The Joseph And Florence Mandel Family Foundation-Michele M And

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $6.2 million (2023)
• Total Assets: $165 million (2024)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,900,000
• Median Grant: $18,000
• Total Grants (2024): 85 grants
• Geographic Focus: Ohio (Cleveland), Florida (Miami, West Palm Beach), New York

Contact Details

Bradley S. Smith, President/Treasurer
1000 Lakeside Ave E
Cleveland, OH 44114
Phone: (216) 875-6500

Overview

The Joseph And Florence Mandel Family Foundation-Michele M And was granted charitable status in March 2019 as a private family foundation based in Cleveland, Ohio. The foundation is part of the broader Mandel family philanthropic legacy, which began in 1953 with the establishment of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation. With assets of $165 million and annual giving of approximately $6.2 million, the foundation supports education, Jewish community organizations, arts and cultural institutions, community development, and healthcare-related causes. The foundation operates primarily through trustee discretion, with leadership provided by the Beyer family including Michele M. Beyer and her family members who serve as trustees. In 2024, the foundation made 85 grants totaling $5 million, with a median grant size of $18,000.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but provides funding across multiple categories with grants ranging from small donations to major multi-year commitments. Grant sizes in 2024 ranged from approximately $1,000 to $1.9 million, with a median grant of $18,000.

Priority Areas

• Education: Support for independent schools, Jewish day schools, and higher education institutions
• Arts and Culture: Grants to museums, contemporary art institutions, and cultural organizations
• Jewish Community: Funding for Jewish educational institutions, synagogues, and community organizations
• Healthcare: Support for medical institutions and health-related causes
• Community Development: Neighborhood and community development initiatives

Recent Grant Recipients (2024)

• Beyer Family Fund: $1,900,000
• Institute of Contemporary Art Miami: $500,000
• University of Miami: $250,000
• Pine Crest Preparatory School: $153,700
• Hebrew Academy of Cleveland: $100,000

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, though the foundation's grantmaking history suggests a focus on established institutions in their priority areas rather than startup organizations or individual requests.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team:

• Bradley S. Smith - President and Treasurer
• Michele M. Beyer - Trustee
• Robert C. Beyer - Trustee
• Anthony M. Beyer - Trustee
• Timothy C. Beyer - Trustee

The foundation is governed by the Beyer family and operates with volunteer board leadership. The foundation is connected to the broader Mandel family philanthropic network, which has a long history of supporting leadership development, nonprofit management, humanities, Jewish education and continuity, and urban neighborhood development in Cleveland and beyond.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation does not use a formal application form. According to their published guidelines, any funding request should include the following information:

1. Description of project and justification
2. Amount and term of grant requested
3. Financial information about the organization
4. IRS exemption status documentation

Proposals should be mailed to:
Bradley S. Smith
The Joseph And Florence Mandel Family Foundation-Michele M And
1000 Lakeside Ave E
Cleveland, OH 44114

Phone inquiries: (216) 875-6500

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a private family foundation operating through trustee discretion, review periods may vary based on the nature and size of the request.

Success Rates

With 85-86 grants awarded annually from an undisclosed number of applications, specific success rates are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific restrictions on reapplication are documented. Organizations may submit requests as appropriate for new projects or initiatives.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's grantmaking patterns and structure, the following factors appear important:

• Geographic alignment: The foundation shows clear geographic preferences for Cleveland, OH; Miami and West Palm Beach, FL; and New York, NY. Organizations in these locations receive the majority of funding.

• Established institutions: Grant recipients tend to be well-established educational institutions, cultural organizations, and Jewish community organizations rather than newer or grassroots groups.

• Institutional relationships: As a private family foundation operating through trustee discretion, existing relationships with the Beyer family trustees appear to play a role in grantmaking decisions.

• Clear project description: Since there is no formal application form, proposals should provide clear, concise descriptions of projects with specific funding requests and strong justification.

• Educational and cultural focus: Organizations in independent education, Jewish education, contemporary arts, and higher education align well with the foundation's documented giving patterns.

• Multi-year potential: Some of the foundation's largest grants suggest capacity for multi-year commitments to priority institutions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No formal application cycle: The foundation accepts proposals on an ongoing basis without fixed deadlines, allowing flexibility in timing of requests.

• Relationship-driven: As a private family foundation, cultivating relationships with trustees (the Beyer family) may be valuable for organizations seeking support.

• Geographic focus matters: Organizations in Cleveland, Miami/West Palm Beach, and New York have the strongest alignment with the foundation's giving patterns.

• Wide grant range: While the median grant is $18,000, the foundation has capacity for grants ranging from small amounts to nearly $2 million, suggesting proposals can be tailored to project scope.

• Keep it simple: Without a formal application form, concise proposals with the four required elements (project description, funding request, financial info, IRS status) are preferred.

• Educational and cultural institutions: Schools, universities, museums, and Jewish community organizations represent the core of the foundation's grantmaking portfolio.

• Family foundation structure: Understanding that this is one of several Mandel family foundations may provide context for the foundation's values and priorities rooted in the broader Mandel philanthropic legacy.

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Joseph And Florence Mandel Family Foundation-Michele M And (EIN 32-0570943): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/320570943 (Accessed January 2026)
• Grantmakers.io Profile - The Joseph and Florence Mandel Family Foundation-Michele M and: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/320570943-the-joseph-and-florence-mandel-family-foundation-michele-m-and/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Cause IQ - Joseph and Florence Mandel Family Fund: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/thejoseph-and-florence-mandel-family-foundation-mi,320570943/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Mandel Foundation - Home: https://www.mandelfoundation.org/ (Accessed January 2026)
• FoundationSearch - Foundation Summary (EIN 320570943): https://www.foundationsearch.com/topsp/3/320570943.html (Accessed January 2026)