The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity

What The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity does

The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 13-3398151) founded in 1986 by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elie Wiesel and his wife Marion Wiesel, headquartered at 733 Third Avenue in New York. The foundation operates a portfolio of mission-driven programs aimed at combating indifference, intolerance, and injustice: the annual Prize in Ethics Essay Contest for undergraduate students (now in its 37th year), the Mark Podwal Prize in Visual Art, the Beit Tzipora Centers serving Ethiopian Jewish refugees in Israel, a Darfurian Refugee Program, and a long-running international conferences program that has convened Nobel Laureates and world leaders at venues including Petra, New York, Tokyo-Hiroshima, Venice, Paris, Oslo, and Haifa. The foundation has no proprietary technology platform; its digital footprint is limited to a website, social channels, and an online archive of Wiesel's texts and lectures. Following significant losses from the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme in 2008, the foundation restructured and in October 2022 pivoted toward a hybrid philanthropic model that combines grantmaking with active thought partnership. The inaugural 2023 grant cycle disbursed $550,000 across eight organizations under an Activist Portfolio (Uyghur advocacy) and Educator Portfolio (moral education). Revenue is generated entirely through charitable contributions accepted via mail, wire transfer, stock, cryptocurrency, and Donor-Advised Funds. The foundation operates with approximately three employees and a roughly $600,000 annual operating budget, and is currently led by Elisha Wiesel as Chairman and LizAnn Eisen as Executive Director (appointed September 2025), following the death of co-founder Marion Wiesel in February 2025.

Name

The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity

Legal name

The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity

Website

https://eliewieselfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) public charity that combats indifference and intolerance through moral education programs, human rights advocacy grants, international conferences, and humanitarian aid for refugees, primarily serving young people and vulnerable communities worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Humanitarian Foundation

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH), Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• Ethical essay contests
• Human rights advocacy
• Moral education programs
• Humanitarian grantmaking
• Cultural conferences

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 13-3398151) and generates revenue through charitable donations from individuals, foundations, and organizations. Accepts donations via mail, wire transfer, stock, cryptocurrency, and Donor-Advised Funds (DAF).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity is a nonprofit charitable organization that combats indifference, intolerance, and injustice through a portfolio of programs including the annual Prize in Ethics Essay Contest, the Mark Podwal Prize in Visual Art, Beit Tzipora Centers for Ethiopian Jewish refugees in Israel, international Nobel Laureates conferences, and grantmaking to Uyghur advocacy and moral education organizations. The foundation solicits donations and awards grants to advance ethical reflection, youth development, and human rights advocacy in the legacy of Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel.

Product overview

The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity operates as a unified charitable organization offering multiple interconnected programs: the annual Prize in Ethics Essay Contest and Mark Podwal Prize in Visual Art for student and artist recognition; the Beit Tzipora Centers and Darfurian Refugee Program for direct humanitarian support; an international Conferences Program including Nobel Laureates summits; and a Grantmaking Program supporting Uyghur advocacy and moral education initiatives. The foundation does not operate as a tech platform with separate modules but rather as a portfolio of mission-driven programs unified by the goal of combating indifference through ethical reflection, youth development, and human rights advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Prize in Ethics Essay Contest Annual essay contest for undergraduate students engaging with complex moral questions and pressing ethical challenges, with scholarships and professional development opportunities for winners.
• Mark Podwal Prize in Visual Art Annual art prize celebrating artists whose work explores Jewish identity, memory, heritage, resilience, and human connection, with winners honored in exhibitions.
• Beit Tzipora Centers Educational centers for Ethiopian Jewish refugees in Israel providing after-school programs, tutoring, and support services to help children maintain cultural identity.
• Conferences Program International conferences bringing together Nobel Laureates and world leaders to discuss themes of peace, education, ethics, and human rights, including the Anatomy of Hate series and Petra Conference of Nobel Laureates.
• Grantmaking Program Hybrid grantmaking initiative supporting organizations aligned with Elie Wiesel's legacy, with Activist Portfolio funding Uyghur advocacy and Educator Portfolio supporting moral education programs.
• Darfurian Refugee Program After-school program for Darfur refugees in Israel providing English and Hebrew training, computer courses, tutoring, arts and crafts, and counseling services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 110 applications received for inaugural grantmaking cycle demonstrating strong demand
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key advisor and flagship.

• Hebrew Union College - Dr. Bernard Heller MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 February 2026Collaborative partner for the Mark Podwal Prize in Visual Art exhibition. Winners honored in exhibition opening April 17, 2026 at the museum in New York City, sponsored by HUC and The Elie Wiesel Foundation.
• World Uyghur CongresscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2023Activist Portfolio grantee working to advocate for Uyghur community rights. WUC, UHRP, and JWW planned to host a Conference of Uyghur activists and allies in New York to consider international response to the Uyghur genocide and foster collaboration among stakeholders.
• Uyghur Human Rights ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2023Activist Portfolio grantee dedicated to documenting and advocating for Uyghur human rights. Partnered with WUC and JWW to host conference of Uyghur activists and allies in New York.
• Jewish World WatchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2023LA-based nonprofit activist portfolio grantee committed to bringing help and healing to survivors of mass atrocities. Received $250,000 portion of $550,000 grant for landmark winter conference in New York on Uyghur genocide.
• Ana Care & EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2023Virginia-based nonprofit educator portfolio grantee preserving Uyghur language, history, and culture through interactive programming for Uyghur families in diaspora. Provides school-based learning connecting diaspora families to Uyghur ancestry.
• The Witness InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2023Educator Portfolio grantee founded from discussions between Elie Wiesel and his Boston University student Rabbi Dr. Ariel Burger. Foundation partnering to support 15-month fellowship developing moral courage using Wiesel's teaching methods.
• Gratz CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2023Educator Portfolio grantee partnering with UNCF and the Foundation for a 1-year Fellowship between Black and Jewish college students, committed to jointly facing challenges of racism and antisemitism.
• United Negro College FundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2023Educator Portfolio grantee partnering with Gratz College and the Foundation for a 1-year Fellowship connecting Black and Jewish college students by visiting cultural landmarks and building mutual understanding.
• Valley Beit MidrashcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2023Educator Portfolio grantee - global center for learning and action receiving support for The Wiesel Social Action Fellowship featuring online moral education classes and hands-on community volunteer projects.
• Podwal FamilycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2023Established the Mark Podwal Prize in collaboration with the Podwal family to encourage artistic responses to themes in Jewish life and culture, inspired by the creative partnership between Mark Podwal and Elie Wiesel.
• Natan Sharansky - Advisory Board Memberkey advisorOthers · 1 October 2022Human rights activist and former Soviet refusenik serving on the Uyghur Crisis Advisory Board. Provides strategic guidance on advocacy efforts and connects foundation to broader human rights networks.
• Mayim Bialik - Advisory Board Memberkey advisorOthers · 1 October 2022Neuroscientist, actress, and mental health advocate serving on the Moral Education Advisory Board, bringing expertise in education and Jewish causes.
• Dr. Mehnaz Afridi - Advisory Board Memberkey advisorOthers · 1 October 2022Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Interfaith Education Center at Manhattan College serving on Moral Education Advisory Board.
• Mark Hetfield - Advisory Board Memberkey advisorOthers · 1 October 2022President and CEO of HIAS, the oldest resettlement organization in the world, serving on Uyghur Crisis Advisory Board.
• Gulhumar Haitiwaji - Advisory Board Memberkey advisorOthers · 1 October 2022Daughter of Gulbahar Haitiwaji, a Uyghur woman who survived a Chinese re-education camp, serving on Uyghur Crisis Advisory Board to provide community perspective.
• Sarah Idan - Advisory Board Memberkey advisorOthers · 1 October 2022Founding CEO of Humanity Forward and Miss Iraq 2017-2018, serving on Moral Education Advisory Board.
• Dov SeidmancoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2022Founder and Chairman of The HOW Institute for Society and LRN, long-time partner on the Ethics Prize providing scholarship support and professional development for contest winners. Board member of The Foundation.
• 92nd Street YcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Partnership hosting Conference of Nobel Laureates in New York in 2010, with Laureates joining corporate and media leaders to discuss topics including Iran and Middle East situations.
• King Abdullah II Fund for DevelopmentflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Co-host of Petra Conference of Nobel Laureates series since 2005, bringing together Nobel Laureates with distinguished social and political leaders at Petra, Jordan. Partnership established The Nobel Laureates Initiative and Middle East Science Fund.
• University of HaifacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1990Co-sponsor of 'Education Against Hate' international conference for educators bringing together Israeli Arabs and Jews to develop framework for transcending conflict.
• Norwegian Nobel CommitteeflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1990Convened the Oslo Conference 'Resolving Conflict Through Dialogue and Democracy' bringing together former political prisoners, statesmen, writers, and scholars from 30 countries including Vaclav Havel, Nelson Mandela, and Jimmy Carter.
• Boston UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1989Co-sponsor of 'Beyond Hate' conference, the first in the 'Anatomy of Hate' series, providing scholarly and collaborative environment for thinking about ethnic and religious understanding.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• HIAS: Jewish refugee resettlement organization (advised by Mark Hetfield on EWF's Uyghur Crisis Advisory Board). Directly comparable in refugee resettlement work that parallels Beit Tzipora Centers and Darfur refugee programming.
• USC Shoah Foundation: Founded by Steven Spielberg to preserve Holocaust survivor testimonies and use them for education. Closely aligned mission in Holocaust memory, moral education, and educational content library development.
• World Jewish Congress: International umbrella organization representing Jewish communities worldwide. Closely aligned in global Jewish advocacy, international convening, and human rights diplomacy.
• Simon Wiesenthal Center: Jewish-founded human rights organization focused on Holocaust education, anti-Semitism documentation, and tolerance advocacy. Directly comparable mission in Holocaust memory and moral education programming.
• American Jewish Committee: International Jewish advocacy and human rights organization. Directly comparable in Jewish-focused human rights, intergroup dialogue, and global convening programming.
• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: National living memorial to the Holocaust. Directly aligned in Holocaust education, remembrance, and mission of translating historical lessons into contemporary moral action.
• Anti-Defamation League: Leading Jewish civil rights organization combating anti-Semitism, bigotry, and hate. Directly comparable in human rights advocacy, Jewish community focus, and award/honor programming.
• Humanity United: Foundation focused on ending mass atrocities and promoting human dignity. Directly comparable mission in contemporary atrocity prevention that aligns with EWF's Uyghur Activist Portfolio.
• Jewish Foundation for the Righteous: Foundation providing financial assistance to Holocaust rescuers and survivors. Similar grantmaking model and Jewish-focused humanitarian mission targeting Holocaust-era causes.
• Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture: International foundation supporting Jewish culture, education, and community. Directly aligned in international grantmaking and Jewish-focused philanthropy, including scholarship and cultural programming comparable to the Prize in Ethics and Mark Podwal Prize.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/eliewieselfdn
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@eliewieselfoundation?si=Q5xHJe0qR4THn3Fp
• Facebookfacebook.com/eliewieselfdn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-elie-wiesel-foundation-for-humanity
• Instagraminstagram.com/theeliewieselfdn
• TikToktiktok.com/@eliewieselfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments5 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity