Skip to content
Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$551k
Granted FY2024still arriving
15
Grants FY2024still arriving
6
States reached
$150k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0194% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2020 to 2024.

International$2.4MCivil Rights$150kPhilanthropy$130kArts & Culture$88kReligion$87kYouth Development$50kSocial Science$40kHousing & Shelter$28kOther$0
02FY2024 · 15 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k2 grants · $8k
  • $10k–50k8 grants · $152k
  • $50k–250k5 grants · $392k
$25,000
Median grant
6
States reached
$3.0M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
CENTRAL FUND OF ISRAEL$150,000
AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION$75,000
JEWISH INSTITUTE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY OF AMERICA$66,700
FOUNDATION FOR THE DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACIES$50,000
STAND WITH US$50,000
THE LAWFARE PROJECT$30,000
AFRICAN MIDDLE EASTERN LEADERSHIP PROJECT (AMEL)$25,000
JEWISH UNITED FUND$25,000
NORTH SUBURBAN SYNAGOGUE BETH EL$24,500
FRIENDS OF OF THE ISRAELI DEFENSE FORCE$15,000
THE GIVING BACK FUND$12,000
FRIENDS OF ELNET$10,000
INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIANS AND JEWS$10,000
SUNDANCE INSTITUTE$5,000
VARIOUS$2,600
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY23–23, $35k) land where the poverty rate runs at 15%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%BELEV ECHAD: $10k → 17%EDWARD CHARLES FOUNDATION: $25k → 14%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

IL
WI
NY
MA
PA
NJ
CA
UT
MD
DC
TX
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

95%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$2.9M · 21 repeat orgs$144k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +55% since the first grant, against +16% for those funded once.

21 repeat relationships: 13 still active in FY2024, 8 since wound down; 1 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

21
9

Total granted

$2.9M
$129k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+55%
+16%

Still filing today

76%
100%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 97% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $15k went to new ones.

50%100%’20’21’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’20’21’22’23’24
InternationalArts & CultureReligionPhilanthropyHuman ServicesYouth DevelopmentOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • IE
    ISRAEL EMERGENCY ALLIANCE
    5× · 2020–2024 · $659k · revenue +52%
  • CF
    Central Fund of Israel
    5× · 2020–2024 · $510k · revenue +101%
  • AI
    AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC
    5× · 2020–2024 · $375k · revenue +2%

Funded once

  • EC
    EDWARD CHARLES FOUNDATIONgraduated
    one grant, 2023 · $25k · revenue +70%
  • SF
    SCHOLARS FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EASTgraduated
    one grant, 2023 · $25k · revenue +72%
  • AG
    AMERICA GIVES INC
    one grant, 2023 · $18k · revenue -25%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
University of Judaism Foundation
—
2
Sherit Isroel
—
3
Us Middle East Project Inc

The organization's mission is to engage in non partisan analysis of u.s. foreign policy in the middle east, with special emphasis on the middle east peace process, and to present policymakers in the united states, in the region and in the…

International
4
Friends of Institute for Zionist

The organization seeks to reinforce the foundations of israel as a jewish and democratic state. it acts to promote programs to educate the israeli public on the importance of both values and to demonstrate how each contributes to and…

International
5
Idf Memorial Foundation
Philanthropy
6
Voices United for Israel

Educational information regarding Israel and the Middle East.

International
7
The Jerusalem Connection
—
8
Better Future for Israel

To strengthen israel's future in these areas: 1)providing new immigrants with assistance in a few key areas: representing them as they navigate government ministries and assisting them with their challenges as new immigrants to israel.…

Philanthropy
9
Foundation for Middle East Peace
Philanthropy
10
Bar Ilan University in Israel Inc

Biu produces students who excel in the sciences, humanities, law, engineering, business & the arts.

—
11
Impact Forum Foundation

The Impact Forum is an exclusive network of philanthropists. We are connecting philanthropists that support each others initiatives and collaborate to empower and meet with exceptional non-profit organizations to fight antisemitism,…

Philanthropy
12
The Jewish Agency for Israel

The jewish agency binds jews across ideologies and civilizations together in a worldwide jewish family with israel at its center. it provides the global framework for aliyah, ensures global jewish safety, strengthens jewish identity and…

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is American Israel Education Foundation Inc; the most unlike its peers is Abrahamic House. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

27 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 27 of the 33 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
3
Early backer (in before they grew)
27/27
Grantees still filing
23/27
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

ISRAEL EMERGENCY ALLIANCE: $658,600 · InternationalISRAEL EMERGENCY ALLIANCECentral Fund of Israel: $510,000 · InternationalCentral Fund of IsraelAMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC: $375,000 · InternationalAMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION INCJEWISH INSTITUTE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY OF AMERICA: $246,700 · InternationalJEWISH INSTITUTE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY OF AMERICAFoundation for the Defense of Democracies Inc: $220,000 · InternationalFoundation for the Defense of Democracies IncONE FAMILY FUND: $79,200 · International+5 more: $196,000 · International+5 moreNORTH SUBURBAN SYNAGOGUE BETH EL: $62,435 · OtherNORTH SUB…VARIOUS: $50,137 · OtherVARIOUSINTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIANS & JEWS INC: $48,000 · OtherINTERNATI…HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL: $40,000 · OtherHARVARD B…ABRAHAM HOUSE 7: $27,500 · OtherABRAHAM H…FRIENDS OF OF THE ISRAELI DEFENSE FORCE: $15,000 · OtherFRIENDS O…COMER CHILDRENS HOSPITAL: $10,000 · Other+2 more: $8,000 · OtherSIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER INC: $150,000 · Arts & CultureRAVINIA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION: $50,000 · Arts & CultureSundance Institute: $20,000 · Arts & CultureFRIENDS OF UNITED HATZALAH INC: $18,000 · Arts & CultureJEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO: $100,000 · PhilanthropyAMERICA GIVES INC: $18,000 · PhilanthropyPEF ISRAEL ENDOWMENT FUNDS INC: $14,500 · PhilanthropyTHE GIVING BACK FUND: $12,000 · PhilanthropyTHE AFRICAN MIDDLE EASTERN LEADERSHIP PROJECT: $100,000 · Youth DevelopmentEDWARD CHARLES FOUNDATION: $25,000 · Human ServicesBELEV ECHAD INC: $10,000 · Human ServicesABRAHAMIC HOUSE: $15,000 · ReligionOPENDOR MEDIA INC: $10,000 · Religion
International$2,285,500Other$261,072Arts & Culture$238,000Philanthropy$144,500Youth Development$100,000Human Services$35,000Religion$25,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetISRAEL EMERGENCY ALLIANCE: $658,600 over 5y, 1.4% of budgetCentral Fund of Israel: $510,000 over 5y, 0.2% of budgetAMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC: $375,000 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetJEWISH INSTITUTE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY OF AMERICA: $246,700 over 5y, 0.8% of budgetFoundation for the Defense of Democracies Inc: $220,000 over 5y, 0.3% of budgetSIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER INC: $150,000 over 3y, 0.3% of budgetTHE AFRICAN MIDDLE EASTERN LEADERSHIP PROJECT: $100,000 over 4y, 8.1% of budgetJEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO: $100,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetONE FAMILY FUND: $79,200 over 3y, 0.9% of budgetFRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES: $56,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetRAVINIA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION: $50,000 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetINTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIANS & JEWS INC: $48,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetTHE LAWFARE PROJECT INC: $45,000 over 2y, 0.7% of budgetCOMMITTEE FOR ACCURACY IN MIDDLE EAST REPORTING IN AMERICA INC: $35,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetFRIENDS OF ELNET: $35,000 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetEDWARD CHARLES FOUNDATION: $25,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetSCHOLARS FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST: $25,000 over 1y, 2.0% of budgetSundance Institute: $20,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetAMERICA GIVES INC: $18,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetFRIENDS OF UNITED HATZALAH INC: $18,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetABRAHAMIC HOUSE: $15,000 over 1y, 4.7% of budgetPEF ISRAEL ENDOWMENT FUNDS INC: $14,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE GIVING BACK FUND: $12,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetOPENDOR MEDIA INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetBELEV ECHAD INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetUNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION: $3,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Jewish Community Fede…Jewish Communal FundLibitzky Family Found…Jewish National FundDallas Jewish Communi…Jewish Federation of …Jewish Community Foun…Gs Donor Advised Phil…National Philanthropi…Morgan Stanley Global…American Endowment Fo…Vanguard Charitable E…
Jewish Community Federation of SanCA17.7× affinity6 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Jewish Community Federation of San · Jewish Communal Fund · Libitzky Family Foundation · Jewish National Fund · Dallas Jewish Community Foundation · Jewish Federation of Metropolitan · Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego · Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund · National Philanthropic Trust · Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc · American Endowment Foundation · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 50%1%3%6%10%funder's share of their income ↑0%1%3%4%5%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    5get no government money at all
    3report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–5%
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 33 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Steve and Janice Hefter Family’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home