The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc
The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Uniondale, New York. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations supporting children and families, women, seniors, literacy, and children with cancer and their siblings.
The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc gave $654K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $109K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $654,359
- +0.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +100.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $109,060
- -49.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $30,872
- Primary geography
- New York (95% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1425 Rxr Plaza, Uniondale, NY 11556
Phone: (516) 663-6600
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Child Center of NY Inc ($500K). Together the top 5 received $623K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($30,871), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
76 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 34 grants of 76 (45%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York and 5% to recipients in Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc gives
- Giving fell 60% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $650K (2023) to $1.7M (2020). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $654K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Child Center of NY Inc Forest Hills, NY | Family and Community Support | $500,000 |
| For The Girls Wheaton, MD | Support for Women | $30,872 |
| Jewish Home Lifecare Manhattan New York, NY | Support for Seniors | $30,872 |
| Behind The Book Inc New York, NY | Literacy Support for Students | $30,872 |
| Sunrise Day Camps Association Oceanside, NY | Provide Funding for Day Camp Costs | $30,872 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $30,871 |
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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 | — | $18,960 | $715,429 | $654,359 | 6 | $683,303 | $17,291 | $6,120 |
| 2023 | $696,469 | $28,104 | $705,188 | $650,000 | 3 | $695,388 | $20,604 | $39,183 |
| 2022 | $1,373,553 | $597,044 | $1,604,152 | $1,529,950 | 22 | $1,585,725 | $581,970 | $73,511 |
| 2021 | $2,380,661 | $441,979 | $1,754,793 | $1,636,456 | 19 | $1,723,672 | $418,286 | $163,080 |
| 2020 | $3,693,475 | $373,703 | $1,838,086 | $1,727,144 | 26 | — | $343,713 | $217,967 |
| 2019 | $5,157,858 | $601,229 | $1,767,181 | $1,649,827 | 22 | — | $517,234 | $296,451 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $6K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for family and community services, women, seniors, student literacy, and day-camp costs.
The grantees describe their work in varied terms. The Child Center of NY says it strengthens children and families with skills, opportunities, and emotional support. Behind the Book says its programs use diverse books and authors to help young people cultivate their potential. Sunrise Day Camps Association says it provides free camps, year-round programs, and in-hospital recreational activities for children with cancer and their siblings. Jewish Home Lifecare Manhattan describes its work as transforming eldercare so New Yorkers can live meaningful lives at home. For the Girls says it collects and distributes essential items to women and others experiencing homelessness, impoverishment, or distress.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported six grants totaling $654,359. Grants ranged from $30,871 to $500,000, with a median of $30,872. The largest was $500,000 to The Child Center of NY Inc for family and community support. Other listed grants were $30,872 each to For the Girls, Jewish Home Lifecare Manhattan, Behind the Book Inc, and Sunrise Day Camps Association, plus $30,871 to The Child Center of NY Inc for its Cash and Community Works Program.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Leonard S Elman as president, Richard Altman as vice president, Michael K Keigenbaum as treasurer, and Lori Abramson and Susan Elman as directors.
The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc is led by Leonard S Elman, President since 2024 (on filings since 2019); 4 of 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Leonard S Elman
President
Director & President → President, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$8K (2019) → $8K (2024)
Susan Elman
Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$8K (2019) → $8K (2024)
Lori Abramson
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
$8K (2022) → $8K (2024)
Richard Altman
Vice President
Director & Vice President → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$8K (2019) → $8K (2024)
Michael K Keigenbaum
Treasurer
Director, Secretary & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Lori Zimand (2019–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 $8K, to Lori Abramson (Director). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc
How much does The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc give each year?
The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc gave $654K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $650K across 3 grants.
What is The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $30,872, and its average grant was $109,060, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc give grants?
The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (2 grants).
Does The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include The Child Center of NY Inc ($500,000), For The Girls ($30,872) and Jewish Home Lifecare Manhattan ($30,872), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($30,871), which are not listed by name. Together they received 86% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What does The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for family and community services, women, seniors, student literacy, and day-camp costs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $6K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 11-3523465. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Does The Phyllis Backer Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 13, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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