The Block Friedman Family Foundation
The Block Friedman Family Foundation (formerly known as the Adele and Leonard Block Foundation) is a private family foundation established in 1945 and based in New York City. The foundation is supported by the estate of Adele Block and operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. It focuses its philanthropic efforts on supporting nonprofit organizations primarily in the New York City metropolitan area.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$31.8M
-12.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.7M
+91.3% YoY
Grant Count
23
+21.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$248K
+58.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not maintain a publicly stated mission statement. However, its funding priorities include:
- Arts and culture (museums and theater)
- Education
- Health
- Human services and social services
- Jewish organizations
- Children and youth
- The environment
- Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking
Grantmaking
The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis. It does not maintain a public website or publicly listed contact information. Communication is typically initiated by the foundation rather than through formal grant applications.
Grant Range
Approximately $157,000
Average Grant
Approximately $157,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's giving is concentrated in the New York City metropolitan area, with particular emphasis on organizations in New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending November 2024:
- Total assets: $36,193,390
- Total revenues: $6,262,441
- Total expenses: $3,008,323
- Total liabilities: $1,950
- Investment income and dividends: $13,384,526
Asset Growth: The foundation has experienced substantial growth in recent years, with total assets increasing from approximately $3 million in 2018 to over $36 million in 2024.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $31,785,732 | $36,193,390 | $32,939,272 |
| Revenue | $1,512,018 | $6,262,441 | $13,294,341 |
| Expenses | $5,919,676 | $3,008,323 | $4,228,608 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,711,667 | $2,986,000 | $4,215,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,512,018 | $13,384,526 | $1,014,180 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,067,089 | $1,539,005 | $1,448,046 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
101 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THOMAS BLOCK | PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR | — | — |
| ROBERT HEUN | TREASURER, DIRECTOR | — | — |
| PHILIP HEIMLICH | SECRETARY, DIRECTOR | — | — |
| MARILYN FRIEDMAN | VICE PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR | — | — |
| JONATHAN BLOCK | VICE PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR | — | — |
| ALISON BLOCK | VICE PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR | — | — |
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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