Ruderman Family Foundation
The Ruderman Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Newton Center, Massachusetts. Guided by Jewish values, it works to reduce mental health stigma and promote emotional well-being, foster understanding between Israeli leaders and the American Jewish community, and model strategic philanthropy worldwide.
Ruderman Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Ruderman Family Foundation gave $6.0M across 43 grants in 2024 (avg $138K), top state New York. 47% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,951,500
- +11.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- -4.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $138,407
- +17.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $40,000
- Total assets
- $163,623,826
- -0.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (20 of 43, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (16% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Ruderman Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Its 2024 filing says it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. The filing lists Sharon E. Shapiro as the contact, says application forms and materials are not applicable, and restricts awards to organizations qualifying under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Review Cycle
- None listed on the 2024 filing.
- Deadline
- None listed on the 2024 filing.
- Contact
Application contact: Sharon E Shapiro
Mailing address: PO Box 590100 716 Beacon Street, Newton Center, MA 02459
Phone: (617) 599-9919
Website: https://rudermanfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ruderman Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ruderman Family Foundation Israel (Amutah) ($3.0M). Together the top 10 received $4.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
249 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 153 grants of 249 (61%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Newton Center, Massachusetts. Its website describes philanthropic activity in the United States, Israel, and around the world. Its 2024 grants included recipients in New York, Massachusetts, California, New Jersey, Colorado, and Israel.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Ruderman Family Foundation open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 20 of 43 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $49K; repeat grants $216K. How we count
Medians: $23K first-time, $52K repeat.
- 40% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 26% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 109% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.3M (2020) to $10.6M (2022). In 2024 it made 43 grants totaling $6.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ruderman Family Foundation Israel (Amutah) | General Purpose | $3,000,000 |
| American Society of the Univ of Haifa New York, NY | General Purpose | $400,000 |
| William James College Newton, MA | General Purpose | $250,000 |
| Academy Foundation Beverly Hills, CA | General Purpose | $205,000 |
| New Meta Entertainment Inc (NME) Newark, NJ | General Purpose | $200,000 |
| The Giving Back Fund Boston, MA | General Purpose | $200,000 |
| Bamidbar Denver, CO | General Purpose | $185,000 |
| American Friends of TEL Aviv University New York, NY | General Purpose | $155,000 |
| Jewish National Fund Rockville Center, NY | General Purpose | $150,000 |
| The Princeton Review - TPR Education Newton Center, MA | General Purpose | $132,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Ruderman Family 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 | $163,623,826 | $8,697,226 | $9,603,371 | $5,951,500 | 43 | $9,244,034 | $8,552,091 | $8,510,326 |
| 2023 | $164,639,803 | $5,201,717 | $9,030,545 | $5,323,705 | 45 | $8,542,134 | $6,463,529 | $8,230,099 |
| 2022 | $168,637,781 | $20,908,845 | $13,804,227 | $10,594,191 | 54 | $13,146,689 | $20,593,292 | $8,406,941 |
| 2021 | $161,614,404 | $9,111,768 | $7,481,550 | $4,721,310 | 50 | $6,870,460 | $8,710,452 | $9,574,572 |
| 2020 | $160,070,227 | $6,844,556 | $7,039,511 | $4,310,770 | 57 | — | $6,497,486 | $8,775,320 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ruderman Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to end the stigma surrounding mental health and promote emotional well-being for all; foster a more nuanced understanding of the American Jewish community among Israeli leaders; and model strategic philanthropy worldwide.
Its website describes mental health advocacy focused on young adults, including partnerships with higher education institutions, organizations, and field experts in Massachusetts. Its Israel-American Jewish relations work aims to strengthen the relationship between Israel and the American Jewish community through awareness, dialogue, and mutual learning. The foundation also promotes multi-sector philanthropic ventures and effective philanthropic practices.
Among its 2024 grantees, William James College describes its mission as educating specialists to meet society’s evolving mental health needs. Lenny Learning says it provides a digital platform to help K–12 counselors, teachers, and administrators assess and address student behavioral health. Bamidbar describes its work supporting Jewish youth and young adults as they navigate life’s challenges. Other grantees include organizations whose stated missions involve Jewish life and Israel, Holocaust memory, philanthropy, and educational and cultural activities in the motion picture industry.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 43 grants totaling $5,951,500. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $3,000,000, with a median of $40,000. The largest listed award was $3,000,000 to Ruderman Family Foundation Israel (Amutah) for general purposes. Other notable awards included $400,000 to the American Society of the University of Haifa, $250,000 to William James College, $205,000 to Academy Foundation, and $200,000 each to New Meta Entertainment and The Giving Back Fund; each was listed for general purposes.
The foundation’s website says it issues invitations to apply after analysis indicates shared vision, innovation, organizational strength, and willingness to collaborate. It reports that staff are involved in program development and monitor both multi-year and single-year or pilot programs. The foundation also states that it does not provide direct services, referrals, or work with individuals.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing are Jay Seth Ruderman, president and trustee; Sharon Ellen Shapiro, community liaison and trustee; Todd Adam Ruderman, trustee; Marcia Ruderman, trustee; Lawrence Jacobs, trustee; Shira Ruderman, executive director; and Hanna Shaul Bar Nissim, deputy director.
Ruderman Family Foundation is led by Jay Seth Ruderman, President & Trustee on every filing since 2020; 4 of 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jay Seth Ruderman
President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$293K (2020) → $330K (2024)
Shira Ruderman
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$156K (2020) → $226K (2024)
Sharon Ellen Shapiro
Community Liaison & Trustee
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$113K (2020) → $126K (2024)
Lawrence Jacobs
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marcia Ruderman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd Adam Ruderman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hanna Shaul Bar Nissim
Deputy Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$109K (2020) → $175K (2024)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $330K, to Jay Seth Ruderman (President & Trustee). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Ruderman Family Foundation
How much does Ruderman Family Foundation give each year?
Ruderman Family Foundation gave $6.0M across 43 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5.3M across 45 grants.
What is Ruderman Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Ruderman Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $40,000, and its average grant was $138,407, across 43 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ruderman Family Foundation that year got $49K on average.
Where does Ruderman Family Foundation give grants?
Ruderman Family Foundation's top state is New York, with 16% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Massachusetts (15%) and California (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (11 grants), New York, NY (9 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants) and Beverly Hills, CA (2 grants).
Does Ruderman Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Ruderman Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (43 of 43) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Ruderman Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Ruderman Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Ruderman Family Foundation Israel (Amutah) ($3,000,000), American Society of the Univ of Haifa ($400,000) and William James College ($250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ruderman Family Foundation?
Ruderman Family Foundation reported $163.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $9.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $8.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Ruderman Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to end the stigma surrounding mental health and promote emotional well-being for all; foster a more nuanced understanding of the American Jewish community among Israeli leaders; and model strategic philanthropy worldwide. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ruderman Family Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ruderman Family Foundation's EIN?
Ruderman Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3334973. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Ruderman Family 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Ruderman Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ruderman Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ruderman Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ruderman-family-foundation-morg_4cca704521524fa5ae13a714e4741c3d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_043334973_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ruderman Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ruderman-family-foundation-morg_4cca704521524fa5ae13a714e4741c3d},
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 Ruderman Family 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.
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