What Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies does

Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies is a private family foundation established in 1987 and headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with affiliated operating entities including Schusterman Initiatives, Inc., Schusterman Family Philanthropies – Israel, and ROI Community, Inc. Guided by Jewish values — tzedek (justice), tikkun olam (repairing the world), and derekh eretz (treating all people with dignity) — the foundation makes strategic grants across two geographies. In the United States, grantmaking focuses on six portfolio areas: Criminal Justice, Democracy and Voting Rights, K-12 Education, Gender and Reproductive Equity, Hometown of Tulsa, and Jewish Community. In Israel, funding through the affiliated entity strengthens Israeli society as a secure homeland, thriving democracy, and inclusive society, with particular attention to post-October 7 trauma and democratic resilience. The organization employs 101-250 staff and is chaired by Stacy Schusterman, with Lisa Eisen as Co-President and dedicated leadership across education and Israel operations.

The foundation's core products are its grantmaking portfolios and a knowledge-distribution ecosystem that complements direct funding. Grantmaking operates as the central product, channeled through dedicated portfolio teams (e.g., Gender and Reproductive Equity led by Senior Program Officer Julia Kohn; U.S. Jewish Grantmaking by Program Officer Sarah Krulik) and supported by program assistants and legal/compliance staff. Knowledge products include Toward Magazine (a digital publication), the Bright Spots podcast (produced with Lemonada Media), a Resource Hub of reports and guides for funders and nonprofit leaders, and a Press Center. Technology infrastructure is limited to a web-based platform (schusterman.org) with cookie technology and third-party analytics integrations (Google, Facebook, Tableau); there is no proprietary software platform, app, or AI/ML capability.

As a non-profit foundation, Schusterman does not sell products or services and operates on a philanthropic grantmaking model rather than a commercial revenue model. The organization is funded entirely through the Schusterman family's charitable resources, with no external investors. Distribution of impact occurs through direct grants to nonprofit grantees (NCJW, BBYO, Repair the World, Root & Rebound, SRE Network, JDC Entwine, OLAM, and many others), thought-leadership content distribution, and — historically — cohort-based leadership development programs (Schusterman Fellowship concluded June 2024; ROI Community concluding July 2026). The customer base is the grantee ecosystem, segmented across U.S. equity organizations, Jewish communal organizations, Israeli civil society, and Tulsa hometown organizations, with no single grantee dominating.

Name

Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies

Legal name

Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies

Website

https://schusterman.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies is a Tulsa-based private family foundation established in 1987 that makes strategic grants across six U.S. portfolio areas (Criminal Justice, Democracy and Voting Rights, Education, Gender and Reproductive Equity, Jewish Community, Tulsa) and in Israel, supporting nonprofit grantees advancing equity and Jewish communal life.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Philanthropic Grantmaking

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Family Offices & Philanthropic Advisors (Grantmaking) (BPAGAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Family foundation grantmaking
• Strategic philanthropy programs
• Nonprofit grantmaking services
• Jewish community philanthropy
• Social impact grantmaking

Headquarters

HQ city

Tulsa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Grantmaking: Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies operates as a family foundation that provides grants to organizations advancing justice, equity, and Jewish community causes in the U.S. and Israel. The philanthropy does not generate revenue but distributes funds to grantee organizations working in its core issue areas.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies is a private family foundation that provides grants to nonprofit organizations advancing justice, equity, and Jewish community causes in the U.S. and Israel. Its grantmaking is organized around six U.S. portfolio areas (Criminal Justice, Democracy and Voting Rights, Education, Gender and Reproductive Equity, Hometown of Tulsa, and Jewish Community) plus funding in Israel to strengthen Israeli democracy and society. The foundation complements grantmaking with thought-leadership publications, a podcast, and a resource hub for funders and nonprofit leaders.

Product overview

Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies operates as a strategic philanthropy organization with a core grantmaking model spanning two geographic regions. In the United States, grantmaking focuses on six portfolio areas: Criminal Justice, Democracy and Voting Rights, Education, Gender and Reproductive Equity, Hometown of Tulsa, and Jewish Community. In Israel, funding supports strengthening Israeli society and democracy. The organization complements its grantmaking with knowledge-sharing products including Toward Magazine (digital publication), the Bright Spots Podcast (produced with Lemonada Media), a Resource Hub of research and guides, and a Press Center for media resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• U.S. Grantmaking Program Strategic philanthropy providing direct grants to U.S. nonprofit organizations working in six core portfolio areas: Criminal Justice, Democracy and Voting Rights, Education, Gender and Reproductive Equity, Hometown of Tulsa, and Jewish Community. Designed for nonprofit organizations and leaders advancing racial, gender, and economic equity in the United States.
• Israel Grantmaking Program Funding delivered through Schusterman Family Philanthropies – Israel (R.A.) to Israeli civil society organizations working to strengthen Israel as a secure homeland for the Jewish people, a thriving democracy, and an inclusive society. For Israeli nonprofits and civil society leaders.
• Toward Magazine Digital publication featuring stories of impact, leadership insights, and granttee profiles on the foundation's focus areas. For nonprofit leaders, funders, and the broader philanthropic community.
• Bright Spots Podcast Podcast mini-series produced in partnership with Lemonada Media featuring bite-sized stories of hope and progress from grantee leaders working to drive change in communities. For general audiences interested in social impact and nonprofit leadership.
• Resource Hub Online library of reports, explainers, guides, and learning resources on topics including Community Violence Intervention (CVI), AI investment, literacy, gender equity, and leadership development. For funders, nonprofit leaders, and researchers.
• Press Center Media hub including announcements, statements, press releases, and media coverage about the foundation's work. For journalists, nonprofit leaders, and the general public.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of Schusterman Fellows applied program learnings to their organizations 3-4 years later
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lemonada MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to produce the 'Bright Spots' podcast mini-series featuring bite-sized stories of hope and progress from grantee leaders working to drive change in communities.
• ROI CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSignature global network connecting and mobilizing innovative Jewish and Israeli changemakers. Founded by Lynn Schusterman in 2006, the program has engaged over 1,700 leaders from 60 countries and will sunset in July 2026 as Schusterman focuses on grantmaking.
• SRE NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of 160+ Jewish organizations committed to addressing gender-based harassment, discrimination and inequity. Co-President Lisa Eisen helped found the network and serves on its advisory board.
• Sacred SpacescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped 'Keilim' policy toolkit to help Jewish organizations build safer and more equitable workplaces. SRE Network supports this initiative.
• Repair the WorldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJewish service organization; Lisa Eisen is Founding Board Chair. Focuses on mobilizing young Jews in service and volunteerism to advance justice.
• the iCenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization for Israel education; Lisa Eisen serves as Founding Board Chair.
• Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition supporting Israel engagement on college campuses; Lisa Eisen serves as Founding Board Chair.
• OLAMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization mobilizing Jewish young adults in global service and international development.
• Leading EdgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on Jewish organizational workplace excellence; Lisa Eisen serves on board.
• Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting bipartisan U.S.-Israel relationship; Lisa Eisen serves on board.
• The Israel InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization strengthening Israel as a destination for learning and engagement; Lisa Eisen serves on board.
• Gender Equity Action FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory board chaired by Lisa Eisen; focuses on gender equity in reproductive and workplace issues.
• Collaborative for Gender + Reproductive EquitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive committee membership held by Lisa Eisen; focuses on ensuring women have reproductive rights, political/economic power, and safety.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Birthright Israel Foundation: A leading foundation engaging young Jewish adults in Israel experiences. Shares Schusterman's focus on Jewish identity, Israel engagement, and leadership development among young adults.
• Russell Berrie Foundation: A family foundation supporting Jewish life, education, and community in North America and Israel. Highly comparable in mission, scale, and Jewish-identity grantmaking strategy.
• The Righteous Persons Foundation: A family foundation founded by Steven Spielberg funding Jewish causes, with emphasis on Jewish culture and community. Comparable in size and Jewish-identity focus.
• Hadassah Foundation: A foundation affiliated with Hadassah supporting programs for Jewish women and girls. Comparable in Jewish communal focus and gender-equity grantmaking.
• The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation: One of the largest private charitable foundations in the U.S., with significant giving to Jewish causes, education, and human services. Comparable scale and Jewish-community grantmaking focus.
• Maimonides Fund: A Jewish family foundation supporting Israel and Jewish community causes in the U.S. Comparable to Schusterman in funding scope across Israeli society and North American Jewish life.
• Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies: A family philanthropy funding Jewish and Israeli causes, including leadership development and Israel engagement. Strong overlap with Schusterman's U.S. and Israel dual grantmaking model.
• The Morningstar Foundation: A Jewish family foundation focused on Jewish communal leadership and Israel. Directly comparable to Schusterman's ROI Community and leadership development focus areas.
• The Jim Joseph Foundation: A large Jewish family foundation focused on Jewish education and youth. Directly comparable to Schusterman as a major U.S. Jewish family foundation with strategic grantmaking and a focus on Jewish communal continuity.

Broad incumbents

• Ford Foundation: One of the largest U.S. foundations with significant grantmaking in social justice, education, and democracy — areas overlapping Schusterman's U.S. portfolio. Differs in scale and broad remit vs. Jewish-family focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/schusterman_org
• Facebookfacebook.com/schustermanfamilyphilanthropies
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/schustermanfamilyphilanthropies

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments24 records

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Frequently asked questions about Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies