Russ Family Foundation
The organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting various charitable initiatives, particularly those that benefit Jewish communities and promote cultural relations with Israel. Its mission includes funding educational programs aimed at combating rising antisemitism, supporting Jewish philanthropic initiatives, and assisting Jewish graduate students. The foundation demonstrates a commitment to health-related causes, as evidenced by its support for medical institutions, and also engages in funding cancer research. Overall, it focuses on enhancing cultural heritage and community support through its grants.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Small-to-mid sized IRS-qualified charities with programs tied to Jewish philanthropy, Israel-related education/cultural work, or local health/medical causes—especially organizations with a presence or partnerships in California.
Good Fit
- • Mission aligned with Jewish community causes, Israel cultural/educational work, or local health initiatives.
- • Clear IRS nonprofit status and the ability to submit a written request with stated charitable purpose.
- • Operational or programmatic connection to Los Angeles or demonstrated statewide/national work in areas the foundation has supported.
- • Project or request sized in the foundation's typical grant range (a few thousand to a few ten-thousand dollars).
- • Existing organizational track record or prior relationships with local Jewish institutions or health organizations.
Geography
Latest-year grants span three states with a strong concentration in California (about 59% of 2024 dollars); prior years show additional out-of-state giving but the footprint remains multi-state rather than national.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded a moderate number of distinct independent charities each year (25 in 2022, 16 in 2023, 11 in 2024), showing a mix of repeat and new recipients rather than a single dominated beneficiary.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of turnover exists (four new recipients in the latest year and returning grantees across years) and there are explicit written submission instructions, but selection shows concentration among recurring beneficiaries and no public website, so new-entrant access is plausible but not clearly broad.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
