The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation
Further the charitable, educational and religious purposes of the jewish federation of cleveland ("federation").
Key facts about The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation
In short: The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation gave $1.8M across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $292K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 34-1594565
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,752,096
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- Average grant
- $292,016
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $35,961,408
- Primary geography
- Ohio (95% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$36.0M
+9.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.8M
-57.3% YoY
Grant Count
6
-45.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$292K
-21.7% YoY
How The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−10%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
About The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation is a public charity, based in Cleveland, OH. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $36.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $1.8M. Net investment income was $1.5M.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $603K (2022) to $4.1M (2023). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $1.8M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Jewish Federation of Cleveland ($1.0M). Together the top 6 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
34 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 10 grants of 34 (29%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jewish Federation of Cleveland Cleveland, OH | Deepening jewish identity & engagement in st. Petersburg & nw russia, security initiative, stem initiative in israel, youth futures: south expansaion, campaign, | $1,040,096 |
| Bellefaire Jewish Childrens Bureau Shaker Heights, OH | Begun Center for Youth and Family Resiliency | $522,000 |
| Facing History and Ourselves Boston, MA | Professional development, follow up support and access to curricular resources and teaching strategies | $50,000 |
| Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH | Begun STEM Scholarship for Women | $50,000 |
| Jewish Family Service Association Pepper Pike, OH | Begun STEM Scholarship for Women | $50,000 |
| Players Philanthropy Fund Towson, MD | Project: Peace Literacy Institute, Overcoming Extremism | $40,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $35,961,408 | $32,841,454 | $30,243,300 |
| Revenue | $1,460,666 | $1,547,449 | $4,020,354 |
| Expenses | $2,120,285 | $4,629,538 | $764,672 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,456,149 | $1,543,255 | $4,018,635 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation is led by Allan Steinhardt, Trustee & President on every filing since 2020; none of the 12 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Allan Steinhardt
Trustee & President
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Zelman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erika Rudin-Luria
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
J. David Heller
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ruth Sanderson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Suezette Steinhardt
Trustee & Vice President
Vice President → Trustee, 2023
Trustee → Trustee & Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sandra Wuliger
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barry Reis
Assistant Treasurer
Treasurer → Assistant Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kari Blumenthal
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Schwarz
Secretary
Assistant Secretary → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mozelle Jackson
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tal D. Rothstein
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Hedy P. Milgrom (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Kenneth Hochman (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Sally H. Wertheim (2020–2023) — Trustee & Vice President
- Former: Barry Reis Treas (2023) — Assistant Treasurer · Filing note: Thru
- Former: Jennifer Schwarz Sec'y (2023) — Assistant Sec'y · Filing note: As of
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation
How much does The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation give each year?
The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation gave $1.8M across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $4.1M across 11 grants.
What is The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation's typical grant size?
The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $292,016, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation give grants?
The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Cleveland, OH (2 grants).
Does The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation's largest grantees?
The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Jewish Federation of Cleveland ($1,040,096), Bellefaire Jewish Childrens Bureau ($522,000) and Facing History and Ourselves ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 92% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation?
The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation reported $36.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.5M.
What is The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation's EIN?
The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-1594565. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
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