David & Janet Polak Foundation
The David & Janet Polak Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. Inspired by their Jewish heritage, the foundation says it makes strategic investments to maximize social good, strengthen communities, improve people’s lives, and address global problems with sustainable solutions.
David & Janet Polak Foundation at a glance
In short: David & Janet Polak Foundation gave $2.3M across 82 grants in 2024 (avg $28K), top state California. 13% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,334,600
- -12.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 82
- +2.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $28,471
- -14.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $70,414,478
- +0.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (10 of 76, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (48% 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 & Janet Polak Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Website: https://polakfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who David & Janet Polak Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Americans for Ben-Gurion University Inc ($306K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($25,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
365 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 280 grants of 365 (77%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, California recipients received 48% of grant dollars, New York 24%, Illinois 6%, the District of Columbia 5%, and Massachusetts 4%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 82 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is David & Janet Polak Foundation open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 76 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $34K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 76% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+3%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $2.3M (2021) to $2.8M (2020). In 2024 it made 82 grants totaling $2.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Americans for Ben-Gurion University Inc New York, NY | Israel's National Artificial Intelligence Resilien Laboratory | $250,000 |
| Standwithus Los Angeles, CA | General & Unrestricted | $200,000 |
| Friends of Elnet Skokie, IL | General & Unrestricted | $150,000 |
| Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | To expand CSI into Santa Barbara, San Gabriel/Pomona Valleys, Palm Desert and Venture | $110,000 |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA | In Support of the Board of Governors From Innovation to Impact Campaign | $100,000 |
| Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Los Angeles, CA | Sponsor 20 IMPACT! scholars | $100,000 |
| The Jewish Institute for National Security of Amer Washington, DC | General & Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Simon Wiesenthal Center Inc Los Angeles, CA | General & Unrestricted | $61,000 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA | MISTI MIT-Israel to support student internships | $60,000 |
| Moishe House Encinitas, CA | In support of MHLA - Sherman Oaks | $60,000 |
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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 | $70,414,478 | $4,815,059 | $4,660,378 | $2,334,600 | 82 | $3,684,299 | $3,483,701 | $3,766,542 |
| 2023 | $70,259,797 | $4,905,865 | $5,496,971 | $2,653,000 | 80 | $3,686,660 | $3,222,051 | $3,695,822 |
| 2022 | $70,845,903 | $5,241,349 | $4,859,232 | $2,654,600 | 72 | $4,082,308 | $4,119,686 | $3,825,691 |
| 2021 | $70,462,786 | $3,446,764 | $4,082,563 | $2,266,312 | 72 | $3,702,288 | $2,098,536 | $3,913,583 |
| 2020 | $71,098,585 | $3,236,739 | $4,560,284 | $2,755,032 | 59 | — | $2,042,014 | $3,707,374 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, David & Janet Polak Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission statement emphasizes tangible results, strengthening communities, and improving people’s lives through sustainable solutions. Its president’s message describes work related to Israel’s security, opposition to the BDS movement, and scientific and medical discovery.
The 2024 grants included support for Israel-related organizations and initiatives, Jewish community programs, and medical and research institutions. Among the supported grantees, Friends of ELNET describes its mission as educating leaders and citizens about Israel and improving diplomatic and cultural relations; Moishe House says it supports vibrant Jewish community, learning, and leadership for young adults. Cedars-Sinai describes its mission as elevating community health through healthcare, research, education, and biomedical innovation. MIT describes its mission as advancing knowledge and educating students in science, technology, and other fields.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 82 grants totaling $2,334,600. Grant amounts ranged from $1,800 to $250,000, with a median grant of $10,000.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $250,000 to Americans for Ben-Gurion University for Israel’s National Artificial Intelligence Resilien Laboratory; $200,000 to StandWithUs for general and unrestricted purposes; $150,000 to Friends of ELNET for general and unrestricted purposes; and $110,000 to the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles to expand CSI in several California communities. Other notable grants included $100,000 to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for its Board of Governors From Innovation to Impact Campaign, $100,000 to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces to sponsor 20 IMPACT! scholars, and $60,000 to MIT for MISTI MIT-Israel student internships.
The foundation also reported direct charitable activities and program-related investments, including an AKLA program focused on Jewish values and community, and investments supporting urodynamics research and research related to age-related muscular degeneration.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists David Polak and Janet Polak as directors; Jeff Polak as director and president; and Robert Polak and Jonathan Seltzer as directors. The foundation’s president’s message is signed by Jeff Polak. The foundation’s website identifies David Polak as founder and former chairman and chief investment officer of NWQ Investment Management Company, and Janet Polak as a community leader and former schoolteacher.
David & Janet Polak Foundation is led by Jeff Polak, Director & President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 5 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jeff Polak
Director & President
Director, President & Executive Director → Director & President, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$223K (2020) → $278K (2024)
David Polak
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janet Polak
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Seltzer
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Polak
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 $278K, to Jeff Polak (Dir, Pres).
Frequently asked questions about David & Janet Polak Foundation
How much does David & Janet Polak Foundation give each year?
David & Janet Polak Foundation gave $2.3M across 82 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.7M across 80 grants.
What is David & Janet Polak Foundation's typical grant size?
David & Janet Polak Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $28,471, across 82 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from David & Janet Polak Foundation that year got $6K on average.
Where does David & Janet Polak Foundation give grants?
David & Janet Polak Foundation's top state is California, with 48% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (24%) and Illinois (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (23 grants), New York, NY (17 grants), Washington, DC (5 grants) and Encino, CA (3 grants).
Does David & Janet Polak Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 83% of David & Janet Polak Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (68 of 82) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are David & Janet Polak Foundation's largest grantees?
David & Janet Polak Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Americans for Ben-Gurion University Inc ($306,000 across 2 grants), Standwithus ($200,000) and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces ($175,000 across 3 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($25,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is David & Janet Polak Foundation?
David & Janet Polak Foundation reported $70.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does David & Janet Polak Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission statement emphasizes tangible results, strengthening communities, and improving people’s lives through sustainable solutions. Its president’s message describes work related to Israel’s security, opposition to the BDS movement, and scientific and medical discovery. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from David & Janet Polak Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is David & Janet Polak Foundation's EIN?
David & Janet Polak Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-4797578. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does David & Janet Polak Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work David & Janet Polak Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · 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 David & Janet Polak Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). David & Janet Polak Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/david-and-janet-polak-foundation-morg_3a0df39d3cca45ef88f4f211bc7fa73c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_454797578_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{David \& Janet Polak Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/david-and-janet-polak-foundation-morg_3a0df39d3cca45ef88f4f211bc7fa73c},
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 David & Janet Polak 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.
David & Janet Polak Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?