Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $6,264,750 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $1,500,000+
• Geographic Focus: Hawaiian Gardens, CA and Israel

Contact Details

Address: 21900 Norwalk Blvd, Hawaiian Gardens, CA 90716
Phone: 562-384-5069
Website: www.moskowitzfoundation.org
For Inquiries: Written letters to the above address

Overview

The Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation was established in 1968 by Dr. Irving Moskowitz (1928-2016), a physician and businessman who built his philanthropic legacy on the principle: "He who has saved one life, it is as if he has saved the world." The foundation distributes over $6.2 million annually to nearly 100 charities, with funding generated primarily through a state-legislated Bingo Club in Hawaiian Gardens, California. Following Dr. Moskowitz's death in 2016 and his wife Cherna's passing in 2024, the foundation continues its mission to help people in need regardless of race, creed, politics, or religion, with particular focus on the Hawaiian Gardens community, Israeli institutions, and disaster relief efforts worldwide.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but provides funding in several consistent categories:

• Community Support: $5,000 - $500,000 (food banks, social services)
• Education: $5,000 - $30,000 (school technology, student programs)
• Youth Sports: $5,000 - $10,000 (Little League, Pop Warner, Soccer)
• Disaster Relief: $100,000 - $300,000 (through American Red Cross)
• Capital Projects: Up to $1,500,000 (sports complexes, facilities)

Priority Areas

• Education and youth development in Hawaiian Gardens
• Community food security and social services
• Jewish educational and cultural institutions in Israel
• Emergency disaster relief worldwide
• Healthcare programs for underserved populations

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's giving history suggests they do not typically fund:

• Organizations outside Hawaiian Gardens, CA or Israel (except major disaster relief)
• General operating support for organizations without existing relationships
• Individual requests or personal hardship cases
• Political campaigns or lobbying activities

Governance and Leadership

Dr. Irving I. Moskowitz (1928-2016): Founder, physician, and businessman born to Polish Jewish immigrants in Milwaukee. Built and managed hospitals in California before establishing the foundation. His family's Holocaust experience strengthened his conviction that Israel must remain a safe haven for Jewish people worldwide.

Cherna Moskowitz (1924-2024): Served as president following her husband's death. Board member of Nefesh B'Nefesh, Ariel University Center, ZOA, JINSA, Bar Ilan University, and Hesder Yeshiva of Sderot. Together with Dr. Moskowitz, raised 8 children and had over 48 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Current board composition is not publicly disclosed following Cherna Moskowitz's passing in 2024.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation operates as a private foundation with grants awarded at the trustees' discretion, typically to organizations with pre-existing relationships. There is no application portal, published guidelines, or formal submission process.

Organizations may send written inquiries to: Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation 21900 Norwalk Blvd Hawaiian Gardens, CA 90716

Decision Timeline

No public information available regarding decision timelines or notification methods.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept competitive applications.

Reapplication Policy

No public information available.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's private nature and lack of public application process, organizations most likely to receive funding share these characteristics:

• Geographic alignment: Located in or directly serving Hawaiian Gardens, CA, or operating in Israel
• Existing relationships: Pre-existing connections to foundation trustees or historically funded organizations
• Mission alignment: Focus on education, Jewish cultural preservation, community food security, or disaster relief
• Demonstrated impact: Track record serving the specific communities the foundation prioritizes
• Values alignment: Organizations that embody the foundation's principle of universal compassion while supporting Jewish continuity

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation operates without a public application process - grants are made through trustee discretion and existing relationships
• Geographic focus is highly specific to Hawaiian Gardens, CA and Israel - organizations outside these areas have minimal prospects unless responding to major disasters
• Annual giving exceeds $6 million, demonstrating significant capacity for both small community grants and major capital projects
• The foundation maintains long-term relationships with recipient organizations, providing sustained rather than one-time support
• Written inquiry is the only suggested contact method, but cold outreach without existing connections is unlikely to succeed
• Focus grant-seeking efforts on foundations with open application processes unless your organization has direct ties to Hawaiian Gardens or Israel

References

• Foundation Center/Candid Foundation Directory, Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation profile (accessed February 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation Form 990 filings 2023-2025 (accessed February 2026)
• The Irving Moskowitz Foundation official website, www.moskowitzfoundation.org (accessed February 2026)
• Wikipedia entry: Irving Moskowitz (accessed February 2026)
• Times of Israel: "Irving Moskowitz, US pro-settlement philanthropist, dies at 88" (June 16, 2016)
• Israel Heritage Foundation: "Press Release: Cherna Moskowitz Has Passed Away" (August 2024)
• Instrumentl 990 Report, Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation (accessed February 2026)