Gay Wise Foundation Inc
Gay Wise Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Towson, Maryland. It made 19 grants totaling $104,300 in filing year 2025, with reported grant purposes listed as charitable purposes.
Gay Wise Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Gay Wise Foundation Inc gave $104K across 19 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), top state New Jersey. 53% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $104,300
- +17.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 19
- +137.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $5,489
- -50.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $959,114
- +6.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 53% first-time grantees (10 of 19, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New Jersey (48% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Gay Wise Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The filing says to contact Mayer Guttman with a letter explaining the reasons for the request and documentation of activities. It lists no restrictions on awards and says giving is not limited to preselected organizations.
- Review Cycle
- None listed.
- Deadline
- None listed.
- Contact
Application contact: Mayer Guttman
Mailing address: 1 W Pennsylvania Avenue Suite 900, Towson, MD 21204
Phone: (410) 321-0600
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Gay Wise Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Congregation Zichron Binyamin ($50K). Together the top 10 received $90K.
Grant Size Distribution
56 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 54 grants of 56 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in New Jersey (48%), New York (14%), Florida (12%), Maryland (11%), and Missouri (10%). The listed 2025 recipients also included organizations in Illinois and Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Gay Wise Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
53%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 10 of 19 grantees (53%) were first-time recipients. With only 19 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 16% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+2%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 111% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $82K (2020) to $104K (2025). In 2025 it made 19 grants totaling $104K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Congregation Zichron Binyamin Lakewood, NJ | Charitable Purposes | $50,000 |
| Washington University St. Louis, MO | Charitable Purposes | $10,000 |
| Jewish Federation of Palm Beach West Palm Beach, FL | Charitable Purposes | $10,000 |
| American Friends of Magen David Ada New York, NY | Charitable Purposes | $5,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Federation New York, NY | Charitable Purposes | $2,500 |
| The Myerberg Center Baltimore, MD | Charitable Purposes | $2,500 |
| Baltimore Hunger Project Baltimore, MD | Charitable Purposes | $2,500 |
| Anti-Defamation League New York, NY | Charitable Purposes | $2,500 |
| HAR Sinai Oheb Shalom Congregation Baltimore, MD | Charitable Purposes | $2,500 |
| Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkin New York, NY | Charitable Purposes | $2,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Gay Wise Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $959,114 | $187,917 | $131,336 | $104,300 | 19 | $104,300 | $162,126 | $93,735 |
| 2024 | $902,533 | $114,409 | $114,264 | $88,467 | 8 | $88,467 | $88,612 | $90,914 |
| 2023 | $902,388 | $41,970 | $109,339 | $83,900 | 6 | $83,900 | $16,531 | $82,301 |
| 2022 | $969,757 | $139,408 | $128,744 | $102,500 | 17 | $102,500 | $113,164 | $83,936 |
| 2021 | $959,093 | $125,220 | $109,816 | $85,221 | 6 | $85,221 | $100,625 | $93,653 |
| 2020 | $943,689 | $44,276 | $103,748 | $81,652 | 8 | — | $22,180 | $80,253 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gay Wise Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $94K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included organizations whose own descriptions reflect a range of activities. Baltimore Hunger Project says it provides food and resources to children facing food insecurity; the Maryland Association for Parkinson says it supports people affected by Parkinson’s disease through community events, support, exercise-based classes, and education. The Anti-Defamation League describes its mission as fighting antisemitism and other forms of hate and securing fair treatment for all. Penn Hillel says it focuses on Jewish education, human services, family and economic needs, and support for Israel and Jews at risk elsewhere.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation gave $104,300 through 19 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $50,000, with a median grant of $2,500. The largest grants included $50,000 to Congregation Zichron Binyamin, $10,000 each to Washington University and Jewish Federation of Palm Beach, and $5,000 to American Friends of Magen David Adom. Other listed grants included $2,500 each to Planned Parenthood Federation, the Myerberg Center, Baltimore Hunger Project, the Anti-Defamation League, Har Sinai Oheb Shalom Congregation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the Secure Community Network, and the Maryland Association for Parkinson. Penn Hillel received $1,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mayer Guttman and Ira Gansler as trustees.
Gay Wise Foundation Inc's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ira Gansler
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mayer Guttman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Gay Wise Foundation Inc
How much does Gay Wise Foundation Inc give each year?
Gay Wise Foundation Inc gave $104K across 19 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $88K across 8 grants.
What is Gay Wise Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Gay Wise Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $2,500, and its average grant was $5,489, across 19 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Gay Wise Foundation Inc that year got $7K on average.
Where does Gay Wise Foundation Inc give grants?
Gay Wise Foundation Inc's top state is New Jersey, with 48% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (14%) and Florida (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (5 grants) and Baltimore, MD (3 grants).
Who are Gay Wise Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Gay Wise Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Congregation Zichron Binyamin ($50,000), Washington University ($10,000) and Jewish Federation of Palm Beach ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 67% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Gay Wise Foundation Inc?
Gay Wise Foundation Inc reported $959K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $104K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $94K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Gay Wise Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included organizations whose own descriptions reflect a range of activities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Gay Wise Foundation Inc?
The filing says to contact Mayer Guttman with a letter explaining the reasons for the request and documentation of activities. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Gay Wise Foundation Inc's EIN?
Gay Wise Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3771728. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Gay Wise Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gay Wise Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
McKesson Foundation Inc
Dallas, TX
The McKesson Foundation funds cancer support and care, healthcare workforce pathways, and emergency response, with grants mainly supporting organizations in the United States and Canada. Its 2025 grants had a median of $100,000, though amounts ranged from $10,000 to about $2.47 million. Its filing says it does not accept unsolicited requests, while its application page describes an online application process with stated submission windows.
Assets
$1.6M
Grants
76
Total Given
$16.6M
Associated Jewish Charities of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD
Associated Jewish Charities of Baltimore supports Jewish life and related charitable, educational, religious, health, humanitarian, cultural, and social-service needs in Baltimore, nationally, in Israel, and worldwide. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,020 to $15.25 million, with a median of $18,750; the profile describes specific funding opportunities and donor-advised fund recommendations but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$446.7M
Grants
515
Total Given
$53.0M
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Inc
North Bethesda, MD
The Federation funds Jewish communal organizations and programs, including services for people in need, Jewish learning and engagement, youth and family programs, inclusion, community security, and work connecting the region with Israel and Jewish communities abroad. In 2025 it made 360 grants, with a median award of $20,000; grants ranged from $5,001 to $3.3 million, primarily supporting organizations in Greater Washington as well as national and international partners. It issues requests for proposals when opportunities are available; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$388.5M
Grants
360
Total Given
$34.1M
United Jewish Foundation
Bloomfield Hills, MI
United Jewish Foundation funds Jewish community continuity, including Jewish organizations, human services, education, and related community programs. Its 2025 grants had a median of $18,000, though awards ranged widely; 87% of grant dollars went to Michigan, with some support elsewhere. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$761.7M
Grants
274
Total Given
$43.6M
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia funds basic needs and self-sufficiency, older adults and Holocaust survivors, Jewish life and learning, and community resilience in Greater Philadelphia, Israel, and globally. Its 2025 median grant was $25,000, though awards ranged widely; first-time applicants whose work strongly aligns with its priorities are invited to inquire, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited applications are accepted.
Assets
$506.4M
Grants
286
Total Given
$33.0M
Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Metrowest NJ
Whippany, NJ
The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ supports Jewish community life and other charitable causes, including education, social services, emergency aid, and community initiatives, locally, nationally, and internationally. Its 2025 grants had a median of $17,400, though amounts varied widely and most giving is recommended by fundholders. It offers applications for specific grant opportunities, but its general policy on unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$648.3M
Grants
407
Total Given
$29.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in Maryland
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Gay Wise Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/gay-wise-foundation-inc-morg_07c8e914d76f4c55950aa28d9a47905d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_203771728_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Gay Wise Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/gay-wise-foundation-inc-morg_07c8e914d76f4c55950aa28d9a47905d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Gay Wise Foundation Inc'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.
Gay Wise Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?