Mazursky Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $254,500 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not disclosed
• Grant Range: Varies
• Geographic Focus: Los Angeles area, California

Contact Details

Address: 10351 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 270, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Phone: (310) 277-7351

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website and does not accept unsolicited grant requests.

Overview

The Mazursky Family Foundation is a private family foundation established by acclaimed filmmaker Paul Mazursky (1930-2014) and his wife Betsy Mazursky (1926-2017). The foundation has been active since at least 2000, carrying forward the couple's legacy of supporting social justice, education, healthcare access, and the arts in the Los Angeles area. In 2023, the foundation awarded $254,500 in grants across 29 organizations. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, making grants to preselected charitable organizations aligned with the family's philanthropic values. Paul Mazursky was an Oscar-nominated filmmaker known for films like "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice" and "An Unmarried Woman," while Betsy was a librarian, social worker, and dedicated activist who volunteered with immigrant workers and social justice organizations throughout her life.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Mazursky Family Foundation does not have formal grant programs with published guidelines. The foundation makes discretionary grants selected by the trustees based on the family's charitable interests.

• 2023: 29 grants totaling $254,500
• 2022: 29 grants
• 2021: 20 grants

Priority Areas

Based on the founders' documented interests and known grant recipients, the foundation appears to support:

• Social Justice and Civil Rights: Organizations working on human rights, immigrant rights, and community equity
• Education: ESL programs, educational access for underserved communities
• Healthcare Access: Community health clinics and family planning services
• Workers' Rights: Labor organizing and worker support services
• Children and Youth Services: Camps and programs for children with serious medical conditions
• Arts and Culture: Supporting the artistic legacy aligned with Paul Mazursky's film career

What They Don't Fund

The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation was founded by filmmaker Paul Mazursky and his wife Betsy Mazursky. According to historical filings:

• Paul Mazursky - CEO/CFO & Director (deceased 2014)
• Betsy Mazursky - Secretary & Director (deceased 2017)
• Meg Mazursky - Director (deceased 2009)
• Jill Mazursky-Cody - Director

Current participants include Jill Cody Mazursky and Kate Brien Fitz. The registered agent is Russell David Francis.

Paul Mazursky was an innovative filmmaker who earned five Oscar nominations for his work. He received the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Career Achievement Award in 2010 and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2013.

Betsy Mazursky was deeply committed to social justice activism. She volunteered as a counselor at the Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, worked with homeless teens at the Teen Canteen in Hollywood, and taught English to Spanish-speaking laborers at IDEPSCA's Hollywood Community Job Center.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Mazursky Family Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organizations with which the family has existing relationships or connections.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. Understanding what the foundation values can help organizations determine alignment:

Known Grant Recipients:

• The Painted Turtle: A SeriousFun Camp serving children with serious medical conditions
• IDEPSCA: Worker rights and education organization where Betsy Mazursky volunteered
• Organizations Betsy supported: LA Free Clinic, Liberty Hill Foundation, Planned Parenthood, National Farm Workers Association

The foundation appears to support organizations that align with the Mazurskys' personal involvement and passion for social justice in Los Angeles, particularly those doing direct community service for marginalized communities including immigrants, workers, women, and children.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This foundation cannot be approached through standard grant applications
• Family-driven philanthropy: Grants reflect the personal interests and relationships of the Mazursky family
• Social justice focus: Strong alignment with immigrant rights, workers' rights, healthcare access, and community empowerment
• Los Angeles-centric: Geographic focus appears to be the Los Angeles area
• Legacy giving: The foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of Paul and Betsy Mazursky
• Relationship-based: Organizations receiving grants likely have direct connections to family members
• Service-oriented: The family valued organizations providing direct community services

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Mazursky Family Foundation (EIN 95-4509550)
• CauseIQ: The Mazursky Family Foundation, Los Angeles, CA
• Grantmakers.io: Mazursky Family Foundation Profile
• Instrumentl: The Mazursky Family Foundation 990 Report
• The Painted Turtle: Our Supporters - Donor Honor Roll
• Legacy.com: Betsy Mazursky Obituary (2017), Los Angeles Times
• Legacy.com: Paul Mazursky Obituary (2014)
• Variety: "Paul Mazursky Dead: Oscar Nominee Dies at 84" (July 2014)
• IDEPSCA: "Rest in Peace Betsy Mazursky"