The Wilf Family Foundation
The Wilf Family Foundation is a private foundation established in 1964 and based in Short Hills, New Jersey. It operates as part of a larger collection of six family foundations with combined assets exceeding $74 million. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that has been tax-exempt since May 1966.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$70.0M
-6.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$17.5M
+50.9% YoY
Grant Count
81
-8.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$216K
+63.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Wilf Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Wilf Family Foundations' mission is to perpetuate the philanthropic vision of founders Harry and Joseph Wilf, Holocaust survivors and brothers, along with their wives Judith and Elizabeth. The foundations operate according to Jewish traditions of tzedakah (charity) and tikkun olam (repairing the world).
Primary funding areas include:
- Jewish causes and welfare funds
- Educational programs and institutions
- Temple support
- Health organizations
- Social justice initiatives, including voting rights and criminal justice reform
- Israel and international Jewish causes
- Arts and culture
- Emergency relief
- Military veterans support
- Community services for underserved communities
Grantmaking
The Wilf Family Foundation operates through six separate entities:
Grant Range
$0K - $1.0M
Average Grant
amount: $131,774
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundations support charitable organizations in the United States, Israel, and globally, with particular focus on New York, New Jersey, and Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending October 2024:
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Assets | $69,974,352 |
| Total Revenue | $6,494,820 |
| Total Expenses | $18,355,560 |
| Total Liabilities | $0 |
| Net Income | -$11,860,740 |
| Annual Giving | $17,497,297 |
Revenue Sources (FY 2024):
- Investment income and dividends: $2,943,850
- Total grants and contributions: $0
Staffing: The foundation operates with 1 employee.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $69,974,352 | $74,508,455 | $80,669,058 |
| Revenue | $6,494,820 | $9,645,947 | $9,190,585 |
| Expenses | $18,355,560 | $12,422,668 | $9,261,666 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $18,305,440 | $12,342,234 | $9,119,271 |
| Net Investment Income | $5,073,525 | $6,698,714 | $3,387,791 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,473,628 | $3,699,474 | $4,806,606 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest Nj ($8,528,279), Jewish Federations of North America ($625,000), Atlantic Health System Inc ($400,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICA GIVES INC NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR SHAARE ZEDEK NEW YORK, NY | CAPITAL SUPPORT | $200,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MDA NEW YORK, NY | MEMORIAL DONATION | $918 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE NEW YORK, NY | CAPITAL SUPPORT | $200,000 |
| AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $200,000 |
| AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE NEW YORK, NY | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $200,000 |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS FAIRFIELD, NJ | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR HOLOCAUST REMEBRANCE TEANECK, NJ | GENERAL SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| APPEAL OF CONSCIENCE FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by second and third generation family members, including:
- Leonard Wilf
- Zygmunt (Zygi) Wilf
- Mark Wilf
- Elizabeth Wilf
Leonard and Zygmunt Wilf are co-owners of the National Football League's Minnesota Vikings.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEONARD WILF | PRESIDENT & TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ZYGMUNT WILF | VICE PRESIDENT & TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MARK WILF | SECRETARY & TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ORIN WILF | TREASURER & TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ELIZABETH WILF | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ELANA WILF TANZMAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JASON WILF | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JONATHAN WILF | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| STEVEN WILF | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DANIEL WILF | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| HALLE WILF | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| RACHEL S WILF | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| STEPHANIE WILF | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Wilf Family Foundations demonstrated significant philanthropic commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing over $5 million to relief efforts. The foundations have also supported major initiatives including the completion of a new home for Israeli Holocaust survivors and contributed $500,000 for Texas flood relief. Additionally, the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital received a $5 million gift from the Wilf family.
Wilf Family Foundation Completes New Home for Israeli Holocaust SurvivorsThe foundations awarded $4 million for social justice initiatives, reflecting their commitment to voting rights and criminal justice reform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Wilf Family Foundation fund?
The Wilf Family Foundations' mission is to perpetuate the philanthropic vision of founders Harry and Joseph Wilf, Holocaust survivors and brothers, along with their wives Judith and Elizabeth. The foundations operate according to Jewish traditions of tzedakah (charity) and tikkun olam (repairing the world). Primary funding areas include: • Jewish causes and welfare funds • Educational programs and institutions • Temple support • Health organizations • Social justice initiatives, including votin…
How do I apply for a grant from The Wilf Family Foundation?
The Wilf Family Foundation operates through six separate entities: • Zygmunt and Audrey Wilf Foundation • The Z S & M Wilf Foundation • The Mark and Jane Wilf Family Foundation • The L.A.W. Foundation • Joseph and Elizabeth Wilf Foundation • The Wilf Family Foundation (primary entity) **Grant Activity (Fiscal Year Ending October 2024):** • Total grants distributed: $17,497,297 • Number of grants made: 59 grants • Grant range: $0K - $1.0M • Average grant amount: $131,774 • Notable recent grants …
Where does The Wilf Family Foundation make grants?
The foundations support charitable organizations in the United States, Israel, and globally, with particular focus on New York, New Jersey, and Florida.
What size grants does The Wilf Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Wilf Family Foundation awarded 81 grants totaling $17.5M — an average of about $216K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Wilf Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Wilf Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Wilf Family Foundation's EIN?
The Wilf Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-6075840. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Wilf Family 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.
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