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The Applebaum Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$10.8M
Grant Range
$23K - $2.2M

The Applebaum Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10,800,000 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $211,500,000 (2024)
  • Grant Range: $22,500 - $2,200,000
  • Number of Awards: 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 $10.8 million (representing 92% of total expenses), 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 revenue) and sales of assets (48.3%), rather than through soliciting donations. The foundation's mission centers on supporting higher education, hospitals and medical research, and Jewish organizations including welfare agencies, schools, and temple support, with some additional funding directed toward children, youth, and social services.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with applications. Instead, it makes discretionary grants selected by trustees to pre-identified organizations. 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 centers, and medical research institutions (including organizations such as Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center)

Jewish Organizations:

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

Human Services:

  • Children and youth services
  • Social services programs
  • 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 organizations.

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 specializes in mission development, strategic planning and communication, impact investing, board governance, grants development and management, and evaluation. Her background spans diverse fields including voter mobilization, 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 organizations 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 organizations.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's closed application process, organizations 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 organizations 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 organizations rather than through an open application process.

Application Success Factors

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

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

Alignment with Core Mission: Organizations 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 organizations 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 centers, universities, and recognized Jewish organizations.

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 organizations without existing relationships.

  • Significant Grant Size: With awards ranging from $22,500 to $2,200,000, this is a major funder when organizations 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: Organizations must align with at least one of the foundation's three primary funding areas: higher education, healthcare/medical research, or Jewish organizations.

  • 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.

References

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