Hymowitz Family Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Hymowitz Family Foundation invests in education and Jewish causes, among other interests.
IP TAKE: The Hymowitz Family Foundation’s Director and co-President, Jordan Hymowitz, is “an ardent Zionist,” and this is reflected in the foundation’s grantmaking, a majority of which goes to Jewish groups, both in the U.S. and in Israel. Unfortunately, this funder’s transparency is limited; it does not accept unsolicited grant requests, maintain a website, or make its grantmaking procedures publicly known. Hymowitz tends to award numerous small grants rather than just a couple large ones each year. The foundation is inaccessible, as well, and does not provide a way for nonprofits to get in touch; however, a mailing address and phone number are provided below.
PROFILE: Founded in 2012, the Hymowitz Family Foundation’s was established by Philadelphia Financial Managing Partner Jordan Hymowitz and his wife Sarah, a partner at the Column Group. According to tax filings, the Hymowitz Family Foundation’s grantmaking includes support for educational and Jewish organizations, frequently in the Bay Area. It also supports arts and culture, and health and healthcare.
Grants for Jewish Causes
While the Hymowitz Family Foundation does not appear to have clear funding areas, tax records show that giving for Jewish causes and Israel is a priority. Jordan is head of his synagogue’s Israel Action Committee, and the foundation supports the family’s temple, Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco. Other grantees include Congregation Beth Tovim, Jewish Community Relations Council of San Francisco, Jewish Family & Children's Services, Struggle to Save Ethiopian Jewry, and Hebrew Jewish College - Jewish Institute of Religion. Jordan Hymowitz has worked with Jewish leaders in the community to bring Israel programming back to his San Francisco synagogue and overcome political debates to support Israel and help Israelis understand how Jews in the U.S. feel about issues in Israel.
Grants for Higher Education
The family foundation regularly supports Jordan's alma mater, University of Michigan, as well as Sarah's schools Swarthmore and UCSF, where they have funded the Discovery Fellows Program in support of Ph.D. students in basic and biomedical sciences. Other grantees include University School of Nashville, which Sarah attended, as well as Brandeis School of San Francisco, and St. Ignatius High School.
The foundation also supports Jewish education throughout the U.S.
Grants for Arts and Culture
The Hymowitzes are supporters of arts and culture institutions across the country. The foundation primarily supports larger, established organizations in this space, but it does give to smaller local groups in select geographic areas. It has supported the Panida Theater and Arts Alliance (both in Idaho), the Nashville Opera and Nashville Symphony, as well as musical theater at University of Michigan. In the California, the foundation has given to American Conservatory Theater, International Documentary Association, National AIDS Memorial, and California Academy of Sciences.
Grants for Public Health and Access
Hymowitz is on the board of Treatment Advocacy Center, which the couple supports. The couple has supported Bay Area organizations, including Family House, Pomeroy Recreation and Rehabilitation Center, and San Francisco General Hospital. Other healthcare related grants have gone to Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute for Texas, Cure International, Jack Mcgovern Coats Disease Foundation, Himalayan Cataract Project, and Israaid US Global Humanitarian Assistance. It has also given to Bonner General Hospital, Sandpoint Area Seniors, and Angels Over Sandpoint, all in Idaho,
Grants for Bay Area and NorCal
The foundation has supported various other causes in the Bay Area over the years. It has awarded grants to arts and cultural organizations, such as the American Conservatory Theater, and human services groups like the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. HFF has supported the San Francisco General Hospital in the past as well.
Other San Francisco groups that have recently received support include Huckleberry Youth Programs, Harper for Kids and Muttville.
Important Grant Details
While the foundation is not transparent and does not name particular interests, tax filing suggest the foundation gave away around $1.25 million in a recent year.
Grants range from $150 to $300,000, but the most common amount is $1,000.
Hymowitz awards grants for a variety of purposes, including general operating support, unrestricted support, capital campaigns, charitable events, new programs, specific funds and hardship assistance.
It does not appear that this foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits.
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CONTACT:
Hymowitz Family Foundation
Foundation Source, 581 Silverside Rd.
Wilmington, DE 19809
800-839-1754
