Cristal Family Foundation

## How to Approach the Cristal Family Foundation

The Cristal Family Foundation is a family-led private foundation co-presided by Michael A. Cristal and Jeffrey D. Cristal, with directors Julie A. Cristal, Sara P. Cristal, Susan M. Cristal, Ryan M. Cristal, Natasha Sanchez Cristal, Andrew M. Cristal, and Mark R. Goetzmann. The Cristal family has deep roots in the Cleveland, Ohio community — Jeffrey Cristal is a longtime executive managing director at Newmark specializing in commercial real estate advisory, and the family is active in Cleveland-area philanthropic circles, particularly within the Jewish community.

The foundation was established in June 2020 with a major contribution of approximately $35.9 million and has since grown its asset base to over $50.6 million through investment returns. With no paid staff — all officers and directors serve without compensation — this is a lean, family-directed operation where grantmaking decisions are likely made through direct family consensus rather than formal program officers.

Alignment signals to emphasize: - Mission overlap with education, youth development, and human services - Geographic presence in Ohio, New York, or New Jersey (primary), or any of their secondary states (CA, CT, FL, HI, IN, IA, LA, MA, MO, OR, VA) - Demonstrated impact on food security, vocational rehabilitation, leadership development, or poverty alleviation - Organizational credibility and fiscal responsibility — this family values stewardship given their all-volunteer governance structure

## Funding Patterns

Annual Grantmaking Volume: The Cristal Family Foundation distributes approximately $2.0-2.3 million annually in charitable grants, representing roughly 4-4.5% of total assets — consistent with the IRS-required minimum distribution for private foundations.

Grant Size Range: $25,000-$300,000 per award, with typical grants clustering around $100,000-$130,000.

Sector Distribution: Education, Philanthropy/Voluntarism/Grantmaking, and Human Services are the three dominant focus areas. Within these, the foundation prioritizes youth development, food security, vocational rehabilitation, leadership development, and poverty alleviation.

Geographic Distribution: Primary grantmaking is concentrated in Ohio, New York, and New Jersey, with secondary activity across 11 additional states including California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Oregon, and Virginia. This multi-state footprint suggests the foundation's giving follows family connections and interests rather than a rigid geographic mandate.

Financial Health: Total assets of $50.65 million generate approximately $2.7 million annually from dividends ($1.2M), asset sales ($1.3M), and interest ($220K). Expenses of $2.48 million in 2024 are almost entirely charitable disbursements (87.5%), with minimal overhead — a hallmark of a well-managed family foundation.

## Peer Comparison

The Cristal Family Foundation occupies the upper tier of Ohio private foundations. With $50.6 million in assets, it sits in the top 3% of foundations statewide — 97% of Ohio foundations hold less than $50 million, and half hold under $1 million.

Key Differentiators: - Lean operations: Zero-compensation governance sets Cristal apart from larger peers that employ professional staff. This likely means shorter decision cycles but fewer formal application pathways. - Focused giving: With only 17 awards in 2024, Cristal is highly selective — far fewer grants than larger peers that make hundreds annually. - Growth trajectory: Founded in 2020, the foundation is relatively new compared to decades-old peers. Its growing number of annual awards (8 in 2020 to 17-22 in recent years) suggests an expanding grantmaking portfolio. - Family-directed: Unlike community foundations or staffed private foundations, Cristal's all-family board means personal relationships and referrals likely play a significant role in grantee selection.

## Recent Activity

Establishment and Growth (2020-Present): The Cristal Family Foundation was established in June 2020 with a substantial initial contribution of approximately $35.9 million, representing 99.7% of that year's revenue. This single founding gift established the foundation as a significant new player in Ohio philanthropy.

Grantmaking Ramp-Up: Since its founding year when it made just 8 awards totaling $330,000, the foundation has steadily scaled its grantmaking. By 2022, it reached 22 awards, and in 2024 it distributed $2.16 million across 17 awards — suggesting a maturing portfolio with larger individual grants rather than more numerous smaller ones.

Financial Stewardship: The foundation's assets have grown from the initial $32.5 million (after 2020 grants and expenses) to $50.65 million by 2024. Revenue has been sustained through a diversified investment portfolio generating dividends, capital gains, and interest income. Total revenue fluctuated from $326K in 2022 to $3.5M in 2023 and $2.7M in 2024, reflecting market-driven investment returns.

Leadership Stability: The board has remained family-centered since inception, with co-presidents Michael A. and Jeffrey D. Cristal steering strategy. The inclusion of multiple family members across generations (Sara, Susan, Ryan, Natasha, Andrew) suggests long-term succession planning. Jeffrey Cristal's professional background as an executive managing director at Newmark brings commercial acumen to the foundation's investment and grantmaking oversight.

Community Engagement: The Cristal family maintains an active presence in Cleveland-area philanthropy, particularly within Jewish community organizations and events, signaling a connected and engaged donor family.

## Application Tips

Understanding the Foundation's Style: The Cristal Family Foundation does not maintain a public website for grant applications (the domain cristal.org belongs to an unrelated crystallography researcher). There is no published application form, posted deadline, or formal RFP process. This is characteristic of family foundations that operate through invitation, referrals, and direct relationship-building.

How to Get on Their Radar: 1. Leverage community connections: The Cristal family is active in Cleveland-area philanthropy and the Jewish community. Introductions through mutual contacts, community events, or shared board service are likely the primary pathway to funding. 2. Start with a letter of inquiry: Without a formal application process, a concise, compelling letter of inquiry addressed to the co-presidents (Michael A. or Jeffrey D. Cristal) at 2830 Attleboro Road, Shaker Heights, OH 44120 is a reasonable first step. 3. Demonstrate geographic relevance: While the foundation gives across 14+ states, Ohio, New York, and New Jersey receive the most attention. Organizations based in or serving communities in these primary states will have the strongest geographic fit.

What to Emphasize in Your Proposal: - Direct impact on people: The foundation's focus on food security, vocational rehabilitation, youth development, and poverty alleviation signals a preference for programs that tangibly improve lives — not abstract research or infrastructure. - Organizational efficiency: With zero-compensation governance and 87.5% of expenses going directly to charitable purposes, the Cristal family clearly values lean operations. Demonstrate your own fiscal discipline and program efficiency. - Scalable, measurable outcomes: The shift from 22 smaller grants in 2022 to 17 larger grants in 2024 suggests the foundation is consolidating its giving around high-impact organizations. Present clear metrics showing how larger investments translate to proportionally greater outcomes. - Alignment with multiple focus areas: Proposals that bridge categories — e.g., education programs that reduce poverty, or youth development through vocational training — may resonate with a foundation whose interests span multiple sectors.

Grant Size Expectations: Target requests in the $25,000-$300,000 range. The average 2024 grant was approximately $127,000. First-time grantees should likely request amounts on the lower end ($25,000-$75,000) to establish the relationship before seeking larger commitments.