Norman & Elaine Polsky Family Charitable Foundation
Accepts applications
Norman & Elaine Polsky Family Charitable Foundation is a private foundation in Overland Park, Kansas. In tax year 2025 it gave $170,000 in 37 grants; the typical grant was $3,000 and the largest $47,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$170,000
- Number of grants37
- Typical grant$3,000
- Largest grant$47,000
- Assets$4.5 million
- New grantees22%
Giving in 2025 was down from $222,000 the year before.
22% of its 2025 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 | $145,000 | 31 | $3.7 million |
| 2024 | $222,000 | 41 | $4.1 million |
| 2025 | $170,000 | 37 | $4.5 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Renee Polsky Silver 4989 West 131st Place, Leawood, KS 66209 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (913) 378-4411 |
| What to submit | Brief letter format stating general nature, goals and purpose of requesting organization. |
| Deadlines | Submission should be made by december 31st for request for funds for the next calendar year. |
| Restrictions | No restrictions except that the organization is tax-exempt under IRS 501(c)(3). |
What Norman & Elaine Polsky Family Charitable Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 8 states, the most to Kansas.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 15 | $61,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $47,000 |
| California | 12 | $33,000 |
| Missouri | 5 | $17,000 |
| Tennessee | 1 | $4,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $3,000 |
| New York | 1 | $3,000 |
| Alabama | 1 | $2,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Charities Aid Foundation of America | Provide grants to charitable organizations | $47,000 |
| Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City | Religious, educational and charitable purpose of tax exempt organizationreligious, educational and charitable purpose of tax exempt organization | $10,500 |
| Jewish Community Foundation | To promote the practice of tzedakah (charity) and the pursuit of tikkum olam (repairing the world) by serving as the advocate for planned giving and the central resource for personalized charitable funds for individuals, families and organizations in the community. | $10,000 |
| Congregation Beth Shalom | Religious, educational and charitable purpose of tax exempt organization | $9,500 |
| Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy | To support the emotional, spiritual, academic and physical growth of students. To strive to cultivate a generation of jewish independent and ethical thinkers, determined to reach their greatest potential and have a positive impact on our people and the world. | $8,000 |
| Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City | Jewish chaplaincy program and food pantry | $6,000 |
| Burns Recovered Support Group | Missouri children's burn camp | $5,000 |
| Judaism Alivejewish Rock Radio | Public jewish radioreligious, educational and charitable purpose of tax exempt organization | $5,000 |
| Jordan Thomas Foundation | To provide children affected by limb loss with the prostheses they need throughout childhood and adolescence and serving as a caring resource, advocate and support system for these children and their parents | $4,000 |
| Oasis Legal Services | Provide quality legal immigration services to under-represented low-income groups with a focus on lgbtqia+ communities | $4,000 |
| Stage of Life (Sol) Theatre Company | To help children and young adults expand their self concept, inspire them to lead by example and educate them to build the social and emotional tools in order to live meaningful lives | $4,000 |
| KC Shepherd's Center | To advocate for public policy and funding to support the growing population of older adults in kansas city. To celebrate their contributions and provide support and companionship to increase social activity, reduce food insecurity and build lasting relationships. | $4,000 |
| Jewish Community Center | To build a strong, vibrant, and inclusive community that enhances wellness, meaning and joy, based on jewish values, heritage and culture. | $3,500 |
| Groupmuse Foundation | Provide musicians with technology, tools and training to cultivate and connect to online audiences, support educational and outreach projects that welcomes people of all backgrounds | $3,000 |
| Ridhwan Foundationn | Provide teacher training support | $3,000 |
| Lyric Center for LGBTQ Youth | To build community and inspire positive social change through eduation enhancement, career trainings, health promotion, and leadership development with lgbtqq youth, their families, and allies of all races, classes, genders and abilities | $3,000 |
| Our Family Coalition | To advance equity for the full and expanding spectrum of lgbtq families and children through support, education and advocacy. | $3,000 |
| Humane Colorado | To provide shelter adoption fees, food, medical care | $3,000 |
| Menbe's Way Foundation | To support those most vulnerable in our community including victims of domestic violence, children and individuals who are homeless. | $3,000 |
| Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy | Provide a hub for latino artists while working to amplify their mexican roots | $3,000 |
| Jewish Family & Children's Services of San Francisco | Lifeline for children, adults, and families facing personal crises or challenges | $2,500 |
| Horizons Foundation | Help improve lives of lgbt communityreligious, educational and charitable purpose of tax exempt organization | $2,500 |
| Congregation Sha'ar Zahav-The Rainbow Fund | Religious, educational and charitable purpose of tax exempt organization | $2,500 |
| Southern Poverty Law Center | Help seek justice for most vulnerable members of society | $2,000 |
| Rose Brooks Center | Break the cycle of domestic violence so that individuals and families can live free of abuse | $2,000 |
| Midwest Center for Holocaust Education | Religious, educational and charitable purpose of tax exempt organization | $2,000 |
| University of Kansas Hillel | Connect jewish students to each other and to their judaism, to inspire and equip the next generation of jewish leaders and to build a thriving jewish community on campus | $2,000 |
| Safehome | To provide shelter, individual and group counseling, court and legal support and community programs and engagement dedicated to ending intimate partner abuse. | $2,000 |
| Hadassah of Greater Kansas City | Regilious, educational and charitable purpose of tax exempt organization | $2,000 |
| Maddie's Mission | To raise awareness and provide funding to support treatment and a cure for angelman syndrome and other rare diseases. | $1,500 |
| Producers Association Inc (Woodminster Summer Muscials) | To provide affordable family entertainment, to produce shows that challenge the status quo, | $1,500 |
| Jewish Community Relations Bureau | To serve as a premier and influential advocate for combating antisemitism and pursuing justice. | $1,000 |
| Village Shalom | To nurture the physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being of every individual whom we are privileged to serve, inspired by our heritage as a jewish sponsored senior living community. | $1,000 |
| Sheps Place Senior Dog Sanctuary | To operate a sanctuary for homeless senior dogs in the kansas city area. Provide them with support, attention and new families | $1,000 |
| National Council of Jewish Women | Social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms | $1,000 |
| The Shul - Chabad of Leawood | To reach out to others with acts of goodness and kindness. To help the needy regardless of background or belief. | $1,000 |
| Stridelabs | To close the digital divide by providing top quality affordable services to help nonprofits and socially-responsible businessess leverage technology effectively, while providing job opportunities for people who are under-represented in tech. | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Jennifer Polsky Salazar
- Ellen Ginsburg Polsky
- Karen Polsky Kent
- Steven Polsky
- Autumn Kent Desimone
- Renee Polsky Silver
- Joseph Polsky
- Larry Silver
- Mark Oliver
- Magnus Grimmett
Questions people ask
Does Norman & Elaine Polsky Family Charitable Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Submission should be made by december 31st for request for funds for the next calendar year..
How much does Norman & Elaine Polsky Family Charitable Foundation give?
$170,000 in tax year 2025, across 37 grants, with a typical grant of $3,000.
Who runs Norman & Elaine Polsky Family Charitable Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Jennifer Polsky Salazar (Co-Trustee), Ellen Ginsburg Polsky (Co-Trustee), Karen Polsky Kent (Co-Trustee) and Steven Polsky (Co-Trustee) among 10 officers and trustees.
What does Norman & Elaine Polsky Family Charitable Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly faith communities, education and human services.