Ruderman Family Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Ruderman Family Foundation supports disability inclusion advocacy, mental health and Israel-American Jewish relations in Boston and beyond.
FUNDING AREAS: Disability inclusion advocacy, Israel-American Jewish relations, mental health
IP TAKE: Although RFF supports national and international causes, the Ruderman family has deep philanthropic roots in Boston and awards many local grants in the city. This is a tough nut to crack requiring networking.
PROFILE: Established in 2002, the Ruderman Family Foundation (RFF) is a private family foundation based in Newtown, Massachusetts, which is a suburb of Boston. This is the foundation of Morton E. Ruderman, who often supported the Jewish community in Boston. RFF began to focus on children with disabilities in the early 2000s to pursue Jewish values, and Morton’s oldest son and an attorney, Jay Ruderman, leads the foundation today. The foundation aims to "advocate for and advance the inclusion of people with disabilities throughout our society, foster a more nuanced understanding of the American Jewish community among Israeli leaders and model the practice of strategic philanthropy worldwide.” RFF funds local efforts for disability inclusion advocacy, mental health and Israel-American Jewish relations.
The Ruderman Family Foundation’s main focus centers on the belief that disability rights are civil rights and that people with disabilities should not be excluded or segregated. However, RFF does not offer direct service support, referrals or work with individuals. This is a collaborative funder that partners with other grantmakers, such as the Boston Red Sox Foundation. RFF stays involved with major programs that are funded over multiple years while also monitoring single-year and pilot programs for future funding potential. For disability-related funding, RFF looks to shift the focus away from charity and toward civil rights. Jewish-related grants go to groups in both the U.S. and Israel to strengthen relationships on both sides. Mental health is also an interest of RFF, and the funder looks to end the stigma associated with mental health and identify gaps in resources within the high school and higher education communities.
Grants range between about $1,000 and $1.5 million. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking largely focuses on Boston, Massachusetts, as well as Israel and some nationwide programs in the U.S. Past local grantees include Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston, Boston Jewish Film Festival and Gateways: Access to Jewish Education.
This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. Instead, it invites organizations to apply for funding after a thorough analysis. However, RFF is open to hearing from anyone interested in the issue of disability inclusion with ideas and questions. Direct general questions to the staff at support@rudermanfoundation.org or 617-599-9919.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINKS:
