Torah Defenders Fund
Torah Defenders Fund is a private foundation based in Lawrence, New York. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including schools and other Jewish organizations.
Torah Defenders Fund at a glance
In short: Torah Defenders Fund gave $160K across 27 grants in 2024 (avg $6K), mostly in New York. 22% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $159,750
- +75.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 27
- +12.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $5,917
- +55.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,600
- Total assets
- $159,491
- -63.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (6 of 27, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (69% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Torah Defenders Fund
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: C/O 120 Hards Lane, Lawrence, NY 11559
Phone: (516) 371-9289
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Torah Defenders Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Yad Eliezer ($23K). Together the top 10 received $135K.
Grant Size Distribution
83 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 83 grants of 83 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 69% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 16% to California, 14% to New Jersey, and 1% to Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 27 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Torah Defenders Fund open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 27 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $6K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 63% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 119% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $73K (2021) to $160K (2024). In 2024 it made 27 grants totaling $160K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Yad Eliezer Brooklyn, NY | Charitable | $22,500 |
| Lev Lachim Lakewood, NJ | Charitable | $21,600 |
| American Friends of Orchos Chaim Northridge, CA | Charitable | $20,000 |
| Manhattan High School New York, NY | Charitable | $15,000 |
| Yeshiva Ktana Long Island Inwood, NY | Charitable | $15,000 |
| Shuvu Brooklyn, NY | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Ahavas Chesed Brooklyn, NY | Charitable | $9,000 |
| American Friends Kesher Yehudi Woodmere, NY | Charitable | $9,000 |
| Torah Academy for Girls Far Rockaway, NY | Charitable | $8,000 |
| Ayelet Hashachar Los Angeles, CA | Charitable | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Torah Defenders Fund?
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 | $159,491 | $249,471 | $161,638 | $159,750 | 27 | $159,750 | $141,621 | $4,959 |
| 2023 | $437,926 | $30,264 | $94,162 | $91,300 | 24 | $91,300 | $28,974 | $7,995 |
| 2022 | $501,824 | $238,075 | $126,587 | $122,900 | 14 | $122,900 | $95,675 | $10,653 |
| 2021 | $390,336 | $419,827 | $72,925 | $72,900 | 18 | $72,925 | $117,106 | $4,535 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Torah Defenders Fund reported a distributable amount of $5K 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 fund is available. Its 2024 grants went to organizations including schools and other charitable organizations. One recipient, Peylim Lev Lachim, describes its own work as supporting Jewish, Torah-based programs, with a primary focus on education, outreach, social services, counseling, school placement, and adult education programs in Israel.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the fund reported 27 grants totaling $159,750. Grants ranged from $180 to $22,500, with a median of $1,600. Notable recipients included Yad Eliezer ($22,500), Lev Lachim ($21,600), American Friends of Orchos Chaim ($20,000), Manhattan High School ($15,000), and Yeshiva Ktana Long Island ($15,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Michael Bernstein, MD, as president and Rose Bernstein as treasurer.
Torah Defenders Fund is led by Michael Bernstein MD, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michael Bernstein MD
President
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rose Bernstein
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 Torah Defenders Fund
How much does Torah Defenders Fund give each year?
Torah Defenders Fund gave $160K across 27 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $91K across 24 grants.
What is Torah Defenders Fund's typical grant size?
Torah Defenders Fund's median grant in 2024 was $1,600, and its average grant was $5,917, across 27 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Torah Defenders Fund that year got $6K on average.
Where does Torah Defenders Fund give grants?
Torah Defenders Fund gives mostly in New York: 69% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (16%) and New Jersey (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Brooklyn, NY (8 grants), Far Rockaway, NY (4 grants), Lawrence, NY (3 grants) and Lakewood, NJ (2 grants).
Does Torah Defenders Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 27 grants with a stated purpose on Torah Defenders Fund's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (27 grants).
Who are Torah Defenders Fund's largest grantees?
Torah Defenders Fund's largest 2024 grantees include Yad Eliezer ($22,500), Lev Lachim ($21,600) and American Friends of Orchos Chaim ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Torah Defenders Fund?
Torah Defenders Fund reported $159K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $160K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Torah Defenders Fund fund?
No mission statement for the fund is available. Its 2024 grants went to organizations including schools and other charitable organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Torah Defenders Fund?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it 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 ↑
What is Torah Defenders Fund's EIN?
Torah Defenders Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-7292662. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Does Torah Defenders Fund accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Live grants for the work Torah Defenders Fund funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Torah Defenders Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Moses and Miriam Vogel Charitable Foundation Tr
Brooklyn, NY
The foundation supports charitable organizations, with reported giving spanning Jewish education, aid to indigent families, and medical and social services. Its 2024 filing shows one grant of $180,923 for general support to a recipient in Brooklyn, New York; earlier grants went to organizations in several states. It contributes only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.4M
Grants
1
Total Given
$181K
The Hirsch Family Charitable
Cedarhurst, NY
Assets
$1.5M
Grants
9
Total Given
$160K
Bais Vaad Lchachomim Foundation
Lakewood, NJ
The foundation supports religious, educational, and other charitable organizations, with most 2024 funding going to New Jersey and the rest to New York. Its 20 grants ranged from $100 to $81,108, with a median of $2,320. It accepts unsolicited requests; applications should include a letter from an ordained minister attesting to need.
Assets
$1K
Grants
20
Total Given
$167K
Koyfman Family Foundation Inc
Teaneck, NJ
The foundation gives primarily to religious and other charitable organizations, with 2024 grants ranging from $25 to $26,800 (median $180). Its grants went mainly to organizations in New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Ohio. It supports only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$405K
Grants
50
Total Given
$80K
Birnbaum Family Foundation
Lawrence, NY
The Birnbaum Family Foundation supports Jewish education and religious organizations, along with family services and charitable assistance, primarily in New York and New Jersey. Its 2024 grants ranged from $54 to $50,000, with a median of $1,606. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$7.7M
Grants
72
Total Given
$365K
Greenzweig Family Foundation
Monsey, NY
The Greenzweig Family Foundation supports charitable organizations with general operating support; its 2024 filing reports one grant of $180,501 to a recipient in Monsey, New York. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$1.5M
Grants
1
Total Given
$181K
More similar funders
More Funders in New York
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Torah Defenders Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/torah-defenders-fund-morg_1346651c5f6d458ba75c3516a0a0fb65
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_467292662_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Torah Defenders Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/torah-defenders-fund-morg_1346651c5f6d458ba75c3516a0a0fb65},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Torah Defenders Fund's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Torah Defenders Fund down — hundreds of funders to go?