M.B. & Edna Zale Foundation Grant

The M.B. & Edna Zale Foundation Grant aims to support individuals and families in building meaningful lives, focusing on education, social services, and community welfare. The foundation prioritizes innovative programs that promote self-sufficiency and measurable impacts within communities, particularly in Dallas, Palm Beach, and New York. It emphasizes collaboration and seeks proposals for specific projects rather than ongoing operational support, ensuring a focus on transformative initiatives.

Please note: The Foundation is undergoing strategic planning, so we are currently closed to external grant applications.
We Value
The legacy of M.B. and Edna ZaleJewish identity, heritage, and Tikkun Olam* *Hebrew: “Repair the world” – Humanity’s shared responsibility to heal, repair, and transform the world.The power of communityThe diversity and passion of our family membersThe creativity and dedication of our nonprofit partners
Our main funding areas:

• Education & Workforce
• Programs that support:

Equality of accessEarly intervention and early childhood developmentAcademic assistance and enrichmentTraining the unemployed, or underemployed, in job skillsWraparound services in partnership with education and developmentGrowth in financial, digital, and emotional literacy
Social Services
Programs that support:
Support for individuals experiencing homelessnessServices to promote self-sufficiencyAssistance for needy familiesSocial, emotional, cognitive and physical growth for all stages of life.
Civic
Programs that strengthen:

• The quality of life for a community, it’s people and animals
• PhilanthropyCivic education
• Hunger Relief
• Programs that address:
• Hunger and food insecurity
• Access to food and healthy choicesFood choice and dignity for those suffering from hunger.Strategies to support an individual’s journey out of hunger
• Jewish Culture & Continuity
• Programs that address:
• Identity and heritage
• ContinuityEducationHuman services
• Healthcare
• Programs that support:
• The prevention and treatment of illness and disease
• Family planning, maternal health, and education
• Access to affordable and impactful mental health services
• The Foundation gives priority to:
• Programs or organizations that promote personal self sufficiency.
• Innovative approaches to solving social problems.
• Clear outcomes and accountability
• Programs that can be replicated or scaled for larger impact.
• The Foundation encourages:
• Requests for programs and projects, rather than ongoing operational support
• Programs that include an element of collaboration or the possibility of using other community support.

Eligibility

Grants are made primarily in the communities of Dallas (Dallas County), Texas; Palm Beach County, Florida; and New York, New York including parts of Westchester and Nassau Counties and the North Shore of Long Island.The Foundation requires an independent financial audit from non-profit organizations with annual budgets that exceed $500,000.An organization with a budget of less than $500,000 is only eligible to apply for a maximum grant of $5,000.Start-up organizations in the first 1-2 years of operations, with no audit, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Ineligibility

Support for the start-up of a new organization is very rare.The Foundation does not ordinarily provide:Major support for the arts.Grants to individuals.Scholarships and fellowships to individuals (except through colleges and universities).