The Gershwind Foundation
The Gershwind Foundation is a private, non-operating foundation based in New York, NY. It operates with limited staffing and focuses on grantmaking in Jewish causes, health, and the arts.
Key facts about The Gershwind Foundation
- EIN
- 46-1617389
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $982,585
- Grants made (2024)
- 49
- Average grant
- $20,053
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (44% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation operates on a preselected-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications for funds.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Gershwind Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Gershwind Foundation's 49 itemized 2024 grants were Pennsylvania (44%), New York (43%) and Massachusetts (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (15 grants), Philadelphia, PA (6 grants), New Hyde Park, NY (6 grants) and East Hills, NY (3 grants). None of its 49 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (15 grants), "Educational" (12 grants) and "Religious" (12 grants).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$983K
+28.0% YoY
Grant Count
49
+25.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
+1.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to:
- Jewish causes — including Jewish religious and cultural organizations, and antidiscrimination organizations
- Public health and access
- Arts and culture
The foundation has strong ties to the Jewish community. Family members have historical connections to Jewish philanthropy, including ties to the UJA-Federation of New York and the Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center on Long Island.
Grantmaking
The foundation operates on a preselected-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications for funds. Support largely goes to the same organizations year after year.
Grant Range
$300–$445,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with The Gershwind Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary giving locations include:
- New York (primary focus)
- West Palm Beach, Florida
- Pennsylvania
- Massachusetts
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 49 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- Total assets: $18.3 million (as of 2023)
- Total assets: $19 million (as of 2024)
Annual Giving:
- Total giving: $982,585 (most recent filing)
- Total expenses: $1.64 million (2023)
Tax Status:
- Tax-exempt since April 1997
- EIN: 11-3359917
- Designated as 501(c)(3)
- Form 990-PF filer
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
160 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Northwell Health Foundation ($205,600 across 6 grants), University of Pennsylvania Associate Vice Provost ($200,000), University of Pennsylvania Family Forum ($179,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATE VICE PROVOST PHILADELPHIA, PA | EDUCATIONAL | $200,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA FAMILY FORUM PHILADELPHIA, PA | EDUCATIONAL | $179,000 |
| HARVARD UNIVERSITY CAMBRIDGE, MA | EDUCATIONAL | $50,000 |
| NEW YORK UNIVERSITY LANGONE NEW YORK, NY | MEDICIAL | $50,000 |
| NORTHWELL HEALTH FOUNDATION NEW HYDE PARK, NY | MEDICAL | $50,000 |
| NORTHWELL HEALTH FOUNDATION NEW HYDE PARK, NY | MEDICAL | $50,000 |
| NORTHWELL HEALTH FOUNDATION NEW HYDE PARK, NY | MEDICAL | $50,000 |
| NORTHWELL HEALTH FOUNDATION NEW HYDE PARK, NY | MEDICAL | $50,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA PHILADELPHIA, PA | EDUCATIONAL | $50,000 |
| THE RIVERSIDE CHURCH IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK NEW YORK, NY | RELIGIOUS | $35,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Marjorie Gershwind Fiverson — Director/President
- Stacey Bennett — Director/Vice President
- Erik Gershwind — Director/Vice President
- J Robert Small — Treasurer/Secretary
- Joshua Jacobson — Director
All board members serve without compensation (0 hours/week reported, $0 annual compensation).
Marjorie Gershwind Fiverson is the sister of billionaire Mitchell Jacobson. In 2006, Erik Gershwind and Stacey Bennett established the Gershwind/Bennett Fund to support acquisitions in Judaica at the University of Pennsylvania, their alma mater.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERIK GERSHWIND | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| JACKIE GERSHWIND | VICE PRESIDENT | — | — |
| J ROBERT SMALL | TREASURER | — | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Gershwind Foundation fund?
The foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to: • **Jewish causes** — including Jewish religious and cultural organizations, and antidiscrimination organizations • **Public health and access** • **Arts and culture** The foundation has strong ties to the Jewish community. Family members have historical connections to Jewish philanthropy, including ties to the UJA-Federation of New York and the Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center on Long Island.
How do I apply for a grant from The Gershwind Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Median grant amount: $3,500 • Grant range: $300–$445,000 • Total grants awarded: 46 (as of 2024 tax filing) **Application Process:** The foundation operates on a preselected-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications for funds. Support largely goes to the same organizations year after year. **Recent Grant Examples:** • $75,000 to American Israel Education Foundation (2021) • $25,000 to The Jewish Museum (2021) • $25,000 to American Friends of the Israel…
Where does The Gershwind Foundation make grants?
Primary giving locations include: • New York (primary focus) • West Palm Beach, Florida • Pennsylvania • Massachusetts
What size grants does The Gershwind Foundation award?
In 2024, The Gershwind Foundation awarded 49 grants totaling $983K — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Gershwind Foundation's EIN?
The Gershwind Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-1617389. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Gershwind Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. The foundation operates on a preselected-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications for funds.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Gershwind Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.