Howard Amster Foundation
Howard Amster Foundation is a private foundation, based in Beachwood, OH. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $8.2M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $241K. Net investment income was $4.3M.
Howard Amster Foundation at a glance
In short: Howard Amster Foundation gave $241K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $48K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $241,280
- +46.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- +400.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $48,256
- -70.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $9,000
- Total assets
- $8,210,719
- +165.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Ohio (83% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Howard Amster Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Jewish Federation of Cleveland ($200K). Together the top 5 received $241K.
Grant Size Distribution
6 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 6 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Howard Amster Foundation gives
- In 2024 it paid out 175% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $165K (2023) to $241K (2024). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $241K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jewish Federation of Cleveland Beachwood, OH | Donor Advised Fund | $200,000 |
| Cong Kehillas Hearthstone Inc Lakewood, NJ | General Support | $24,000 |
| Yeshiva Toras Aron Inc Lakewood, NJ | General Support | $9,000 |
| Cong Meoros Nosson Inc Lakewood, NJ | General Support | $6,300 |
| Yeshiva Tifereth Torah Inc Lakewood, NJ | General Support | $1,980 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $8,210,719 | $5,402,302 | $333,143 | $241,280 | 5 | $241,280 | $4,315,595 | $137,506 |
| 2023 | $3,091,690 | $3,254,518 | $169,617 | $165,000 | 1 | $165,000 | $332,138 | $132,783 |
| 2022 | $2,172 | — | $175 | — | — | $175 | — | — |
| 2021 | $2,347 | $22 | $150 | — | — | $150 | $22 | — |
| 2020 | $2,475 | $525 | $750 | — | — | — | — | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Howard Amster Foundation reported a distributable amount of $138K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Howard Amster Foundation is led by Howard Amster, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Howard Amster
President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gila Nussbaum
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$6K (2024)
James Goldsmith
Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
William Costaras
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 $6K, to Gila Nussbaum (Treasurer).
Frequently asked questions about Howard Amster Foundation
How much does Howard Amster Foundation give each year?
Howard Amster Foundation gave $241K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $165K across 1 grant.
What is Howard Amster Foundation's typical grant size?
Howard Amster Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $9,000, and its average grant was $48,256, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Howard Amster Foundation give grants?
Howard Amster Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New Jersey (17%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lakewood, NJ (4 grants).
Does Howard Amster Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 80% of Howard Amster Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Howard Amster Foundation's largest grantees?
Howard Amster Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Jewish Federation of Cleveland ($200,000), Cong Kehillas Hearthstone Inc ($24,000) and Yeshiva Toras Aron Inc ($9,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 97% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Howard Amster Foundation?
Howard Amster Foundation reported $8.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $241K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $138K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Howard Amster Foundation's EIN?
Howard Amster Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-3549980. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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 Howard Amster Foundation 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 Howard Amster Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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