Isadore And Bertha Gudelsky Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,637,550 (2024)
• Total Assets: $20,789,266 (2024)
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $325,000
• Number of Grants: 32 awards (2024), 24 awards (2023)
• Geographic Focus: Maryland, District of Columbia, and New York
• Application Process: No public application process - preselected organizations only

Contact Details

Address:
C/o Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP
601 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001-5369

Phone: 301-799-4993

Note: The foundation is administratively managed by Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, a law firm that handles the foundation's affairs.

Overview

Established in 1956 and granted tax-exempt status since November of that year, the Isadore And Bertha Gudelsky Family Foundation Inc is a private family foundation based in Washington, DC. Named after Isadore Morton Gudelsky (1904-1963), a prominent real estate developer and philanthropist in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan region, the foundation continues the family's philanthropic legacy with current assets of $20.8 million. The foundation made 32 grants totaling $1,637,550 in 2024, focusing on education, human services, and Jewish organizations across Maryland, Washington DC, and New York. The foundation operates on a preselected grantee model and does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Leadership includes Dr. Michael Friedman as President, who is also active in the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, and family members Shelley Mulitz (Vice President), Laura Bryna Gudelsky Mulitz (Secretary), and Matthew Markel (Treasurer).

Funding Priorities

Geographic Focus

The foundation primarily supports organizations in:

• Maryland
• District of Columbia (Washington, DC)
• New York

Priority Areas

Education The foundation has a longstanding commitment to educational causes, including:

• Special education programs (e.g., Kennedy Krieger High School Career and Technology Center)
• Higher education scholarships (George Washington University scholarship endowment established 1978)
• Career and technology training for students with disabilities

Jewish Organizations According to Candid's Foundation Directory, the foundation gives primarily to Jewish organizations, reflecting the family's heritage and values.

Arts and Culture The foundation supports arts programs, consistent with the broader Gudelsky family's philanthropic interests.

Human Services Focus on organizations providing direct services to vulnerable populations.

Philanthropy and Voluntarism Support for grantmaking organizations and initiatives that promote voluntarism.

Grant Examples

• Kennedy Krieger Institute: $15,000 to renovate three resource rooms in the High School Career and Technology Center to create safe, calming environments for students with disabilities. The redesigned spaces provide specialized instruction areas where students can achieve "a calm state of readiness for communication and learning."

• George Washington University: Scholarship endowment established in 1978 from cumulative gifts, with income used annually for student scholarships.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

• Dr. Michael Friedman - President
  Dr. Friedman is a Lecturer in the Physical Cultural Studies Program in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Maryland. He is actively involved in the Jewish community, serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, a Trustee of the United Jewish Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, a Trustee of the Jewish Community Foundation, and a member of the Board of Directors for Project Interchange. He previously served as President of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (2016-2018).

• Shelley Mulitz - Vice President
  Member of the Gudelsky family with extensive philanthropic involvement, including the Morty Gudelsky Foundation and the Mulitz-Gudelsky Family Scholarship in Theatre at the University of Maryland.

• Laura Bryna Gudelsky Mulitz - Secretary
  Family member representing the next generation of Gudelsky philanthropy.

• Matthew Markel - Treasurer/Board Member

All key personnel serve without compensation according to the foundation's 990 filings.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

According to their IRS Form 990-PF filings and nonprofit database profiles, the Isadore And Bertha Gudelsky Family Foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

This means:

• The foundation does not accept grant applications from organizations that reach out directly
• Grants are made to organizations already known to the trustees
• There is no application portal, deadline, or formal submission process
• Sending unsolicited proposals will not result in funding consideration

This is a common practice among small family foundations that prefer to identify and select their own grantees rather than manage an open application process.

Getting on Their Radar

Given Dr. Michael Friedman's active involvement with the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and the United Jewish Endowment Fund, organizations that are part of or connected to the Greater Washington Jewish community may have better opportunities to become known to the foundation. Additionally, Dr. Friedman's role at the University of Maryland suggests potential connections to educational institutions in the region.

The foundation's support for special education (Kennedy Krieger Institute) and scholarship programs at George Washington University suggests that educational organizations serving Maryland, DC, and the surrounding region, particularly those with a focus on accessibility, special needs, or Jewish students, align with their interests.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, success in receiving funding depends entirely on:

Alignment with Core Interests

• Organizations should fall squarely within the foundation's stated priorities: education, Jewish organizations, arts, human services, and philanthropy/voluntarism
• Geographic presence in Maryland, DC, or New York is essential
• Demonstrated impact in special education or support for vulnerable populations appears to resonate with the foundation

Connection to the Foundation's Network

• The foundation works within existing relationships and networks
• Connection to the Jewish community in Greater Washington may be advantageous given President Dr. Michael Friedman's leadership roles
• Educational institutions in Maryland and DC appear to be of particular interest

Quality of Work and Reputation

• Since the foundation proactively identifies grantees, having a strong reputation in your field is critical
• Recognition from other funders and community leaders may bring organizations to the foundation's attention
• Clear demonstration of impact and effective use of resources

Foundation's Grant History Pattern

• The foundation makes 24-32 grants annually
• Grant sizes range from $5,000 to $325,000, with total annual giving around $1.6 million
• This suggests a mix of smaller grants to many organizations and larger grants to priority recipients

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: Do not send unsolicited proposals to this foundation - they will not be considered
• Focus on being known: Build your organization's reputation and visibility within the Maryland/DC region, particularly in Jewish community networks and educational circles
• Strategic alignment is essential: Organizations must align with education, Jewish causes, arts, human services, or philanthropy - and be located in or serve Maryland, DC, or New York
• Network connections matter: Given Dr. Friedman's active involvement with Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and University of Maryland, organizations connected to these networks may have better visibility
• Modest size, focused giving: With $1.6M in annual grants distributed among 24-32 recipients, this is not a major funder but can provide meaningful support in the $5,000-$325,000 range
• Long-term relationships: The foundation's model of preselected organizations suggests they favor long-term relationships with proven partners over one-time grants to new organizations
• Special education focus: Recent grant to Kennedy Krieger Institute for special education resources suggests this is an area of active interest

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Isadore And Bertha Gudelsky Family Foundation Inc (EIN: 52-6036621)
   https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/526036621
   Accessed February 9, 2026

2. Cause IQ - Isadore and Bertha Gudelsky Family FND
   https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/isadore-and-bertha-gudelsky-family-fnd,526036621/
   Accessed February 9, 2026

3. Candid Foundation Directory - Isadore & Bertha Gudelsky Family Fnd Inc C/o Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP
   https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=GUDE002
   Accessed February 9, 2026

4. Grantmakers.io - Isadore And Bertha Gudelsky Family Foundation Inc
   https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/526036621-isadore-and-bertha-gudelsky-family-foundation-inc/
   Accessed February 9, 2026

5. Kennedy Krieger Institute - "Isadore and Bertha Gudelsky Family Foundation Contributes $15,000 to High School Career and Technology Center"
   https://www.kennedykrieger.org/stories/making-difference/recent-grants/isadore-and-bertha-gudelsky-family-foundation-contributes-15000-high-school-career-and-technology-center
   Accessed February 9, 2026

6. The Jewish Agency - U.S. - Michael Friedman Profile
   https://www.jewishagency.org/michael-friedman/
   Accessed February 9, 2026

7. George Washington University Scholarships - Isadore and Bertha Gudelsky Family Scholarship Endowment Fund
   https://gwu.academicworks.com/opportunities/8050
   Accessed February 9, 2026

8. Charity Navigator - Isadore and Bertha Gudelsky Family Foundation Inc.
   https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/526036621
   Accessed February 9, 2026