Posel Foundation
Posel Foundation is a private foundation based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its 2022 filing is marked as a final return and states that contributions to public charities resulted in the foundation’s termination during that taxable year; it therefore appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
Posel Foundation at a glance
In short: Posel Foundation gave $340K across 29 grants in 2023 (avg $12K), top state New York. 28% of 2023 grantees were new. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $339,500
- +19.1% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 29
- +123.1% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $11,707
- -46.6% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (8 of 29, 2023)
- Primary geography
- New York (28% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Posel Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. This policy appears in a filing marked as final; it should not be treated as a current application opportunity.
- Contact
Mailing address: 212 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: (215) 627-0900
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Posel Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Center for Victims of Torture ($72K). Together the top 10 received $205K.
Grant Size Distribution
184 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 177 grants of 184 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2023, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in New York (28%), Minnesota (21%), Washington, DC (13%), Massachusetts (9%), and California (6%). The reported grants also included recipients in other states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 29 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Posel Foundation open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 8 of 29 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 7% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
- Giving fell 93% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2023). 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 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $285K (2022) to $5.1M (2020). In 2023 it made 29 grants totaling $340K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Center for Victims of Torture St. Paul, MN | General Support | $72,000 |
| Syrian American Medical Society Washington, DC | General Support | $27,500 |
| Reader to Reader Amherst, MA | General Support | $20,000 |
| Democracy Now New York, NY | General Support | $15,000 |
| Equal Justice USA Brooklyn, NY | General Support | $15,000 |
| Partners in Health Frederick, MD | General Support | $15,000 |
| American Friends Service Committee Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $10,000 |
| American Indian College Fund Denver, CO | General Support | $10,000 |
| Center for Transformative Action Itacha, NY | General Support | $10,000 |
| Earthjustice San Francisco, CA | General Support | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Asset figures are not provided for 2023.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | $-664 | $350,209 | $339,500 | 29 | $344,660 | — | $4,993 |
| 2022 | $350,873 | $112,795 | $300,360 | $285,000 | 13 | $288,556 | $106,556 | $26,483 |
| 2021 | $538,438 | $207,876 | $607,845 | $587,000 | 32 | — | $246,259 | $41,578 |
| 2020 | $938,407 | $3,097,059 | $5,114,167 | $5,105,407 | 110 | — | $139,373 | $123,558 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Posel Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants included support for organizations whose own missions address a range of needs. For example, the Syrian American Medical Society describes its work as delivering life-saving services, revitalizing health systems during crises, and promoting medical education. Reader to Reader describes providing books and computers to schools, libraries, and outreach programs in low-income communities, as well as coordinating literacy programs.
Other 2023 grantees describe work in justice and public health: Equal Justice USA says it seeks to transform the justice system by promoting responses to violence that break cycles of trauma. Earthjustice describes using law and partnerships to protect health and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. Ithaca Welcomes Refugees describes fostering a welcoming and fair environment for refugees and immigrants.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2023, the foundation reported 29 grants totaling $339,500. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $72,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest reported grants included $72,000 to the Center for Victims of Torture, $27,500 to the Syrian American Medical Society, and $20,000 to Reader to Reader. Democracy Now and Equal Justice USA each received $15,000.
The listed 2023 grants were designated for general support. The foundation’s 2022 filing states that it made contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Anne Posel as president, Ellen Posel as vice president, and Frances Posel as secretary/treasurer.
Posel Foundation is led by Anne Posel, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Anne Posel
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Ellen Posel
Vice President
Secretary → Vice President, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Frances Posel
Secretary & Treasurer
Director → Secretary & Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Benjamin Posel (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Daniel Posel (2020) — Vice President
- Former: Sidney Posel (2020) — Director · Filing note: Deceased
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "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 Posel Foundation
How much does Posel Foundation give each year?
Posel Foundation gave $340K across 29 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $285K across 13 grants.
What is Posel Foundation's typical grant size?
Posel Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $10,000, and its average grant was $11,707, across 29 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Posel Foundation that year got $8K on average.
Where does Posel Foundation give grants?
Posel Foundation's top state is New York, with 28% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Minnesota (21%) and District of Columbia (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (3 grants), New York, NY (3 grants), Ithaca, NY (3 grants) and Itacha, NY (2 grants).
Does Posel Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Posel Foundation's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (29 of 29) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Posel Foundation's largest grantees?
Posel Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include Center for Victims of Torture ($72,000), Syrian American Medical Society ($27,500) and Reader to Reader ($20,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
What does Posel Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants included support for organizations whose own missions address a range of needs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Posel Foundation?
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Posel Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, Posel Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Posel Foundation's EIN?
Posel Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-2581520. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Does Posel Foundation 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
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Figures come from Posel 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.
Posel Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?