Richard & Deborah Polonsky
Richard & Deborah Polonsky is a private foundation located in Worcester, Massachusetts. Its most recent filing on record is for 2020, with no filings since; it appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
Richard & Deborah Polonsky at a glance
In short: Richard & Deborah Polonsky gave $12K across 19 grants in 2020 (avg $635.158), mostly in California. Source: 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2020)
- $12,068
- Grants made (2020)
- 19
- Average grant
- $635
- Median grant
- $150
- Total assets
- $179
- Primary geography
- California (92% of itemized 2020 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2020 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2020; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Richard & Deborah Polonsky
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation stated on its 2019 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. This describes the policy stated on that filing, not a current application process.
- Contact
Mailing address: Co Grkb 306 Main St Ste 400, Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 791-0901
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Richard & Deborah Polonsky funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2020
The largest 2020 recipient was Temple Bat Yahm ($7K). Together the top 10 received $11K.
Grant Size Distribution
19 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 19 grants of 19 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2020, 92% of grant dollars went to recipients in California. The remaining shares went to recipients in Washington, DC (3%), Massachusetts (3%), Maryland (1%), and New York (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2020 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2020 it made 19 grants totaling $12K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Temple Bat Yahm Newport Coast, CA | General | $7,330 |
| Philharmonica Society of Orange County Irvine, CA | General | $2,000 |
| CA Literary & Prologue Society Los Angeles, CA | General | $505 |
| US Holocaust Museum Washington, DC | General | $330 |
| Alzheimer's Association Los Angeles, CA | General | $300 |
| AARP Foundation Long Beach, CA | General | $249 |
| South Coast MFO San Clemente, CA | General | $200 |
| Yiddish Book Center Amherst, MA | General | $154 |
| Boston University Boston, MA | General | $150 |
| Disabled Veterans National Foundation Lanham, MD | General | $150 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $179 | $11,500 | $12,103 | $12,068 | 19 | $57 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Richard & Deborah Polonsky reported a distributable amount of $57 for 2020 — 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 2020 grants went to organizations including a synagogue, arts and cultural organizations, a hospital foundation, and organizations addressing health, veterans’ needs, and Holocaust remembrance.
The Disabled Veterans National Foundation describes its mission as changing the lives of people who returned wounded or sick after military service. Hoag Hospital Foundation says its primary exempt purpose is to raise funds for Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2020, the foundation reported 19 grants totaling $12,068. Grant amounts ranged from $25 to $7,330, with a median of $150. The largest grants listed were $7,330 to Temple Bat Yahm in Newport Coast, California; $2,000 to Philharmonica Society of Orange County in Irvine, California; and $505 to CA Literary & Prologue Society in Los Angeles, California. Other listed grants included $330 to the US Holocaust Museum and $300 to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2020 filing lists Richard Polonsky and Deborah Polonsky as trustees.
Richard & Deborah Polonsky's 2020 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2020 report compensation.
Officers on the 2020 filing
Deborah Polonsky
Trustee
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Polonsky
Trustee
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020. "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 Richard & Deborah Polonsky
How much does Richard & Deborah Polonsky give each year?
Richard & Deborah Polonsky gave $12K across 19 grants in 2020, according to its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is Richard & Deborah Polonsky's typical grant size?
Richard & Deborah Polonsky's median grant in 2020 was $150, and its average grant was $635, across 19 grants on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Richard & Deborah Polonsky give grants?
Richard & Deborah Polonsky gives mostly in California: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (2 grants), Washington, DC (2 grants), Long Beach, CA (2 grants) and Santa Ana, CA (2 grants).
Does Richard & Deborah Polonsky give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Richard & Deborah Polonsky's 2020 grants with a stated purpose (19 of 19) were for general or operating support, per its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Richard & Deborah Polonsky's largest grantees?
Richard & Deborah Polonsky's largest 2020 grantees include Temple Bat Yahm ($7,330), Philharmonica Society of Orange County ($2,000) and CA Literary & Prologue Society ($505), according to its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 81% of its itemized 2020 grant dollars.
How large is Richard & Deborah Polonsky?
Richard & Deborah Polonsky reported $179 in total assets on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $12K.
What does Richard & Deborah Polonsky fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2020 grants went to organizations including a synagogue, arts and cultural organizations, a hospital foundation, and organizations addressing health, veterans’ needs, and Holocaust remembrance. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Richard & Deborah Polonsky?
The foundation stated on its 2019 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Richard & Deborah Polonsky required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2020, Richard & Deborah Polonsky reported a distributable amount of $57 on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Richard & Deborah Polonsky's EIN?
Richard & Deborah Polonsky's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-1039617. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020.
Does Richard & Deborah Polonsky 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 year 2020
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