Top Things to Know About the Makoff Family Foundation’s SoCal Giving

Cedars-Sinai Hospital. Photo: Alex Millauer/shutterstock

Nephrologist Dwight Makoff and his biochemist wife, Rhoda, are a pair of Southern California philanthropists who maintain a low public profile with their giving. The couple created the Makoff Family Foundation (MFF) in 2001 to support local causes they care about. This foundation does not have a website and limits transparency into its grantmaking processes, but here are some top things to know.

A family-centric philanthropy

MFF does not have any paid employees or staff members, and foundation operations are run entirely by Makoff family members. Rhoda Makoff is the president of the foundation and Dwight Makoff is the vice president. Jeffrey Makoff is the foundation’s secretary, and Gregory Makoff, Eve Makoff and Karen Makoff are additional directors.  

Health is a top issue

Since the Makoffs both have backgrounds in the medical field, it’s no big surprise that many foundation grants go to physical and mental health causes. Past health-related grants have gone to the Didi Hirsch Mental Health Service and Cedars-Sinai Hospital, for example. The foundation has also supported a camp for child cancer survivors, research for patients with OCD, and Doctors Without Borders for emergency support.

Other interests

MFF is a well-rounded funder that supports a wide variety of causes every year. It has supported the climate movement by backing 350.org, helped fight hate with funding for the Anti-Defamation League, and gotten behind civil rights with support for the American Civil Liberties Union. Education, preventing hunger, helping the poor, stopping family violence, food support and youth leadership are other MFF interests.

Unsolicited funding requests are not welcome

According to the most recent tax records available, MFF only gives to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. The foundation does not provide a clear way to get in touch with the board of directors and does not appear to welcome direct contact from grantseekers. Although many grants stay in Southern California, MFF supports national causes with grants to organizations in other major U.S. cities, and some global humanitarian and disaster relief efforts as well.

You can learn more about SoCal funding trends and see a list of top foundations in the region in IP’s Los Angeles and Southern California Funding Guide.