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 honor 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. The foundation's primary mission is to benefit organizations with substantial Jewish affiliation that promote medical research, social welfare, Jewish education, and Jewish cultural heritage, with at least two-thirds of all charitable contributions directed toward this primary purpose each fiscal year.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking rather than formal grant programs. Awards are made to preselected organizations 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

According to the foundation's governing documents, priority funding areas include:

Jewish-Affiliated Organizations: Organizations with substantial Jewish affiliation receive at least two-thirds of all grants
Medical Research: Support for medical education and research institutions
Social Welfare: Organizations addressing community welfare needs
Jewish Education: Educational institutions and programs
Jewish Cultural Heritage: Organizations preserving and promoting Jewish culture

What They Don't Fund

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

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 color 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 organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Organizations 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, organizations that align with the foundation's documented priorities may be considered for future support:

Strong Jewish Affiliation: Organizations with substantial Jewish affiliation are prioritized, 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 stated priorities
Established Track Record: The foundation appears to support established institutions and organizations
Major Gift Capacity: With an average grant size of $176,471, the foundation makes substantial awards to selected organizations
Geographic Presence: The foundation has supported organizations across major U.S. cities including New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.

Notable Funding Examples

While specific recent grants are not publicly detailed, the foundation family has established:

A $3 million endowment for medical student scholarships in internal medicine at New York Medical College (Norman E. Alexander Family M Foundation)
The Norman E. Alexander Family M Foundation Medical Education Center Plaza at New York Medical College
The Norman E. Alexander Family M Foundation Forum on Science and Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Invitation Only: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications; grants are made to preselected organizations only
Jewish Focus: At least two-thirds of all charitable contributions must support organizations with substantial Jewish affiliation
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 organizations
Established Relationships: The foundation's preselection model suggests it works with organizations 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

All sources accessed December 18, 2025.