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Suzanne And Charles Goodman Charitable Trust For Jewish Causes

Annual Giving
$0.0M

Suzanne And Charles Goodman Charitable Trust For Jewish Causes

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10,000 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $23.6 million (2024)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable - trustee discretion
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: Jewish causes, with emphasis on Chicago, Israel, and Jewish education
  • Application Method: No public application process

Contact Details

Legal Name: Suzanne And Charles Goodman Charitable Trust For Jewish Causes
EIN: 99-6130685
Location: Chicago, IL
Status: 501(c)(3) Private Independent Foundation

Note: This is a private family trust without public contact information or application processes.

Overview

The Suzanne And Charles Goodman Charitable Trust For Jewish Causes is a private family trust established to honor the legacy of Charles "Corky" Goodman and his first wife, Suzanne Crown Goodman. Named for the late philanthropic couple, the trust was tax-exempt since July 2025 and holds approximately $23.6 million in assets as of 2024. The trust is administered by Barbara Goodman Manilow (daughter of Charles and Suzanne Goodman) as trustee.

This trust represents the continuation of a remarkable philanthropic legacy spanning multiple generations of the Goodman and Crown families. Charles Goodman (1933-2023) was a towering figure in Jewish philanthropy, serving as President of the Jewish United Fund of Chicago, Chairman of the Board of Governors of Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel-North American Council. The trust operates as a private foundation making grants at the trustee's discretion, with a focus on Jewish causes reflecting the family's lifelong commitment to Jewish continuity, education, and support for Israel.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Based on the Goodman family's documented philanthropic history, the trust's funding priorities likely align with causes that were central to Charles and Suzanne Goodman's lifelong commitments:

Jewish Education: The Goodman family has been deeply committed to Jewish education. Barbara Manilow, the current trustee, co-founded the Covenant Foundation in 1990, which awards approximately $1.7 million annually to support exceptional leaders and innovative programs in Jewish education across all denominations and settings.

Israel and Hebrew University: The Goodman family provided support to all of Israel's colleges and universities, with Hebrew University being most notable. The Suzanne and Charles Goodman Center for Brain Sciences at Hebrew University stands as a testament to their commitment. The family helped fund nearly every hospital and medical center in Israel.

Chicago Jewish Community: Charles Goodman served as president of the Jewish United Fund of Chicago from 1983 to 1985 and chaired the 1983 Annual Campaign. In 1999, he chaired JUF's Centennial Campaign, which raised over $1 billion for a perpetual endowment.

Jewish Continuity and Identity: Through support for organizations like the Jewish Agency for Israel, American Friends of Hebrew University, Brandeis University, and the Jewish Federations of North America, the family demonstrated commitment to strengthening Jewish identity and continuity worldwide.

Operation Exodus and Immigration: Charles Goodman was instrumental in structuring elements of Operation Exodus, helping over a million Eastern European and over 14,000 Ethiopian Jews relocate to Israel. He worked closely with the Jewish Agency for Israel and Israeli banks to provide guaranteed loans valued at more than $1 billion to assist immigrants.

What They Likely Don't Fund

Given the specific focus on Jewish causes in the trust's name and the family's documented philanthropic history:

  • Non-Jewish religious organizations
  • General secular causes unrelated to Jewish community or education
  • Organizations without connection to Jewish life, Israel, or Chicago's Jewish community

Governance and Leadership

Trustee

Barbara Goodman Manilow serves as the sole trustee of the Suzanne And Charles Goodman Charitable Trust For Jewish Causes. Barbara is the daughter of Charles "Corky" Goodman and Suzanne Crown Goodman, making her a member of both the Goodman and Crown families - two of Chicago's most prominent philanthropic dynasties.

Barbara has extensive experience in Jewish philanthropy:

  • Co-founder and President of the Covenant Foundation (established 1990), which supports excellence and innovation in Jewish education
  • Chairman of the Arie and Ida Crown Memorial (2022)
  • Board member of Crown Family Philanthropies, serving on the Jewish and Global Health Committees
  • Mother of three children: Aaron, Jackson, and Maya Manilow, representing the next generation of family philanthropy

Family Legacy

The trust honors Charles "Corky" Goodman (1933-2023), who as one observer noted, was "a central figure in the Jewish community, both locally and nationally, and in the growth and development of the State of Israel." According to his obituary, Goodman "devoted much of his time and energy to philanthropy, with a focus on the City of Chicago, Jewish causes, and Israel."

Suzanne Crown Goodman (d. 2002) was the daughter of Irving Crown, whose father co-founded Chicago-based Material Service Corp. with his brothers, including Col. Henry Crown and Sol R. Crown. The Crown family has been a pillar of Chicago and Jewish philanthropy for generations.

Charles Goodman received the Jewish United Fund's highest honor, the Julius Rosenwald Award, in 1993 for his service and commitment to the community. In 2005, he received a Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa from Hebrew University.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This trust does not have a public application process. The Suzanne And Charles Goodman Charitable Trust For Jewish Causes is a private family trust that makes grants at the discretion of the trustee, Barbara Manilow.

Unlike institutional foundations with formal application procedures, this trust operates as a vehicle for the family's private charitable giving to Jewish causes. Grant decisions are made internally by the trustee based on the family's philanthropic priorities and relationships within the Jewish community.

Organizations seeking support from this trust would need to have pre-existing relationships with the Goodman or Crown families or be introduced through trusted intermediaries within the Chicago Jewish philanthropic community.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the private nature of this trust and its relatively modest annual giving ($10,000 in charitable disbursements in 2024, though this may vary year to year), organizations should focus on:

Building Relationships Within the Chicago Jewish Community: The Goodman and Crown families have deep, multi-generational ties to Chicago's Jewish institutions. Organizations that are active participants in this ecosystem and have strong reputations for excellence are more likely to be considered.

Connection to Barbara Manilow's Known Interests: As trustee, Barbara Manilow's philanthropic focus on Jewish education (through the Covenant Foundation) may influence grant decisions. Organizations working in innovative Jewish education, particularly those that support educators to "dream and initiate new programs," align with her documented interests.

Alignment with Family Legacy Institutions: Organizations connected to institutions the Goodman family has historically supported - including Hebrew University, the Jewish United Fund of Chicago, the Jewish Agency for Israel, American Friends of Hebrew University, and Brandeis University - may have pathways to consideration.

Excellence and Innovation: Based on Barbara Manilow's work with the Covenant Foundation, which seeks to "shine a spotlight on exceptional leaders in Jewish education, and to support high-quality, groundbreaking efforts," the family values innovation and excellence over conventional approaches.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is a private family trust, not an institutional foundation - There is no public application process, and grant decisions are made at the trustee's discretion based on family relationships and priorities
  • Focus is explicitly on Jewish causes - The trust name makes clear that all funding is directed toward Jewish organizations and initiatives
  • The family legacy emphasizes Israel, Jewish education, and Chicago's Jewish community - Organizations working in these areas align most closely with documented family interests
  • Scale of giving varies - While 2024 showed $10,000 in charitable disbursements, the trust holds over $23 million in assets, suggesting capacity for larger grants at the trustee's discretion
  • Barbara Manilow as trustee brings specific interests in Jewish education - Her role as co-founder of the Covenant Foundation suggests particular interest in innovative, high-quality Jewish educational programming
  • Multi-generational commitment - This trust represents the continuation of one of Chicago's most significant Jewish philanthropic legacies, spanning the Crown and Goodman families
  • Relationships and reputation matter - Without a public application process, organizational reputation within the Chicago Jewish community and connections to family-supported institutions are likely key factors in receiving consideration

References

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