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Goldhirsh Yellin Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.1M

Goldhirsh Yellin Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,090,000 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $44.2 million
  • Number of Grants: 39 awards (2023)
  • Average Grant Size: $77,250
  • Geographic Focus: National (operates across 17 states)
  • Foundation Type: Private Independent Family Foundation
  • Application Process: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: 1 Liberty Square, Boston, MA

Website: www.goldhirshyellin.org

Note: The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Overview

The Goldhirsh Yellin Foundation (EIN: 27-2968092) is a private family foundation established by Elizabeth A. Goldhirsh and Eric Yellin, operating from Boston, Massachusetts. Founded with assets inherited from Elizabeth's father, the late magazine publisher Bernard Goldhirsh, the foundation has grown to manage approximately $44.2 million in assets. The foundation is deeply committed to supporting education, cancer research, archaeology in Israel, and advocacy on behalf of Jewish causes and the Jewish state. In 2023, the foundation distributed $3,090,000 through 39 grants across 17 states. Both Elizabeth and Eric serve without compensation, dedicating their efforts to strategic philanthropy aligned with their values. The foundation operates exclusively through invitation or pre-selection, focusing on organizations and initiatives that align closely with their mission areas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with public application processes. Instead, grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to preselected organizations. Recent grant activity shows:

  • 2023: 39 awards totaling $3,090,000
  • 2022: 49 awards
  • 2021: 32 awards
  • 2020: 35 awards
  • 2019: 38 awards totaling $2,579,850

Average grant size is approximately $77,250, though this varies significantly based on project scope and organizational needs.

Priority Areas

Jewish Education and Scholarship

  • Support for advanced Judaic studies programs
  • Research on Jewish history and culture in Israel
  • Study of antisemitism and anti-Judaism
  • Programs addressing Jewish-Christian relations

Israel-Focused Initiatives

  • Archaeological research in Israel
  • Emergency medical services (Magen David Adom)
  • Organizations supporting Israeli causes
  • Cultural and historical preservation in Israel

Cancer Research

  • Medical research institutions
  • Cancer treatment and prevention programs

Advocacy and Jewish Causes

  • Organizations supporting the Jewish state
  • Programs combating antisemitism
  • Jewish communal organizations and services

Notable Recent Grants

University of Pennsylvania - Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies

  • Established the Goldhirsh-Yellin Program Fund for the Study of Jewish History and Culture in Israel
  • Established the Goldhirsh-Yellin Program Fund for the Study of Antisemitism
  • Five-year initiative supporting research, teaching, and public engagement
  • Supports programs addressing issues like "Jews and the University: Antisemitism, Admissions, Academic Freedom"

American Friends of Magen David Adom

  • Multiple fully equipped ambulances donated in honor and memory of individuals
  • Support for Israel's emergency medical services
  • Recognition as major supporter of Israeli emergency response capabilities

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's focus suggests they do not typically fund:

  • Organizations outside their core mission areas (Jewish causes, cancer research, Israel, education)
  • General operating support for organizations unrelated to their priorities
  • Projects without clear connection to Jewish community, Israel, or cancer research

Governance and Leadership

Elizabeth A. Goldhirsh - President and Treasurer

  • Daughter of late magazine publisher Bernard Goldhirsh
  • Holds MA in Theological Studies from Harvard University
  • Holds MA in Journalism from Columbia University
  • Early philanthropist who, at age 25 (in 2004), launched one of the nation's most generous student writing contests with a $25,000 grand prize
  • Received humanitarian award from Israel's Magen David Adom for millions of dollars in donations
  • Penn alumna who has maintained strong connection to university's Judaic studies programs

Eric Yellin - Secretary

  • Holds MBA from Harvard Business School
  • Holds BA from Cornell University
  • Partner in foundation's strategic decision-making

Leadership Philosophy: Both leaders serve without compensation, demonstrating commitment to maximizing charitable impact. According to Steven Weitzman, Director of the Katz Center at Penn, the foundation's support enables "important new initiatives to support research and advance public understanding in two central domains of Jewish experience."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Goldhirsh Yellin Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations identified through the trustees' networks and strategic interests.

There is no public application portal, formal application form, or submission process available to organizations seeking funding. Grants are awarded based on trustees' discretion and alignment with the foundation's mission priorities.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis without formal application cycles or decision timelines for external applicants.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot apply or reapply through a public process.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not accept applications, understanding what they fund can provide insight for organizations working in similar spaces:

Mission Alignment is Critical The foundation's support is highly targeted toward Jewish causes, Israel, cancer research, and education. Organizations receiving funding demonstrate deep alignment with these specific mission areas, particularly at the intersection of Jewish scholarship, Israeli causes, and combating antisemitism.

Prestige and Impact Potential The foundation's known grants go to established, prestigious institutions (e.g., University of Pennsylvania) or well-recognized organizations (e.g., American Friends of Magen David Adom) with proven track records and significant impact potential.

Personal Connection and Values Elizabeth Goldhirsh's background in theological studies and journalism, combined with the couple's strong ties to the Jewish community and Israel, suggests that grants reflect deeply personal values and connections. Her early work on Christian-Jewish relations following "The Passion of the Christ" controversy demonstrates thoughtful engagement with complex interfaith issues.

Memorial and Honorific Giving The foundation has demonstrated interest in memorial gifts that create lasting impact, such as ambulances donated in memory and honor of individuals, suggesting that meaningful tribute opportunities may resonate with the trustees.

Long-term Strategic Partnerships The five-year commitment to the Katz Center indicates preference for sustained partnerships rather than one-time grants, allowing for deeper impact and relationship building over time.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation operates exclusively through trustee discretion and pre-selection. There is no pathway for unsolicited proposals.

  • Highly Focused Mission: The foundation has clear, specific priorities: Jewish education and scholarship, Israel-related causes, cancer research, and combating antisemitism. Organizations outside these areas are unlikely to receive consideration.

  • Substantial Grant Capacity: With an average grant of $77,250 and annual giving around $3 million, the foundation makes meaningful investments when they do engage with organizations.

  • Multi-Year Commitments: Evidence suggests preference for sustained partnerships (e.g., five-year Katz Center initiative) rather than one-off grants.

  • Institutional Partnerships: Known grants favor established, prestigious institutions with proven track records in scholarship and research.

  • Memorial and Tribute Opportunities: The foundation has shown interest in meaningful memorial giving that creates lasting impact in honor of individuals.

  • Geographic Reach: While based in Boston, the foundation supports projects across 17 states and internationally (Israel), demonstrating willingness to fund beyond their local area when mission-aligned.

References

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