Foundation for Middle East Peace
The Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP) is a private foundation based in Washington, DC. Founded in 1979, it works to support a just, secure, and peaceful future for Palestinians and Israelis through grantmaking, research, and public programming.
Foundation for Middle East Peace at a glance
In short: Foundation for Middle East Peace gave $2.4M across 52 grants in 2024 (avg $47K), top state Washington. 47% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,437,065
- +233.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 52
- +92.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $46,867
- +73.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $7,188,029
- +6.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (24 of 51, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Washington (19% 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 Foundation for Middle East Peace
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
FMEP does not accept unsolicited requests; applications are by invitation only. The filing names Lara Friedman as the contact and states that grants must align with FMEP’s strategic objectives, comply with grant-agreement terms and reporting requirements, and, for non-U.S. grantees, be supported by a valid and current equivalency determination.
- Contact
Application contact: Lara Friedman
Mailing address: 2025 M St Nw Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 835-3650
Website: https://www.fmep.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Foundation for Middle East Peace funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Al-HAQ ($400K). Together the top 10 received $1.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
151 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 129 grants of 151 (85%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
FMEP’s stated work concerns Palestinians and Israelis and the Israel/Palestine context. Its 2024 filing reports grant dollars by recipient state, including Washington (19%), New York (6%), California (6%), and Massachusetts (1%); the largest listed category is marked “?” (67%), so its location is not identified.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 52 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Foundation for Middle East Peace open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 24 of 51 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $29K; repeat grants $64K. How we count
Medians: $18K first-time, $30K repeat.
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 $413K (2020) to $2.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 52 grants totaling $2.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Al-HAQ | General operating support. To further its mission of securing a just, secure, and peaceful future for palestinians and israelis, during 2024 fmep provided general operating support to al haq, a non-profit, human rights organization based in palestine. Fmep subsequently terminated its support for al haq in september 2025, following the september 4, 2025 action by the U.S. state department to designate al haq as specially designated nationals and blocked persons (SDNS) pursuant to executive order 14203, imposing sanctions on the international criminal court, for its work in support of the iccs investigation and prosecution of israeli officials for atrocity crimes committed against palestinians in the violation of international criminal law. | $400,000 |
| Al-Mezan | General operating support. To further its mission of securing a just, secure, and peaceful future for palestinians and israelis, during 2024 fmep provided general operating support to al mezan center for human rights, a non-profit, human rights organization based in palestine. Fmep subsequently terminated its support for al mezan in september 2025, following the september 4, 2025 action by the U.S. state department to designate al mezan as specially designated nationals and blocked persons (SDNS) pursuant to executive order 14203, imposing sanctions on the international criminal court, for its work in support of the iccs investigation and prosecution of israeli officials for atrocity crimes committed against palestinians in the violation of international criminal law. | $245,000 |
| New Israel Fund Washington, WA | General Operating Support | $172,500 |
| Btselem | General Operating Support | $145,000 |
| Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy | General Operating Support | $136,473 |
| Medical Aid for Palestinians | General Operating Support | $115,000 |
| 7AMLEH | General Operating Support | $90,000 |
| European Legal Support Center | General Operating Support | $90,000 |
| CAF America Washington, WA | General Operating Support | $80,000 |
| American Near East Refugee Aid Washington, WA | General Operating Support | $75,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 grants were reported as 52 awards; the 2023 and 2022 filings each reported 27 grants.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,188,029 | $3,734,471 | $3,216,357 | $2,437,065 | 52 | $3,339,858 | $965,085 |
| 2023 | $6,780,442 | $1,575,938 | $1,820,706 | $730,000 | 27 | $1,566,141 | $648,412 |
| 2022 | $6,590,573 | $1,143,248 | $1,523,749 | $539,500 | 27 | $1,207,094 | $603,701 |
| 2021 | $6,505,916 | $1,633,392 | $1,143,155 | $469,000 | 22 | $1,070,696 | $1,308,923 |
| 2020 | $6,015,153 | $512,164 | $1,054,999 | $413,000 | 23 | — | $115,604 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
FMEP says its mission is to ensure a just, secure, and peaceful future for Palestinians and Israelis. Its grants support work aligned with its five stated strategic areas: respect for international law, democratic norms, human rights and dignity; sustaining the anti-occupation/pro-peace sector; elevating new thought leaders and alternatives to existing policies; enabling Palestinians to remain in Palestine; and enriching public and political discourse, including space for criticism of Israeli policies and Palestinian voices.
The 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. For example, Al-Shabaka, supported through Middle East Policy Network, describes its work as convening Palestinian analysts to produce policy analysis and imagine new policymaking approaches. MADRE says it advances women’s human rights by meeting urgent community needs and building lasting solutions. The Middle East Children’s Alliance describes its work as supporting children’s rights and well-being in the region, including through aid and projects.
Grantmaking
FMEP reported 52 grants totaling $2,437,065 in 2024. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $400,000, with a median of $20,000. Major grants included $400,000 to Al-Haq, $245,000 to Al-Mezan, $172,500 to New Israel Fund, $145,000 to B’Tselem, $136,473 to the Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy, and $115,000 to Medical Aid for Palestinians. The filing describes the Al-Haq and Al-Mezan grants as general operating support and states that FMEP terminated its support for both organizations in September 2025, following the U.S. State Department’s September 4, 2025 designations described in the filing.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Lara Friedman as president; Michael Van Dusen as chair; Hon. Molly Williamson as co-chair; and Odeh Aburdene as treasurer. Directors listed are Hon. Arthur H. Hughes, Atalia Omer, Col. Ret. Joseph Englehardt, Maha Nassar, Gail Pressberg, and Hon. Philip C. Wilcox Jr.
Foundation for Middle East Peace is led by Lara Friedman, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 16 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lara Friedman
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$168K (2020) → $203K (2024)
Michael Van Dusen
Chair
Director → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Arthur H. Hughes
Director
Ass Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$2K (2021) → $0 (2024)
Gail Pressberg
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Tim Grimmett
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
$2K (2023) → $0 (2024)
Maha Nassar
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
$2K (2023) → $0 (2024)
Zeina Azzam
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
$1K (2023) → $0 (2024)
Philip C. Wilcox Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Abou-Chedid Esq.
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie Schumacher Cohen
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Atalia Omer
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Col Ret Joseph Englehardt
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jamil Dakwar Esq.
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ted Kattouf
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Molly Williamson
Co-Chair
Director → Co-Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Odeh Aburdene
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$2K (2022) → $0 (2024)
Former officers (5)
- Former: Joseph Englehardt (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Nicholas Veliotes (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Edison Dick (2020–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Richard Murphy (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jean Newsom (2020–2021) — Treasurer
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 $203K, to Lara Friedman (President).
Frequently asked questions about Foundation for Middle East Peace
How much does Foundation for Middle East Peace give each year?
Foundation for Middle East Peace gave $2.4M across 52 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $730K across 27 grants.
What is Foundation for Middle East Peace's typical grant size?
Foundation for Middle East Peace's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $46,867, across 52 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Foundation for Middle East Peace that year got $29K on average.
Where does Foundation for Middle East Peace give grants?
Foundation for Middle East Peace's top state is Washington, with 19% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (6%) and California (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, WA (12 grants), New York, NY (5 grants), Los Angeles, CA (2 grants) and Brooklyn, NY (2 grants).
Does Foundation for Middle East Peace give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Foundation for Middle East Peace's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (52 of 52) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Foundation for Middle East Peace's largest grantees?
Foundation for Middle East Peace's largest 2024 grantees include Al-HAQ ($400,000), Al-Mezan ($245,000) and New Israel Fund ($172,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Foundation for Middle East Peace?
Foundation for Middle East Peace reported $7.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $3.7M.
What does Foundation for Middle East Peace fund?
FMEP says its mission is to ensure a just, secure, and peaceful future for Palestinians and Israelis. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Foundation for Middle East Peace?
FMEP does not accept unsolicited requests; applications are by invitation only. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Foundation for Middle East Peace's EIN?
Foundation for Middle East Peace's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-6055574. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Foundation for Middle East Peace 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 Foundation for Middle East Peace funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Foundation for Middle East Peace funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/foundation-for-middle-east-peace-morg_20a6e932ab5e45f1a1cb2d2ca9aaac38
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_526055574_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Foundation for Middle East Peace funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/foundation-for-middle-east-peace-morg_20a6e932ab5e45f1a1cb2d2ca9aaac38},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-24. 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 Foundation for Middle East Peace'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.
Foundation for Middle East Peace down — hundreds of funders to go?