Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation

Geographic Focus
Grants are made locally, primarily in Washington D.C. and Montgomery County, Maryland. Grants may be awarded in other national and international areas of interest to the trustees.

Funding Priorities

Preserving and Strengthening Jewish Life

The Foundation places major emphasis on programs that preserve, strengthen, and protect Jewish life and the Jewish People. Programs of priority interest are those that:

Eliminate threats to the existence of Jewish people;
Combat anti-Semitism;
Support pluralism and co-existence among the Jewish people and between Arabs and Jews;
Bridge cultural and religious differences between Jews and non-Jews;
Enhance affiliation and identification with Jewish culture, heritage and religion;
Involve young adults in Jewish life and nurture their development as Jewish leaders.

Sustaining Performing Arts

The Foundation places emphasis on programs that seek to make the performing arts an integral part of individual, family and community life. Programs of special interest are those that:

Make performing arts more available to all audiences;
Develop appreciation for the performing arts;
Provide arts education for youth and emerging performing artists;
Promote performing arts as an important part of people’s lives.

Enhancing the Well Being of Families

The Foundation develops special initiatives designed to enhance the well-being of families. Initiatives focus on preventive and innovative approaches, and proven intervention techniques. Current special interests include:

Supporting positive youth development;
Promoting education about and prevention of mental health issues.

Types of Grants Available
Grants are available for project support, especially for innovative approaches and new initiatives. The Foundation is particularly interested in emphasizing long-term impact, encouraging organizational self-sufficiency, and providing matching grants. Requests for capital and endowment grants are not normally accepted, but the trustees may initiate such grants from time to time.

Grant Size
Grants will normally range from $5,000 to $50,000. Grant amounts will be dependent upon the size and type of organization and purpose of the project.

Applicant Eligibility
Non-profit, 501(c)(3) public charities that have developed innovative approaches, new programs, and those that have ongoing programs with proven records of success in addressing needs within the Foundation’s areas of interest are eligible to apply for funding. While the Foundation does accept unsolicited applications, it prefers to take the initiative to develop projects in conjunction with organizations that are in accord with its mission and funding priorities. For support of organizations working in the secular community, the Foundation will only consider proposals from 501(c)(3) public charities that are located in Washington D.C. and Montgomery County, Maryland. For those serving the Jewish community, the Foundation may initiate support for a limited number of local, national and/or international organizations.



	HOME MISSION & VISION GUIDELINES APPLY FOR SUPPORT RECENT GRANTS CONTACT Geographic Focus Grants are made locally, primarily in Washington D.C. and Montgomery County, Maryland. Grants may be awarded in other national and international areas of interest to the trustees. Funding Priorities Preserving and Strengthening Jewish Life The Foundation places major emphasis on programs that preserve, strengthen, and protect Jewish life and the Jewish People. Programs of priority interest are those that: Eliminate threats to the existence of Jewish people; Combat anti-Semitism; Support pluralism and co-existence among the Jewish people and between Arabs and Jews; Bridge cultural and religious differences between Jews and non-Jews; Enhance affiliation and identification with Jewish culture, heritage and religion; Involve young adults in Jewish life and nurture their development as Jewish leaders. Sustaining Performing Arts The Foundation places emphasis on programs that seek to make the performing arts an integral part of individual, family and community life. Programs of special interest are those that: Make performing arts more available to all audiences; Develop appreciation for the performing arts; Provide arts education for youth and emerging performing artists; Promote performing arts as an important part of people’s lives. Enhancing the Well Being of Families The Foundation develops special initiatives designed to enhance the well-being of families. Initiatives focus on preventive and innovative approaches, and proven intervention techniques. Current special interests include: Supporting positive youth development; Promoting education about and prevention of mental health issues. Types of Grants Available Grants are available for project support, especially for innovative approaches and new initiatives. The Foundation is particularly interested in emphasizing long-term impact, encouraging organizational self-sufficiency, and providing matching grants. Requests for capital and endowment grants are not normally accepted, but the trustees may initiate such grants from time to time. Grant Size Grants will normally range from $5,000 to $50,000. Grant amounts will be dependent upon the size and type of organization and purpose of the project. Applicant Eligibility Non-profit, 501(c)(3) public charities that have developed innovative approaches, new programs, and those that have ongoing programs with proven records of success in addressing needs within the Foundation’s areas of interest are eligible to apply for funding. While the Foundation does accept unsolicited applications, it prefers to take the initiative to develop projects in conjunction with organizations that are in accord with its mission and funding priorities. For support of organizations working in the secular community, the Foundation will only consider proposals from 501(c)(3) public charities that are located in Washington D.C. and Montgomery County, Maryland. For those serving the Jewish community, the Foundation may initiate support for a limited number of local, national and/or international organizations.