Covenant Foundation
Covenant Foundation is a New York, New York–based Form 990 (a public charity) that supports creative approaches to Jewish education in North America. Its grants support programs in Jewish schools, community organizations, and other institutional settings, and it also recognizes individual Jewish educators.
Covenant Foundation at a glance
In short: Covenant Foundation gave $2.9M across 34 grants in 2025 (avg $85K), top state New York. 79% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,895,000
- +48.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 34
- +41.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $85,147
- +5.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $7,383,382
- +10.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 79% first-time grantees (27 of 34, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (34% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Covenant Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests through letters of inquiry. For the 2026 Covenant Grants cycle, the letter-of-inquiry deadline was February 24, 2026, and the full proposal deadline for invited applicants was May 18, 2026. The website states that the 2026 Pomegranate Prize application process is closed.
- Review Cycle
- The listed 2026 Covenant Grants deadlines have passed: February 24, 2026 for letters of inquiry and May 18, 2026 for invited full proposals.
- Deadline
- The listed 2026 Covenant Grants deadlines have passed: February 24, 2026 for letters of inquiry and May 18, 2026 for…
- Contact
Mailing address: 45 Rockefeller Plaza Ste 2300, New York, NY 10111-2399
Phone: (212) 245-3500
Website: https://covenantfn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Covenant Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Moment Magazine ($225K). Together the top 10 received $1.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
156 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 64 grants of 156 (41%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s stated geographic scope is Jewish education in North America. In filing year 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in New York (34%), California (16%), Washington, DC (16%), Massachusetts (13%), and Illinois (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 34 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Covenant Foundation open to new grantees?
79%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 27 of 34 grantees (79%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $91K; repeat grants $61K. How we count
Medians: $60K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 9% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+17%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.6M (2023) to $2.9M (2025). In 2025 it made 34 grants totaling $2.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Moment Magazine Washington, DC | See Part IV | $225,000 |
| The K'ilu Company Northbrook, IL | See Part IV | $225,000 |
| Institute for Jewish Spirituality New York, NY | See Part IV | $175,000 |
| Mitsui Collective (FS Beloved Builders) Florence, MA | See Part IV | $175,000 |
| Kirva (FS FJC) New York, NY | See Part IV | $174,000 |
| Civic Spirit (FS Hillel The Foundation for Jewi Washington, DC | See Part IV | $165,000 |
| MoEd Chevy Chase, MD | See Part IV | $160,000 |
| American Jewish University Sherman Oaks, CA | See Part IV | $150,000 |
| Dorot New York, NY | See Part IV | $150,000 |
| Rabbi Jacob Pressman Academy of Temple Beth Am Los Angeles, CA | See Part IV | $150,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Covenant Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Figures below are for the filing years shown.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $7,383,382 | $7,492,204 | $7,588,979 | $2,895,000 | 34 | $204 |
| 2024 | $6,693,726 | $6,318,185 | $6,416,470 | $1,945,800 | 24 | $185 |
| 2023 | $7,274,348 | $5,612,164 | $5,703,803 | $1,560,084 | 30 | $128 |
| 2022 | $8,238,129 | $6,350,177 | $5,993,869 | $2,472,124 | 30 | $177 |
| 2021 | $3,851,148 | $5,634,152 | $5,301,013 | $2,291,524 | 38 | $152 |
| 2020 | $3,119,744 | $5,130,096 | $4,956,127 | $2,032,700 | 49 | $96 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated mission is to build on existing strengths in Jewish education in North America by addressing all forms of pre-collegiate and adult Jewish education through awards to individuals and grants to institutions for creative programs. Its website says it recognizes the diversity of Jewish education across denominations and settings, and seeks to strengthen educational efforts that perpetuate Jewish identity, continuity, and heritage.
Covenant Grants support innovative, financially responsible Jewish education programs that may be adaptable in other settings, as well as efforts to disseminate effective existing programs. Recent listed projects include family education, teen engagement, Jewish learning through the arts, wellness, and educator training. These are examples of funded projects, not a complete statement of the Foundation’s focus.
The grantees describe a range of organizational missions. For example, the Institute for Jewish Spirituality says it develops and teaches Jewish spiritual practices; DOROT says it works to alleviate social isolation among older adults; and Hillel says its mission is to enrich the lives of Jewish undergraduate and graduate students.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 34 grants totaling $2,895,000. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $225,000, with a median of $50,000.
Among the largest reported 2025 grants were $225,000 to Moment Magazine and $225,000 to The K'ilu Company; $175,000 each to the Institute for Jewish Spirituality and Mitsui Collective (FS Beloved Builders); and $174,000 to Kirva (FS FJC). Other large grants included $165,000 to Civic Spirit (FS Hillel The Foundation for Jewish), $160,000 to MoEd, and $150,000 each to American Jewish University, DOROT, Rabbi Jacob Pressman Academy of Temple Beth Am, and Ramah New England.
The Foundation’s website describes two institutional grant categories. Signature Grants are for well-developed, scalable programs and may provide up to $225,000 over as many as three years, with no more than $75,000 requested per year. Ignition Grants support new, early-stage ideas or pilot projects, with up to $35,000 for one year. Applicants must be tax-exempt nonprofit organizations involved in Jewish education in North America. The Foundation does not fund feasibility studies, capital projects, scholarships, basic research, or ongoing operating support; organizations may submit only one application per cycle. The stated process begins with a letter of inquiry, with full proposals by invitation.
The Foundation also offers the Pomegranate Prize, an individual recognition and professional development opportunity. Its website describes five recipients each year, each receiving $15,000 to invest in professional development along with coaching and networking. This is an award program for individuals, distinct from grants to outside organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joni-Sue B. Levine as executive director; Abby Pitkowsky as program director; Ralia Wagner as director of finance and administration; Myra Rosenbaum as director of planning; Adina Kay-Gross as director of thought leadership; and Yonah Kirschner as senior program officer/program director.
Directors listed on the filing are Stevin Ain, Dr. Rena Dorph, Dr. Arnold M. Eisen, and Cheryl R. Finkel, who is identified as immediate past chair/director.
Covenant Foundation is led by Joni-Sue B. Levine, Executive Director since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 6 of 19 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Joni-Sue B. Levine
Executive Director
Associate Director → Executive Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$169K (2020) → $248K (2025)
Barbara Goodman Manilow
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deborah S. Meyer
Board Chair
Director → Board Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adina Kay-Gross
Director of Thought Leadership
Editorial Director → Director of Thought Leadership, 2024
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$104K (2020) → $149K (2025)
Ralia Wagner
Director of Finance & Administrator
Director of Finance & Administrator → Director of Finance, 2022
Director of Finance → Director of Finance & Administrator, 2023
On filings since 2020
32 hrs/week
$106K (2020) → $136K (2025)
Abby E. Pitkowsky
Program Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$127K (2022) → $160K (2025)
Myra Rosenbaum
Director of Planning
Director of Planning & Operations → Director of Planning, 2025
On filings since 2023
32 hrs/week
$110K (2023) → $121K (2025)
Yonah Kirschner
Senior Program Officer & Program Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$120K (2025)
Arnold M. Eisen
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barry Joseph
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl R. Finkel
Immediate Past Chair & Director
Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2023
Immediate Past Chair → Immediate Past Chair & Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jordan T. Goodman
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rena Dorph
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stevin Ain
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
ANNIE POLLAND
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Oren Kaunfer
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Jonathan Kransner
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Danielle Rudas Goodman
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven B. Nasatir
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Sara Crown Star (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Ariel Stewart (2023–2024) — Senior Program Officer
- Former: Betsy Dolgin Katz (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Harlene Winnick Appelman (2020–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Keating Crown (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Deborah E. Lipstadt (2021) — Director
- Former: Deborha E. Lipstadt (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $248K, to Joni-Sue B Levine (Executive Director). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Covenant Foundation
How much does Covenant Foundation give each year?
Covenant Foundation gave $2.9M across 34 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.9M across 24 grants.
What is Covenant Foundation's typical grant size?
Covenant Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $85,147, across 34 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Covenant Foundation that year got $91K on average.
Where does Covenant Foundation give grants?
Covenant Foundation's top state is New York, with 34% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (16%) and District of Columbia (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (10 grants), Washington, DC (4 grants), Florence, MA (2 grants) and Brooklyn, NY (2 grants).
Does Covenant Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 34 grants with a stated purpose on Covenant Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "See Part IV" (34 grants).
Who are Covenant Foundation's largest grantees?
Covenant Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Moment Magazine ($225,000), The K'ilu Company ($225,000) and Institute for Jewish Spirituality ($175,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Covenant Foundation?
Covenant Foundation reported $7.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.5M.
What does Covenant Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is to build on existing strengths in Jewish education in North America by addressing all forms of pre-collegiate and adult Jewish education through awards to individuals and grants to institutions for creative programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Covenant Foundation?
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests through letters of inquiry. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Covenant Foundation's EIN?
Covenant Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3722029. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Covenant Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 21, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 21, 2026)
Live grants for the work Covenant Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Creative Impact Grants $500 - $2,500 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Covenant Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Covenant Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/covenant-foundation-morg_3b6a3d0d415d4583a703d08b8b79df77
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363722029_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Covenant Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/covenant-foundation-morg_3b6a3d0d415d4583a703d08b8b79df77},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Covenant Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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