OVERVIEW: The Morton and Barbara Mandel Family Foundation supports higher education, Jewish causes, and other community needs in Ohio.
IP TAKE: Although the Morton and Barbara Mandel Family Foundation maintains a low profile, tax records show that it is open to receiving unsolicited grant requests, especially from Jewish organizations. Many Mandel grants are for general operating support. Its lack of a web presence restricts information about specific grantmaking guidelines and strategies. New grantseekers will find it difficult to get on this funder’s radar. Reach out with questions at (216) 875-6550.
PROFILE: Established in 1963, the Morton and Barbara Mandel Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Cleveland, Ohio. Morton Mandel founded Premier Automotive Supply Company and was an active philanthropist in Cleveland and the Jewish community. Barbara Mandel was an activist and philanthropist who was the president of the National Council of Jewish Women and named to the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame. This foundation preserves their legacy of giving by funding local efforts that support higher education and Jewish causes.
The Morton and Barbara Mandel Family Foundation is separate from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation.
Grants for Higher Education and Jewish Causes
The Morton and Barbara Mandel Family Foundation does not have a website to guide grantseekers. However, the foundation tends to support the same well-established organizations year after year. Both before and after the couple’s death, the foundation has continually supported universities that have a personal connection to the family and local Jewish organizations.
American Friends of the Hebrew University has received more than $12 million over the years and Brandeis University over $7 million. Other higher education grant recipients include Tulane University, UCLA, Case Western Reserve University, Syracuse University, and John Carroll University.
The funder also supports Judaism and Jewish culture in the United States. Past grantees include Jewish Community Center of Ashville, Jewish Community Centers Association of North America, Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, Jewish Community Center of Akron, American Jewish Committee Cleveland, and Akron Hebrew Congregation.
Important Grant Details
Grants range between about $5,000 and $200,000. The most common amount is $10,000. The foundation gave more than $7.4 million in grants in a recent year.
Grantmaking focuses on Cleveland, Ohio and other regions of interest to the family. Many Mandel grants are for general operating support.
According to tax records, this foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits.
Grantseekers should submit application materials to the foundation by mail to its Cleveland address.
There are no specific application forms, deadlines or restrictions.
Direct general questions to the staff at 216-875-6523.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
CONTACT:
Morton and Barbara Mandel Family Foundation
1000 Lakeside Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44114-1117
(216) 875-6523
