David & Janet Polak Foundation
Preselected recipients only
David & Janet Polak Foundation is a private foundation in Wilmington, Delaware. In tax year 2024 it gave $2.3 million in 82 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $250,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$2.3 million
- Number of grants82
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$250,000
- Assets$81.3 million
- New grantees23%
Giving in 2024 was down from $2.7 million the year before.
23% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.7 million | 80 | $80.9 million |
| 2024 | $2.3 million | 82 | $81.3 million |
How to apply
David & Janet Polak Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What David & Janet Polak Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 16 states, the most to California.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 39 | $1.1 million |
| New York | 19 | $565,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | $150,000 |
| District of Columbia | 5 | $125,000 |
| Massachusetts | 3 | $105,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $105,000 |
| Arizona | 1 | $50,000 |
| Florida | 2 | $20,000 |
| Maryland | 1 | $20,000 |
| Michigan | 2 | $15,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Americans for Ben-Gurion University Inc | Israel's National Artificial Intelligence Resilien Laboratory | $250,000 |
| Standwithus | General & Unrestricted | $200,000 |
| Friends of Elnet | General & Unrestricted | $150,000 |
| Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles | To expand CSI into Santa Barbara, San Gabriel/Pomona Valleys, Palm Desert and Venture | $110,000 |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center | In Support of the Board of Governors From Innovation to Impact Campaign | $100,000 |
| Friends of the Israel Defense Forces | Sponsor 20 IMPACT! scholars | $100,000 |
| The Jewish Institute for National Security of Amer | General & Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Simon Wiesenthal Center Inc | General & Unrestricted | $61,000 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | MISTI MIT-Israel to support student internships | $60,000 |
| Moishe House | In support of MHLA - Sherman Oaks | $60,000 |
| Americans for Ben-Gurion University Inc | General & Unrestricted | $56,000 |
| Prager University Foundation | General & Unrestricted | $55,000 |
| American Society for Technion- Israel Institute of | General & Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| Friends of the Israel Defense Forces | Krav Maga room at Kiryat Ha'Tikshuv Base | $50,000 |
| Middle East Forum | General & Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| Report Inc - Research Evaluation Promoting or | General & Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| Tribe Media Corp | General & Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| Turning Point USA Inc | General & Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| University of Southern California | USC Center for the Political Future | $50,000 |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center | General & Unrestricted | $40,000 |
| American Friends of Israeli Navy Seals Inc | in support of the education of nine qualified and deserving candidates | $35,000 |
| Central Fund of Israel | Palestinian Media Watch | $35,000 |
| American Friends of Sheba Medical Center Inc | General & Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Ayn Rand Institute the Center for the Advancement | Free Books to Teachers | $25,000 |
| Ayn Rand Institute the Center for the Advancement | Ayn Rand Center Israel | $25,000 |
| Friends of the Israel Defense Forces | General & Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Harold Grinspoon Foundation | General & Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aging | General & Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Amcha Initiative | General & Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in | General & Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| David Horowitz Freedom Center | General & Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| Endowment for Middle East Truth | General & Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles | General & Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| Buckley School | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Central Fund of Israel | Shurat HaDin | $10,000 |
| Cufi Church Association | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Fuente Latina Inc | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Hillsdale College | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Honest Reporting Com Inc | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Jewish News Service Inc | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
Officers and trustees
- David Polak
- Janet Polak
- Jeff Polak
- Robert Polak
- Jonathan Seltzer
Questions people ask
Does David & Janet Polak Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does David & Janet Polak Foundation give?
$2.3 million in tax year 2024, across 82 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs David & Janet Polak Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists David Polak (Dir), Janet Polak (Dir), Jeff Polak (Dir, Pres) and Robert Polak (Dir) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does David & Janet Polak Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, science and research and faith communities.