The Applebaum Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $10,086,568 (2024)
• Total Assets: $211,454,592 (2024)
• Grant Range: $22,500 - $2,200,000
• Number of Awards: 40 (2024), 42 (2023), 28 (2022)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily New York, Florida, and Massachusetts
• Application Method: Invitation only - Does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: 25 W 45th St Ste 504, New York, NY 10036

Note: The foundation does not maintain a publicly available website, phone number, or email for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Applebaum Foundation Inc is a well-established private foundation founded in 1949 by Joseph Applebaum and Leila Applebaum. With assets exceeding $211 million and annual charitable disbursements of approximately $10.1 million, the foundation represents a significant philanthropic presence in the higher education and healthcare sectors. The foundation operates as an endowed foundation, funding its grantmaking primarily through investment income from dividends (49.7% of 2023 revenue) and sales of assets (48.3% of 2023 revenue), rather than through soliciting donations. The foundation's mission centres on supporting higher education, hospitals and medical research, and Jewish organisations including welfare agencies, schools, and temple support, with some additional funding directed towards children, youth, and social services.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation does not operate formal grant programmes with applications. Instead, it makes discretionary grants selected by trustees to pre-identified organisations. Awards typically range from $22,500 to $2,200,000, with the foundation making between 28-42 grants annually.

Priority Areas

Higher Education: Colleges, universities, and educational institutions

Healthcare: Hospitals, medical centres, and medical research institutions (including organisations such as Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center)

Jewish Organisations:

• Federated giving programmes
• Jewish welfare agencies
• Jewish schools and educational institutions
• Temple and synagogue support

Human Services:

• Children and youth services
• Social services programmes
• Voluntarism and grantmaking support

Geographic Focus

Primary funding in New York, Florida, and Massachusetts, with grants distributed across various cities including New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not respond to unsolicited applications and limits its grantmaking to preselected charitable organisations.

Governance and Leadership

James Kaufman - President

Michael Doppelt - Vice President & Treasurer

Rebecca Lieberman - Vice President, Secretary, and Executive Director

Rebecca Lieberman brings extensive expertise in family philanthropy, Jewish giving, and strategic grantmaking. She specialises in mission development, strategic planning and communication, impact investing, board governance, grants development and management, and evaluation. Her background spans diverse fields including voter mobilisation, civic engagement, Jewish renewal, global Jewish collaborations, education reform, service learning, economic empowerment, and health care access for low-income families.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states that it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's trustees based on their philanthropic priorities and existing relationships with organisations.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's closed application process, organisations seeking funding should be aware that:

• The foundation identifies potential grantees through its board members' existing knowledge of and relationships within the higher education, healthcare, and Jewish philanthropic sectors
• Trustees make funding decisions based on organisations they are already familiar with or have been introduced to through trusted networks
• The foundation's leadership, particularly Executive Director Rebecca Lieberman, has deep connections within Jewish philanthropic networks and family foundation circles

Note: This section reflects the foundation's documented approach of making grants only to pre-identified organisations rather than through an open application process.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, the following factors characterise their grantmaking approach:

Pre-existing Relationships: The foundation funds organisations already known to trustees or recommended through trusted networks within their focus sectors.

Alignment with Core Mission: Organisations receiving support demonstrate clear alignment with the foundation's priorities in higher education, healthcare/medical research, or Jewish communal needs.

Geographic Considerations: While the foundation has funded organisations nationally, there is a concentration of support in New York, Florida, and Massachusetts.

Institutional Credibility: Grant recipients tend to be established institutions with strong track records, such as major medical centres, universities, and recognised Jewish organisations.

Funding Types: The foundation provides support for special purposes, research, and general operating expenses.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals, making direct application impossible for organisations without existing relationships.

• Significant Grant Size: With awards ranging from $22,500 to $2,200,000, this is a major funder when organisations do receive support.

• Selective Grantmaking: Making only 28-42 grants annually from assets exceeding $211 million indicates highly selective, strategic grantmaking focused on fewer, larger grants.

• Relationship-Driven: Success requires being part of the networks known to foundation trustees, particularly in higher education, healthcare, and Jewish philanthropic circles.

• Three Core Pillars: Organisations must align with at least one of the foundation's three primary funding areas: higher education, healthcare/medical research, or Jewish organisations.

• Long-Standing Stability: Established in 1949, the foundation has a 75+ year track record and substantial assets, suggesting it will remain an active funder for years to come.

• Network Connections: Rebecca Lieberman's expertise in family philanthropy and Jewish giving networks may provide insight into the foundation's approach and connections to broader philanthropic communities.

Financial Data

Historical Grants Paid:

• 2024: $10,086,568
• 2023: $11,278,022
• 2022: $5,820,995
• 2021: $8,042,500

Recent Financial Summary (2024):

• Total Assets: $211,454,592
• Total Expenses: $11,743,297
• Grants Paid: $10,086,568

References

• The Applebaum Foundation Inc - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica (Accessed December 2024)
• The Applebaum Foundation Inc | 990 Report | Instrumentl (Accessed December 2024)
• The Applebaum Foundation Inc | Foundation Directory | Candid (Accessed December 2024)
• The Applebaum Foundation | Cause IQ (Accessed December 2024)
• Rebecca Lieberman - Senior Executive & Advisor in the Philanthropic and Nonprofit Sectors | LinkedIn (Accessed December 2024)
• The Applebaum Foundation Inc - GuideStar Profile (Accessed December 2024)