Israel Henry Beren Charitable Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3.1 million (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A - Invitation only
• Decision Time: N/A - Trustee discretion
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: New York, Kansas, Israel-related organisations

Contact Details

Address: Wichita, KS 67206
EIN: 45-2529445
Phone: Not publicly available
Email: Not publicly available
Website: No public website
Application Contact: Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests

Overview

The Israel Henry Beren Charitable Foundation Inc is a private foundation established with tax-exempt status in September 2011, named after Israel Henry Beren who helped found Okmar Oil Company in the early 20th century. With total assets of $38.0 million as of 2023, the foundation distributes approximately $3.1 million annually in grants. The foundation operates as part of the broader Beren family philanthropic network, which includes multiple foundations supporting Jewish causes nationwide. The foundation exclusively supports preselected charitable organisations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds, operating entirely through trustee discretion and existing relationships within the Jewish philanthropic community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation does not operate formal grant programmes but makes discretionary grants to preselected organisations. Based on recent 990-PF records, the foundation has supported organisations including Friends of the Jerusalem College of Technology, American Committee for Shaare Zedek Medical Center, and Combat Hate Foundation.

Priority Areas

• Jewish education and educational institutions
• Jewish religious institutions and synagogues
• Israel-related causes and organisations
• Medical centres serving Jewish communities
• Security initiatives for Jewish institutions
• Combat against antisemitism
• Jewish community support organisations

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, based on grant patterns the foundation does not fund:

• Non-Jewish secular causes
• Individual requests
• General operating support for non-Jewish organisations
• Political campaigns

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by four board members, all from the Beren family, who serve without compensation:

Nancy T. Beren - Board Member

Adam E. Beren - Board Member

• Former President, Mid-Kansas Jewish Federation
• Founder, Combat Antisemitism Movement
• Former Member, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council (appointed 2019, term expired January 2024)

Amy A. Beren Bressman - Board Member

• Former President, UJA-Federation of New York

Julie Beren Platt - Board Member

• Former Chair, Board of Trustees, Jewish Federations of North America (2022-2025)
• University of Pennsylvania Trustee and former Interim Chair of Board of Trustees

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Israel Henry Beren Charitable Foundation Inc only makes contributions to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded entirely through trustee discretion to organisations with existing relationships with the Beren family or their philanthropic network.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's invitation-only status, organisations may consider these specific approaches based on the foundation's patterns:

• The foundation's board members are active in major Jewish federations - particularly the Jewish Federations of North America where Julie Beren Platt served as Board Chair
• Adam Beren's involvement with the Combat Antisemitism Movement suggests organisations working in this space may have networking opportunities through that platform
• The family's strong ties to New York's Jewish community through Amy Beren Bressman's former role as UJA-Federation president provides a potential connection point for NY-based Jewish organisations
• Organisations already funded by other Beren family foundations (Robert M. Beren Family Foundation, Israel Henry Beren Charitable Trust) may have better positioning

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion without formal application process

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only funding

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates by invitation only, traditional application success factors don't apply. However, based on their grant patterns:

• The foundation consistently supports organisations with strong Israel connections or those serving Orthodox Jewish communities
• Multi-generational involvement appears important - many funded organisations have relationships with multiple Beren family members across different foundations
• The foundation operates through existing relationships within the Jewish philanthropic community

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder with no public application process - do not submit unsolicited proposals
• The foundation is part of a broader Beren family philanthropic network - relationships with other Beren foundations may be relevant
• Focus is exclusively on Jewish causes, particularly education, Israel-related organisations, and combating antisemitism
• Board members are highly active in major Jewish philanthropic organisations, providing potential networking pathways
• The foundation's giving has been consistent at approximately $3.1 million annually over recent years
• Geographic focus includes New York, Kansas, and organisations supporting causes in Israel

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Israel Henry Beren Charitable Foundation Inc - Form 990 Data." Accessed via https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/452529445. January 2025.
• Grantmakers.io. "Israel Henry Beren Charitable Foundation Inc Profile and Recent Grants." Accessed via https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/452529445-israel-henry-beren-charitable-foundation-inc/. January 2025.
• Cause IQ. "Israel Henry Beren Charitable Foundation - Organisation Overview." Accessed via https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/israel-henry-beren-charitable-foundation,452529445/. January 2025.
• eJewishPhilanthropy. "Robert Beren, Donor to Orthodox Causes and Head of Prominent Philanthropic Family, Dies at 97." Published December 13, 2020. Accessed January 2025.
• GuideStar/Candid. "Israel Henry Beren Charitable Foundation Inc Profile." EIN 45-2529445. Accessed January 2025.
• Charity Navigator. "Israel Henry Beren Charitable Foundation Inc." EIN 452529445. Accessed January 2025.