Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc
Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc is a New York, NY-based public charity that supports projects and organizations connected to Israel. Its stated mission is to give all generations of Jews a unique voice in building a prosperous future for the land of Israel and its people.
Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc at a glance
In short: Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc gave $14.0M across 150 grants in 2025 (avg $93K), mostly in New York. 35% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $13,960,032
- -13.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 150
- -11.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $93,067
- -2.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,200
- Total assets
- $697,569,055
- +10.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 35% first-time grantees (52 of 150, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (54% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc
- How to Apply
-
The available information describes Letters of Interest for the Boruchin Center’s 2025 cycle and applications for the 2025 Ma’alot cycle. It does not establish a current application process.
- Contact
Mailing address: 42 East 69Th Street, New York, NY 10021
Phone: (212) 879-9300
Website: https://jnf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Alexander Muss Institute for Is Edu ($5.3M). Together the top 10 received $9.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
694 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 507 grants of 694 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s stated work centers on Israel, including community development in the country’s north and south. In 2025, 54% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 8% to California, 8% to the District of Columbia, 7% to Pennsylvania, and 5% to New Jersey. These figures describe recipient locations, not necessarily the locations where grant-funded work took place.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 150 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc open to new grantees?
35%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 52 of 150 grantees (35%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $61K; repeat grants $110K. How we count
Medians: $12K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $4.8M (2019) to $16.1M (2024). In 2025 it made 150 grants totaling $14.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Muss Institute for Is Edu New York, NY | General Support | $5,273,694 |
| National Philanthropic Tr Jenkintown, PA | General Support | $1,027,812 |
| Israel on Campus Coalition Washington, DC | General Support | $1,017,000 |
| Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America New York, NY | General Support | $401,000 |
| Central Fund of Israel New York, NY | General Support | $393,800 |
| Gottesman RTW Academy Randolph, NJ | General Support | $250,000 |
| Stand with US Boca Raton, FL | General Support | $238,125 |
| Club Z San Carlos, CA | General Support | $225,000 |
| Heroes to Heroes Foundation For Lee, NJ | General Support | $225,000 |
| Media Watch New York, NY | General Support | $208,858 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $697,569,055 | $197,058,808 | $152,672,660 | $13,960,032 | 150 | $32,118,824 |
| 2024 | $633,219,242 | $224,296,704 | $162,179,627 | $16,051,132 | 169 | $31,129,542 |
| 2023 | $505,063,345 | $105,380,420 | $111,941,392 | $12,480,490 | 147 | $13,571,508 |
| 2022 | $481,559,079 | $113,075,602 | $105,804,577 | $9,932,513 | 144 | $-1,753,061 |
| 2021 | $532,275,365 | $140,855,420 | $84,592,863 | $6,594,699 | 84 | $30,660,785 |
| 2020 | $470,295,230 | $107,749,637 | $82,053,990 | $6,962,758 | 63 | $21,907,508 |
| 2019 | $445,388,280 | $94,207,214 | $85,534,855 | $4,756,848 | 43 | $15,033,907 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization states that it seeks to enhance quality of life for Israel’s residents and share those advances with the world. Its website describes initiatives involving environmental development, water infrastructure, communities in Israel’s north and south, research, accessibility, and education and engagement with Israel.
Its 2025 grants include organizations working in a range of areas. For example, Israel on Campus Coalition describes its mission as inspiring campus communities and others grappling with antisemitism to see Israel as a source of pride and empowering them to stand up for Israel. Friends of Arava the Institute says it supports the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies and advances cross-border environmental cooperation. National Philanthropic Trust describes itself as a public charity that provides philanthropic expertise to donors, foundations, and financial institutions. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not statements of the funder’s own programs.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 150 grants totaling $13,960,032. Grant amounts ranged from $5,360 to $5,273,694, with a median of $20,200.
The largest reported grants included $5,273,694 to Alexander Muss Institute for IS Edu for general support; $1,027,812 to National Philanthropic Trust for general support; and $1,017,000 to Israel on Campus Coalition for general support. Other large grants included $401,000 to the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America and $393,800 to Central Fund of Israel, both for general support.
The Boruchin Center website describes a grantmaking emphasis, beginning in 2025, on collaboration among grantees, while noting that single-organization applications remain eligible for review. It encourages joint applications with other grantees and the Center. A 2024 announcement described the 2025 funding cycle as seeking Letters of Interest and specified a minimum request of $100,000 and matching funds for a minimum $200,000 budgetary need. These are details for the past 2025 cycle, not a current application opportunity. The website also described the Ma’alot synagogue grant program as accepting applications for programs taking place during 2025; that cycle has passed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Deb Zaluda as president; Dr. Sol Lizerbram as chair; Jeffrey E. Levine and Ronald S. Lauder as chairpersons emeriti; Kenneth Segel as treasurer; and Penny Rosen as secretary. It also lists Alan Wolk, Ann Zinman, Barbara Burry, and Benjamin Gutmann as board members.
Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc is led by Russell Robinson, CEO on every filing since 2019; 10 of 62 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Russell Robinson
CEO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$657K (2019) → $889K (2025)
Michael Feinman
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$190K (2019) → $231K (2025)
Deb Zaluda
President
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sol Lizerbram
Chair
President → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diane Scar
National Campaign Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$233K (2019) → $277K (2025)
Sharon Joy
National Campaign Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$266K (2024) → $274K (2025)
Jodi Pollack
Marketing Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$244K (2025)
Matthew Bernstein
Chief Planned Giving Officer
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$317K (2019) → $387K (2025)
Mitchel Rosenzweig
CFO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$334K (2019) → $433K (2025)
Richard Krosnick
Chief Development Officer
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$268K (2019) → $334K (2025)
Stephen Bach
Chief Business Officer
Chief Administrative Officer → Chief Business Officer, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$267K (2019) → $340K (2025)
Debbie Freedman
Chief Hr Officer
Chief Human Resources Officer → Executive Vice President & Greater Ny, 2022
Executive Vice President & Greater Ny → Chief Hr Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$197K (2020) → $305K (2025)
Alan Fisher
Board Member
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles S. Fax
Board Member
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Greenbaum
Board Member
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Harold L. Kaplan
Board Member
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ira Bartfield
Board Member
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey E. Levine
Chairperson Emeritus
Chairman of the Board → Chairperson of the Board, 2021
Chairperson of the Board → Chairperson Emeritus, 2025
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Wolfson
Board Member
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth Segel
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marc Kelman
Board Member
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Blank
Board Member
Treasurer → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nina Paul
Board Member
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert M. Wigoda Esq.
Board Member
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ronald S. Lauder
Chairperson Emeritus
Chairman Emeritus → Chairperson Emeritus, 2021
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott H. Gendell
Board Member
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott N. Schreiber Esq.
Board Member
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven Crystal
Board Member
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Theodore L. Banks
Board Member
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alan Wolk
Board Member
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Burry
Board Member
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Benjamin Gutmann
Board Member
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Kessler
Board Member
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Myra Chack-Fleischer
Board Member
Secretary → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Penny Rosen
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vivian Grossman
Board Member
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ronald Werner
Board Member
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Schwartz
Board Member
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lynne Merriam
Board Member
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Samuel Goldberg
Board Member
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ann Zinman
Board Member
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carrol Ann Schwartz
Board Member
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gary Kushner
Board Member
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ian Sachs
Board Member
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kim Kotzin
Board Member
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sheryl Buchholtz
Board Member
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Betsy Fischer
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Danielle Hankin
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Levy
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erez Sherman
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gadi Iilan
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Harley Feldberg
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mara Mades
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Israel
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Benjamin
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Stein
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Risa Aronson
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Lembke
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Polansky
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Sacks
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Morgan
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ula Zusman
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (32)
- Former: Baruch Fellner Esq. (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Edward Blank (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Joseph Korn (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Yael Septee Kane (2019–2024) — Chief Israel Advocacy & Lead
- Former: Rhoda Smolow (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Toni Dusik (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Sharon Freedman (2019–2023) — National Campaign Director
- Former: Chad Holtzman (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Isaac Blachor (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Myron D. Stayman (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Robert B. Levine (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Joel Spalter (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Michael H. Jacobson (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Michael Lederman (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Robert Benedon (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Bruce K. Gould (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: David Frank (2019–2021) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 121
- Former: Ron Werner (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jason Zenner (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Alan Dabrow (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Barbara Sommer (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Geraldine Shatz (2019–2020) — Secretary
- Former: Harold Cohen (2019–2020) — Former COO
- Former: Joseph Hess (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Kenneth J. Krupsky (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Maidelle G. Benamy (2019–2020) — Former Executive Vice President & Greater Ny
- Former: Myra Chack Fleischer (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Robert Dubin (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Terry L. Katz (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Andrew P. Klein (2019) — Treasurer
- Former: Melinda Wolf (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Michael J. Wechsler (2019) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $889K, to Russell Robinson (CEO). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc
How much does Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc give each year?
Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc gave $14.0M across 150 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $16.1M across 169 grants.
What is Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc's typical grant size?
Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc's median grant in 2025 was $20,200, and its average grant was $93,067, across 150 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc that year got $61K on average.
Where does Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc give grants?
Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc gives mostly in New York: 54% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (8%) and District of Columbia (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (20 grants), Brooklyn, NY (14 grants), Atlanta, GA (8 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (7 grants).
Does Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (150 of 150) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc's largest grantees?
Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Alexander Muss Institute for Is Edu ($5,273,694), National Philanthropic Tr ($1,027,812) and Israel on Campus Coalition ($1,017,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc?
Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc reported $697.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $197.1M.
What does Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc fund?
The organization states that it seeks to enhance quality of life for Israel’s residents and share those advances with the world. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc?
The available information describes Letters of Interest for the Boruchin Center’s 2025 cycle and applications for the 2025 Ma’alot cycle. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc's EIN?
Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-1659627. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 9, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 20, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 8, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/jewish-national-fund-keren-kayemeth-leisrael-inc-morg_69d751f3343145e9ba376027f3c5945e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_131659627_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/jewish-national-fund-keren-kayemeth-leisrael-inc-morg_69d751f3343145e9ba376027f3c5945e},
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 Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) 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.
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