Katzenberger Foundation Inc.

## Approach & Fit Strategy

The Katzenberger Foundation is a long-established private foundation (since 1954) based in Palm Beach, Florida, with $14.1 million in assets and approximately $678,000 in annual giving across 25 grants. The foundation operates on a preselected-only model — it does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Its giving reflects the personal philanthropic interests of the Axelrod and Golieb families, with a portfolio of nationally recognized organizations across education, social services, arts, health, and civil rights. The geographic concentration on New York (52% of grants) suggests the foundation's roots and primary connections are in the New York area, despite its Palm Beach address. The strongest alignment is with well-established national organizations — Feeding America, Duke University, NYU, Lincoln Center, Juilliard, Southern Poverty Law Center, and similar institutions. This is not a foundation that supports small, local, or emerging organizations; it directs resources to institutions with national impact and high visibility. Organizations seeking to enter this foundation's portfolio would need direct personal connections to the Axelrod or Golieb families.

## Funding Patterns & Grant Landscape

The Katzenberger Foundation distributed $677,938 in charitable disbursements across 25 grants in 2024. The grant range spans $2,500 to $70,000, with a median of $20,000. The foundation has made 117 grants totaling $3.3 million over its tracked history. The largest 2024 grants went to Feeding America Second Harvest ($70,000), Duke University ($50,000), NYU ($50,000), Southern Poverty Law Center ($50,000), and United Negro College Fund ($50,000). Revenue is investment-driven: $245K in interest and $182K in dividends in 2024, with a $64K loss on asset sales — yielding total revenue of $364K against expenses of $864K, resulting in a net loss of $501K. This deficit pattern indicates the foundation is drawing down principal to maintain giving levels, though asset stability ($12.3-15.8M range over the past decade) suggests this is manageable. All four directors receive modest compensation ($9,625 each, totaling $38,500) for approximately 5 hours of weekly work. Charitable disbursements represent 78% of total expenses. The giving pattern shows strong institutional loyalty — recurring grants to Feeding America, Auburn Theological Seminary, and major universities indicate long-term strategic relationships rather than responsive grantmaking.

## Peer Comparison

The Katzenberger Foundation is distinctive among Palm Beach foundations in that its giving is almost entirely directed outside of Palm Beach — to national organizations concentrated in New York. While most Palm Beach foundations (Community Foundation, Quantum, Lost Tree Village) focus on local Palm Beach County needs, Katzenberger functions as a New York-oriented family foundation that happens to be administered from Palm Beach. Its 70-year history (since 1954) makes it one of the oldest private foundations in the area. The preselected model, modest grant count (25), and national focus distinguish it sharply from the more accessible, locally-focused peer foundations. The foundation's support for civil rights organizations (SPLC) and humanitarian causes (IRC, Americares) adds a progressive social justice dimension uncommon among Palm Beach family foundations.

## Recent Activity & Trends

Financial Position: The foundation is in a gradual spend-down mode, with 2024 expenses ($864K) exceeding revenue ($364K) by $501K. However, assets have remained in the $12-16M range for over a decade, suggesting this pattern is sustainable in the medium term through investment returns in favorable market years. The zero-liability balance sheet provides complete financial flexibility.

Governance: The foundation is governed by a four-member family board: Margaret G. Axelrod (President), John A. Golieb (Secretary/Treasurer), Jay Axelrod (Director), and Marianne K. Golieb (Director). The Axelrod-Golieb family structure has maintained the foundation since 1954 — over 70 years of continuous operation. Each director receives $9,625 annually for approximately 5 hours per week of work.

Giving Consistency: The foundation maintains a stable portfolio of approximately 25 grants annually, with many recipients appearing year after year. Feeding America Second Harvest, Auburn Theological Seminary, and major universities (Duke, NYU) are perennial recipients, indicating deep institutional loyalty.

National Focus: Despite its Palm Beach address, the foundation's giving is overwhelmingly directed to New York (52%), with secondary support to organizations in Illinois, Washington DC, North Carolina, and other states. This suggests the foundation's philanthropic identity remains rooted in the New York-area nonprofit ecosystem where the family likely originated.

Diverse Portfolio: The foundation supports a notably diverse mix of causes — from food security (Feeding America) to performing arts (Lincoln Center, Juilliard) to civil rights (SPLC, UNCF) to humanitarian aid (IRC, Americares) to disability services — reflecting broad philanthropic interests rather than narrow issue focus.

## Application Tips & Strategy

The Katzenberger Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. However, organizations may consider the following:

1. Do Not Submit Cold Applications — The foundation explicitly selects its own grantees. Unsolicited proposals will not be reviewed or acknowledged.

2. Personal Connections Required — The only pathway into this foundation's portfolio is through personal relationships with Margaret Axelrod, John Golieb, Jay Axelrod, or Marianne Golieb. Board members may be accessible through Palm Beach or New York philanthropic circles.

3. Institutional Scale Expected — All current grantees are established national organizations (Duke University, Lincoln Center, SPLC, Feeding America). The foundation does not appear to support small, local, or emerging nonprofits. Only organizations with national recognition and significant institutional capacity should explore this opportunity.

4. Grant Range Context — With grants of $2,500-$70,000 and a median of $20,000, the foundation provides supplemental support to large organizations rather than transformative funding. This is one of many sources for its grantees, not their primary funder.

5. New York Connection Advantageous — With 52% of grants directed to New York organizations, nonprofits based in or significantly serving New York have the strongest geographic alignment.

6. Alternative Approach — Organizations in Palm Beach County seeking local foundation support should instead target the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Quantum Foundation, or Lost Tree Village Charitable Foundation, which all accept open applications and focus on local needs.

7. Contact: Margaret G. Axelrod, President | Phone: (917) 443-9300 | Address: 44 Cocoanut Row Apt B-115, Palm Beach, FL 33480