Kranzberg Family Charitable Foundation Dtd 6-3-2000

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $70,000-$75,000 (Jewish community grants cycle)
• Total Annual Distributions: $4.3 million (2024, including major grants to arts organizations)
• Success Rate: Approximately 40% (15 recipients from ~$187,000 in requests)
• Decision Time: Approximately 6-8 weeks (applications close early November, decisions by year-end)
• Grant Range: $3,000 - $7,000 (typical for Jewish community grants)
• Geographic Focus: St. Louis, Missouri
• Total Assets: $26 million (2024)

Contact Details

Applications are managed through the Jewish Federation of St. Louis:

• Website: https://www.jfedstl.org/kranzberg-family-foundation/
• Primary Contact: Lori Kabrun-Berry, Director of Foundations
• Additional Contact: Devorah Stein, Community Impact Associate

Overview

The Kranzberg Family Charitable Foundation Dtd 6-3-2000 (EIN: 43-6852835) was established in 2001 through a generous commitment from Ken and Nancy Kranzberg, prominent St. Louis philanthropists. Since 2008, the foundation has awarded over $1 million to organizations in the St. Louis Jewish community. The foundation's Jewish community grant program distributes approximately $70,000-$75,000 annually through the Jewish Federation of St. Louis to support Jewish youth and young adult programming. Additionally, the foundation makes substantial grants to arts and cultural organizations in St. Louis, with total annual distributions of $4.3 million in 2024. Ken and Nancy Kranzberg were named recipients of the 2025 St. Louis Award and received the 2024 E. Desmond and Mary Ann Lee Medal for Philanthropy from UMSL, recognizing their transformational leadership and support of both the arts and Jewish communities in St. Louis.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Jewish Community Grants Program (through Jewish Federation of St. Louis)

• Annual cycle of approximately $70,000-$75,000
• Individual grants typically range from $3,000-$7,000
• Application deadline: Early November (fixed deadline, no exceptions)
• Decisions announced: By end of year
• Application method: Online through Jewish Federation of St. Louis portal

General Grantmaking

• The foundation also makes substantial grants outside the public grant cycle
• Major grants awarded to arts and cultural institutions
• These grants appear to be made at trustee discretion

Priority Areas

The foundation's purpose is to provide funds to benefit the Jewish community of St. Louis, specifically focused on:

• Next Generation Engagement: Outreach to and engagement of future generations
• Jewish Youth and Young Adults: Programs targeting high school students, college students, and young adults
• Vibrant Jewish Community: Creating an embracing local Jewish community that attracts and retains young adults and families with young children
• Addressing Antisemitism: New priority established for 2026 - programs providing resources for Jewish high school and college students, as well as young adults, to address rising antisemitism (education, advocacy training, etc.)
• Collaboration: Strong preference for programs that encourage collaboration between community organizations

Program Preferences:

• Ongoing programs with significant outreach potential (not one-time programs)
• Programs with multiple funders (prefer not to be the sole funder)
• Programs demonstrating community reach beyond membership (for congregational programs)

What They Don't Fund

• One-time programs or events
• Travel stipends or conference attendance
• Capital improvements or building projects
• Programs without significant outreach potential
• Congregational programs that only serve existing members without broader community engagement

Governance and Leadership

Board Members (Trustees)

• Ken Kranzberg - Founder and Trustee
• Nancy Kranzberg - Trustee
• Lily Dulan - Trustee
• Mary Ann Srenco - Trustee
• Jewish Federation of St. Louis representatives

The Foundation Board is comprised of members of the Kranzberg family and Federation representatives who review applications and make funding decisions collaboratively.

Foundation Leadership

Ken and Nancy Kranzberg are prominent St. Louis philanthropists who have been recognized for their significant contributions to both the arts and Jewish communities. They are also the founders of the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, which has been instrumental in transforming the Grand Center Arts District in St. Louis.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Jewish Community Grants: The foundation accepts applications through an annual grant cycle managed by the Jewish Federation of St. Louis.

1. Application Portal: Submit applications online through the Jewish Federation of St. Louis website
2. Deadline: Early November (e.g., November 6 at 11:59 pm - strict deadline with no exceptions)
3. Eligibility: Open to St. Louis area 501(c)(3) organizations and congregations that align with the foundation's purpose
4. Requirements: Applications should demonstrate alignment with foundation priorities, particularly programs targeting the Next Generation

For applications and information: Visit JFedSTL.org/Kranzberg-Family-Foundation

For General Grants: Large grants outside the Jewish community grant cycle (such as grants to arts organizations) are made at trustee discretion and do not have a public application process.

Decision Timeline

• Application Deadline: Early November
• Review Period: 6-8 weeks
• Notification: By end of year (typically December)
• Method: Applicants are notified through the Jewish Federation of St. Louis

Success Rates

Recent grant cycles show approximately 40% success rate:

• 2024: 15 organizations funded from requests totaling $187,000 ($75,000 awarded)
• 2020: 16 organizations funded ($70,000 awarded)
• 2021: $71,000 awarded

The foundation typically receives applications totaling 2.5-3 times the available funding pool.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may reapply in subsequent years. The foundation has funded some organizations across multiple grant cycles, suggesting that unsuccessful applicants or previous recipients are welcome to reapply. There are no stated restrictions or waiting periods for reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated preferences and recent funding patterns, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Next Generation Focus: Programs must specifically target Jewish youth, young adults (high school, college age), or young families. This is the foundation's core priority.

2. Ongoing Programming: The foundation explicitly prefers ongoing programs with sustained impact rather than one-time events or conferences. Show how your program will continue beyond the grant period.

3. Outreach Potential: Applications should demonstrate significant reach beyond existing participants. For congregations, this means showing how programs will attract new community members, not just serve existing congregants.

4. Collaborative Approach: The foundation "strongly encourages collaboration between community organizations." Applications involving partnerships or serving multiple organizations may be viewed more favorably.

5. Multiple Funding Sources: The foundation prefers to be one of several funders rather than the sole supporter. Applications should demonstrate diversified funding and sustainability.

6. Alignment with 2026 Priority: Programs addressing antisemitism through education, advocacy training, or resources for Jewish students and young adults align with the foundation's newest priority area.

Recent Recipients Include:

• BBYO – St. Louis Council (General Support)
• Chabad Jewish Center of St. Charles County – St. Charles Jewish Family Network
• Hillel at Maryville University (General Support)
• Jewish Federation of St. Louis – PJ Library
• St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum – Communicating During Crisis
• St. Louis Kollel – Torah & Turf
• Be the Narrative – Student-to-Student Conference
• Jewish Rock Radio – Songleader Boot Camp National Conference

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Next Generation is non-negotiable: If your program doesn't clearly target Jewish youth, young adults, or young families in St. Louis, it won't align with this foundation's mission.

• November deadline is strict: The foundation explicitly states "no exceptions" to the deadline. Submit well in advance to avoid technical issues.

• Show sustainability and collaboration: Demonstrate that you have other funding sources and ideally partnerships with other Jewish organizations. Single-funded, isolated programs are not preferred.

• Emphasize reach and growth: Even if you're a congregation, show how your program attracts new participants and builds the broader Jewish community, not just serves existing members.

• Address the antisemitism priority for 2026: If your program provides resources, education, or advocacy training to help Jewish students and young adults respond to rising antisemitism, make this connection explicit.

• Typical grant amounts are modest: Plan to request $3,000-$7,000 for the Jewish community grant cycle. Adjust your program scope and budget accordingly.

• Foundation values repeat relationships: Several organizations appear across multiple grant cycles, suggesting that building a relationship through successful grants can lead to continued support.

References

1. Jewish Federation of St. Louis - Kranzberg Family Foundation page: https://www.jfedstl.org/kranzberg-family-foundation/ (Accessed January 2026)

2. Grantmakers.io Profile - Kranzberg Family Charitable Foundation: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/436852835-kranzberg-family-charitable-foundation-dtd-6-3-2000/ (Accessed January 2026) - Source for financial data, assets, distributions, and board members

3. Cause IQ - The Kranzberg Family Charitable Foundation: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/kranzberg-family-charitable-foundation-dtd-6-3-200,436852835/ (Accessed January 2026) - Source for 2023 financial information

4. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Kranzberg Family Charitable Foundation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/436852835 (Accessed January 2026) - Source for IRS Form 990-PF filings

5. St. Louis Jewish Light - "15 St. Louis Jewish organizations just received new grants from Kranzberg Family Foundation" (2024)

6. St. Louis Jewish Light - "Kranzberg Family Foundation awards $71,000 to Jewish youth, young adult programs" (2021)

7. St. Louis Jewish Light - "Ken and Nancy Kranzberg named St. Louis Award recipients for 2025" (2024) - Source for leadership recognition

8. UMSL Daily - "Ken and Nancy Kranzberg receive 2024 E. Desmond and Mary Ann Lee Medal for Philanthropy" (September 27, 2024) - Source for leadership background

9. Instrumentl - JFSL: Kranzberg Family Foundation Grants: https://www.instrumentl.com/grants/jfsl-kranzberg-family-foundation (Accessed January 2026)