Norman E Alexander Family S Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $6,000,000
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Average Grant: $176,471
• Number of Grants: 34 annually (2023-2024)
• Geographic Focus: National (primarily major U.S. cities)

Contact Details

Address: 31 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001-6914

Phone: (212) 949-0990

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Norman E Alexander Family S Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established to honour the legacy of Norman E. Alexander (1914-2006), a distinguished businessman and philanthropist. Tax-exempt since February 2011, the foundation holds assets exceeding $110 million and distributes approximately $6 million annually in grants. The foundation is led by family members Sharon Zoffness (Director and President), Rachel Zoffness (Director and Vice President), and Daniel Binderman (Director and Vice President), all of whom serve without compensation. Based on recent grant patterns, the foundation's primary focus areas include organisations with Jewish affiliation, medical research, social welfare, Jewish education, and Jewish cultural heritage.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking rather than formal grant programmes. Awards are made to preselected organisations identified by the foundation's leadership.

• Average Grant Size: $176,471
• Annual Distribution: Approximately $6 million across 34 grants
• Application Method: Invitation only

Priority Areas

Based on recent grant activity, priority funding areas include:

• Jewish-Affiliated Organisations: Support for organisations with Jewish affiliation
• Medical Research: Support for medical education and research institutions
• Social Welfare: Organisations addressing community welfare needs
• Jewish Education: Educational institutions and programmes
• Jewish Cultural Heritage: Organisations preserving and promoting Jewish culture

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organisations.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Sharon Zoffness - Director and President
One of Norman E. Alexander's adult children, Sharon leads the foundation and serves without compensation.

Rachel Zoffness - Director and Vice President
Norman E. Alexander's granddaughter, Rachel serves as Vice President without compensation.

Daniel Binderman - Director and Vice President
Norman E. Alexander's grandson, Daniel serves as Vice President without compensation.

About the Founder

Norman E. Alexander (1914-2006) was an illustrious businessman and philanthropist whose remarkable career spanned seven decades. In 1954, he purchased Ampacet Corp.—then a small plastics recycler—and built it into one of the world's largest colour and additive concentrate makers. He was a founding member of the board of the Jewish Week, a long-standing member of the publication committee of Commentary Magazine, and a supporter of the Jewish Publication Society. He was a founder and board member of the Albert Einstein Medical College, a founding trustee of the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, and a major supporter of UJA-Federation as well as Temple Kol Ami.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Organisations are selected at the discretion of the foundation's trustees based on alignment with the foundation's mission and priorities.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed as the foundation operates on a trustee-discretion model rather than a formal application cycle.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the Norman E Alexander Family S Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, there is no formal application process. However, organisations that align with the foundation's observed priorities may be considered for future support:

• Strong Jewish Affiliation: Organisations with Jewish affiliation are prioritised, particularly those addressing the foundation's core focus areas
• Alignment with Core Mission: Medical research, social welfare, Jewish education, and Jewish cultural heritage are the foundation's observed priorities
• Established Track Record: The foundation appears to support established institutions and organisations
• Major Gift Capacity: With an average grant size of $176,471, the foundation makes substantial awards to selected organisations
• Geographic Presence: The foundation has supported organisations across major U.S. cities including New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation Only: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications; grants are made to preselected organisations only
• Jewish Focus: The foundation prioritises organisations with Jewish affiliation based on recent grant patterns
• Family Governance: The foundation is led by Norman E. Alexander's children and grandchildren who maintain his philanthropic legacy
• Significant Capacity: With $110+ million in assets and $6 million in annual giving, the foundation has substantial resources
• Large Average Grants: The average grant of $176,471 indicates the foundation makes meaningful investments in selected organisations
• Established Relationships: The foundation's preselection model suggests it works with organisations already known to the trustees or those that come highly recommended
• Legacy-Driven: Funding priorities reflect Norman E. Alexander's lifelong commitments to Jewish causes, medical research, and social welfare

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Norman E Alexander Family S Foundation Inc
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Norman E Alexander Family S Foundation Inc
• Grantmakers.io Profile - Norman E Alexander Family S Foundation Inc
• Grantable Foundation Profile - Norman E Alexander Family S Foundation
• Cause IQ - Norman E Alexander Family S Foundation
• SEC Trust Documents - Norman E Alexander Family Trusts
• New York Medical College - Norman E. Alexander Family M Foundation Medical Education Centre Plaza
• Council on Foreign Relations - Norman E. Alexander Family M Foundation Forum on Science and Foreign Policy

All sources accessed December 18, 2025.