Fineberg Foundation

Quick Stats

• EIN: 27-6816503
• Annual Giving: $900,000 - $1,002,300 (recent years)
• Total Assets: $29.5 - $31.1 million
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $320,000
• Average Grant: $91,118
• Number of Grants: 11-12 grants annually
• Geographic Focus: California, New York, New Jersey, with additional grants in Ohio, Kentucky, and Washington D.C.
• Application Process: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: 11812 San Vicente Blvd, Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90049-5081

Phone: Not publicly available

Email: Not publicly available

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

Overview

The Fineberg Foundation is a private corporate foundation established from the legacy of Dr. Joseph Fineberg (1917-c.2000s), a Toronto-born physician who migrated to Los Angeles in 1945 after serving as a wartime physician with the U.S. Army. Dr. Fineberg graduated from the University of Toronto's medical school in 1941 and earned a fellowship in Internal Medicine from Washington University in St. Louis. He opened a medical practice in a predominantly low-income community in Los Angeles where his patients were diverse, and continued practicing well into his 80s. Mayor Tom Bradley presented Dr. Fineberg with an "Outstanding Service Award" for his humanitarian attention to the city's neediest citizens. Never married and without children, Dr. Fineberg accumulated wealth through frugal living and astute real estate investments with his business partner, ultimately bequeathing his entire estate to charity. The foundation now holds assets between $29.5-$31.1 million and distributes approximately $900,000-$1,000,000 annually in grants. The foundation focuses on education, philanthropy and voluntarism, and human services, reflecting Dr. Fineberg's commitment to serving underserved communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Fineberg Foundation operates as a private foundation making discretionary grants to preselected organizations. Grants are awarded on a trustee-selected basis rather than through open application cycles.

Grant Sizes: $1,000 - $320,000 (average: $91,118)

Annual Grant Volume: 11-12 grants per year

Priority Areas

Based on tax filings and known recipients, the foundation supports:

Education

• Jewish educational programs
• Youth development through educational experiences
• Summer camp programs that provide educational and character-building opportunities for children

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

• Supporting other charitable organizations
• Building philanthropic capacity in communities

Human Services

• Programs serving low-income and underserved populations
• Services benefiting children and youth
• Community-based human services organizations

Jewish Community Organizations

• Known major support to Camp Northland-B'nai Brith
• Jewish camps and educational institutions
• Organizations serving the Jewish community

Geographic Focus

Primary Focus:

• California (particularly Los Angeles area)
• New York (including Brooklyn and New York City)
• New Jersey (including Whippany)

Additional Support:

• Ohio (Beachwood)
• Kentucky
• Washington D.C.

What They Don't Fund

As the foundation only makes grants to preselected organizations, they effectively do not fund any organization that submits an unsolicited application.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The Fineberg Foundation is governed by a board of trustees that includes:

• Rodney Chase - Highest compensated trustee ($160,000 for 3 hours of work, according to available filings)
• Harvey Glasner - Trustee
• Ian Glasner - Trustee
• Malka Stromer - Trustee

Additional trustees are listed in the foundation's Form 990-PF filings.

Foundation's Approach

The foundation appears to operate with a hands-on trustee model where board members personally select grant recipients based on their knowledge of organizations and causes aligned with Dr. Fineberg's legacy. The significant trustee compensation suggests active involvement in foundation management and grantmaking decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Fineberg Foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees to organizations they have personally identified or with which they have existing relationships. There are no application deadlines, forms, or processes available to the general public.

Getting on Their Radar

While the Fineberg Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, the following organization-specific intelligence may be helpful:

Known Relationship: Camp Northland-B'nai Brith

• The foundation has a documented, long-standing relationship with Camp Northland-B'nai Brith
• The camp's website features a dedicated page about the Fineberg Foundation, noting that Dr. Fineberg "never had the privilege of enjoying childhood experiences like going to summer camp, but would be pleased to see his money supporting children through the Jewish Camp Council"
• The foundation provides matching contributions during Camp Northland's fundraising campaigns, including their annual Day of Giving

Trustee Connections

• Given the trustee-driven model, relationships with board members Rodney Chase, Harvey Glasner, Ian Glasner, or Malka Stromer may be relevant
• The foundation appears to support organizations in areas where trustees have personal knowledge or connection

Geographic and Mission Alignment

• Organizations serving low-income populations in Los Angeles (reflecting Dr. Fineberg's medical practice focus)
• Jewish community organizations, particularly those serving youth
• Educational programs with demonstrated impact on underserved children

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion rather than on a scheduled cycle.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, understanding what the foundation values can be instructive:

Values Reflected in Dr. Fineberg's Legacy:

• Service to underserved populations: Dr. Fineberg practiced medicine in a predominantly low-income community and received recognition for his humanitarian attention to the city's neediest citizens
• Frugality and responsible stewardship: Despite accumulating significant wealth, Dr. Fineberg lived frugally, suggesting he would value efficient use of charitable dollars
• Long-term commitment: He practiced medicine into his 80s, suggesting appreciation for sustained commitment to mission
• Providing opportunities he never had: The Camp Northland connection notes he never experienced summer camp as a child but wanted to provide that for others

Patterns in Known Funding:

• Multi-year relationships with recipient organizations
• Geographic diversity while maintaining California focus
• Support ranging from smaller grants ($1,000) to substantial commitments ($320,000)
• Focus on direct service to children and youth
• Support for Jewish community infrastructure

For Organizations Considering Relationship Building:

• Demonstrate measurable impact on underserved populations, particularly children
• Show responsible financial stewardship and efficiency
• Maintain long-term presence and commitment in your community
• Connect mission to values Dr. Fineberg embodied: service, education, opportunity for those without privilege

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: The Fineberg Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and only funds preselected organizations. Traditional grant-seeking strategies will not work.

• Relationship-Driven Grantmaking: The foundation operates through trustee discretion, making personal relationships with board members the only pathway to potential funding.

• Legacy-Based Mission: Understanding Dr. Fineberg's life story is essential - a physician who served low-income communities, lived frugally despite wealth, and wanted to provide opportunities (particularly educational experiences like summer camp) to children who might not otherwise have them.

• Significant Assets, Focused Giving: With $29-31 million in assets but only 11-12 grants annually, this is a highly selective funder that makes substantial commitments to chosen organizations rather than spreading resources widely.

• Multi-State Jewish Philanthropy Focus: While based in Los Angeles, the foundation supports Jewish organizations across California, New York, and New Jersey, with particular emphasis on youth education and development.

• Camp Northland Example: The foundation's documented relationship with Camp Northland-B'nai Brith, including matching gift programs, demonstrates their approach to sustained, engaged philanthropy with organizations aligned to Dr. Fineberg's values.

• Review Form 990-PF for Intelligence: Organizations interested in understanding the foundation's giving patterns should review recent Form 990-PF filings (available through ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, GuideStar, or the IRS) to see current grant recipients and identify potential patterns or connections.

References

• Cause IQ: Fineberg Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/fineberg-foundation,276816503/ (Accessed February 25, 2026)

• Grantmakers.io: Fineberg Foundation Profile. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/276816503-fineberg-foundation/ (Accessed February 25, 2026)

• Instrumentl: Fineberg Foundation 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/fineberg-foundation (Accessed February 25, 2026)

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Fineberg Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/276816503 (Accessed February 25, 2026)

• Camp Northland-B'nai Brith: Fineberg Foundation Page. https://www.campnbb.com/finebergfoundation.html (Accessed February 25, 2026) - Source of biographical information about Dr. Joseph Fineberg

• Camp Northland-B'nai Brith: Day of Giving. https://www.campnbb.com/dayofgiving.html (Accessed February 25, 2026) - Information about matching gift programs

• Charity Navigator: Fineberg Foundation Profile. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/276816503 (Accessed February 25, 2026)

• GuideStar: Fineberg Foundation Profile. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/27-6816503 (Accessed February 25, 2026)