Halis Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3.5 million (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Rolling basis (no fixed timeline)
• Grant Range: $1.5M - $2M average per grant
• Geographic Focus: Primarily New York, Massachusetts, with some national and international reach

Contact Details

• Phone: (212) 446-2466
• Address: 150 East 58th Street, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10155
• Website: No public website
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Halis Family Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 2003 by Jeffrey and Nancy Halis, with approximately $60.3 million in assets. The foundation distributed $3.5 million in grants in 2023, making only 2 grants with an average size of $1.76 million. This highly selective foundation focuses primarily on neuroscience and brain research, Jewish causes including Holocaust education and survivor support, and youth development. Jeffrey Halis, founder and CEO of Tyndall Management, brings extensive MIT connections and personal motivations stemming from family history with dyslexia and Alzheimer's disease, as well as his mother's experience as a Holocaust survivor.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes 1-2 very large grants annually averaging $1.5-2 million each, distributed on a rolling basis through trustee discretion rather than formal programs.

Priority Areas

• Medical & Neuroscience Research: Brain development, dyslexia diagnosis/treatment, Alzheimer's research, visual neuroscience
• Jewish Causes: Holocaust education, survivor support, Jewish eldercare
• Education & Youth Development: MIT initiatives, student entrepreneurship, youth homelessness services
• Arts & Culture: Lincoln Center programming

What They Don't Fund

No explicit exclusions listed, but the foundation's pattern suggests they do not fund:

• Small grant requests (under six figures)
• Organizations outside their established focus areas
• First-time applicants without existing connections

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Jeffrey Halis - Founder and primary trustee, President/CEO of Tyndall Management, MIT Corporation member, MIT Investment Management Company board member
• Nancy Halis - Co-trustee

Both trustees serve without compensation. Jeffrey brings extensive connections through MIT (Bachelor's and Master's from MIT Sloan, 1976), serves on the board of Bridge Over Troubled Waters, and as Board Observer for Cognito Therapeutics (Alzheimer's treatment company).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

While application requirements are listed in foundation directories (resume/bio, mission statement, financial statements, tax returns, IRS determination letter, project details with budget), the foundation's pattern of making only 1-2 grants annually to organizations with existing trustee connections suggests this foundation does not have a truly public application process. Grants appear to be made through trustee discretion and invitation.

Getting on Their Radar

Given Jeffrey Halis's extensive involvement with MIT and specific board positions, organizations may increase visibility through:

• MIT alumni networks and MIT Corporation connections
• Bridge Over Troubled Waters network (Jeffrey joined board in 2022)
• Tyndall Management business connections
• Jewish community organizations in New York
• Neuroscience and brain research conferences where MIT researchers present

Decision Timeline

Rolling basis with no fixed deadlines or published decision timelines

Success Rates

Not publicly available; however, with only 1-2 grants made annually from likely numerous inquiries, the success rate is presumably very low

Reapplication Policy

No stated policy

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented grant patterns:

• Strong institutional credibility - All recent recipients are established institutions (MIT, Washington University, Rockefeller University)
• Personal connection to trustees - Most funded organizations have clear connections to Jeffrey Halis through MIT, board service, or personal interests
• Mission alignment with family history - Dyslexia and Alzheimer's research directly relate to Halis family experiences
• Significant funding needs - Average grants of $1.76 million suggest small requests are inappropriate
• Research-based approaches - Strong preference for academic institutions and evidence-based programs
• Long-term relationship - Recipients like MIT and Bridge Over Troubled Waters have multi-year relationships

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a relationship-based funder making 1-2 very large grants annually through trustee discretion
• MIT connections appear to be the strongest pathway to funding consideration
• Personal motivations (dyslexia, Alzheimer's, Holocaust heritage) drive giving priorities
• Minimum viable request appears to be in the high six to seven-figure range
• No public application process means cultivation and connections are essential
• Recent board appointment to Bridge Over Troubled Waters (2022) may signal new funding opportunities in youth homelessness
• International projects are possible if strongly aligned with priorities (Project Prakash in India)

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - IRS Form 990-PF filings (2023, accessed February 2026)
• Charity Navigator profile - Halis Family Foundation (accessed February 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - Halis Family Foundation profile (accessed February 2026)
• Inside Philanthropy - Jeffrey and Nancy Halis donor profile (accessed February 2026)
• MIT News - Articles on Gabrieli Lab dyslexia research citing Halis Foundation funding
• Bridge Over Troubled Waters - Board announcement of Jeffrey Halis appointment (2022)
• MIT Corporation member directory (accessed February 2026)
• Project Prakash publications citing Halis Foundation support