Tzedakah Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Tzedakah Foundation is a private foundation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In tax year 2025 it gave $100,535 in 39 grants; the typical grant was $500 and the largest $38,600. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$100,535
- Number of grants39
- Typical grant$500
- Largest grant$38,600
- Assets$2.3 million
- New grantees26%
Giving in 2025 was up from $86,230 the year before.
26% 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 | $76,730 | 31 | $1.8 million |
| 2024 | $86,230 | 34 | $2.1 million |
| 2025 | $100,535 | 39 | $2.3 million |
How to apply
Tzedakah 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 Tzedakah Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 5 states, the most to Pennsylvania.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 23 | $89,035 |
| New York | 10 | $7,500 |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $2,000 |
| California | 2 | $1,000 |
| New Jersey | 2 | $1,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh | General charitable purposes | $38,600 |
| United Jewish Federation of Pgh | General charitable purposes | $18,000 |
| Congregation Poale Zedeck | General charitable purposes | $11,775 |
| Aleph Institute | General Charitable purposes | $4,000 |
| Film Pittsburgh | General charitable purposes | $3,000 |
| Jewish Cemetery and Burial Assoc | General charitable purposes | $2,000 |
| Anti Defamation League | General charitable purposes | $2,000 |
| Rauh Jewish Archives | General charitable purposes | $2,000 |
| Jewish Family and Community Svcs | General charitable purposes | $2,000 |
| Shaarei Torah Congregation | General charitable purposes | $1,680 |
| Jewish National Fund | General charitable purposes | $1,250 |
| National Conf of Synagogue Youth | General charitable purposes | $1,000 |
| World Jewish Congress American | General charitable purposes | $1,000 |
| Jewish Assistance Fund | General charitable purposes | $1,000 |
| US Holocaust Memorial Museum | General charitable purposes | $1,000 |
| Bnai Brith Hillel Foundation | General Charitable purpose | $1,000 |
| Jewish Womens Foundation of Gr Pgh | General charitable purposes | $1,000 |
| Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh | General charitable purposes | $750 |
| Eruv Fund | General charitable purposes | $500 |
| Wiesenthal Center | General charitable purposes | $500 |
| American Friends of Magen David Adom | Charitable Purpose | $500 |
| Bikur Cholim of Pittsburgh | General charitable purposes | $500 |
| Zaka Tel Aviv | General charitable purposes | $500 |
| Tikvah | General charitable purposes | $500 |
| AJC American Jewish Committee | General charitable purposes | $500 |
| Birthright Israel Foundation | General charitable purposes | $500 |
| Classrooms Without Borders | General charitable purposes | $500 |
| American Friends of Leket Israel | General charitable purposes | $500 |
| Stand With Us File 2215 | General charitable purposes | $500 |
| Chasdei Avos | General charitable purposes | $400 |
| United Institutions of Karlin Stoli | General charitable purposes | $250 |
| The Frick Pittsburgh | General charitable purposes | $250 |
| Seton Hill University | General charitable purposes | $250 |
| Carnegie Museums | General charitable purposes | $200 |
| Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle | General charitable purposes | $180 |
| Phipps Conservatory | General charitable purposes | $150 |
| Jewish Telegraphic Agency 70 Faces Media | General charitable purposes | $100 |
| Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition | General charitable purposes | $100 |
| Wqed | General charitable purposes | $100 |
Officers and trustees
- Philip Samson
- Iris Samson
Questions people ask
Does Tzedakah Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Tzedakah Foundation give?
$100,535 in tax year 2025, across 39 grants, with a typical grant of $500.
Who runs Tzedakah Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Philip Samson (Trustee) and Iris Samson (Trustee).
What does Tzedakah Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly faith communities, education and arts and culture.