David S Shapira Foundation logo

David S Shapira Foundation

PITTSBURGH, PA EIN: 25-1711993 Website

The David S. and Karen A. Shapira Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Established in 1998, the foundation invests financial capital and resources in ideas, organizations, programs, and people that demonstrate strong returns on social impact. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and makes charitable donations using earnings from investments.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$3.1M

+10.6% YoY

Annual Giving

$1.9M

-56.0% YoY

Grant Count

34

-61.4% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$55K

+13.8% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation is passionate about building an enduring commitment to Jewish life, Jewish learning, and Israel for large numbers of young Jews. The foundation applies the same investment principles to social benefit projects outside of the Jewish non-profit sector.

Primary funding areas include:

  • Arts and culture
  • Performing arts and music
  • Education and higher education
  • Philanthropy and nonprofits
  • Religion and Judaism

Grantmaking

The foundation made 73 grants in 2023 and distributed grants totaling approximately $1.8 million in 2024 (with 30 grants documented).

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation funds projects across the United States, with particular activity in states including Pennsylvania, New York, and California. Grantees are located in major cities including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, as well as smaller communities.

Grant Distribution by State

19states
+11 more states

Cities

AkronAlexandriaAmherstAtlantaBala CynwydBalacynwydBirminghamBoca RatonBostonBronxBryn MawrCarlisleChambersburgCheswickChicagoClevelandDenverDillsburgDuquesneEast Stroudsburg

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

2024 (Most Recent)

  • Total Assets: $3,142,590
  • Total Revenue: $2,032,115
  • Total Expenses: $2,127,836
  • Number of Employees: 1

2023

  • Total Assets: $2,842,045
  • Total Revenue: $4,445,130
  • Total Expenses: $4,503,139
  • Total Liabilities: $14,000
  • Number of Employees: 1
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$1M$3M$4M$6M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$3,142,590$2,842,045$2,665,845
Revenue$2,032,115$4,445,130$4,095,058
Expenses$2,127,836$4,503,139$4,523,307
Qualifying Distributions$2,098,187$4,431,123$4,490,999
Net Investment Income$2,466$43,986$12,750
Distributable Amount$67,733$54,335$55,968

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$1M$2M$4M$5M72 grants202070 grants202180 grants202288 grants202334 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

HILLEL INTERNATIONAL$500KHILLEL ACADEMY OF PITTSB…$267KPARDES INSTITUTE OF JEWI…$138KBRANDEIS UNIVERSITY$100KHILLEL INTERNATIONAL$100KCOMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL$91KHILLEL ACADEMY OF PITTSB…$90KMOISHE HOUSE$79KERADICATE HATE$75KJEWISH FEDERATION OF GRE…$70K

Grant Size Distribution

234 grants across all recorded years

176<$50K30$50–100K13$100–250K6$250–500K8$500K–1M1$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

David Shapira — Chairman David Shapira served as chairman, chief executive officer, and president of Giant Eagle, Inc. for over thirty years, growing the company from a local chain of 50 grocery stores to an organization employing 35,000 with more than 425 locations and approximately $9.5 billion in revenue. He holds an undergraduate degree from Oberlin College and a master's degree in economics from Stanford University. Since stepping away from day-to-day operations at Giant Eagle in 2013, he has applied an entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy. He co-founded Onward Israel with his wife Cindy, which is now part of Birthright Israel.

Cynthia Shapira — President Cynthia Shapira is a proven leader, changemaker, and community activist. As President of the Foundation, she brings experience in non-profit and educational consultancy and civic leadership to set strategy. She holds an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a BA summa cum laude from Wellesley College. She serves as Chair of the Greater Pittsburgh Jewish Federation and holds board positions with The Jewish Agency for Israel, Jewish Federations of North America, Brandeis University, Point Park University, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, and the Allegheny County Airport Authority.

Joshua Donner — Executive Director Josh Donner is a seasoned non-profit and philanthropy professional who works closely with the Foundation Chair and President to develop and advance philanthropic investments.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

JOSHUA DONNEREXEC DIR$175K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
DAVID S SHAPIRACHAIRMAN20
CYNTHIA SHAPIRAPRESIDENT20
LOUIS PLUNGMEMBER0.1
STEVE HALPERNMEMBER0.1
DEBORAH SHAPIRAMEMBER0.1
JOSHUA DONNEREXEC DIR40$175,374

Contact Information

Mailing Address: PO BOX 38683 Pittsburgh, PA 15238

Email: hi@shapirafdn.org

Phone: 412-336-8820

Website: shapirafdn.org

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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