Cherna Moskowitz Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,784,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Average $252,267
• Geographic Focus: California, Florida, Texas, New York, Israel

Contact Details

Phone: (954) 454-6640
Address: 215 North Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
Website: chernamoskowitzfoundation.org (informational only)
Email: Not publicly available
Application Portal: None - invitation-only foundation

Overview

The Cherna Moskowitz Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation with approximately $59.9 million in assets, established by the late Cherna Moskowitz (1931-2024). The foundation awards approximately $3.8 million annually to organizations focused on education, disaster relief, health care, and Jewish/Israeli causes. Following Cherna's passing in August 2024, leadership transitioned to her daughter Laurie Moskowitz Hirsch. The foundation maintains a dual focus on local communities (particularly Hawaiian Gardens, California) and international Jewish/Zionist causes. As a private family foundation, it operates without a public application process, making grants through trustee discretion to pre-identified organizations aligned with the family's philanthropic vision of helping those in need.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate specific grant programs but makes discretionary grants averaging $252,267 to organizations in the following areas:

• Education initiatives for low-income youth
• Disaster relief through established organizations
• Health care and social services
• Jewish and Israeli organizations

Priority Areas

• Education: Schools, educational technology, scholarship programs, with special focus on Hawaiian Gardens, CA
• Disaster Relief: Emergency response for natural disasters (wildfires, hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes)
• Health Care: Support for health organizations including those serving visually impaired children
• Jewish/Israeli Causes: Significant support for Israeli organizations, settlements, and Jewish community development
• Community Development: Food banks, youth sports programs, community centers

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but based on grant history, unlikely to fund:

• Individual requests
• For-profit ventures
• Political campaigns
• Organizations without 501(c)(3) status

Governance and Leadership

Founder: Cherna Moskowitz (1931-2024) - Served as president until her passing in August 2024. Born in Wisconsin to immigrant parents, she was married to Dr. Irving I. Moskowitz for 66 years and had 8 children, 42 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.

Current Leadership: Laurie Moskowitz Hirsch (eldest daughter) assumed leadership prior to Cherna's passing.

Board Service: Cherna served on boards of Nefesh B'Nefesh, Ariel University Center, ZOA, JINSA, Bar Ilan University, and Hesder Yeshiva of Sderot. She also chaired the Moskowitz Prize for Zionism and served as president of Hawaiian Gardens Casino.

The foundation operates with unpaid board members, maintaining low administrative costs to maximize charitable impact.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion to pre-identified organizations. The foundation follows the common practice of 72% of independent foundations that do not accept unsolicited proposals.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's grant history and leadership connections:

• The foundation identifies grantees through board member connections, particularly organizations where Cherna Moskowitz served on boards (Nefesh B'Nefesh, Ariel University, ZOA, JINSA)
• Organizations in Hawaiian Gardens, California receive special consideration due to the family's business presence there through the Hawaiian Gardens Casino
• Jewish and Israeli organizations, particularly those supporting settlements and Jerusalem development, align with the foundation's demonstrated priorities
• The foundation has maintained long-term relationships with certain grantees, such as the American Red Cross for disaster relief

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available - decisions made at trustee discretion

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only foundation

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only foundation, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on the foundation's giving patterns:

• Geographic Connection: Organizations in Hawaiian Gardens, CA or with connections to the family's business interests have received consistent support
• Mission Alignment: The foundation consistently supports education for low-income youth, disaster relief, and Jewish/Israeli causes
• Established Track Record: The foundation favors established organizations with proven impact (American Red Cross, established schools, recognized Israeli organizations)
• Board Connections: Organizations where family members serve or have served on boards receive priority consideration
• Long-term Relationships: The foundation maintains multi-year support for select organizations rather than one-time grants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only foundation without a public application process - do not submit unsolicited proposals
• Average grant size of $252,267 indicates preference for substantial investments in fewer organizations
• Dual focus on local community development (Hawaiian Gardens, CA) and international Jewish/Israeli causes
• Education initiatives for low-income youth remain a top priority following founder's vision
• Foundation remains active under new leadership of Laurie Moskowitz Hirsch following founder's 2024 passing
• Best prospects for funding: organizations with existing board connections or those operating in Hawaiian Gardens, CA
• Long history of disaster relief funding through established channels like American Red Cross

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990-PF filings (2001-2023): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/262547583
• Cause IQ Foundation Profile (accessed February 2025): https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/cherna-moskowitz-foundation,262547583/
• Jewish News Syndicate obituary (August 31, 2024): https://www.jns.org/philanthropist-cherna-moskowitz-extraordinary-zionist-dies-at-93/
• Instrumentl 990 Report Analysis: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/cherna-moskowitz-foundation
• Foundation Directory (Candid) Profile: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=MOSK018
• Cherna Moskowitz Foundation Website: https://chernamoskowitzfoundation.org/
• Grantmakers.io Grant Distribution Analysis: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/262547583-cherna-moskowitz-foundation/