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Shapiro Pogrebin Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.1M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.3M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,093,258 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $54,839,520 (2024)
  • Grant Range: Estimated $10,000 - $300,000
  • Number of Grants: 19 grants (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York
  • Application Method: No public application process

Contact Details

Address: 15 E 26th St Apt 15a, New York, NY 10010

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website or published contact information for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Shapiro Pogrebin Foundation is a private independent foundation established in January 2015 by journalist and author Abigail Pogrebin and her husband David P. Shapiro. The foundation has experienced significant growth since its inception, with total assets growing from $2.4 million in 2014 to nearly $55 million in 2024. The foundation maintains a strong commitment to charitable giving, consistently allocating approximately 88-90% of annual expenses to charitable disbursements. Based on documented grant recipients, the foundation focuses on Jewish education and thought leadership, children's mental health, social services addressing homelessness, and cultural institutions. The foundation is led solely by its two founders, who serve as directors without compensation, reflecting its nature as a family foundation dedicated to personal philanthropic priorities.

Funding Priorities

Known Grant Recipients

Based on available tax filings, recent grants have included:

  • The Shalom Hartman Institute of North America: $300,000 (2023) - Jewish education and thought leadership
  • Child Mind Institute: $250,000 (2023) - Children's mental health research and treatment
  • The Doe Fund: $150,000 (2023) - Breaking cycles of homelessness and recidivism
  • Museum of Jewish Heritage: Supporter status documented
  • The Opportunity Network: Listed as a funding partner
  • Holocaust Education School Partnership: Documented support

Priority Areas

While the foundation does not publish formal priorities, grant patterns suggest focus on:

  • Jewish education, culture, and heritage
  • Children's mental health and wellbeing
  • Social services addressing poverty and homelessness
  • Education and youth development programs
  • Cultural institutions and museums

Foundation Connection to Priorities

Abigail Pogrebin's background provides insight into the foundation's interests. She is an award-winning journalist specializing in Jewish identity and culture, author of "My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew" (finalist for the 2018 National Jewish Book Award), former president of New York's Central Synagogue (2015-2018), and current board member of The Shalom Hartman Institute. Her professional focus on exploring Jewish identity in the 21st century appears reflected in the foundation's support of Jewish educational and cultural institutions.

Governance and Leadership

Directors:

  • Abigail S. Pogrebin - Journalist, author, podcast host for Tablet magazine, and former Director of Jewish Outreach for the Michael Bloomberg 2020 presidential campaign. Yale graduate (summa cum laude), former producer for 60 Minutes and Charlie Rose. Received the "Community Leader Award" from The Jewish Week (2017) and "Impact Award" from the JCC in Manhattan.
  • David P. Shapiro - Attorney and partner at a New York law firm

Both directors serve without compensation. The foundation operates with minimal administrative overhead, focusing resources directly on charitable giving.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Shapiro Pogrebin Foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, grants appear to be made at the discretion of the foundation's directors to organizations with which they have existing relationships or personal connections.

The foundation does not maintain a website, publish application guidelines, or accept unsolicited grant proposals.

How Grants Are Awarded

Based on available information, grants appear to be awarded through:

  • Trustee/director discretion based on personal philanthropic interests
  • Support for organizations where the founders have personal involvement (e.g., Shalom Hartman Institute, where Abigail Pogrebin serves on the board)
  • Support for causes aligned with the founders' professional and community activities
  • Existing relationships and organizational awareness through the founders' networks

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations seeking funding would need to:

Build Authentic Relationships: The foundation's giving reflects the personal interests and community involvement of its founders, particularly Abigail Pogrebin's deep engagement with Jewish cultural and educational institutions.

Align with Demonstrated Interests: Organizations working in Jewish education and thought leadership, children's mental health, social services addressing homelessness and poverty, and cultural preservation have received support.

Connect Through Networks: Organizations may benefit from connections through Central Synagogue, The Shalom Hartman Institute, or the Jewish cultural and journalistic communities where Abigail Pogrebin is active.

Focus on New York: The foundation appears to prioritize New York-based organizations or those with significant New York operations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - This is a private family foundation operating on trustee discretion
  • Strong Jewish focus - Significant portion of giving supports Jewish education, culture, and heritage organizations
  • Personal connection matters - Grants reflect the founders' personal involvement and interests, particularly Abigail Pogrebin's work in Jewish journalism and community leadership
  • Substantial grants available - Recent grants range from approximately $10,000 to $300,000, with total annual giving exceeding $2 million
  • Growing foundation - Assets have grown dramatically from $2.4M to nearly $55M in a decade, suggesting potential for increased grant-making
  • New York focus - Primary geographic emphasis on New York-based organizations and beneficiaries
  • Multi-year relationships - Organizations like Shalom Hartman Institute and Child Mind Institute have received significant support, suggesting the foundation values ongoing partnerships with aligned organizations

References

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