Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $11.7-14.1 million (2023-2024)
Assets: Approximately $220 million
Grant Range: $250 - $500,000
Median Grant: $25,000
Number of Grants: Approximately 270+ annually
Geographic Focus: Primarily Los Angeles County, CA and Israel
Application Method: Letter of Inquiry (does not accept unsolicited requests - by invitation/relationship)

Contact Details

Address: 1801 Century Park East, Suite 2010, Los Angeles, CA 90067-2311

Website: https://www.thegilbertfoundation.org/

Leadership Contact:

Richard S. Ziman, CEO and Trustee
Martin H. Blank Jr., COO and Trustee

Overview

Established in 2002 following the death of Sir Arthur Gilbert in 2001, The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation serves as custodian of the philanthropic vision of Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert. The foundation has contributed over $185 million since its inception to improving communities in Southern California and Israel. With assets of approximately $220 million, the foundation distributed $11.7 million in grants in 2023 and $14.1 million in 2024 across approximately 270+ awards annually.

The foundation's mission is to invest in programs that promote education, tolerance, social services, healthcare, and the arts. The foundation operates with a strategic approach summarized in their statement: "Focusing on a few clearly defined program areas allows us to invest for the long-term and develop strategies that contribute to lasting change." Founded by a couple who achieved success in business and became renowned art collectors, the foundation reflects their commitment to social justice and community improvement.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation distributed $14.1 million in 2024 across the following program areas:

Israel Programs: $4.16 million - Education/college access and economic/workforce development for disadvantaged communities, serving all populations including secular and Orthodox Jews, Ethiopian-Israelis, Christians, Arabs, and Bedouins
Special Projects: $3.26 million - Diverse initiatives including community development, environmental conservation, media, and social services
Jewish Life: $1.87 million - Core organizations in Los Angeles Jewish community cultivating tolerance, Jewish culture, and education
Health: $1.32 million - Alzheimer's disease research (early-career scientists) and innovative caregiver support programs; diabetes and obesity prevention
College Access and Success: $1.28 million - College preparation and retention programs for low-income, first-generation students; policy initiatives to eliminate systemic barriers
UC Berkeley and UCLA: $1.17 million - Academic programs, endowed chairs, and research projects
Arts Education: $1.06 million - Education and outreach programs at museums, community-based organizations, schools, and media outlets

Application Method: Letter of Inquiry (1-2 pages) - however, the foundation does not accept unsolicited funding requests and works primarily by invitation

Priority Areas

Education: College access and success programs for low-income students; support for UCLA and UC Berkeley academic programs

Health: Alzheimer's disease research and caregiver support innovations; diabetes and obesity prevention programs

Israel: Education, college access, economic development, and workforce development for disadvantaged populations across diverse communities

Jewish Life: Organizations supporting Jewish culture, education, and tolerance in Los Angeles

Arts Education: Museum education programs, community arts organizations, and arts outreach initiatives

What They Don't Fund

Individuals
Capital campaigns
Legislation
Organizations outside their defined geographic focus (primarily Los Angeles County and Israel)
Organizations outside their specific program areas

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The foundation has two trustees who also serve as executive leadership:

Richard S. Ziman - CEO and Trustee: Chairman of American Value Partners, a real estate investment company. Longtime friend of the Gilberts who has served as co-trustee since the foundation's establishment in 2001.
Martin H. Blank Jr. - COO and Trustee: Attorney and sole practitioner in Los Angeles; member of the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles County Bar Associations and the State Bar of California. Also served as co-trustee since 2001.

Leadership Team

Sean Ostrovsky - Chief Program Officer
Brian Reed - Chief Accounting Officer
Shel Katzer - Asset Manager
Robyn Wasserman - Senior Program Officer
Beth Merrick - Executive Business Support

Advisory Board

Melissa Held Bordy
Rodney Freeman

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation does not accept unsolicited funding requests. The foundation operates primarily through invitation and proactive identification of organizations to support.

For organizations invited to submit a letter of inquiry, the foundation requests a brief 1-2 page letter that includes:

Brief description of the organization's mission, objectives, and services
Highlights of 1-2 programs with brief descriptions of their goals and desired outcomes
Population and geographic region to be served
Amount requested from the foundation

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. For the Innovations in Alzheimer's Caregiving Awards (one of their signature programs managed in partnership with Family Caregiver Alliance), applications typically open in the fall with awards announced by the end of December.

Success Rates

With approximately 270-280 grants awarded annually from a foundation that does not accept unsolicited applications, success rates are not publicly available or applicable in the traditional sense. The foundation proactively identifies and invites organizations within their focus areas.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Given the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking, reapplication policies likely depend on the relationship with the foundation and the specific program area.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Insights

Long-Term Strategic Relationships: The foundation's approach emphasizes long-term investment over one-time grants. As stated in their materials: "Focusing on a few clearly defined program areas allows us to invest for the long-term and develop strategies that contribute to lasting change." Organizations that have received funding are often part of ongoing strategic initiatives.

Collaborative Approaches: The foundation values collaboration over competition. They played a founding role in creating the Southern California College Access Network (SoCal CAN) in 2005, initially providing $50,000 to formalize a partnership of roughly 30 organizations. This network has grown to over 60 organizations working together on college access and completion.

Innovation in Service Delivery: Particularly evident in their Alzheimer's caregiving focus, the foundation seeks "innovative and creative supports" and "novel, creative approaches." Their Innovations in Alzheimer's Caregiving Awards specifically recognize programs using creative expression, serving diverse/multicultural communities, and advancing public policy.

Strategic Partnerships: The foundation partners with other funders on significant initiatives. For example, they co-fund the Innovations in Alzheimer's Caregiving Awards with RRF Foundation for Aging (and previously with Bader Philanthropies from 2018-2024).

Example Funded Organizations

The foundation has supported diverse organizations including:

Special Projects: CicLAvia, BodyTraffic, CALmatters, Heal The Bay, Working Nation, Public Counsel, Hope of the Valley, Venice Family Clinic, Alma Backyard Farms, Union Rescue Mission, Boy Scouts of America, Ronald McDonald House, California Science Center, Victoria & Albert Museum, Downtown Women's Center, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, California Community Foundation, Public Policy Institute of California, AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Business Council Institute
Universities: UCLA and UC Berkeley receive ongoing support for academic programs, endowed chairs (including a $1 million endowed chair in clinical pharmacology at UCLA's Geffen School of Medicine), and specific centers (such as a $1 million challenge grant for UCLA's Nazarian Center for Israel Studies)
Israel: Support through organizations like the Binational Science Foundation for education and economic development programs

Key Historical Initiative

In June 2007, the foundation conducted a comprehensive review of challenges facing Alzheimer's caregivers, culminating in an expert panel discussion report titled "Strengthening Caregiving for Alzheimer's Disease" that identified promising practices, research recommendations, and key principles. This strategic approach to understanding an issue before developing programming demonstrates their thoughtful, research-based methodology.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Invitation-Only Grantmaking: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Building relationships and visibility within their priority areas (particularly in Los Angeles County) is essential before seeking funding.
Strategic, Long-Term Focus: The foundation invests in "a few clearly defined program areas" with a long-term perspective rather than making scattered one-time grants. Alignment with their specific program areas is critical.
Geographic Specificity: Nearly all domestic funding is concentrated in Los Angeles County, with international funding focused exclusively on Israel. Organizations outside these areas are unlikely to receive support.
Collaboration Over Competition: The foundation values and actively fosters collaborative approaches, as evidenced by their role in creating SoCal CAN. Demonstrating partnerships and collaborative models may strengthen proposals.
Innovation and Creativity: Particularly in health-related programs, the foundation seeks innovative approaches and creative solutions, not just continuation of traditional service models.
Scale and Sustainability: With median grants of $25,000 and grants ranging up to $500,000, the foundation supports both modest and substantial initiatives. Their focus on long-term change suggests they value sustainability planning.
Institutional Relationships: The foundation maintains deep relationships with UCLA and UC Berkeley, suggesting that academic partnerships and research-based approaches align with their values.

References

Information accessed December 2024