Wexner Foundation
The Wexner Foundation is a philanthropic organization headquartered in New Albany, Ohio, with additional offices in New York City and Jerusalem. Founded in 1983 by Leslie Wexner, the organization operates as a 501(c)(3) private foundation focused on developing leadership across two primary sectors: the North American Jewish community and Israel's public service sector. The foundation merged two separate organizations in 2003 to create a unified entity running multiple leadership development programs.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.6M
+25.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$177K
-96.0% YoY
Grant Count
21
-30.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
-94.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The Wexner Foundation develops and inspires leaders in the North American Jewish Community and across the public service sector in the State of Israel. Through pluralistic, cohort-based educational initiatives, the Foundation invests in promising professionals and volunteers, giving them tools to exercise transformative leadership.
The organization works in partnership with other foundations, federations, philanthropists, and organizations to develop a robust, meaningful, and increasingly diverse North American Jewish community. The Foundation is committed to Ahavat Yisrael—a love for the entirety of the Jewish People—and actively fosters enduring connections between Wexner leaders in North America and Israel.
Primary Program Areas:
Wexner Heritage Program: A religious education program that strengthens Jewish community leaders through intensive study of text in Bible, history, philosophy, and law led by experienced clergy and faculty. (2024 expenses: $2,567,155)
Wexner Israel Fellowship Program: A leadership development program for mid-career leaders in Israel's public sector, operated as a unique partnership between the Wexner Foundation, Israel's civil service, and Harvard. (2024 expenses: $1,558,292)
Wexner Graduate Fellowship/Davidson Scholars Program: Provides leadership development for Jewish communal professionals in graduate schools. This program was renamed in 2006 when the William Davidson Foundation joined as a partner. (2024 expenses: $3,168,126)
Additional Programs: Since 2013, the Foundation has launched the Wexner Service Corps (2013), Wexner Field Fellowship (2013), and Wexner Senior Leaders (2014).
Core Values: The Foundation pursues its work with integrity, transparency, and in pursuit of excellence. Its philosophy of leadership development is based on an artful mix of individual talent, thoughtful curriculum, and diverse-by-design peer cohorts.
Grantmaking
The Foundation makes grants to support its educational fellowship programs and related Jewish charitable initiatives. Recent grant activity includes:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation operates across North America with a focus on the United States and Canada, supporting initiatives in major cities including New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. The organization also maintains significant operations in Israel, with offices in Jerusalem supporting its public sector leadership programs.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Summary:
- Total Revenue: $12,842,712
- Total Expenses: $12,186,217
- Net Income: $656
- Total Assets: $4,640,042
- Total Liabilities: $297,000
Historical Context: The Foundation's 2015 filings showed revenue of $15,181,043 and expenses of $15,288,406, indicating significant philanthropic activity and grant distribution.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,640,042 | $3,686,906 | $6,442,852 |
| Revenue | $12,842,712 | $14,917,241 | $9,976,190 |
| Expenses | $12,186,217 | $16,360,440 | $9,376,596 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,472,961 | $16,178,234 | $9,177,533 |
| Net Investment Income | $51,339 | $23,539 | $135 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
110 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Hebrew Union College ($30,000), Jewish Theological Seminary ($30,000), Reconstructionist Rabbinical College ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALEPH ALLIANCE FOR JEWISH RENEWAL PHILADELPHIA, PA | TO FUND EDUCATIONAL FELLOWSHIP | $15,000 |
| AMERICAN JEWISH UNIVERSITY BELAIR, CA | TO FUND EDUCATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS | $15,000 |
| FAMILY MENTOR FOUNDATION COLUMBUS, OH | TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $300 |
| FURNITURE BANK OF CENTRAL OHIO COLUMBUS, OH | TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $300 |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY-MID OHIO COLUMBUS, OH | TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY RESOURCE FUNDING | $1,550 |
| HEBREW COLLEGE NEWTON CENTRE, MA | TO FUND EDUCATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS | $15,000 |
| HEBREW UNION COLLEGE CINCINNATI, OH | TO FUND EDUCATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS | $30,000 |
| JEWISH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY NEW YORK, NY | TO FUND EDUCATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS | $30,000 |
| MAGAZINE PUBLISHER FAMILY LITERACY PROJECT GRANVILLE, OH | TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY RESOURCE FUNDING | $300 |
| OHIO NEWSBOYS ASSOCIATION INC COLUMBUS, OH | TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY SUPPORT. | $300 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Leslie H. Wexner: Founder and trustee
- Abigail S. Wexner: Trustee and co-chair (joined in the 1990s to chart the philanthropic vision)
- B. Elka Abrahamson: President
- Barbara Abrahamson: Listed as President in some filings
The Foundation employs 8 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LESLIE H WEXNER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| BARBARA ABRAHAMSON | PRESIDENT | 40 | $764,465 |
| ABIGAIL S WEXNER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| PEGGY W UGLAND | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| GORDON I MARS | VP | 40 | $253,473 |
| GIDEON KAUFMAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JAY H MOSES | VP | 40 | $277,689 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation has announced recent cohort selections and program initiatives:
Announced Class 10 of the Wexner Field Fellowship
The Wexner Foundation Selects Class 10 of the Wexner Field Fellowship \u2013\Announced Class 2 of the Wexner Davidson Fellowship
The Wexner Foundation Selects Class 10 of the Wexner Field Fellowship \u2013\Announced pilot alumni incentive grant recipients
The Wexner Foundation Announces its Pilot Alumni Incentive Grant Recipients\The Foundation continues to actively recruit and select fellows for its various leadership development programs, maintaining its commitment to identifying and developing promising professionals and volunteers across its focus areas.
The Wexner Foundation Selects Class 10 of the Wexner Field Fellowship \u2013\Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wexner Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** The Wexner Foundation develops and inspires leaders in the North American Jewish Community and across the public service sector in the State of Israel. Through pluralistic, cohort-based educational initiatives, the Foundation invests in promising professionals and volunteers, giving them tools to exercise transformative leadership. The organization works in partnership with other foundations, federations, philanthropists, and organizations to develop a robust, meaningful,…
How do I apply for a grant from Wexner Foundation?
The Foundation makes grants to support its educational fellowship programs and related Jewish charitable initiatives. Recent grant activity includes: • Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion: $30,000 (2024) to fund educational fellowships • Reconstructionist Rabbinical College: Grant to fund educational fellowships (2024) The Foundation's grantmaking extends beyond direct program support to include funding for other Jewish charities and organizations aligned with its mission.
Where does Wexner Foundation make grants?
The Foundation operates across North America with a focus on the United States and Canada, supporting initiatives in major cities including New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. The organization also maintains significant operations in Israel, with offices in Jerusalem supporting its public sector leadership programs.
What size grants does Wexner Foundation award?
In 2024, Wexner Foundation awarded 21 grants totaling $177K — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Wexner Foundation's EIN?
Wexner Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7320631. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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