Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family
The Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Washington, DC. Established by Howard and Geraldine Polinger in 1968, it says its mission is to improve the quality of life for families and their communities through innovative projects and successful ongoing programs.
Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family at a glance
In short: Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family gave $4.3M across 78 grants in 2025 (avg $55K), top state District of Columbia. 11% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,286,118
- -24.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 78
- -4.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $54,950
- -20.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $142,492,419
- +7.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 11% first-time grantees (8 of 71, 2025)
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (32% 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 Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. It prefers to develop programs in collaboration with organizations. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes its work strongly aligns with the Foundation’s strategies may email a brief, one-page description of its work for consideration. Grants are not available for sunsetting portfolios, organizations or programs in or about Israel, Legacy Fund gifts, capital campaigns, or individuals.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1301 Connecticut Avenue Nw 450, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 888-6833
Website: https://polingerfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family
Who Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Inc ($505K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
441 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 276 grants of 441 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation describes its mission as supporting work locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. In 2025, grant dollars went primarily to recipients in DC (32%), New York (23%), Massachusetts (21%), Maryland (14%), and California (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 78 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family open to new grantees?
11%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 71 grantees (11%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $82K; repeat grants $58K. How we count
Medians: $59K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 76% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−19%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 77% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $3.0M (2021) to $5.7M (2024). In 2025 it made 78 grants totaling $4.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Inc North Bethesda, MD | General Operating Support | $325,000 |
| Harold Grinspoon Foundation Agawam, MA | PJ Library Alliance's Work in North America | $300,000 |
| Lehrhaus Center for Jewish Life and Learning Inc Somerville, MA | DC Expansion | $250,000 |
| Jewish Funders Network New York, NY | CANVAS | $200,000 |
| Mem Global Encinitas, CA | MHWOW & Young Families Pods | $180,000 |
| The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Inc North Bethesda, MD | Security Enhancements | $180,000 |
| The Shabbat Project Inc New York, NY | Onetable Across America - Shabbat Dinner for All | $180,000 |
| Anti-Defamation League New York, NY | Scaling ADL Anti-Bias Education | $170,000 |
| Childrens Law Center Incorporated Washington, DC | Early Childhood Behavioral Health Services | $150,000 |
| Reboot Inc New York, NY | General Operating Support | $150,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family?
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 | $142,492,419 | $7,186,471 | $6,097,891 | $4,286,118 | 78 | $5,112,842 | $6,331,693 | $6,601,243 |
| 2024 | $132,724,156 | $10,389,939 | $7,286,153 | $5,666,411 | 82 | $6,444,150 | $4,093,539 | $6,074,755 |
| 2023 | $119,567,391 | $1,375,507 | $6,713,320 | $4,989,313 | 86 | $5,699,912 | $1,785,487 | $5,625,982 |
| 2022 | $113,073,340 | $10,006,691 | $6,556,201 | $5,285,547 | 100 | $5,880,046 | $9,455,017 | $5,189,938 |
| 2021 | $131,325,935 | $57,024,650 | $4,465,879 | $3,041,926 | 95 | — | $5,274,725 | $5,427,163 |
| 2020 | $57,171,301 | $4,331,493 | $4,067,702 | $3,226,846 | 71 | — | $4,066,245 | $2,842,810 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family reported a distributable amount of $6.6M 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
The Foundation’s stated mission is to improve the quality of life for families and their communities. Its current funding areas are Jewish Life and Civic Learning. In Jewish Life, the Foundation describes an aim of building vibrant Jewish life and connected, welcoming communities. Its Civic Learning vision is a society where people treat each other with respect and work together to uphold and strengthen democracy; its stated strategies include supporting state-level K–12 civic learning policies and strengthening the civic learning field.
The Foundation’s 2025 grants illustrate support for varied organizations and projects. For example, the Jewish Funders Network received $200,000 for CANVAS; the organization describes its mission as helping philanthropists maximize the impact of their giving through Jewish responses to needs and challenges. The Anti-Defamation League received $170,000 for anti-bias education; it describes its mission as stopping the defamation of Jewish people and securing justice and fair treatment for all. iCivics received $100,000; it describes its work as providing civic and history resources to teachers and students and advancing equitable, nonpartisan civic education.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the Foundation reported 78 grants totaling $4,286,118. Grant amounts ranged from $65 to $325,000, with a median of $25,000. Among the largest grants were $325,000 to the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington for general operating support, $300,000 to the Harold Grinspoon Foundation for PJ Library Alliance work in North America, and $250,000 to Lehrhaus Center for Jewish Life and Learning for a DC expansion. Other notable awards included $200,000 to the Jewish Funders Network for CANVAS and $150,000 to Children’s Law Center for early childhood behavioral health services.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Foundation’s website says Mollie Barnathan became its third Board Chair in 2025, succeeding Lorre Polinger, who stepped down after 25 years as chair. The 2025 filing lists Lorre Beth Polinger as president; Arnold Lee Polinger as director; David Marc Polinger as treasurer; Erica Pressman as secretary/CEO; Mollie Barnathan as vice president; and Jan Polinger Chavis, Charlie Polinger, Becky Polinger, Julie Polinger, and Miriam Nsimbi as directors.
The Foundation lists Erica Pressman as CEO, Julia Lipton as Senior Program Officer, Elizabeth Hecker as Director of Knowledge Management, and Leigh Graham as Operations Assistant.
Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family is led by Erica Pressman, Secretary & CEO on every filing since 2020; 1 of 10 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Erica Pressman
Secretary & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$162K (2020) → $229K (2025)
Lorre Beth Polinger
President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Arnold Lee Polinger
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Becky Polinger
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charlie Polinger
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jan Polinger Chavis
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Polinger
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Miriam Nsimbi
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Marc Polinger
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mollie Barnathan
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Steven Polinger (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Joshua Wertlieb (2020–2022) — Vice President
- Former: Jennifer Abrams (2020–2021) — Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $229K, to Erica Pressman (Secretary/CEO).
Frequently asked questions about Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family
How much does Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family give each year?
Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family gave $4.3M across 78 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $5.7M across 82 grants.
What is Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family's typical grant size?
Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $54,950, across 78 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family that year got $82K on average.
Where does Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family give grants?
Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family's top state is District of Columbia, with 32% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (23%) and Massachusetts (21%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (31 grants), New York, NY (13 grants), Boston, MA (5 grants) and North Bethesda, MD (3 grants).
Does Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family give general operating support?
Yes: 53% of Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (41 of 78) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family's largest grantees?
Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family's largest 2025 grantees include The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Inc ($505,000 across 2 grants), Harold Grinspoon Foundation ($300,000) and Lehrhaus Center for Jewish Life and Learning Inc ($250,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family?
Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family reported $142.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is to improve the quality of life for families and their communities. Its current funding areas are Jewish Life and Civic Learning. In Jewish Life, the Foundation describes an aim of building vibrant Jewish life and connected, welcoming communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family?
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family's EIN?
Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-6078041. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family 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
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/howard-and-geraldine-polinger-family-morg_a000f3a8285c4c358604d8417b27d6bc
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_526078041_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/howard-and-geraldine-polinger-family-morg_a000f3a8285c4c358604d8417b27d6bc},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family'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.
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