Mitzi And Warren Eisenberg Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,845,335 (2024)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: N/A (proactive grantmaking)
• Grant Range: $100 - $420,000
• Geographic Focus: New York, New Jersey, Washington D.C., and Israel

Contact Details

• Phone: (908) 573-2101
• Address: 955 S Springfield Ave A101, Springfield, NJ 07081
• Website: None
• Email: Not available
• Application Process: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

Founded in 1992 by Warren Eisenberg (co-founder of Bed Bath & Beyond) and his wife Mitzi, the Mitzi And Warren Eisenberg Family Foundation is a private foundation with assets of approximately $60 million. The foundation distributes about $3.8 million annually to over 100 organizations, with a primary focus on Jewish causes and organizations in the United States and Israel. Warren Eisenberg, now in his 90s, continues to lead the foundation alongside his wife Mitzi, who is a trustee of the New Museum of Contemporary Art. The foundation operates as a closed, invitation-only funder, making proactive grants based on the family's evolving philanthropic interests rather than accepting unsolicited proposals.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs but makes grants across several priority areas:

• Jewish Organizations: $100 - $420,000 (majority of funding)
• Arts & Culture: Variable amounts (including major gifts like $7M to New Museum in 2005)
• Healthcare/Medical Research: Variable amounts
• Education Programs: Multi-year commitments for select programs
• Human Services: Typically smaller grants around $1,000

Priority Areas

1. Jewish Causes (Primary Focus)

   • Jewish federations and community centers
   • Jewish youth camps and programs
   • Jewish arts and cultural institutions
   • Israeli organizations
   • Holocaust education and survivor support

2. Healthcare and Medical Research

   • Major medical centers in New York
   • Disease-specific research organizations

3. Arts and Culture

   • Contemporary art museums
   • Cultural institutions in New York

4. Education and Youth Development

   • "I Have A Dream" Foundation programs
   • Scholarship funds at Jewish universities

What They Don't Fund

• Unsolicited applications
• Organizations outside their established network
• Programs outside their geographic focus areas

Governance and Leadership

Warren Eisenberg - President and Trustee

• Co-founder of Bed Bath & Beyond (1971)
• Board member: "I Have A Dream" Foundation (National, NY Metro, and Plainfield, NJ), Berkshire Hills Emanuel Camps, Hand In Hand, Gift of Life
• Trustee: Yeshiva University (since 2004)

Mitzi Eisenberg - Secretary

• Trustee: New Museum of Contemporary Art
• Active in arts philanthropy alongside her husband

Ronald Eisenberg - Treasurer

Maxine Eisenberg - Secretary (in some filings)

None of the trustees receive compensation for their roles.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis with trustees making proactive grants according to the family's philanthropic interests.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations seeking support from the Eisenberg Foundation should focus on:

• Building relationships through board connections at organizations where Warren Eisenberg serves: "I Have A Dream" Foundation, Berkshire Hills Emanuel Camps, Hand In Hand, Gift of Life, or Yeshiva University
• Connecting through Mitzi Eisenberg's involvement with the New Museum of Contemporary Art
• Networking within Jewish federations and community organizations in Greater MetroWest NJ and New York, where the foundation is most active
• Being recommended by current grantees, particularly major recipients like Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ or UJA Federation of New York
• Participating in events at institutions the Eisenbergs support, such as fundraisers at the New Museum or Jewish community events in New Jersey

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made proactively by trustees

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation only

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no application process

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, organizations that receive funding typically:

• Have board members or leadership with personal connections to the Eisenberg family
• Align closely with the foundation's strong focus on Jewish causes and communities
• Are based in or serve the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area
• Have received recommendations from existing grantees or partner organizations
• Demonstrate excellence in areas where the Eisenbergs have shown sustained interest (Jewish youth programs, contemporary art, medical research)
• The foundation has shown particular loyalty to organizations where family members serve on boards - these receive consistent, often increasing support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No applications accepted - this is a completely closed foundation that makes proactive grants only
• Jewish organizations have the strongest chance - the vast majority of funding goes to Jewish causes
• Board service matters - organizations where Warren or Mitzi serve on boards receive significant, sustained support
• Geographic proximity helps - focus is heavily on NY/NJ metro area organizations
• Relationship building is essential - connections through existing grantees or board affiliations are the only pathway
• Long-term commitments possible - the foundation has shown willingness to make multi-year commitments to programs they believe in
• Wide grant range - from $100 to $420,000, allowing for both major initiatives and smaller annual support

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990-PF filings and financial data (2021-2024) - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/521798583
• Inside Philanthropy - Comprehensive funder profile - https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-e/mitzi-amp-warren-eisenberg-family-foundation
• Candid Foundation Directory - Foundation profile - https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=EISE030
• "I Have A Dream" Foundation - Warren Eisenberg board position - https://www.ihaveadreamfoundation.org/team/warren-eisenberg/
• Hand in Hand - Warren Eisenberg board affiliation - https://www.handinhandk12.org/team/warren-eisenberg/
• Yeshiva University News - Board appointment (2004) - https://www.yu.edu/news/warren-eisenberg-chairman-of-bed-bath-beyond-elected-to-yeshiva-university-board-of-trustees
• Philanthropy News Digest - New Museum $7 million gift (2005) - https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/new-museum-of-contemporary-art-receives-7-million-gift
• ARTnews Top 200 Collectors - Eisenberg art collection profile - https://www.artnews.com/art-collectors/top-200-profiles/eisenberg-family/
• Accessed: February 11, 2026