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Lois & Irving Blum Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$5.0M
Grant Range
From $5K

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5,000,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Varies widely (includes $5,000 fellowships to multi-hundred thousand dollar grants)
  • Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on Baltimore/Maryland

Contact Details

  • Address: 1001 Fleet St # 700, Baltimore, MD 21202-4346
  • Website: No public website
  • Phone: Not publicly available
  • Email: Not publicly available
  • Pre-application support: Not available - foundation does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

The Lois & Irving Blum Foundation Inc, established in 1965, is a private foundation with assets of approximately $13.7 million that distributes around $5 million annually across 90+ grants. Founded by pioneering therapist and civil rights activist Lois Blum Feinblatt (1921-2022) and her husband Irving Blum, the foundation reflects their commitment to mental health, social justice, and community well-being. The foundation operates primarily through donor-advised funds and direct grants to pre-selected organizations, supporting Jewish causes, the arts, human services, mental health initiatives, education, and social justice programs. While it maintains significant grantmaking activity, the foundation operates without a public application process, identifying and supporting organizations that align with its mission through board connections and strategic relationships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Donor-Advised Fund Distributions: Variable amounts (primary distribution method)
  • Western High School Social Justice Fellowship: $5,000 annually (awarded to graduating senior demonstrating social justice activism)
  • Lois Blum Feinblatt Community Mental Health Fellowship (through OSI-Baltimore): Variable amount (supports community mental health initiatives)
  • Educational Scholarships: Variable amounts (through Maryland Institute College of Art and other institutions)

Priority Areas

  • Jewish causes and organizations
  • Arts and cultural institutions
  • Human services programs
  • Mental health initiatives
  • Education and youth development
  • Social justice and civil rights causes
  • Support for vulnerable children and families

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly specified, but as a private foundation without a public application process, they do not fund unsolicited requests.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation was founded by Lois Blum Feinblatt, a pioneering therapist who was one of eight women selected for a special Johns Hopkins University program in the 1960s to train as mental health counselors. She worked at the Hopkins Sexual Behaviors Consultation Unit for over 30 years and was the first woman to serve on the board of Sheppard Pratt Hospital. A civil rights activist who marched for desegregation in 1963, she was inducted into the Baltimore Jewish Hall of Fame in 2015. Jeff Blum currently represents the foundation on various boards including the Baltimore Progress Fund. According to OSI-Baltimore, "Lois's life is a testament to her belief that individuals, families and our community are at our best when we are deeply connected with one another."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation operates through donor-advised funds and proactive identification of grantees. They explicitly do not respond to unsolicited applications. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board to pre-selected organizations that align with the foundation's mission and values.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available - decisions are made internally without a public timeline.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept public applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept public applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the Lois & Irving Blum Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that have successfully received funding from the foundation share certain characteristics:

  • Strong alignment with the foundation's core values of social justice, mental health, and community well-being
  • Established track record in serving Baltimore/Maryland communities (though national organizations are also supported)
  • Connection to Jewish causes, arts, education, or human services
  • Programs that support vulnerable populations, particularly children and youth
  • Organizations where foundation board members have existing relationships or involvement

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The foundation distributes approximately $5 million annually across 90+ grants, indicating active and substantial grantmaking
  • Without a public application process, relationship building through board members and partner organizations is essential
  • Focus areas strongly reflect founder Lois Blum Feinblatt's life work in mental health, social justice, and community building
  • The foundation supports both established institutions and grassroots organizations, from $5,000 fellowships to major institutional support
  • Consider connections through Baltimore-area organizations, Jewish community networks, or mental health/social justice coalitions
  • The foundation's giving has increased significantly in recent years (from $3M in 2021 to $5M in 2023-2024)
  • Organizations already receiving support appear to maintain ongoing relationships with the foundation

References

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