JAF Foundation is a private foundation headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, with an office in Southampton, New York. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting conservation, human welfare, education, health, and the arts through strategic grantmaking and long-term partnerships with carefully selected organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.2M
+3.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$360K
-26.3% YoY
Grant Count
20
-9.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$18K
-18.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Jaf Foundation reported a distributable amount of $530K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
JAF Foundation funds programs that inspire forward thinking and positive action across four major priority areas:
- Nature & Conservation (top priority)
- Health & Medicine
- Arts & Education
- Human Rights & Communities
The foundation aims to have a lasting, sustainable, and healing impact on the world through its support of organizations and projects aligned with these interests.
Grantmaking
The foundation provides support for various grant types including unrestricted grants, food purchase programs, lunch box kids programs, scholarship and financial aid, residency programs, and cancer research.
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
JAF Foundation supports organizations primarily in New York, with particular emphasis on the Southampton area and the East End. The foundation also funds international projects, including initiatives in Africa and South America.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $9,237,802
- Total Giving: $359,500
- Total Revenues: $1,051,849
- Total Expenses: $746,517
- Investment Income and Dividends: $240,132
Staffing: The foundation operates with minimal staff, reporting 0 employees on tax filings, though company information indicates approximately 5 employees.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,237,802 | $8,925,545 | $9,295,303 |
| Revenue | $1,051,849 | $494,040 | $-275,390 |
| Expenses | $746,517 | $863,798 | $904,894 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $513,487 | $623,619 | $678,019 |
| Net Investment Income | $821,184 | $288,242 | $4,645 |
| Distributable Amount | $530,067 | $433,606 | $473,934 |
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
101 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Eth Foundation ($140,000), South Fork Natural History Museum ($57,000), Pestalozzi Us Childrens Charity Inc ($45,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BYRD HOFFMAN WATERMILL FOUNDATION Brooklyn, NY | residency program | $30,000 |
| SOUTHAMPTON ROSE SOCIETY Southampton, NY | UNRESTIRCTED | $10,000 |
| GABRIELLES ANGELS FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | CANCER RESEARCH | $10,000 |
| SOUTHAMPTON ARTS CENTER SOUTHAMPTON, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $25,000 |
| ANIMAL RESCUE FUND OF THE HAMPTONS INC WAINSCOTT, NY | In Support Of Humane Treatment of Animals | $2,500 |
| PESTALOZZI US CHILDRENS CHARITY INC NEW YORK, NY | PROMOTE THE WELFARE AND EDUCATION OF CHILDREN | $45,000 |
| SOUTH FORK NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $57,000 |
| NEW YORK YACHT CLUB FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE CLUBS HISTORIC BUILDING IN NEW YORK AND NEWPORT AND TO FOSTER APPRECIATION FOR THE WORKS OF ACHITECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE PROPERTIES | $2,500 |
| FIGHTING CHANCE SAG HARBOR, NY | TO HELP PEOPLE DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER TO DEAL WITH THE NEGATIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS SUCH AS HYPER-ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, INSECURITY AND SLEEEPLESSNESS. | $2,500 |
| Heart of The Hamptons Southampton, NY | TO PURCHASE FOOD FOR THE PANTRY AND FOR THE LUNCH BOX KIDS PROGRAM. | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JUERGEN A FRIEDRICH | PRESIDENT | 3 | $111,000 |
| ANKE BECK-FRIEDRICH | VP & TREASUR | 2 | $75,000 |
| MAX FRIEDRICH | Trustee | 1 | $50,000 |
| HOLGER HAHN | Treasurer | 3 | — |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
JAF Foundation has been an active supporter of Southampton Arts Center since 2015, providing assistance for exhibitions, events, and school and vacation programs for children in various art disciplines. The foundation's board includes Anke Beck-Friedrich, who serves as an active board member of Southampton Arts Center.
The foundation maintains a portfolio of long-term supported projects alongside selective one-time donations and completed initiatives, demonstrating a commitment to sustained partnerships with organizations aligned with its mission.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Jaf Foundation fund?
JAF Foundation funds programs that inspire forward thinking and positive action across four major priority areas: • **Nature & Conservation** (top priority) • **Health & Medicine** • **Arts & Education** • **Human Rights & Communities** The foundation aims to have a lasting, sustainable, and healing impact on the world through its support of organizations and projects aligned with these interests.
How do I apply for a grant from Jaf Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $500 to $200,000. **Recent Grant Activity:** As of the most recent filing (2024), JAF Foundation made 23 grants totaling $359,500. **Recent Grantees Include:** • Pestalozzi US Children's Charity ($45,000) • Southampton Arts Center ($25,000) • Gabrielle's Angel Foundation for Cancer Research ($10,000) • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai • The Mount Sinai Medical Centre • The Mitral Foundation • Watermill Center • International Yacht Restoration …
Where does Jaf Foundation make grants?
JAF Foundation supports organizations primarily in New York, with particular emphasis on the Southampton area and the East End. The foundation also funds international projects, including initiatives in Africa and South America.
What size grants does Jaf Foundation award?
In 2024, Jaf Foundation awarded 20 grants totaling $360K — an average of about $18K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Jaf Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Jaf Foundation reported a distributable amount of $530K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Jaf Foundation's EIN?
Jaf Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-0510367. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Jaf Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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