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Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.4M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6.4 million (2024)
  • Assets: $132.7 million
  • Number of Grants: 82 awards (2024)
  • Average Grant: ~$69,000
  • Geographic Focus: Washington, DC region (performing arts/families); National/international (Jewish life)
  • Application Method: No unsolicited proposals; invitation only

Contact Details

Address: 1301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 888-6833
Email: info@polingerfoundation.org
Website: www.polingerfoundation.org

Overview

Established in 1968 by Howard and Geraldine Polinger, the Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation has been improving the quality of life for families and their communities for over 50 years through support of innovative projects and successful ongoing programs. With assets of $132.7 million and annual giving of $6.4 million, the foundation operates as a multi-generational family foundation now in its third generation of leadership. In 2025, Mollie Barnathan became the foundation's third Board Chair, succeeding Lorre Polinger who served for 25 years. The foundation is guided by Jewish values of tzedakah (righteousness) and the principle from Pirkei Avot: "It is not your duty to finish the work [of perfecting the world], but neither are you at liberty to neglect it." The foundation supports approximately 82 organizations annually across three strategic areas, working locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation focuses on two primary funding portfolios:

Jewish Life

  • Center Jewish Connection and Joy
  • Showcase Jewish Arts & Culture
  • Combat Antisemitism

Grants in this area may be provided locally in the Washington, DC area, as well as in national and international locales of interest to the board of trustees.

Civic Learning (formerly "Families & Society") Grants in this area are made primarily in the Washington, DC region.

Priority Areas

Jewish Life:

  • Engagement for Jews in their 20s and 30s
  • Opportunities for families with young children to connect to Jewish life
  • Celebrating Jewish experiences in their diversity
  • Elevating contemporary Jewish artists
  • Strengthening the Jewish arts ecosystem
  • Ensuring justice for Jewish communities
  • Fostering respect through education

Example grantees include BBYO, Hillel, OneTable, PJ Library, and Sixth & I Historic Synagogue.

Civic Learning:

  • Programs enhancing the well-being of children and families in the Washington, DC region

Performing Arts:

  • Access to and appreciation of performing arts in the Washington, DC region
  • The foundation is a major donor to the Kennedy Center ($75,000+ annually)

What They Don't Fund

  • Sunsetting portfolios
  • Organizations/programs in or about Israel
  • Legacy Fund gifts
  • Capital campaigns
  • Individual grants
  • Unsolicited proposals from organizations outside their existing network

Governance and Leadership

Board Leadership:

  • Mollie Barnathan: Board Chair (2025-present), third-generation family member, Director since 2009
  • Lorre Polinger: Former Board Chair (served 25 years until 2025)

Staff:

  • Erica Pressman: Chief Executive Officer (since 2017)
  • Julia Lipton: Senior Program Officer
  • Elizabeth Hecker: Director of Knowledge Management
  • Leigh Graham: Operations Assistant

Leadership History:

  • 1968: Foundation established by Howard and Geraldine Polinger
  • 1995: Howard and Geraldine invited their children to join the Board
  • 2009: Third generation of family members began joining the Board
  • 2025: Mollie Barnathan becomes third Board Chair

The foundation emphasizes continuing the family's tradition while addressing current societal needs. As stated on their website, their grantmaking strategy aims to honor the founders' legacy while remaining responsive to today's challenges.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does NOT accept unsolicited proposals.

The foundation clearly states on their website: "The Foundation works hard to stay current in the fields we fund and prefers to collaborate with organizations to develop programs."

For organizations that believe their work strongly aligns with the foundation's funding strategies, initial contact may be made by emailing a brief one-page description of work to info@polingerfoundation.org. However, applicants should be aware that the foundation notes "our funding pool is limited, and demand exceeds our financial capacity."

Eligibility: Only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible.

Decision Timeline

No specific decision timeline information is publicly available. Given that the foundation makes approximately 82 grants per year and works collaboratively with organizations to develop programs, decisions are likely made on a rolling basis by the board of trustees.

Success Rates

With approximately 82 grants awarded annually from a limited pool and the foundation's preference for pre-existing relationships, the success rate for unsolicited inquiries is likely very low. The foundation explicitly manages expectations by noting that demand exceeds their financial capacity.

Reapplication Policy

No public information available regarding reapplication policies.

Application Success Factors

Since the Polinger Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals and prefers to work with organizations they already know, success factors differ from typical grant applications:

Key Alignment Factors:

  • Strong connection to one of their two funding portfolios: Jewish Life or Civic Learning
  • Geographic alignment: Washington, DC area for civic learning and performing arts; flexible geography for Jewish life initiatives
  • Innovative approaches that honor the founders' legacy while addressing current needs
  • Programs that demonstrate the Jewish value of tzedakah (righteousness)

For Jewish Life Programs:

  • Focus on engagement for young adults (20s and 30s) or families with young children
  • Programs that showcase Jewish arts and culture in diverse ways
  • Contemporary Jewish artists and arts ecosystem development
  • Educational programs that combat antisemitism

For Civic Learning Programs:

  • Programs serving children and families in the Washington, DC region
  • Innovative approaches to civic engagement and learning

Foundation Philosophy: The foundation is guided by the principle: "It is not your duty to finish the work [of perfecting the world], but neither are you at liberty to neglect it" (Pirkei Avot). Programs that embrace this philosophy of sustained, meaningful impact rather than attempting to solve everything at once may resonate.

The foundation emphasizes collaboration, stating they "prefer to collaborate with organizations to develop programs," suggesting they value long-term partnerships over transactional grant relationships.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No unsolicited proposals accepted: This is a relationship-driven foundation that works primarily with organizations they already know or have been introduced to through trusted channels
  • Multi-generational family foundation: Now in its third generation of leadership with deep roots in the Washington, DC community and Jewish philanthropy
  • Limited but significant giving: With $6.4 million distributed annually across ~82 grants, average grants are approximately $69,000, though individual grants likely vary
  • Two distinct portfolios: Jewish Life grants can be local, national, or international; Civic Learning grants are DC-region focused
  • Israel exclusion: Notably, the foundation does not fund organizations/programs in or about Israel, despite their strong focus on Jewish life
  • Collaborative approach: The foundation prefers to work with organizations to develop programs rather than simply funding pre-packaged proposals
  • Quality over quantity: Making fewer grants (~82 annually) suggests they prefer deeper relationships and more substantial investments over numerous small grants

References

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