David S Shapira Foundation
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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, David S Shapira Foundation reported a distributable amount of $68K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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
States
Cities
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
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
234 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Hillel International ($500,000), Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh ($267,220), Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies ($138,145).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE PERES INSTITUTE FOR PEACE MIAMI, FL | GENERAL OPERATING | $5,000 |
| ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNING BOARDS OF UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING | $35,000 |
| BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY WALTHAM, MA | GENERAL OPERATING | $100,000 |
| BRYN MAWR COLLEGE BRYN MAWR, PA | GENERAL OPERATING | $2,500 |
| CARNEGIE LIBRARY OF PITSBURGH PITTSBURGH, PA | GENERAL OPERATING | $500 |
| CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY PITTSBURGH, PA | COLLABORATORY AGAINST HATE | $50,000 |
| CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY PITTSBURGH, PA | CMU HILLEL | $50,000 |
| CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY PITTSBURGH, PA | GENERAL OPERATING | $22,500 |
| CHASDEI AVOS FLUSHING, NY | GENERAL OPERATING | $3,000 |
| COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL PITTSBURGH, PA | GENERAL OPERATING | $90,500 |
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
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID S SHAPIRA | CHAIRMAN | 20 | — |
| CYNTHIA SHAPIRA | PRESIDENT | 20 | — |
| LOUIS PLUNG | MEMBER | 0.1 | — |
| STEVE HALPERN | MEMBER | 0.1 | — |
| DEBORAH SHAPIRA | MEMBER | 0.1 | — |
| JOSHUA DONNER | EXEC DIR | 40 | $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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does David S Shapira Foundation fund?
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
How do I apply for a grant from David S Shapira Foundation?
The foundation made 73 grants in 2023 and distributed grants totaling approximately $1.8 million in 2024 (with 30 grants documented). Recent notable grants include: • Hillel International: $500,000 (Springboard Fellowship, 2024) • Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh: $600,000 (Supplemental - Birthright Onward Israel, 2023) • Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh: $267,220 (Capital Project, 2024) • Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies North America: $138,145 (Capital Project, 2024) The foundation suppo…
Where does David S Shapira Foundation make 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.
What size grants does David S Shapira Foundation award?
In 2024, David S Shapira Foundation awarded 34 grants totaling $1.9M — an average of about $55K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is David S Shapira Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, David S Shapira Foundation reported a distributable amount of $68K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is David S Shapira Foundation's EIN?
David S Shapira Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-1711993. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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