The George & Irina Schaeffer Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2009, based in Boca Raton, Florida. The foundation was created with a mission of giving back to the community and has evolved to support a wide range of charitable causes through millions of dollars in donations to organizations worldwide.
Key facts about George & Irina Schaeffer Foundation
- EIN
- 26-2261640
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $184,394
- Grants made (2024)
- 24
- Average grant
- $7,683
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (5 of 24, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Florida (31% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who George & Irina Schaeffer Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for George & Irina Schaeffer Foundation's 24 itemized 2024 grants were Florida (31%), California (23%) and New York (21%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (5 grants), Beverly Hills, CA (4 grants), Los Angeles, CA (4 grants) and Boca Raton, FL (3 grants). None of its 24 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education" (5 grants), "Religious" (5 grants) and "Humanitarian" (4 grants).
Is George & Irina Schaeffer Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 24 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $8K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 67% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 44% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with George & Irina Schaeffer Foundation
- How to evaluate George & Irina Schaeffer Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to George & Irina Schaeffer Foundation with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$-12,752
-114.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$184K
-55.9% YoY
Grant Count
24
+14.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
-61.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, George & Irina Schaeffer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary focus areas include:
- Orthodox Jewish agencies, temples, and schools
- Scholarships and student financial aid services
- Medical research
- Humanitarian projects
- Educational efforts
- Support for universities and Jewish cultural organizations
- Music conservatories and hospitals
The foundation supports organizations including the American Heart Association, the Leukemia Research Foundation, and the National Lung Association.
Grantmaking
Typical awards range from $20 to $234,680
Grant Range
**
Ready to take the next step with George & Irina Schaeffer Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple states including California, Colorado, Florida, New York, and others. Grantmaking extends to major urban centers such as New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., as well as smaller communities nationwide.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 24 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Year (2023):
- Total assets: $89,674
- Total revenues: $501,168
- Total expenses: $438,937
- Number of employees: 0
IRS Classification:
- EIN: 26-2261640
- Type: 501(c)(3) Private Foundation
- NTEE Code: T20 (Private Foundations)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $-12,752 | $89,674 | $27,443 |
| Revenue | $101,984 | $501,168 | $375,650 |
| Expenses | $204,410 | $438,937 | $377,911 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $204,410 | $438,937 | $377,911 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,984 | $1,168 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $1,866 | $2,868 | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
184 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Chabad East Boca ($30,000), Chabad of Colorado University ($23,000), Chabad Lubavitch of Utah ($18,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CHABAD EAST BOCA Boca Raton, FL | RELIGIOUS | $30,000 |
| Chabad of Colorado University Boulder, CO | EDUCATION | $23,000 |
| Chabad Lubavitch of Utah Salt Lake City, UT | HUMANITARIAN | $18,000 |
| BRAODWAY CARES New York, NY | RESEARCH | $15,000 |
| Young Israel North Beverly Hills Beverly Hills, CA | HUMANITARIAN | $14,465 |
| JEWISH EDUCATION CENTER FOR STH FLO Boca Raton, FL | EDUCATION | $12,500 |
| Bnai Zion Foundation New York, NY | HUMANITARIAN | $10,000 |
| BOCA RATON KOLLEL Boca Raton, FL | RELIGIOUS | $10,000 |
| ORTHODOX UNION OF JEWISH CONGREGATI Los Angeles, CA | RELIGIOUS | $9,259 |
| Chai Lifeline Los Angeles, CA | OTHER | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- George Schaeffer – President
- Irina Schaeffer – Secretary
- Vinesh Nathu – Treasurer
None of the key personnel receive compensation for their roles, reflecting a commitment to directing resources toward philanthropic activities.
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Schaeffer | President & CEO | 5 | — |
| Vinesh Nathu | Treasurer | 5 | — |
| Irina Schaeffer | Secretary | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2012, George Schaeffer received the City of Hope Cancer Center's most prestigious honor, the Spirit of Life Award, in recognition of his compassion, dedication, and generosity to important charitable causes.
Giving From the Heart: Philanthropists Irina and George SchaefferGeorge Schaeffer serves as Chairman of the Board of the Bnai Zion Foundation, which supports critical health and education projects in Israel.
Giving From the Heart: Philanthropists Irina and George SchaefferSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does George & Irina Schaeffer Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary focus areas include: • **Orthodox Jewish agencies, temples, and schools** • Scholarships and student financial aid services • Medical research • Humanitarian projects • Educational efforts • Support for universities and Jewish cultural organizations • Music conservatories and hospitals The foundation supports organizations including the American Heart Association, the Leukemia Research Foundation, and the National Lung Association.
How do I apply for a grant from George & Irina Schaeffer Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 36 grants in 2023 • Recent grants include $60,000 to Bnai Zion Foundation, $18,000 to Chabad Lubavitch of Utah, and $12,500 to Chabrol Center of University **Financial Metrics (2023):** • Total revenues: $501,168 • Total expenses: $438,937 • Total assets: $89,674 **Grant Range:** Typical awards range from $20 to $234,680
Where does George & Irina Schaeffer Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple states including California, Colorado, Florida, New York, and others. Grantmaking extends to major urban centers such as New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., as well as smaller communities nationwide.
What size grants does George & Irina Schaeffer Foundation award?
In 2024, George & Irina Schaeffer Foundation awarded 24 grants totaling $184K — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is George & Irina Schaeffer Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, George & Irina Schaeffer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is George & Irina Schaeffer Foundation's EIN?
George & Irina Schaeffer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-2261640. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in George & Irina Schaeffer Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
McKesson Foundation Inc
Dallas, TX
Assets
—
Grants
76
Total Given
$16.6M
Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors
Los Angeles, CA
Assets
$252K
Grants
252
Total Given
$770K
United Way Worldwide
Alexandria, VA
Assets
$68.0M
Grants
209
Total Given
$11.4M
Edwards Lifesciences Foundation
Irvine, CA
Assets
—
Grants
224
Total Given
$9.0M
Gannett Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Assets
—
Grants
360
Total Given
$189K
Sempra Foundation
San Diego, CA
Assets
$11.5M
Grants
1,501
Total Given
$1.8M
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Chicago, IL
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
896
Total Given
$166.6M
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
1,063
Total Given
$142.2M
American Express Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$48.9M
Grants
1,495
Total Given
$23.2M
Arthur J Gallagher Foundation
Rolling Meadows, IL
Assets
—
Grants
2,692
Total Given
$1.6M
Ge Aerospace Foundation
Norwalk, CT
Assets
$22.5M
Grants
2,467
Total Given
$15.3M
More Funders in Florida
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.