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Adelson Family Foundation is a private trust based in NEEDHAM, MA. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 2010. The principal officer is Michael J Bohnen. It holds total assets of $21M. Annual income is reported at $88M. Total assets have grown from $57K in 2011 to $21M in 2024. The foundation is governed by 2 officers and trustees. Tax records are available from 2020 to 2024. The foundation primarily funds organizations in Israel and United States. According to available records, Adelson Family Foundation has made 125 grants totaling $123.6M, with a median grant of $50K. Annual giving has decreased from $78.9M in 2021 to $44.7M in 2022. Individual grants have ranged from $1K to $14.4M, with an average award of $989K. The foundation has supported 87 unique organizations. The foundation primarily supports organizations in New York, Nevada, California, which account for 63% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 13 states. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
Adelson Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundations based in Needham, MA, with ~$21.0M in net assets and ~$66.93M in annual charitable disbursements per the most recent Form 990-PF (FY Dec. 2024). Their stated focus is: Strengthen the State of Israel and the Jewish people. To approach this funder effectively, mirror their theory of change tightly: One of the most prominent Jewish-focused family foundations in the US. Grants (~$67M/yr) vastly exceed net assets ($21M) because ~$87M of ~$88M annual revenue is Adelson family contributions - a classic pass-through family foundation. Closely directed by Dr. Miriam Adelson following the death of Sheldon Adelson in 2021. Because they are a private foundation, most grantmaking is proactive - they identify grantees from their network rather than running open RFPs. Alignment signals to emphasize: (1) a tight fit with their NTEE category and stated mission, (2) a narrow single-issue focus rather than broad generalist work, (3) an existing relationship with a board member or prior grantee who can make a warm introduction, and (4) measurable outcomes that match how the foundation already reports impact in Part XV of its 990-PF. Cold LOIs to unsolicited applicants succeed under 5 percent of the time at private foundations of this size - your better path is a warm intro through a current grantee, a shared board connection, or a community foundation intermediary in Needham or MA.
In the most recent filing (FY Dec. 2024), Adelson Family Foundation reported: revenue $87,963,664, expenses $67,690,290, charitable disbursements $66,927,152, and net assets $21,016,741. Under the 5 percent statutory minimum payout for private foundations, the floor on annual grantmaking is roughly $1,050,837, though actual disbursements ($66,927,152) reflect the foundation's specific grant philosophy rather than the regulatory minimum. Typical grant sizes at this asset tier range from roughly $5,000 to $250,000, with concentration on a small number of repeat, multi-year relationships rather than many one-off gifts. Geographic distribution: the foundation is headquartered in Needham, MA, but the mission (Strengthen the State of Israel and the Jewish people) indicates that actual giving geography may not match the domicile. Sector focus follows the NTEE classification: Private Grantmaking Foundations. The single best concrete source for ticket sizes, grantee names, and funded purposes is Part XV of the foundation's 990-PF - pull the most recent filing from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer before drafting any LOI so your ask lands inside their historical band.
Relative to peers in the Private Grantmaking Foundations NTEE category at its asset tier, Adelson Family Foundation is a smaller family-scale foundation. The table below places it against representative peer archetypes in the same bracket (exact peer names withheld - for direct name-level comparisons, filter ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer by the same NTEE code + asset band):
| Foundation | Location | Net Assets | Annual Grants | NTEE Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelson Family Foundation | Needham, MA | $21.0M | $66.93M | Private Grantmaking Foundations |
| Typical small family foundation (US median tier) | Varies | $5M-$25M | $200K-$1.2M | Varies |
| Regional private operating foundation | Varies | $15M-$40M | $750K-$2M | Mission-specific |
| Community foundation donor-advised pool | Varies | $10M-$50M | $500K-$3M | Varies |
Key differentiator: One of the most prominent Jewish-focused family foundations in the US. Grants (~$67M/yr) vastly exceed net assets ($21M) because ~$87M of ~$88M annual revenue is Adelson family contributions - a classic pass-through family foundation. Closely directed by Dr. Miriam Adelson following the death of Sheldon Adelson in 2021. This matters for applicants because it changes how boilerplate pitches land - a generic template that works at a community foundation is usually an instant rejection here. Proposals must be calibrated to this foundation's specific governance, mission, and past grantee pattern.
As of 2026-04-23 (report generation date), the most recent primary-source data available for Adelson Family Foundation is the FY Dec. 2024 Form 990-PF, filed to the IRS and indexed on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Automated web news search was blocked during this report run (Google and DuckDuckGo both returned anti-bot walls), so no specific 2025 or 2026 press items are quoted here - and none are invented. From the 990-PF itself, notable items include the current leadership roster (Dr Miriam Adelson (Trustee), Michael Bohnen (President) - both uncompensated), FY revenue of $87,963,664, and charitable disbursements of $66,927,152. For current-year activity (new programs, leadership changes, strategic pivots), applicants should: (1) read the foundation's own website at https://www.adelsonfoundation.org/AFF/index.html, (2) search Candid/GuideStar and Inside Philanthropy for recent coverage of the foundation by name, (3) watch for the next 990-PF filing (private foundations file approximately 11 months after fiscal year-end; expect a new filing 6-11 months after FY close), and (4) search news by key officer names for any professional moves that might signal a strategic shift. One of the most prominent Jewish-focused family foundations in the US. Grants (~$67M/yr) vastly exceed net assets ($21M) because ~$87M of ~$88M annual revenue is Adelson family contributions - a classic pass-through family foundation. Closely directed by Dr. Miriam Adelson following the death of Sheldon Adelson in 2021.
Practical advice for a strong proposal to Adelson Family Foundation: (1) Match their stated mission verbatim in your opening paragraph - this mission (Strengthen the State of Israel and the Jewish people) is narrow, and reviewers screen out mismatches in seconds. (2) Pull their Form 990-PF Part XV grants list from ProPublica before writing. The exact grantee names, purposes, and dollar amounts already funded are your best signal of what 'fit' looks like at this specific foundation. (3) Budget realism: ask in their historical ticket-size band. Asking well above or below what they have given anchors you as either naive or risky. (4) Get a warm introduction. Most private foundations at this scale fund from relationships. If you do not have one, work through a current grantee, a board connection, or the community foundation in their home metro (Needham, MA). (5) Mirror their impact framing. If they describe outcomes in terms of students reached, communities transformed, or policy shifts, frame your ask in that same unit. (6) Respect their size and staffing. The officer roster (Dr Miriam Adelson (Trustee)) indicates a small/family-run shop. Keep your LOI under 2 pages and your full proposal under 8 unless they request otherwise. (7) Never send a form letter - even lightly personalized boilerplate is easy to spot and kills credibility. Foundation-specific context: One of the most prominent Jewish-focused family foundations in the US. Grants (~$67M/yr) vastly exceed net assets ($21M) because ~$87M of ~$88M annual revenue is Adelson family contributions - a classic pass-through family foundation. Closely directed by Dr. Miriam Adelson following the death of Sheldon Adelson in 2021.
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Smallest Grant
$5K
Median Grant
$50K
Average Grant
$975K
Largest Grant
$14.4M
Based on 81 grants from the most recent 990-PF filing.
No program descriptions are available for this foundation. Many private foundations report program activities in their annual 990-PF filings — check the Tax Filings section below for the most recent filing.
In the most recent filing (FY Dec. 2024), Adelson Family Foundation reported: revenue $87,963,664, expenses $67,690,290, charitable disbursements $66,927,152, and net assets $21,016,741. Under the 5 percent statutory minimum payout for private foundations, the floor on annual grantmaking is roughly $1,050,837, though actual disbursements ($66,927,152) reflect the foundation's specific grant philosophy rather than the regulatory minimum. Typical grant sizes at this asset tier range from roughly $.
Adelson Family Foundation has distributed a total of $123.6M across 125 grants. The median grant size is $50K, with an average of $989K. Individual grants have ranged from $1K to $14.4M.
Adelson Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundations based in Needham, MA, with ~$21.0M in net assets and ~$66.93M in annual charitable disbursements per the most recent Form 990-PF (FY Dec. 2024). Their stated focus is: Strengthen the State of Israel and the Jewish people. To approach this funder effectively, mirror their theory of change tightly: One of the most prominent Jewish-focused family foundations in the US. Grants (~$67M/yr) vastly exceed net assets ($21M) because ~$87M of ~.
Adelson Family Foundation is headquartered in NEEDHAM, MA. While based in MA, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 13 states.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Miriam Adelson | TRUSTEE | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Michael Bohnen | PRESIDENT | $0 | $0 | N/A |
Total Giving
N/A
Total Assets
$21M
Fair Market Value
N/A
Net Worth
$21M
Grants Paid
N/A
Contributions
N/A
Net Investment Income
N/A
Distribution Amount
N/A
Total Grants
125
Total Giving
$123.6M
Average Grant
$989K
Median Grant
$50K
Unique Recipients
87
Most Common Grant
$50K
of 2022 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maccabee Task Force FoundationGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Las Vegas, NV | $10.9M | 2022 |
| Friends Of ZionGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Las Vegas, NV | $677K | 2022 |
| Birthright Israel FoundationGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | New York, NY | $9M | 2022 |
| Jewish Agency For Israel N American CouncilGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | New York, NY | $5.2M | 2022 |
| Israeli American CouncilGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Woodland Hills, CA | $5M | 2022 |
| Adelson Educational InstituteGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Las Vegas, NV | $4.4M | 2022 |
| Hashomer HachadashGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Upper Nazareth | $3.1M | 2022 |
| Combined Jewish PhilanthropiesGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Boston, MA | $1M | 2022 |
| American Friends Of IdcGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | New York, NY | $1M | 2022 |
| American Society Of Yad VashemGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | New York, NY | $808K | 2022 |
| Ariel UniversityGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Ariel | $600K | 2022 |
| Jewish Federation Of Las VegasGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Las Vegas, NV | $500K | 2022 |
| Girls Town Or ChadashGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Brooklyn, NY | $315K | 2022 |
| Friends Of United HatzalahGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | New York, NY | $250K | 2022 |
| Center For Jewish Community StudiesGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Baltimore, MD | $250K | 2022 |
| Druze Vererans AssociationGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Daliyat Al Carmel | $250K | 2022 |
| This World Jewish Values NetworkGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Englewood, CA | $250K | 2022 |
| Friends Of Israel ScoutsGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | New York, NY | $205K | 2022 |
| Feeling Good FoundationGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Mountain View, CA | $125K | 2022 |
| Gateways Access To Jewish EducationGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Newton, MA | $100K | 2022 |
| Zionist Organization Of AmericaGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | New York, NY | $100K | 2022 |
| Chelsea Jewish Nursing HomeGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Chelsea, MA | $100K | 2022 |
| The Rockefeller UniversityGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | New York, NY | $100K | 2022 |
| Adelson Campus For Jewish LifeGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Las Vegas, NV | $59K | 2022 |
| Jewish Institute For National Security Of AmericaGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | New York, NY | $50K | 2022 |
| Friends Of Nahal NarediGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Teaneck, NJ | $50K | 2022 |
| Shirley Linzy Youth OrchestraGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Henderson, NV | $50K | 2022 |
| Chabad Of The University Of Las VegasGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Las Vegas, NV | $40K | 2022 |
| Clark County Public Education FoundationGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Las Vegas, NV | $34K | 2022 |
| Letter Of The LawGEBERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Brooklyn, NY | $25K | 2022 |
| Students Supporting IsraelGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Plymouth, MN | $25K | 2022 |
| CityartsGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | New York, NY | $20K | 2022 |
| Gift Of Life Bone Marrow FoundationGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Boca Raton, FL | $20K | 2022 |
| Lubavitch Foundation Of LexingtonGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Lexington, MA | $18K | 2022 |
| Friendship Circle Of LvGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Las Vegas, NV | $18K | 2022 |
| Elemyouth In Distress In IsraelGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | New York, NY | $18K | 2022 |
| Central Fund Of IsraelGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | New York, NY | $18K | 2022 |
| Hebrew Senior LifeGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Boston, MA | $18K | 2022 |
| Jewish National FundGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | New Haven, NY | $18K | 2022 |
| American Friends Of LubavitchGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Washington, DC | $15K | 2022 |
| Max Stern Academic CollegeGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Yezreel Valley | $10K | 2022 |
| ItrekGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | New York, NY | $10K | 2022 |
| The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society IncGNERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | Las Vegas, NV | $5K | 2022 |
| IrisGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | New Haven, CT | $1K | 2022 |
| Friends Of Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical CenterGENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | New York, NY | $6M | 2021 |