Ner Tzion Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Ner Tzion Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to Jewish Causes and Israel, as well as health, youth development, and the arts.

IP TAKE: This funder lacks transparency and keeps a low public profile, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. It does not maintain a website or provide a clear way for grantseekers to get in touch. Networking may be the best way to get an in with the foundation here, but it’s not particularly approachable. However, consider reaching out to discuss your work with them if your work aligns closely with theirs.

PROFILE: Founded in 2002, the Ner Tzion Foundation is the grantmaking vehicle of Barry Klein and family. Klein is the founder of Drexel Burnham Lambert Trading Corporation. He also co-founded DKR Capital with Gary Davis. Headquartered in Boca Raton, the foundation does not maintain a website or make its funding priorities known, although it strongly prioritizes Jewish causes, particularly in Israel. Other interests include organizations in Montana and the Northwest.

Grants for Jewish Causes

Support for Israel and Jewish causes in the U.S. receives the lion’s share of Ner Tzion’s funding, and the foundation has given millions over the years to Central Fund of Israel, which promotes charitable activities in Israel, working in areas like humanitarian aid, educational programs, women's health, community programs and synagogue aid. The foundation continuously gives significant money to the organization. Other grantees have included American Friends of Nishmat, which supports Nishmat, the Jeanie Schottenstein Center for Advanced Torah Study for Women's academic and community programs in Israel and the United States; Friends Of Midreshet Yeud, whose aim is to to raise scholarship funds for the benefit of Midreshet Yeud to admit underprivileged young girls; American Friends of Alyn Hospital and American Committee for Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem. The foundation has also supported Jewish Philosophy Fund, which aids the Herzl Institute in Jerusalem.

Grants for Montana and Community Development

While its Jewish funding far outweighs support for all other areas, in both size of donation and frequency of giving, the foundation does support some smaller organizations in Montana, particularly the city of Livingston, and the Northwest.

In the past Ner Tzion supported Rise, a nonprofit in Livingston, Montana, which works to help “children find sources for after school education, help and guidance,” and Park County Environmental Council, which works “to safeguard the land, water, wildlife and people of Yellowstone's Northern gateway.”

Other grantees include JDRF Northwest Chapter, Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, and Shift Empowerment Programs, "a nonprofit located in Livingston, MT, dedicated to empowering youth, families and communities through personal development."

Important Grant Details:

Grants range from $1,000 to $1 million, although the most common amount is between $5,000 and $50,000. According to available tax filings, the Ner Tzion Foundation typically disperses just over $1 million grants annually.

The foundation lacks a website and does not accept unsolicited proposals or requests for funding.

PEOPLE:

Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).

CONTACT:

Ner Tzion Foundation
1050 NE 2nd Fl.
Boca Raton, FL 33432
(847) 975-9777