The Howard Ross Family Foundation
This organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting a variety of charitable causes. Its mission centers on providing financial assistance to organizations that focus on Jewish community needs, autism-related initiatives, health charities, and community development. The foundation primarily serves nonprofit organizations that address social services and health issues, reflecting a commitment to enhancing the well-being of diverse populations. It has a notable emphasis on funding Jewish organizations and autism nonprofits, indicating a targeted approach to philanthropy. The foundation operates without a publicly available website and has a small administrative team.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Small to mid-sized charities with ties to the Jewish community or autism and local community services, generally operating within the foundation's observed regional footprint and able to be introduced via an existing grantee or community contact.
Good Fit
- • Organization serves Jewish community needs or congregational services.
- • Provides autism-related programs or supports health/community services similar to prior grantees.
- • Has a regional presence in Illinois or New York or relationships with organizations there.
- • Can secure an introduction or endorsement from an existing grantee, community leader, or board contact.
- • Seeks modest general-purpose support rather than large multi-year institutional grants.
Geography
Observed grants in the latest year covered three states (IL, NY, TX) but geographic dollars are concentrated: one state accounted for roughly 73% of 2024 giving, indicating a multi-state but regionally focused footprint.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded a moderate number of distinct recipients (12 in 2024, 18 in 2023, 23 in 2022), showing a reasonably broad set for a micro private foundation, though dollar concentration to a few recurring beneficiaries is high (top five took 93% in 2024).
New Applicants
The funder explicitly declares grants are to preselected organizations and there is no public application channel; while some new grantees have appeared (4 in 2024, 9 in 2023), the preselection policy and lack of public submission routes make it unlikely an unfamiliar applicant can routinely enter the portfolio.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
