National Center to Encourage
Accepts applications
National Center to Encourage is a private foundation in Kensington, Maryland. In tax year 2025 it gave $425,748 in 37 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $62,900. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$425,748
- Number of grants37
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$62,900
- Assets$8.3 million
- New grantees62%
Giving in 2025 was up from $399,780 the year before.
62% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $325,117 | 35 | $6.5 million |
| 2024 | $399,780 | 40 | $7.3 million |
| 2025 | $425,748 | 37 | $8.3 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Ellen Gerecht PO Box 125, Kensington, MD 20895 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (301) 802-4254 |
| What to submit | OPEN |
| Restrictions | Advancement of judaism & jewish causes |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What National Center to Encourage funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 20 states, the most to New York. It also paid $50,500 in 5 grants to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 9 | $163,570 |
| Maryland | 1 | $45,248 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $30,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $28,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | $25,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $24,500 |
| California | 1 | $12,000 |
| New Mexico | 1 | $10,000 |
| New Jersey | 2 | $7,500 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $6,200 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Union Reform Judaism | General | $62,900 |
| Various Synagogues Various Synagogues | General | $45,248 |
| Sutton Place Synagogue NYC | General | $36,200 |
| Institute for Southern Jewish Life | General | $30,000 |
| Joint Distribution Comm | General | $30,000 |
| Hillels Int | General | $28,000 |
| Mishkan Chicago | General | $25,000 |
| Israel Reform Movement | General | $25,000 |
| Keneseth Israel Congregation | General | $16,800 |
| New London Synagogue | General | $16,000 |
| Finchley Progressive Synagogue | General | $13,000 |
| American Jewish University | General | $12,000 |
| Shabbat With Friends | General | $10,000 |
| Ujrurj Am-Lat | General | $10,000 |
| Hebrew College | General | $6,200 |
| Society for Humanistic Judaism | General | $6,100 |
| Beri Foundation Ukraine | General | $6,000 |
| Progressive Judausm Center of Georg | General | $5,500 |
| Schechter Instituteukraine | General | $5,000 |
| NJ Rabbinical Assembly | General | $5,000 |
| Jewishcolorado PJ Library | General | $3,100 |
| Temple Israel Albany | General | $3,100 |
| Sid Jacobson JCC | General | $2,800 |
| Makom Community Pa | General | $2,700 |
| Russian American Jews | General | $2,600 |
| Congregation Neve Shalom Metuchen N | General | $2,500 |
| Temple Sinai Las Vegas | General | $2,000 |
| Temple Beth El Muncie | General | $1,800 |
| Ohavi Zedek Synagogue VT | General | $1,700 |
| Congregation Ner Tamid NV | General | $1,500 |
| Temple Beth El Huntington | General | $1,400 |
| Or Ahavah -Fl | General | $1,300 |
| JCC Syracuse PJ Library | General | $1,170 |
| Congregation Gemiluth Chassodim | General | $1,100 |
| The Kedusha Project | General | $1,030 |
| Hillel Buffalo | General | $1,000 |
| Agudas Achim Congregation | General | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Ellen Gerecht
Questions people ask
Does National Center to Encourage accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does National Center to Encourage give?
$425,748 in tax year 2025, across 37 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs National Center to Encourage?
Its 2025 filing lists Ellen Gerecht (President).
What does National Center to Encourage fund?
Based on its grants, mainly faith communities, international and education.