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Milton & Tamar Maltz Family Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$6.6M
Grant Range
$40K - $10.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,619,500 (2023)
  • Total Assets: Approximately $41.8 million (2019)
  • Number of Grants: 59 awards (2023)
  • Grant Range: $40,000 - $10,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on Cleveland, Ohio and Jupiter, Florida
  • Application Process: Invitation only - no unsolicited applications accepted

Contact Details

Address: 3333 Richmond Rd Ste 460, Beachwood, OH 44122-4199

EIN: 65-0164300

Note: The foundation does not have a public website with application information. The foundation makes grants by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited proposals or requests for funding.

Overview

The Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation was established in 1990 by Milton Maltz, founder and former CEO of Malrite Communications Group, and his wife Tamar. After selling Malrite to Raycom Media in 1998 for an estimated $500-$600 million, the Maltzes devoted themselves to high-level philanthropy. The foundation supports programs across the arts, health and human services, medical research, education, and the environment, with particular emphasis on Jewish organizations and combating hate through education. The foundation's approach reflects Milton Maltz's personal philosophy that "only light can defeat darkness," stemming from his childhood experience of antisemitic bullying. The foundation distributes approximately $5-7 million annually to pre-selected charitable organizations, primarily in Cleveland and South Florida, though it also supports national and international causes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through a trustee-discretion model with no formal grant programs or application cycles. Grants are made by invitation only to pre-selected organizations.

Grant Size Range:

  • Major institutional gifts: $1,000,000 - $10,000,000+ (e.g., Cleveland Orchestra, International Spy Museum, Cleveland Play House)
  • Significant program support: $100,000 - $1,000,000 (e.g., universities, research institutions, environmental organizations)
  • Research and specialty grants: $40,000 - $500,000 (e.g., Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, specific university programs)

Priority Areas

Arts and Culture (Primary Focus):

  • Performing arts centers and theaters (Cleveland Play House, Maltz Performing Arts Center at Case Western Reserve University, Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
  • Museums (Cleveland Museum of Art, International Spy Museum, Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
  • Symphony orchestras (Cleveland Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra)

Jewish Heritage and Fighting Antisemitism:

  • Jewish heritage education and museums
  • Holocaust education (U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum)
  • Israeli cultural institutions (American Friends of The Israel Museum, Israel Philharmonic)
  • Fighting hate through education initiatives

Mental Health and Brain Research (Significant Focus):

  • Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (long-term support spanning 20+ years)
  • Lieber Institute for Brain Development/Maltz Research Laboratories at Johns Hopkins
  • Schizophrenia research (Maltz Prize: $40,000 awards)

Medical and Healthcare:

  • Hospital care (Jupiter Medical Center Foundation, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Foundation)
  • Eye care (Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at University of Miami)
  • Reproductive health (PAI-Champions of Global Reproductive Rights)

Education:

  • Universities (University of Arizona: $500,000+, University of Michigan: $158,500)
  • Youth education programs, particularly related to tolerance and diversity
  • "Stop the Hate" scholarship program: $100,000 awards

Environment and Conservation:

  • Forest preservation (Rainforest Trust: nearly $1,000,000)
  • Wildlife conservation (Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund: $885,000, Cleveland Zoological Society: $1,025,000)

What They Don't Fund

  • The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals from organizations they have not previously identified
  • No public information available on specific exclusions, as grants are made by invitation only

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel:

  • Milton Maltz: Founder and Chairman Emeritus. Founded Malrite Communications Group in 1956, served in U.S. Navy and National Security Agency. Author of "A Passion for Broadcasting: Stories of My Life" (2021). B.S. in journalism from University of Illinois.
  • Tamar Maltz: President of the foundation and President of the Board of Directors of the International Spy Museum. Graduate of Roosevelt University with a degree in education. Former teacher and major stockholder/director of Malrite Communications Group. Received "Trailblazer of the Year" award in 1994 from Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Northeast Ohio.
  • James Gomez: Treasurer of related Maltz entities. President and COO of The Malrite Company and heads The Maltz Family Office, which oversees philanthropic projects.

Philanthropic Philosophy:

Milton Maltz has stated: "We were concerned about mental illness and wanted to help fund research in that area... [we] felt it was important for young people to know that their mental issues did not have to follow them all of their lives."

On combating hate: Maltz believes that "only light can defeat darkness," and his answer to bigotry and antisemitism is a massive philanthropic investment in museums and educational institutions meant to educate and enrich people's understanding of the world. This stems from a childhood incident when 5-year-old Milton was bullied by kindergarten classmates in South Bend, Indiana, for being Jewish.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation's official policy states: "The foundation provides pre-selected grants to charitable organizations which are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The foundation makes grants by invitation only; it does not accept unsolicited proposals or requests for funding."

Grants are awarded based on:

  • Trustee discretion and personal connections
  • The Maltzes' longstanding relationships with organizations in Cleveland, Ohio and Jupiter, Florida
  • Alignment with the founders' personal philanthropic interests, particularly in arts, mental health research, Jewish heritage, and combating hate

Getting on Their Radar

Board Connections: Milton and Tamar Maltz serve on the boards of numerous organizations they support, including the International Spy Museum (where Tamar is Board President), Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, and have been deeply involved with the Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Museum of Art, and Case Western Reserve University. Building relationships through these institutions may provide visibility.

Cleveland and Jupiter Florida Networks: The foundation has strong ties to both Cleveland, Ohio (their hometown) and Jupiter, Florida (where they maintain a second home). Organizations with presence in these communities, particularly in arts and Jewish cultural sectors, have received substantial support.

Focus on Institutional Leadership: Major grants have typically gone to established institutions where the Maltzes can create named programs or facilities (Maltz Performing Arts Center, Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Maltz Research Laboratories). Organizations seeking transformational gifts for naming opportunities aligned with the foundation's priorities may be of interest.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made by invitation only without a formal application or decision timeline.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation makes grants by invitation only, organizations cannot apply directly. However, examining the foundation's giving patterns reveals what attracts their support:

Alignment with Personal Values and Experience:

  • Projects addressing hate, antisemitism, and promoting tolerance through education resonate deeply with the Maltzes' personal experiences and values
  • Mental health and brain research initiatives, particularly those focused on helping young people understand mental health challenges are not permanent
  • Organizations that allow youth opportunities for education and growth

Transformational Impact and Legacy:

  • The foundation has demonstrated preference for major gifts that create lasting named facilities or programs (e.g., Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, Maltz Performing Arts Center at Case Western Reserve, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Maltz Research Laboratories at Johns Hopkins)
  • Grants that enable significant institutional capacity building or capital improvements (e.g., $10 million for Blossom Music Center renovations, $40 million to International Spy Museum)

Geographic Connections:

  • Strong preference for Cleveland-area organizations where the Maltzes built their business and raised their family
  • Substantial support for Jupiter, Florida organizations where they maintain a second home
  • National and international grants typically support causes aligned with Jewish heritage or their specific interest areas

Arts and Cultural Excellence:

  • Track record of supporting premier arts institutions including orchestras, museums, and performing arts centers
  • Particularly attracted to organizations that combine artistic excellence with educational mission

Scientific Research with Clear Mission:

  • Long-term commitment to specific research initiatives, particularly in mental health (20+ year relationship with Brain & Behavior Research Foundation)
  • Support for named research programs addressing specific diseases or conditions (schizophrenia research, brain development)

Jewish Heritage and Israel:

  • Organizations supporting Jewish cultural preservation, Holocaust education, and Israeli institutions receive significant support
  • Programs that combat antisemitism and promote interfaith understanding align with core mission

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No unsolicited applications accepted: This foundation operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis. Direct applications will not be considered.
  • Relationship-driven philanthropy: The Maltzes support organizations where they have personal connections, board involvement, or long-standing relationships, primarily in Cleveland and Jupiter, Florida.
  • Think transformational, not transactional: Their giving pattern shows preference for major gifts ($1 million+) that create named facilities, endowments, or programs rather than annual operating support.
  • Mission alignment is critical: Organizations working on combating hate through education, mental health research (especially for youth), Jewish heritage, arts and culture, or environmental conservation align with documented interests.
  • Personal story matters: The Maltzes' childhood experiences with antisemitism and concern about mental health in young people drive their philanthropic priorities - initiatives that address these issues resonate.
  • Geographic focus: Unless you're a nationally/internationally significant institution, being based in or serving Cleveland, Ohio or Jupiter, Florida significantly increases relevance.
  • Long-term partnerships: The foundation demonstrates multi-decade commitments to organizations they support (e.g., 20+ years with Brain & Behavior Research Foundation), suggesting they value sustained impact over one-time grants.

References

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