Maurice Amado Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,488,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $150,000
• Median Grant: $10,000
• Geographic Focus: United States and International
• Total Assets: Approximately $28 million

Contact Details

Website: https://www.mauriceamadofoundation.org/

Address: Los Angeles, California

EIN: 95-6041700

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. They generate their own requests for proposals and only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Overview

Established in 1961 by Maurice Amado, the Maurice Amado Foundation is a family foundation that has been directed by members of his family since 1968. With assets totaling approximately $28 million, the foundation distributed $1,488,000 in grants during 2023 across 73 awards. Historically, the foundation primarily supported organizations serving the Sephardic Jewish community and promoting knowledge of Sephardic Jewish culture and heritage. More recently, the foundation has evolved to award grants to a wide array of charitable organizations that reflect the philanthropic interests of the foundation's directors and advisors, while maintaining a focus on Jewish ethics, civic responsibility, and community involvement. The foundation's legacy includes endowing the Maurice Amado Program in Sephardic Studies at UCLA in 1989, which houses one of the most important chairs of Sephardic Studies in the United States.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis without distinct public grant programs. Recent grant activity shows:

• 73 grants awarded in 2023 totaling $1,488,000
• 90 grants awarded in 2022
• 93 grants awarded in 2021
• Grant amounts range from $1,000 to $150,000
• Median grant size: $10,000

Priority Areas

Historical Focus:

• Organizations serving members of the Sephardic Jewish community
• Promotion of Sephardic Jewish culture and heritage
• Expansion of knowledge about contributions of Sephardic Jews to Jewish life
• Academic programs and research in Sephardic Studies

Current Broader Focus:

• Jewish ethics and values
• Civic responsibility
• Community involvement
• Charitable organizations reflecting directors' and advisors' philanthropic interests
• Support for organizations across the United States and internationally

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not:

• Accept unsolicited grant proposals
• Respond to general funding requests
• Maintain a public application process

Governance and Leadership

President: Rick Amado

Vice President: Susan Lindheim

Executive Director: Pamela Kaizer

Board of Directors:

• Ted Amado
• Susan Malcolm
• Erin Tarica
• Ellen Amado

The foundation has been directed by members of the Amado family since 1968, maintaining its character as a family foundation while evolving its grantmaking focus over the decades.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Maurice Amado Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation generates its own requests for proposals and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. Unsolicited grant proposals are not currently accepted.

According to the foundation's official statement: "The Foundation generates its own request for proposals and unsolicited proposals are not currently accepted."

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations that align with their historical mission may be considered through:

• Sephardic Jewish Community Connections: Given the foundation's historical focus on Sephardic Jewish heritage and culture, organizations serving this community or promoting Sephardic studies may be of interest to the foundation's directors.

• Academic Partnerships: The foundation has a strong relationship with UCLA through the Maurice Amado Program in Sephardic Studies (endowed in 1989) and California State University Northridge. Academic institutions with programs related to Sephardic studies or Jewish heritage may be positioned to develop relationships.

• Board and Director Networks: As a family foundation, grantmaking reflects the philanthropic interests of the foundation's directors and advisors. Organizations that naturally intersect with the professional and personal networks of board members may be considered.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed, as grants are made by invitation only.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation made 73 grants in 2023, 90 in 2022, and 93 in 2021, but does not publish data on applications received or success rates.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the Maurice Amado Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that have historically received support from the foundation tend to share these characteristics:

Alignment with Founding Mission: Despite broadening their focus, the foundation's roots in supporting Sephardic Jewish community and culture remain significant. Organizations with connections to this heritage, Jewish ethics, or community service align with the foundation's values.

Long-term Academic Impact: The foundation's 1989 endowment of the Maurice Amado Program in Sephardic Studies at UCLA demonstrates a commitment to creating lasting educational impact. This suggests preference for projects with sustainable, long-term outcomes rather than short-term initiatives.

Family Values and Interests: As a family foundation where "grants reflect the philanthropic interests of the Foundation's Directors and Advisors," organizations that resonate with the personal values and interests of the Amado family members on the board are most likely to be supported.

Geographic Diversity: While based in Los Angeles, the foundation supports organizations "around the United States and internationally," indicating openness to worthy organizations regardless of location.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications. They identify and invite organizations to apply for funding.

• Invitation-only grantmaking: The foundation generates its own requests for proposals and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.

• Family foundation dynamics: Grantmaking reflects the philanthropic interests of the foundation's directors and advisors, who are members of the Amado family.

• Evolution from focused to broader mission: While historically focused on Sephardic Jewish community and culture, the foundation now supports a wider array of charitable causes while maintaining emphasis on Jewish ethics and civic responsibility.

• Consistent grantmaking activity: The foundation has maintained steady activity with 73-93 grants annually in recent years, suggesting ongoing commitment to philanthropy.

• Relationship-based: Organizations in the foundation's network or with connections to Sephardic studies, Jewish community service, or the Amado family's areas of interest are most likely to be considered.

• Academic partnerships valued: The foundation's long-term support of academic programs (UCLA, CSUN) indicates appreciation for educational initiatives with lasting impact.

References

• Maurice Amado Foundation official website: https://www.mauriceamadofoundation.org/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/maurice-amado-foundation (Accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/956041700 (Accessed January 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=AMAD001 (Accessed January 2026)
• UCLA Alan D. Leve Center for Jewish Studies - Sephardic Studies: https://levecenter.ucla.edu/sephardic-studies/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Cause IQ Foundation Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/maurice-amado-foundation,956041700/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Grantmakers.io Profile: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/956041700-maurice-amado-foundation/ (Accessed January 2026)