← Back to US Funders Directory

The Dina And Raphael Recanati Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$10.9M
Grant Range
$50K - $10.0M
00

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10,922,504 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (pre-selected recipients)
  • Grant Range: $50,000 - $10,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Israel-focused organizations, particularly education

Contact Details

Location: New York, NY
EIN: 30-0125015
Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or requests for funding.

Overview

The Dina and Raphael Recanati Family Foundation was established in memory of Raphael Recanati (1924-1999), a Greek-born Israeli-American businessman and banker who served as chairman of the Israel Discount Bank, and his wife Dina Recanati (1928-2021), an accomplished artist born in Cairo, Egypt. Tax-exempt since December 2002, the foundation manages assets of approximately $9.4 million while maintaining substantial annual giving that in 2024 totaled over $10.9 million in charitable disbursements. The foundation continues the family's legacy of supporting Israeli educational institutions and cultural organizations, with a particular focus on Reichman University (formerly IDC Herzliya), where the family endowed the Raphael Recanati International School. The foundation is currently directed by the family's children and operates exclusively through trustee-directed grants to pre-selected organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis with no formal grant programs open to public application. Recent grants demonstrate significant support for:

  • American Friends of IDC/Reichman University: $10,000,000 (2024) - supporting the Raphael Recanati International School
  • PEF Israel Endowment Funds: Ongoing support for Israeli causes
  • Friends of Tel Aviv: Cultural and civic initiatives
  • Maccabi World Union: Jewish sports and cultural organization

Grant amounts range from $50,000 to $10,000,000, with a median grant size of approximately $273,000.

Priority Areas

  • Israeli Higher Education: Primary focus on Reichman University and the Raphael Recanati International School
  • Israeli Cultural Institutions: Support for Tel Aviv civic and cultural organizations
  • Jewish Identity and Community: Organizations strengthening Jewish connections globally
  • International Education: Programs bringing international students to study in Israel

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not fund:

  • Organizations without established connections to Israel
  • Unsolicited proposals from any organization
  • General operating support for organizations outside their pre-selected portfolio
  • Individual scholarships or direct student aid

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a small family board:

  • Oudi Recanati - Director (unpaid) - Eldest son of Raphael and Dina Recanati, born in New York in 1949. Oudi worked with Professor Uriel Reichman to establish the vision for the Raphael Recanati International School and has been instrumental in continuing his parents' philanthropic legacy. Along with his mother Dina, he generously supported the international school named in honor of his father.

  • Shai Recanati - Director (unpaid) - Family member serving on the board

  • Shira Recanati - Director (unpaid) - Family member serving on the board

  • Esther Cohen - Treasurer (compensated at $162,848 annually, working 5 hours per week) - Handles the foundation's financial operations and grant administration

The foundation maintains a lean operational structure with the Recanati family members providing strategic direction while Esther Cohen manages day-to-day financial operations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

All grants are made at the discretion of the board of directors, who select recipients based on the family's philanthropic priorities and longstanding relationships with Israeli educational and cultural institutions.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded through trustee discretion rather than formal application cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. In 2024, the foundation made 4 grants totaling over $10.9 million to pre-selected organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - there is no application process. Organizations are selected by trustees.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, the following factors characterize organizations that receive support:

  • Established relationship with the Recanati family: All funded organizations have longstanding connections to the family's philanthropic interests
  • Focus on Israeli education and culture: Nearly all grants support Israeli institutions or organizations serving Israel
  • Connection to Reichman University: The family's flagship philanthropic initiative is the Raphael Recanati International School at Reichman University
  • Jewish identity and community building: Organizations that strengthen Jewish connections and bring international students to Israel
  • Track record of impact: Recipients are well-established institutions with demonstrated effectiveness

Historical giving patterns show the foundation's primary commitment is to continuing Raphael and Dina Recanati's vision of supporting Israeli higher education and strengthening connections between Jewish youth worldwide and Israel.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant seeking methods
  • Israel-focused giving: Virtually all grants support organizations connected to Israel, particularly educational institutions
  • Family-directed philanthropy: Funding decisions are made by the Recanati children based on their parents' legacy priorities
  • Major donor profile: Recent grants include a $10 million contribution to American Friends of IDC, indicating capacity for transformational gifts
  • Consistent focus: The foundation maintains a narrow, consistent focus rather than exploring new areas
  • Relationship-based: All funded organizations have pre-existing relationships with the family
  • Educational emphasis: Higher education, particularly international programs at Reichman University, represents the core funding priority

References

← Back to US Funders Directory