sa.html type: exa:news title: Padnos Family Donates Gift Exceeding $1 million to The Jean & Samuel Frankel Center for Judaic Studies | U-M LSA Frankel Center for Judaic Studies
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$176.4M
-8.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$29.8M
+90.7% YoY
Grant Count
16
-23.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1.9M
+150.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Samuel and Jean Frankel reported a distributable amount of $17.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation focuses primarily on:
- Jewish heritage and cultural institutions
- Jewish studies programs
- Jewish schools and educational institutions
- Synagogues
- Jewish federated giving programs
- Higher education with Jewish studies components
- Fine and performing arts
- Health organizations
- Human services
Grantmaking
Invitation only—no public application process
Grant Range
Varies significantly based on project, up to $20 million
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary focus on Michigan, particularly the Detroit metropolitan area.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $176.4 million
- Total revenues: $16,017,141
- Total expenses: $31,507,600
- Investment income and dividends: $9,689,986
As of 2023:
- Annual giving: $15,625,032
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $176,416,118 | $192,551,580 | $183,056,867 |
| Revenue | $16,017,141 | $29,440,832 | $36,498,415 |
| Expenses | $31,507,600 | $17,567,225 | $32,608,144 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $29,800,639 | $15,625,032 | $31,197,213 |
| Net Investment Income | $10,962,866 | $29,036,071 | $37,779,966 |
| Distributable Amount | $17,581,224 | $15,452,472 | $14,966,942 |
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
105 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Yeshiva Beth Yehudah ($25,289,785), Nistar ($1,125,000), Mesorah Heritage Foundation ($1,000,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FUND TROY, MI | EDUCATIONAL | $325,000 |
| B'NAI BRITH YOUTH ORGANIZATION WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI | RELIGIOUS | $75,000 |
| HEBREW DAY SCHOOL OF ANN ARBOR ANN ARBOR, MI | EDUCATIONAL | $50,000 |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI | EDUCATIONAL | $179,250 |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF METRO DETROIT BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI | ISRAEL YOUTH TRAVEL | $496,604 |
| MESORAH HERITAGE FOUNDATION BROOKLYN, NY | RELIGIOUS | $1,000,000 |
| MIRIAM'S WELL -- BE'ER MIRIAM SAUGERTIES, NY | RELIGIOUS | $225,000 |
| NCSY WASHINGTON, DC | EDUCATIONAL & RELIGIOUS | $64,000 |
| NISTAR BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI | DISCRETIONARY | $1,125,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HILLEL ANN ARBOR, MI | EDUCATIONAL | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STANLEY FRANKEL | PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEE | — | — |
| STANLEY FRANKEL | TREASURER AND TRUSTEE | — | — |
| JUDITH FRANKEL | SECRETARY AND TRUSTEE | — | — |
| ARTHUR WEISS | ASSISANT SECRETARY | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: 2301 W Big Beaver Rd, Suite 900, Troy, MI 48084-3332
Phone: (248) 649-2600
EIN: 30-0095016
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Samuel and Jean Frankel fund?
The foundation focuses primarily on: • Jewish heritage and cultural institutions • Jewish studies programs • Jewish schools and educational institutions • Synagogues • Jewish federated giving programs • Higher education with Jewish studies components • Fine and performing arts • Health organizations • Human services
How do I apply for a grant from The Samuel and Jean Frankel?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: $15.6 million (2023) • Total assets: $176.4 million (2024) • Number of grants: 21 awards in 2023 • Grant range: Varies significantly based on project, up to $20 million **Application Process:** Invitation only—no public application process **Recent Grants (2024):** • Nistar: $1,125,000 • Mesorah Heritage Foundation: $1,000,000 • American Israel Education Fund: $325,000 **Notable Transformational Gifts:** The foundation made a $20 million endowment gift to th…
Where does The Samuel and Jean Frankel make grants?
Primary focus on Michigan, particularly the Detroit metropolitan area.
What size grants does The Samuel and Jean Frankel award?
In 2024, The Samuel and Jean Frankel awarded 16 grants totaling $29.8M — an average of about $1.9M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Samuel and Jean Frankel required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Samuel and Jean Frankel reported a distributable amount of $17.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Samuel and Jean Frankel's EIN?
The Samuel and Jean Frankel's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 30-0095016. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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