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Wilf Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$17.5M
Grant Range
$0K - $1.0M

Wilf Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $17,497,297 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable - invitation only
  • Decision Time: Not disclosed
  • Grant Range: Average $131,774 (individual grants vary widely)
  • Geographic Focus: United States, Israel, and globally

Contact Details

  • Website: https://www.wilffamilyfoundations.org/
  • Email: Via contact form at wilffamilyfoundations.org/contact (funding requests not accepted)
  • Phone: Not publicly listed
  • Location: Short Hills, NJ

Overview

Established in 1964 by Holocaust survivors Harry and Joseph Wilf along with their wives Judith and Elizabeth, the Wilf Family Foundation has grown into a collection of six family foundations with over $74 million in combined assets. The foundations distribute approximately $17.5 million annually, primarily supporting Jewish causes while also funding education, social justice, and community services. Now led by second and third generation family members including Leonard, Zygi, and Mark Wilf, the foundations maintain a deeply personal approach to philanthropy rooted in Jewish traditions of tzedakah (charity) and tikkun olam (repairing the world). The foundation's commitment was notably demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic when they contributed over $5 million to relief efforts.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through six separate entities:

  • The Wilf Family Foundation (primary entity)
  • Joseph and Elizabeth Wilf Foundation
  • The L.A.W. Foundation
  • The Mark and Jane Wilf Family Foundation ($180 - $1,000,000 typical range)
  • The Z S & M Wilf Foundation
  • Zygmunt and Audrey Wilf Foundation

Priority Areas

  • Jewish Community: Over 50% of total giving, including support for Jewish federations, synagogues, and cultural organizations
  • Education: Higher education institutions, Jewish day schools, and scholarship programs
  • Emergency Relief: Disaster response and humanitarian aid
  • Health: Healthcare access and medical research
  • Veterans: Military and veterans' support organizations
  • Arts & Culture: Cultural institutions and artistic programs
  • Community Services: Basic needs, housing, and social services
  • Israel & Beyond: Strengthening Jewish homeland and diaspora communities
  • Social Justice: Voting rights and criminal justice reform initiatives

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited grant proposals
  • Organizations not pre-selected by the foundation
  • Individual requests

Governance and Leadership

Founders: Harry and Joseph Wilf (Holocaust survivors) and wives Judith and Elizabeth Wilf (established 1964)

Current Leadership:

  • Leonard Wilf: Son of Harry, Vice Chairman of Minnesota Vikings ownership group
  • Mark Wilf: Son of Joseph, Chair of the Board of Trustees for Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)
  • Zygi Wilf: Son of Joseph, involved in business and philanthropic operations

Second and third generation family members now make recommendations on foundation support and identify new giving opportunities, maintaining the founders' vision while adapting to contemporary needs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states: "The Wilf Family Foundations do not accept unsolicited grant applications and any funding requests will not receive a response." They only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Getting on Their Radar

According to Inside Philanthropy, "The six Wilf Family Foundations are not approachable grantmakers, choosing to preselect the organizations they fund, and a connection to a family member or existing grantee will be key here." Organizations seeking support should focus on:

  • Building relationships with current grantees who might provide introductions
  • Establishing connections through Jewish federations and community organizations where family members are active
  • Demonstrating excellence in priority funding areas to gain visibility within their networks

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed - grants are made at the discretion of family members throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable as the foundation does not accept open applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation only funding model.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's invitation-only model, organizations should focus on:

  • Network Building: Cultivate relationships within the Jewish philanthropic community, particularly with organizations already receiving Wilf support
  • Excellence in Mission Alignment: Demonstrate exceptional work in priority areas, especially Jewish causes, education, and social justice
  • Geographic Relevance: Focus organizations in New York, New Jersey, and Florida may have stronger connections
  • Notable Recent Recipients: Jewish Federation of Metro-West ($15 million in 2022), New York University, Columbia University, Rutgers University, Georgetown University, Green Beret Foundation, Heroes to Heroes Foundation
  • Initiative Example: Following October 7th attacks, the foundations launched Machane Am Echad (Camp One People) for displaced Israeli children, demonstrating responsiveness to crisis

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is a relationship-based funder requiring personal connections to family members or existing grantees
  • Over 50% of funding supports Jewish causes - strongest alignment for Jewish organizations
  • Average grant size of $131,774 with some major gifts exceeding $1 million
  • Family maintains active involvement through multiple generations ensuring continuity
  • Foundation demonstrates strong crisis response capability with $5 million COVID relief and recent Israel initiatives
  • No public application process means traditional grant writing approaches will not succeed
  • Building visibility through excellence in funded sectors is the primary path to consideration

References

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