Leading Edge Alliance Inc
Leading Edge Alliance Inc is a New York, New York–based public charity that works to strengthen talent, culture, and leadership across the Jewish nonprofit field. It equips organizations and people in the field to develop and support their staff and leaders.
Leading Edge Alliance Inc at a glance
In short: Leading Edge Alliance Inc gave $836K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $76K), mostly in New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $835,600
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- Average grant
- $75,964
- Median grant
- $73,000
- Total assets
- $25,195,634
- +166.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (66% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Leading Edge Alliance Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 82 Nassau Street 62639, New York, NY 10038
Phone: (847) 828-8635
Website: https://leadingedge.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Leading Edge Alliance Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Adamah Inc ($100K). Together the top 10 received $782K.
Grant Size Distribution
11 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 10 grants of 11 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 66% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 12% to Maryland, 8% to Georgia, 8% to Pennsylvania, and 6% to California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $836K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Adamah Inc Reisterstown, MD | Program Support | $100,000 |
| The Jewish Education Project New York, NY | Program Support | $94,700 |
| The Shalom Hartman Institute of NA New York, NY | Program Support | $89,100 |
| Birthright Israel New York, NY | Program Support | $80,000 |
| Mechon Hadar New York, NY | Program Support | $79,300 |
| 70 Faces Media New York, NY | Program Support | $73,000 |
| Sefaria New York, NY | Program Support | $71,600 |
| Honeymoon Israel Foundation Inc Dunwoody, GA | Program Support | $68,800 |
| Moving Traditions Elkins Park, PA | Program Support | $64,600 |
| The Ins for Experiential Jewish Edu New York, NY | Program Support | $60,400 |
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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 | $25,195,634 | $28,167,710 | $11,983,337 | $835,600 | 11 | $116,099 |
| 2024 | $9,446,995 | $1,952,937 | $5,908,025 | — | — | $96,803 |
| 2023 | $13,348,142 | $8,426,621 | $5,667,832 | — | — | $43,955 |
| 2022 | $10,743,128 | $5,184,866 | $4,917,976 | — | — | $305 |
| 2021 | $10,397,327 | $8,264,467 | $4,703,089 | — | — | $309 |
| 2020 | $6,748,535 | $4,612,165 | $2,571,238 | — | — | $8,619 |
| 2019 | $4,765,761 | $2,045,244 | $2,251,439 | — | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Leading Edge’s mission is to unite Jewish nonprofits in pursuit of a shared standard of excellence in talent, culture, and leadership, working with organizations and their people to deliver greater impact. Its 2025 filing describes three areas of work: organizational leadership standards; workplace culture and employee experience, including recruitment, retention, and investment in people; and talent development for professionals at every level, from early-career staff to board leaders.
Its 2025 grants were reported as program support. Among the grantees, Adamah describes its work as connecting people and planet through Jewish environmental education, leadership development, and climate action. 70 Faces Media says it provides digital pathways for people to deepen Jewish knowledge, connection, belonging, and meaning. Sefaria describes its work as building a digital library of Jewish texts. Honeymoon Israel says it connects individuals to religious heritage and Jewish community through trips to Israel. Moving Traditions describes its work as supporting Jewish youth wellbeing, caring relationships, and equity and justice.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Leading Edge reported 11 grants totaling $835,600. Grants ranged from $54,100 to $100,000, with a median of $73,000; all listed grants were for program support.
The largest awards included $100,000 to Adamah Inc.; $94,700 to The Jewish Education Project; $89,100 to The Shalom Hartman Institute of North America; $80,000 to Birthright Israel; and $79,300 to Mechon Hadar. Other reported grants were $73,000 to 70 Faces Media, $71,600 to Sefaria, $68,800 to Honeymoon Israel Foundation, $64,600 to Moving Traditions, $60,400 to The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education, and $54,100 to Jewish Studio Project.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Daryl Messinger as board chair; Alisa Doctoroff and Erika Rudin-Luria as vice chairs; Lisa Eisen as secretary; and Randall Kaplan as treasurer. Directors listed are Brian Jaffee, Darin McKeever, Gabrielle Sirner-Cohen, Ilana Kaufman, and Joe Kanfer.
Leading Edge Alliance Inc is led by Gali Cooks, Board Member, President & CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2019); 10 of 30 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Gali Cooks
Board Member, President & CEO
President & CEO → Board Member, President & CEO, 2025
On filings since 2019
39 hrs/week
$239K (2019) → $323K (2025)
Daryl Messinger
Board Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joe Kanfer
Director
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2020
Vice Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly Miller Rubenfeld
Director
Secretary & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Bank
Director
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Kaufman
Director
Chair → Board Member, 2023
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ilana Kaufman
Director
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Darin McKeever
Director
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gabrielle Sirner-Cohen
Director
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marc Baker
Director
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mimi Kravetz
Director
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Platt Newberger
Director
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yolanda Savage-Narva
Director
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laurie Blitzer
Director
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Kay
Director
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Jaffee
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Hoffman
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mordecai Walfish
Chief Advancement Officer
Chief Operating Officer → Chief Advancement Officer, 2024
On filings since 2019
39 hrs/week
$170K (2019) → $232K (2025)
Dena Farber Schoenfeld
Chief Program Officer
Vice President of Executive Programs → Chief Programs Officer, 2022
Chief Programs Officer → Chief Program Officer, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$128K (2020) → $238K (2025)
Seth Chalmer
Vice President & Communications
Director of Communications → Senior Director of Communications, 2022
Senior Director of Communications → Vice President & Communications, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$102K (2021) → $126K (2025)
Dana Childress
Vice President & Program
Vice President of Leading Places to Work → Vice President & Leading Places to Work, 2023
Vice President & Leading Places to Work → Vice President & Program, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$159K (2022) → $169K (2025)
Abby Crawford
Vice President & Program
Vice President & Leadership Programs → Vice President & Leadership, 2024
Vice President & Leadership → Vice President & Program, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$131K (2023) → $158K (2025)
Abby Kaufman
Chief of Staff
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$129K (2025)
Deirdre Munley
Vice President & Program
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$148K (2025)
Ilana Aisen
Chief Community Impact Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$240K (2025)
Robb Lippitt
Interim COO
New on the 2025 filing
39 hrs/week
$260K (2025)
Lisa Eisen
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Randall Kaplan
Treasurer
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alisa Doctoroff
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erika Rudin-Luria
Vice Chair
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Christopher Harrison (2021–2024) — Director & Business Operations
- Former: Danielle Natelson (2022–2024) — Director & Programs
- Former: Amy Born (2019–2023) — Chief Research & Innovation Officer
- Former: Alicia Oberman (2023) — Senior Strategist & Board Leadership
- Former: Samantha Jakubowski (2023) — Senior Director of Advancement
- Former: Sara Singla (2022) — Senior Director, People & Culture
- Former: Elka Abrahamson (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Gabby Sirner-Cohen (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jacob Solomon (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Marty Linsky (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Phyllis Cook (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: David Shapira (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Julie Sandorf (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Sanford R. Cardin (2019) — Chair
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 $323K, to Gali Cooks (Board Member/President/CEO). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Leading Edge Alliance Inc
How much does Leading Edge Alliance Inc give each year?
Leading Edge Alliance Inc gave $836K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
What is Leading Edge Alliance Inc's typical grant size?
Leading Edge Alliance Inc's median grant in 2025 was $73,000, and its average grant was $75,964, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Leading Edge Alliance Inc give grants?
Leading Edge Alliance Inc gives mostly in New York: 66% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Maryland (12%) and Georgia (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (7 grants).
Does Leading Edge Alliance Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Leading Edge Alliance Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (11 grants).
Who are Leading Edge Alliance Inc's largest grantees?
Leading Edge Alliance Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Adamah Inc ($100,000), The Jewish Education Project ($94,700) and The Shalom Hartman Institute of NA ($89,100), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Leading Edge Alliance Inc?
Leading Edge Alliance Inc reported $25.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $28.2M.
What does Leading Edge Alliance Inc fund?
Leading Edge’s mission is to unite Jewish nonprofits in pursuit of a shared standard of excellence in talent, culture, and leadership, working with organizations and their people to deliver greater impact. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Leading Edge Alliance Inc?
Leading Edge Alliance Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check leadingedge.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Leading Edge Alliance Inc's EIN?
Leading Edge Alliance Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-2625263. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 19, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 16, 2020)
Live grants for the work Leading Edge Alliance Inc funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Leading Edge Alliance Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Leading Edge Alliance Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/leading-edge-alliance-inc-morg_069227c00e0f4bd3a90adcc7378d2077
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_812625263_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Leading Edge Alliance Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/leading-edge-alliance-inc-morg_069227c00e0f4bd3a90adcc7378d2077},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Leading Edge Alliance 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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