David & Barbara B Hirschhorn
The David and Barbara B. Hirschhorn Foundation is a private foundation based in Baltimore, Maryland. Established in 1986, it makes grants to improve the lives of families and children by expanding educational opportunity and addressing human needs, supporting Jewish and secular initiatives primarily in the Baltimore metropolitan area.
David & Barbara B Hirschhorn at a glance
In short: David & Barbara B Hirschhorn gave $3.1M across 146 grants in 2024 (avg $22K), mostly in Maryland. 13% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,146,770
- +20.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 146
- +12.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $21,553
- +7.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $36,152,350
- -3.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (17 of 126, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Maryland (63% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to David & Barbara B Hirschhorn
- How to Apply
The foundation’s website advises prospective applicants to use the Blaustein Philanthropic Group contact form to describe their organization and request; a program officer can advise on fit and provide the appropriate…
The foundation’s website advises prospective applicants to use the Blaustein Philanthropic Group contact form to describe their organization and request; a program officer can advise on fit and provide the appropriate email for a proposal. The filing lists a letter as the form and materials. The foundation considers general-support and project proposals. It does not make grants or scholarships to individuals, unsolicited proposals for academic, scientific, or medical research, or grants for direct mail, annual giving, membership campaigns, special events, or fundraising events. It makes a small number of capital grants, generally only when there is an established relationship with the applicant.
- Review Cycle
- None listed.
- Deadline
- None listed.
- Contact
Application contact: Daniel B Hirschhorn Co Regan Ralph
Mailing address: Bpg One South St Suite 2900, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (410) 347-7201
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who David & Barbara B Hirschhorn funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Park School ($261K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
699 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 657 grants of 699 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it funds primarily in the Baltimore metropolitan area. In 2024, 63% of grant dollars went to Maryland recipients, 17% to New York, 5% to the District of Columbia, 4% to Massachusetts, and 3% to Pennsylvania. Its stated Intergroup Relations program supports work fostering cooperation among different faiths, races, and ethnicities.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 146 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is David & Barbara B Hirschhorn open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 17 of 126 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $26K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 80% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+19%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 129% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.4M (2020) to $3.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 146 grants totaling $3.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Park School Baltimore, MD | support for The Promise of Park campaign | $240,000 |
| Beth Tfiloh Congregation Baltimore, MD | support for the Centennial Campaign | $150,000 |
| Pikesville Armory Foundation Stevenson, MD | general support | $125,000 |
| Chai Lifeline New York, NY | support for the Teen Division | $100,000 |
| The American Jewish Committee New York, NY | general support for Project Interchange | $75,000 |
| Yiddish Book Center Amherst, MA | support for the 'Tsukunft-The Future' endowment campaign | $72,000 |
| Art with a Heart Inc Baltimore, MD | general support | $50,000 |
| Institute for Islamic Christian and Jewish Studies Inc Baltimore, MD | general support | $50,000 |
| Interfaith America Chicago, IL | general support | $50,000 |
| LifeBridge Health Baltimore, MD | capital support for the Center for Hope | $50,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $36,152,350 | $2,696,366 | $3,606,635 | $3,146,770 | 146 | $3,394,594 | $2,261,403 | $2,628,771 |
| 2023 | $37,299,041 | $2,414,649 | $3,102,903 | $2,618,500 | 130 | $2,846,952 | $1,911,020 | $2,500,037 |
| 2022 | $38,224,867 | $2,175,444 | $3,163,127 | $2,771,107 | 150 | $2,964,506 | $1,756,900 | $2,559,058 |
| 2021 | $39,385,811 | $5,788,824 | $3,030,833 | $2,647,500 | 135 | $2,849,616 | $5,028,674 | $2,632,186 |
| 2020 | $37,083,209 | $-808,202 | $2,759,187 | $2,447,100 | 138 | — | $231,541 | $2,342,801 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, David & Barbara B Hirschhorn reported a distributable amount of $2.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it seeks to cultivate a “level playing field.” Its Education and Literacy program supports adult and family literacy, intergenerational literacy, reading, and library access, with an emphasis on programs that demonstrate improved learning outcomes. Its Summer Camping and Summer Learning program addresses summer learning loss and supports camp programs for low-income children. Human Services supports direct-service and advocacy programs addressing needs across age groups, with a focus on children and seniors. Intergroup Relations supports efforts to foster mutual respect and cooperation among faiths, races, and ethnicities through joint learning, service, travel, and community engagement.
The 2024 grants included support for organizations working in these and related areas. For example, the Literacy Assistance Center describes its mission as strengthening and expanding adult education and advancing adult literacy. The Institute for Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies says it builds learning communities where religious difference can become a force for good. Art with a Heart says it uses visual arts programs to enhance the lives of people in need. Chai Lifeline describes itself as a health-support network assisting children, families, and communities facing illness, crisis, or loss.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 146 grants totaling $3,146,770. Grant amounts ranged from $1,500 to $240,000, with a median of $15,000.
Among its largest 2024 grants were $240,000 to The Park School for its Promise of Park campaign; $150,000 to Beth Tfiloh Congregation for its Centennial Campaign; $125,000 to Pikesville Armory Foundation for general support; and $100,000 to Chai Lifeline for its Teen Division. Other grants included $75,000 to the American Jewish Committee for Project Interchange, $72,000 to the Yiddish Book Center for its “Tsukunft-The Future” endowment campaign, and $50,000 each to Art with a Heart, the Institute for Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies, Interfaith America, and LifeBridge Health.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Daniel B. Hirschhorn as Trustee and President; Michael J. Hirschhorn, Deborah H. Vogelstein, and Sarah H. Shapiro as Trustees and Vice Presidents; Regan E. Ralph as Secretary; Scott L. Soffen, Jennifer A. Pratt, Jennifer L. Bove, and Lara A. Hall as Assistant Secretaries; and Stephen J. Bass as Treasurer. The foundation’s website lists Regan E. Ralph as Executive Director and Lara A. Hall as Senior Program Officer.
David & Barbara B Hirschhorn is led by Daniel B Hirschhorn, Trustee & President on every filing since 2020; 2 of 12 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Daniel B Hirschhorn
Trustee & President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Deborah H Vogelstein
Trustee & Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Michael J Hirschhorn
Trustee & Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Sarah H Shapiro
Trustee & Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Lara A Hall
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2022
9.2 hrs/week
$40K (2023) → $41K (2024)
Regan E Ralph
Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
6 hrs/week
$29K (2024)
Anne L Shelton
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Sandra L Glock
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Stephen J Bass
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jennifer A Pratt
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Jennifer L Bove
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Scott L Soffen
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Betsy F Ringel (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Anne A Patterson (2020–2021) — Assistant Secretary
- Former: Jill R Robinson (2020–2021) — Assistant Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $41K, to Lara A Hall (Assistant Secretary). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about David & Barbara B Hirschhorn
How much does David & Barbara B Hirschhorn give each year?
David & Barbara B Hirschhorn gave $3.1M across 146 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.6M across 130 grants.
What is David & Barbara B Hirschhorn's typical grant size?
David & Barbara B Hirschhorn's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $21,553, across 146 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from David & Barbara B Hirschhorn that year got $20K on average.
Where does David & Barbara B Hirschhorn give grants?
David & Barbara B Hirschhorn gives mostly in Maryland: 63% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (17%) and District of Columbia (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Baltimore, MD (69 grants), New York, NY (18 grants), Washington, DC (10 grants) and Towson, MD (6 grants).
Does David & Barbara B Hirschhorn give general operating support?
Yes: 52% of David & Barbara B Hirschhorn's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (76 of 146) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are David & Barbara B Hirschhorn's largest grantees?
David & Barbara B Hirschhorn's largest 2024 grantees include The Park School ($261,000 across 2 grants), Beth Tfiloh Congregation ($164,000 across 2 grants) and Pikesville Armory Foundation ($125,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is David & Barbara B Hirschhorn?
David & Barbara B Hirschhorn reported $36.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does David & Barbara B Hirschhorn fund?
The foundation says it seeks to cultivate a “level playing field.” Its Education and Literacy program supports adult and family literacy, intergenerational literacy, reading, and library access, with an emphasis on programs that demonstrate improved learning outcomes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from David & Barbara B Hirschhorn?
The foundation’s website advises prospective applicants to use the Blaustein Philanthropic Group contact form to describe their organization and request; a program officer can advise on fit and provide the appropriate… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is David & Barbara B Hirschhorn's EIN?
David & Barbara B Hirschhorn's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1489400. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in David & Barbara B Hirschhorn's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). David & Barbara B Hirschhorn funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/david-and-barbara-b-hirschhorn-morg_1cd88c483b654146ba512e4e2e9a5fe5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_521489400_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{David \& Barbara B Hirschhorn funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/david-and-barbara-b-hirschhorn-morg_1cd88c483b654146ba512e4e2e9a5fe5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 David & Barbara B Hirschhorn'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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