Russell Berrie Foundation

What Russell Berrie Foundation does

The Russell Berrie Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation established in 1985 by Russell Berrie, founder of the Russell Berrie gift company, and headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey with a regional office in Israel. The Foundation operates as a spend-down (sunset) foundation with planned closure by 2033, having distributed more than $300 million in grants over its 40-year life. Its grantmaking is organized around five program verticals: diabetes care and research (anchored by the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center at Columbia University and the Russell Berrie Galilee Diabetes SPHERE at Bar Ilan University), Israel's cultural and economic vitality (including the $26M Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute at Technion, Haredi integration programs, and northern regional development), interfaith bridge-building (via the Center for Interreligious Understanding and John Paul II Center for Interreligious Dialogue), the profession of sales (through the Russ Berrie Institute for Professional Sales at William Paterson University), and community strengthening in Northern New Jersey. Signature initiatives include the annual Russ Berrie Making a Difference Awards (entering its 30th and final year in 2025, recognizing 430+ New Jersey changemakers and distributing over $4M), COVID-19 emergency response grants ($4.48M in 2020), and emergency Israel war-response funding following October 7, 2023.

The Foundation's business model is endowment-funded grantmaking: it does not sell products or services, generating no commercial revenue, and instead deploys principal and returns through direct grants to institutions, partnerships, and competitive award programs. Distribution is relationship-driven through a small program staff (CEO Idana Goldberg, CFO/COO Adam Hirsch, Chief Program Officer Lisa Capelouto, plus Israel-based Co-Directors Naomi Feiner and Amit Granek) operating from two offices. Recent strategic emphasis is on a 'sunrise' approach — concentrating remaining capital on initiatives engineered to outlive the 2033 sunset — alongside selective program exits (e.g., 2024 pause of Columbia funding over campus antisemitism concerns; wind-down of the 15-year Russell Berrie Fellowship).

Name

Russell Berrie Foundation

Legal name

The Russell Berrie Foundation

Website

https://russellberriefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Russell Berrie Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation (est. 1985) operating as a spend-down entity with planned sunset by 2033, distributing $300M+ in grants across diabetes research, Israel's regional development, interfaith dialogue, professional sales education, and Northern New Jersey community programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Philanthropic Foundation

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Family Offices & Philanthropic Advisors (Grantmaking) (BPAGAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH), Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI), Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL), Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB)

Keywords

• Philanthropic grantmaking
• Diabetes research funding
• Interfaith dialogue programs
• Community development grants
• Strategic philanthropy

Headquarters

HQ city

Teaneck

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Russell Berrie Foundation is a spend-down private foundation that provides strategic philanthropic grants and financial support to visionaries, institutions, and unsung heroes doing groundbreaking work across five focus areas: diabetes care and research, Israel's cultural and economic vitality, interfaith bridge-building, elevating the profession of sales, and strengthening community in New Jersey. The Foundation distributes grants directly to organizations, academic institutions, healthcare providers, and community groups, and operates signature programs including the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Awards and the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute at Technion.

Product overview

Russell Berrie Foundation is a spend-down philanthropy organization (sunset planned for 2033) that identifies visionaries, institutions, and unsung heroes doing groundbreaking work, amplifying their impact through financial and strategic support. Rather than a traditional product company, the Foundation operates multiple grant programs and initiatives across five focus areas: diabetes care and research, Israel's cultural and economic vitality (including nanotechnology, Haredi integration, and northern region development), interfaith bridge-building, elevating the profession of sales, and strengthening community in New Jersey. The Foundation's signature programs include the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Awards (recognizing exceptional New Jersey changemakers), the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute at Technion, the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center at Columbia, and the Russell Berrie Galilee Diabetes SPHERE at Bar Ilan University.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award: Signature initiative recognizing New Jersey's most exceptional unsung heroes each year for remarkable work transforming their communities, with monetary prizes up to $50,000 for top winner.

Products and services

• Russ Berrie Making a Difference Awards An annual award program recognizing New Jersey's most exceptional unsung heroes for remarkable work transforming their communities, providing monetary prizes ($50,000 for top winner, $25,000 for second and third place, $7,500 for runners-up) and public recognition. Since 1997, 430+ changemakers have been recognized and $4M+ distributed.
• Israel Grantmaking Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• 430+ New Jersey changemakers recognized and $4M+ distributed through Making a Difference Awards since 1997
• +3 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Technion - Israel Institute of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Historic partnership creating the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute (RBNI) through a $26 million grant, the Foundation's largest-ever single grant. This $78 million joint venture with matching investments from Technion and Israel's Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Labor positioned Israel as a global nanotechnology leader.
• Ramapo College of New JerseycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1997Long-standing partnership to administer the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Awards program, hosting the annual ceremony and helping identify and recognize New Jersey's most exceptional unsung heroes. The partnership has enabled recognition of 430+ changemakers and distribution of $4M+ since 1997.
• Columbia University Irving Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partnership supporting the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center and related diabetes research initiatives. Nearly $90 million awarded over three decades to support patient care, breakthrough research, and annual symposia. Foundation paused funding in 2024 due to campus antisemitism concerns.
• Englewood Hospital and Medical CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Jersey healthcare institution supported through COVID-19 emergency grants ($250,000 for emergency health needs including PPE and supplies). Part of the Foundation's broader healthcare support in Bergen County.
• Holy Name Medical CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Bergen County medical center receiving COVID-19 emergency support ($250,000 for PPE and ventilators) and visited by Foundation trustees for simulation learning programs.
• Bergen Volunteer Medical InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner16+ year partnership supporting BVMI's model of free, comprehensive, high-quality care, particularly for diabetes prevention and treatment services. $1.5 million legacy grant announced in 2025 for expansion and sustainability, including new Garfield clinic doubling patient capacity to 2,000+ by 2029.
• William Paterson UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting the Russ Berrie Institute for Professional Sales, one of the first Bachelor of Science Degree programs in Sales in the world. Includes state-of-the-art Russ Berrie Professional Sales Laboratory and National Sales Challenge for high school students.
• John Paul II Center for Interreligious DialoguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome to establish the center providing next generation of religious leaders with comprehensive understanding of interfaith issues. Supports up to 10 Russell Berrie Fellows annually pursuing post-graduate degrees in interreligious studies.
• Center for Interreligious UnderstandingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRuss and Angelica Berrie co-founded this center with Rabbi Jack Bemporad to engage religious leaders through programs combating Holocaust denial, exploring common goals, and creating approaches to fighting intolerance among Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders.
• Bar Ilan University - Azrieli Faculty of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting the Russell Berrie Galilee Diabetes SPHERE, a transdisciplinary diabetes research and health promotion program conferring sustained benefit to Israel's Galilee region. SPHERE operates a mobile diabetes unit serving 20 northern cities and works with 21 participating local authorities.
• National Library of IsraelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRussell Berrie Entrance Hall established within the new National Library of Israel campus in Jerusalem, designed to encourage diverse audiences to engage with the Library's collection in new and meaningful ways.
• Bezalel Academy of Arts and DesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContribution to Bezalel's newly opened state-of-the-art campus with Russell Berrie Auditorium designation, in partnership with Jerusalem Municipality for culture and economy revitalization.
• Kinneret College on the Sea of GalileeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for Kinneret Innovation Center's incubator expansion to strengthen Agro-Tech ecosystem in the Galil, spurring new companies and high-paying jobs.
• Shalom Hartman Institute - Be'eri ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for Be'eri Program transforming how Israeli students, teachers, and community leaders engage with Jewish heritage through pluralistic, democratic curriculum exploring Jewish history, text, and tradition.
• Netzach Educational NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational network backed by Foundation to teach core subjects (math, English, science, civics) alongside Torah studies in ultra-Orthodox schools, supporting Haredi integration into Israeli society and economy.
• Eshkolot (Virtual School)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnline learning platform targeting Haredi males ages 16-35 to bridge knowledge gaps in English and Math. Now has 17,000 active learners, making it the largest Haredi school in Israel. Foundation was founding funder.
• Tech Square LTD / Kama-TechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnline platform paired with teacher training and job placement services for Haredi women seminary graduates to become programmers in Israel's hi-tech industry.
• Jewish Federation of Northern New JerseycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCornerstone philanthropy supporting strong, collaborative, caring Jewish community in Northern New Jersey. Foundation supports JFNNJ's efforts to build vibrant Jewish community and deliver data-driven programming.
• Unity Health PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership enabling uninsured/underinsured access to coordinated health and social services including food pantry, diabetes care, behavioral health, and social services at one convenient location in Bergen County.
• Jewish Home Foundation of North JerseyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for expansion and renovation of Russ Berrie Jewish Home for Senior Living rehabilitation and nursing care space.
• Atra: Center for Rabbinic InnovationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngages forward-thinking Rabbinic leaders in relationship-driven Jewish community building and fostering innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration within Bergen County.
• Moishe HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPilot program for part-time rabbis working outside synagogues to build community and create pathways for young adults and families to find Jewish spiritual connection.
• The Portland TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to establish MedTech cluster in Sakhnin Valley of Galil offering high-paying health technology jobs to Arab residents.
• Mawared Program at JDCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram improving capabilities of Arab municipalities by connecting them to government funding opportunities through Government Resolution 922 initiative. Trains Arab-Israeli municipal officials to access budgeted government dollars.
• Maoz-Seal / Maoz NorthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of leaders driving change in Northern Israel, accelerating prominent projects, leveraging collaboration, and serving as hub for partnerships. Foundation has supported for 15+ years.
• Sisterhood of Salaam ShalomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrassroots organization engaging Jewish and Muslim women to build relationships in New Jersey, providing skill-building training for challenging conversations across differences.
• Community Food Bank of New JerseyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOVID-19 emergency grant recipient ($100,000) addressing food insecurity. Foundation has supported during pandemic to lessen food insecurity and provide meals.
• The Fourth Quarter MovementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMovement supporting evacuees and building Israeli spirit during war and toward nation's future, pivoting from pre-war programming to emergency response.
• ElevatEdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational initiative (with JCC Association, Jewish Federations of NA, Union for Reform Judaism) expanding into Northern New Jersey to address Jewish preschool teacher shortage through recruiting, training, and retaining high-quality educators.
• Interfaith AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation supporting six New Jersey colleges/universities in Interfaith America's Bridging the Gap program to build pluralistic campus cultures and bridge-building skills.
• Wexner FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to launch new cohort of Wexner Heritage Program for next generation of Jewish lay leaders in Northern New Jersey, building leadership capacities, Jewish learning, and diverse peer connections.
• Jewish Council of Public Affairs (JCPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-funded summit (with Jane and Daniel Och Foundation and UJA-NY) bringing together 150+ community relations professionals to address bridge-building and coalition-strengthening post-October 7th.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation: Large Jewish family foundation with programs spanning housing, health, and Jewish communal welfare. Similar single-family governance and metropolitan-area focus (Baltimore-based, parallels Berrie's North Jersey base).
• Crown Family Philanthropies: A Jewish family foundation supporting Israel, education, and interfaith dialogue with a similar multi-generation structure. Comparable grantmaking model with US-Israel dual geography and similar focus on Jewish communal vitality.
• American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC): Global Jewish humanitarian organization with deep Israel operations across northern region, Haredi integration, and post-disaster response. Closely comparable to Berrie's Israel program portfolio and partner relationships (Mawared program is a JDC initiative).
• Combined Jewish Philanthropies (Jewish Federations of Greater Boston): Federation system parallel to JFNNJ (a Berrie grantee partner). Comparable in building Jewish community infrastructure across identity, Israel, and interfaith domains in a single metro region.
• Barr Foundation: Mid-size strategic philanthropy known for spend-down thinking and "first money in" risk tolerance in climate, education, and arts. Highly comparable operating philosophy to Russell Berrie's "social investment" approach.
• The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life: Jewish family philanthropy with strong Israel and Jewish identity programming, founded by a single major donor (Michael Steinhardt). Operates similar strategic, "first money in" approach in Israel and Jewish communal spaces.

Broad incumbents

• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: One of the largest US health-focused private foundations, with substantial diabetes prevention and chronic disease programming. Comparable in scale, endowment, and health-research focus area despite being non-Jewish.
• Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust: Large-scale Jewish-founded private foundation with deep health care and Israel program portfolios, including substantial diabetes and Israeli rural/northern region investments. Highly comparable in mission focus areas and grant sizing to Russell Berrie.

Emerging players

• Kavli Foundation: Science grantmaking foundation funding research institutes at major universities (analogous to Berrie's $26M RBNI at Technion). Direct parallel in establishing named research centers with multi-decade institutional commitments.

Others

• The Sohn Conference Foundation / Pershing Square Foundation: Single-donor philanthropies employing entrepreneurial, high-conviction grantmaking strategies. Pershing Square notably engages in both direct investing and catalytic philanthropy with similar willingness to back transformational leadership.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-russell-berrie-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Russell Berrie Foundation