Foundation for Middle East Peace
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
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
States
Cities
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
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
149 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Al-haq ($400,000), Al-mezan ($245,000), New Israel Fund ($172,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 7AMLEH | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $90,000 |
| 972 FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF CITIZEN JOURNALISM | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| ADALAH | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $53,600 |
| 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-HAQ EUROPE | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| 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 |
| BTSELEM | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $145,000 |
| BALADNA ARAB YOUTH ASSOCIATION | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| BUILD PALESTINE FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| GISHA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $70,000 |
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
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LARA FRIEDMAN | PRESIDENT | 40 | $202,834 |
| MICHAEL VAN DUSEN | CHAIR | 0.5 | — |
| HON MOLLY WILLIAMSON | CO-CHAIR | 0.5 | — |
| ODEH ABURDENE | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| HON ARTHUR H HUGHES | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| ATALIA OMER | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| COL RET JOSEPH ENGLEHARDT | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| MAHA NASSAR | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| GAIL PRESSBERG | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| HON PHILIP C WILCOX JR | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| HON TED KATTOUF | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| JAMIL DAKWAR ESQ | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| JULIE SCHUMACHER COHEN | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| REBECCA ABOU-CHEDID ESQ | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| TIM GRIMMETT | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| ZEINA AZZAM | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 2025 M St NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036-3363
- Phone: 202-835-3650
- Website: www.fmep.org
- Email: info@fmep.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Foundation for Middle East Peace fund?
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 • **Publ…
How do I apply for a grant from Foundation for Middle East Peace?
FMEP maintains an active grant program supporting peacemaking organizations. Based on recent tax filings: • **Number of grants**: 52 grants reported in tax year 2024 • **Median grant size**: $20,000 • **Grant range**: $5,000 to $400,000 • **Grant activity**: Recent grants documented in current filings
Where does Foundation for Middle East Peace make grants?
The foundation funds organizations working on Israeli-Palestinian peace issues, with primary focus on the District of Columbia, New York, and California regions.
What size grants does Foundation for Middle East Peace award?
In 2024, Foundation for Middle East Peace awarded 52 grants totaling $2.4M — an average of about $47K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
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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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