Ben And Esther Rosenbloom Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1.8-2.2 million
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Rolling review basis
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,100,000
• Geographic Focus: Baltimore/Maryland area, national programs, and Israel

Contact Details

• Phone: 410-653-0239
• Address: 8 Reservoir Circle, Suite 202, Baltimore, MD 21208
• Application Contact: Call the foundation office for submission process and required documentation

Overview

The Ben And Esther Rosenbloom Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 1982 with total assets of approximately $32.5 million. Founded by venture capitalist Benjamin Rosenbloom (1905-2001), the foundation continues his philanthropic legacy through his family members who serve as trustees and officers. The foundation distributes between $1.8-2.2 million annually through 40-50 grants, with a strong focus on Jewish organizations, education, and human services. While primarily focused on the Baltimore/Maryland metropolitan area, the foundation also supports national Jewish organizations and causes in Israel, including major capital projects like the Ben and Esther Rosenbloom Hillel Center for Jewish Life at the University of Maryland.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a general grant program with the following characteristics:

• Individual grants ranging from $1,000 to $1,100,000
• Average grant size approximately $45,000
• 40-52 grants awarded annually
• Applications reviewed on a rolling basis

Priority Areas

• Jewish federated giving programs and agencies
• Higher education with emphasis on Jewish life on campus
• Human services through Jewish organizations
• Jewish community infrastructure and facilities
• Support for Israeli institutions and causes
• Baltimore-area Jewish community development

What They Don't Fund

• Non-501(c)(3) organizations
• Individual assistance
• Organizations outside their Jewish philanthropic focus

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is led entirely by members of the Rosenbloom family:

• Howard Rosenbloom: President/Executive Director (receives compensation of $122,000)
• Sanford Rosenbloom: Vice President/Grants Manager
• Robert M Rosenbloom: Secretary/Program Associate
• Michelle Rosenbloom: Program Director
• Keith Rosenbloom: Treasurer

Howard Rosenbloom serves on the boards of the American Jewish International Relations Institute, Middle East Forum, and The Associated Jewish Federation of Baltimore. He received an honorary fellowship from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in recognition of his philanthropic leadership.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Prospective applicants must call the foundation office at 410-653-0239 to receive information on the submission process and required documentation. The foundation limits applications to organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

Decision Timeline

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received. No fixed deadlines are published.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation consistently makes 40-52 grants annually from its total application pool.

Reapplication Policy

No published restrictions on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's grant history and funding patterns:

• Strong alignment with Jewish values and community service
• Clear connection to Baltimore-area Jewish community or broader Jewish causes
• Established 501(c)(3) organizations with proven track records
• Programs that strengthen Jewish education, identity, or community infrastructure
• Organizations that have existing relationships with Baltimore's Jewish federation system
• Projects that create lasting impact in the Jewish community

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Call the foundation office directly at 410-653-0239 before preparing any application materials
• Emphasize connections to Jewish community development and education
• Baltimore-area organizations or those serving Maryland Jewish communities may have an advantage
• The foundation funds both large capital projects (up to $1.1 million) and smaller programmatic grants
• Family foundation structure means personal relationships and alignment with family values are important
• Consider highlighting any connections to existing grantees or Baltimore Jewish federation network
• The foundation supports both local and Israeli causes, so international Jewish organizations are eligible

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Ben And Esther Rosenbloom Foundation Inc 990 Forms and Financial Data. Accessed February 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/521258672
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Ben And Esther Rosenbloom Foundation Inc Grant Activity Analysis. Accessed February 2025. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/ben-and-esther-rosenbloom-foundation-inc
• Cause IQ - Ben And Esther Rosenbloom Foundation Profile. Accessed February 2025. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/ben-and-esther-rosenbloom-foundation,521258672/
• GrantStation - Ben And Esther Rosenbloom Foundation Application Information. Accessed February 2025. https://grantstation.com/grantmakers/ben-and-esther-rosenbloom-foundation
• Jerusalem Foundation - Rosenbloom Ben & Esther Foundation Donor Profile. Accessed February 2025. https://jerusalemfoundation.org/donor/rosenbloom-ben-esther-foundation/
• Maryland Hillel - Ben and Esther Rosenbloom Hillel Center for Jewish Life. Accessed February 2025. https://marylandhillel.org/
• Hebrew at the Center - Howard Rosenbloom Biography. Accessed February 2025. https://hebrewatthecenter.org/jet-popup/howard-rosenbloom/