. The $12M from Zs & M Wilf Foundation is part of $35M+ in total annual family giving.
Network Matters: Connections to existing grantees, family members' leadership roles (JFNA, Jewish Agency, Minnesota Vikings Foundation), or presence in key geographies (NJ, NY, MN, FL, Israel) increase visibility.
Crisis Response: The foundations have demonstrated responsiveness to major humanitarian crises affecting their communities of concern (COVID-19, hurricanes, Ukrainian refugees, Israel conflicts, wildfires).
Long-Term Partnerships Preferred: Evidence suggests the Wilf Family Foundations maintain sustained relationships with grantees rather than making one-time gifts. They value collaboration and ongoing impact.
Research Their Giving Patterns: Review the publicly available Form 990-PF filings (available through ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer) to understand current grant recipients and funding patterns. This is the best way to assess alignment without the ability to submit applications.

References

Wilf Family Foundations Official Website - About Us. https://www.wilffamilyfoundations.org/about-us (Accessed January 2026)
Wilf Family Foundations Official Website - Grantmaking. https://www.wilffamilyfoundations.org/grantmaking (Accessed January 2026)
Wilf Family Foundations Official Website - Contact. https://www.wilffamilyfoundations.org/contact (Accessed January 2026)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Zs & M Wilf Foundation Inc. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/223553441 (Accessed January 2026)
Inside Philanthropy - Wilf Family Foundations Profile. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-w/wilf-family-foundations (Accessed January 2026)
Cause IQ - The Z S and M Wilf Foundation. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-z-s-and-m-wilf-foundation,223553441/ (Accessed January 2026)
Wilf Family Foundations. "Wilf Family Foundations Grant $4 Million to Social Justice Causes." https://www.wilffamilyfoundations.org/media/social-justice (Accessed January 2026)
eJewishPhilanthropy. "Wilf family focuses new giving on social justice issues." https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/the-wilf-family-foundations-newest-grants-are-part-of-a-commitment-spurred-by-george-floyds-death/ (Accessed January 2026)
Yeshiva University. "Celebrating the Wilf Family Scholarship Recipients." https://www.yu.edu/news/celebrating-the-wilf-family-scholarship-recipients (Accessed January 2026)
Minnesota Vikings Official Website. "Minnesota Vikings Foundation to Focus on Engaging Youth Health, Wellness & Education Initiatives." https://www.vikings.com/news/minnesota-vikings-foundation-to-focus-on-engaging-youth-health-wellness-19244839 (Accessed January 2026)
Star Tribune. "The Wilf Family Foundation jumps into Minnesota philanthropy with $5 million hospital gift." https://www.startribune.com/wilfs-jump-into-minnesota-philanthropy-with-5m-gift/291582431/ (Accessed January 2026)
Times of Israel. "Holocaust survivor, philanthropist Joseph Wilf dies at 91." https://www.timesofisrael.com/holocaust-survivor-philanthropist-joseph-wilf-dies-at-91/ (Accessed January 2026)
Duluth News Tribune. "From ashes to riches: Wilfs, sons of Holocaust survivors, have legacy of resilience." https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/sports/from-ashes-to-riches-wilfs-sons-of-holocaust-survivors-have-legacy-of-resilience (Accessed January 2026)
New Jersey Jewish News. "The Wilf family's gift to federation." https://njjewishnews.timesofisrael.com/the-wilf-familys-gift-to-federation/ (Accessed January 2026)
Instrumentl - Zs & M Wilf Foundation Inc 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/z-s-and-m-wilf-foundation-inc (Accessed January 2026)