Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation
Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation is a private foundation, based in Jenkintown, PA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $3.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 9 grants totaling $140K. Net investment income was $142K.
Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation at a glance
In short: Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation gave $140K across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $16K), top state New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $140,000
- -6.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- +800.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $15,556
- -89.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $2,966,121
- +0.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (43% 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 Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Doctors Without Borders ($25K). Together the top 9 received $140K.
Grant Size Distribution
17 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 17 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−12%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $40K (2020) to $160K (2021). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $140K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Doctors Without Borders New York, NY | Community | $25,000 |
| International Rescue Committee New York, NY | Community | $25,000 |
| World Central Kitchen Washington, DC | Community | $25,000 |
| Rainforest Action Network San Francisco, CA | Community | $15,000 |
| American Forests Washington, DC | Community | $10,000 |
| Ocean Conservancy Washington, DC | Community | $10,000 |
| Helen Keller Intl New York, NY | Community | $10,000 |
| The Life You Can Save Novato, CA | Community | $10,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA | Community | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation?
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 | $2,966,121 | $144,528 | $142,225 | $140,000 | 9 | $140,000 | $142,303 | $143,498 |
| 2023 | $2,941,527 | $129,759 | $152,173 | $150,000 | 1 | $150,000 | $127,586 | $143,632 |
| 2022 | $2,963,249 | $183,681 | $150,010 | $150,000 | 1 | $150,000 | $33,671 | $146,874 |
| 2021 | $3,020,163 | $8,272 | $160,000 | $160,000 | 2 | — | $8,272 | $152,698 |
| 2020 | $3,195,222 | $17,403 | $40,000 | $40,000 | 4 | — | $17,403 | $157,319 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $143K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation is led by Elaine Gershman, President, Secretary & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Elaine Gershman
President, Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
J. David Levitt
Ass't Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
William J. Levitt III
Ass't Treasurer
On filings since 2020
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.
Frequently asked questions about Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation
How much does Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation give each year?
Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation gave $140K across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $150K across 1 grant.
What is Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation's typical grant size?
Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $15,556, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation give grants?
Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation's top state is New York, with 43% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (32%) and California (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (3 grants) and Washington, DC (3 grants).
Does Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community" (9 grants).
Who are Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation's largest grantees?
Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Doctors Without Borders ($25,000), International Rescue Committee ($25,000) and World Central Kitchen ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 54% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation?
Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation reported $3.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $140K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $143K (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 is Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation's EIN?
Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-2529629. 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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
McKesson Foundation Inc
Dallas, TX
The McKesson Foundation funds cancer support and care, healthcare workforce pathways, and emergency response, with grants mainly supporting organizations in the United States and Canada. Its 2025 grants had a median of $100,000, though amounts ranged from $10,000 to about $2.47 million. Its filing says it does not accept unsolicited requests, while its application page describes an online application process with stated submission windows.
Assets
$1.6M
Grants
76
Total Given
$16.6M
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
The Rockefeller Foundation
New York, NY
The Rockefeller Foundation funds initiatives in energy access, sustainable food systems, health, climate, economic opportunity, and finance in the United States and around the world. In 2024, it made 381 grants, with a median grant of about $171,000, though awards ranged widely; it does not accept unsolicited requests and funds preselected organizations only.
Assets
$6.4B
Grants
381
Total Given
$233.2M
The Yelp Foundation
San Francisco, CA
Assets
$6.2M
Grants
644
Total Given
$886K
The San Diego Foundation
San Diego, CA
The San Diego Foundation funds nonprofit work in family well-being, education, the environment, and housing, including projects, capacity building, and general support that advance equity and resilient communities. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely; applicants generally must be located in San Diego County and primarily serve county residents. It offers competitive grant opportunities through its online portal, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.7B
Grants
1,158
Total Given
$94.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in Pennsylvania
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation'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.
Joel and Elaine Gershman Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?