Foundation for Middle East Peace

WASHINGTON, DC EIN: 52-6055574

The Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP) is a private operating foundation based in Washington, DC, established in 1979. The organization is a small, independent foundation working to promote a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through grantmaking, research, education, and advocacy.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$7.2M

+6.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$2.4M

+233.8% YoY

Grant Count

52

+92.6% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$47K

+73.3% YoY

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

Mission & Focus Areas

FMEP was created to defend and support Palestinian rights, end Israel's occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, and ensure a just and secure future for Palestinians and Israelis.

The foundation advances its mission through:

  • Grants program supporting organizations that advance peace in Israel and Palestine
  • Research and publications including policy-relevant analysis on the Israeli occupation, Palestinian human rights, and U.S. domestic and foreign policy
  • Public programming featuring Israeli, Palestinian, and other experts addressing U.S. audiences
  • Educational publications including reports on Israeli settlement activity and U.S. Congressional activity related to the Middle East
  • Daily news summaries from Israel and Palestine
  • Weekly reports on Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank
  • Legislative roundups of Israel-related activity in the U.S. Congress

Grantmaking

FMEP maintains an active grant program supporting peacemaking organizations. Based on recent tax filings:

Grant Range

**: $20,000

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation funds organizations working on Israeli-Palestinian peace issues, with primary focus on the District of Columbia, New York, and California regions.

Grant Distribution by State

11states
+3 more states

Cities

AlexandriaBerkeleyBrooklynBurlingameCambridgeChicagoLewesLos AngelesMichigan CityNew YorkSanta BarbaraTucsonTustinWashingtonWashington DcWhite PlainsYardley

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of fiscal year 2023:

  • Total assets: $6.78 million
  • Total revenue: $1.58 million
  • Total expenses: $1.82 million
  • Total liabilities: $223,000

As of fiscal year 2024:

  • Total assets: $9.9 million (top 10% of foundations by asset size)
  • Annual income: $4.8 million

Tax status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; tax-exempt since May 2023; EIN 52-6055574

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$1M$2M$3M$4M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$7,188,029$6,780,442$6,590,573
Revenue$3,734,471$1,575,938$1,143,248
Expenses$3,216,357$1,820,706$1,523,749
Qualifying Distributions$3,339,858$1,566,141$1,207,094
Net Investment Income$965,085$648,412$603,701
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$609K$1M$2M$2M23 grants202022 grants202127 grants202227 grants202352 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

AL-HAQ$400KAL-MEZAN$245KNEW ISRAEL FUND$173KBTSELEM$145KPALESTINE INSTITUTE FOR …$136KMEDICAL AID FOR PALESTIN…$115K7AMLEH$90KEUROPEAN LEGAL SUPPORT C…$90KCAF AMERICA$80KAMERICAN NEAR EAST REFUG…$75K

Grant Size Distribution

149 grants across all recorded years

127<$50K12$50–100K9$100–250K1$250–500K$500K–1M$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

  • Lara Friedman – President (40 hours/week, $203,000 annual compensation)
  • Michael Van Dusen – Chair
  • Hon Molly Williamson – Co-Chair
  • Odeh Aburdene – Treasurer
  • Hon Arthur H Hughes – Director
  • Atalia Omer – Director
  • Col Ret Joseph Englehardt – Director
  • Maha Nassar – Director
  • Gail Pressberg – Director
  • Hon Philip C Wilcox Jr – Director
  • Hon Ted Kattouf – Director
  • Jamil Dakwar Esq – Director

The foundation is governed by 14 officers and trustees.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

LARA FRIEDMANPRESIDENT$203K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
LARA FRIEDMANPRESIDENT40$202,834
MICHAEL VAN DUSENCHAIR0.5
HON MOLLY WILLIAMSONCO-CHAIR0.5
ODEH ABURDENETREASURER0.5
HON ARTHUR H HUGHESDIRECTOR0.5
ATALIA OMERDIRECTOR0.5
COL RET JOSEPH ENGLEHARDTDIRECTOR0.5
MAHA NASSARDIRECTOR0.5
GAIL PRESSBERGDIRECTOR0.5
HON PHILIP C WILCOX JRDIRECTOR0.5
HON TED KATTOUFDIRECTOR0.5
JAMIL DAKWAR ESQDIRECTOR0.5
JULIE SCHUMACHER COHENDIRECTOR0.5
REBECCA ABOU-CHEDID ESQDIRECTOR0.5
TIM GRIMMETTDIRECTOR0.5
ZEINA AZZAMDIRECTOR0.5

Contact Information

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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