The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation
Further the charitable, educational and religious purposes of the jewish federation of cleveland ("federation").
The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation at a glance
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.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,752,096
- -57.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- -45.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $292,016
- -21.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $35,961,408
- +9.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Ohio (95% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Semi J & Ruth W Begun Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Jewish Federation of Cleveland ($1.0M). Together the top 5 received $1.7M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($50,000), which are not listed by name.
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%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
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.
Giving History
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.
Grants by year
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 |
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $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 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $35,961,408 | $1,460,666 | $2,120,285 | $1,752,096 | 6 | $1,456,149 |
| 2023 | $32,841,454 | $1,547,449 | $4,629,538 | $4,101,466 | 11 | $1,543,255 |
| 2022 | $30,243,300 | $4,020,354 | $764,672 | $602,500 | 2 | $4,018,635 |
| 2021 | $38,634,216 | $459,559 | $2,491,296 | $1,938,619 | 10 | $456,692 |
| 2020 | $34,628,814 | $908,580 | $1,032,111 | $885,000 | 5 | $905,882 |
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.
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.
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. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($50,000), which are not listed by name. 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.
Data update history
(6)
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
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