NEW YORK (JTA) — The Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund has announced its last round of grants, totaling almost $30 million.
Five organizations will receive $25 million in legacy grants, with $4.5 million being donated to nonprofits throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. The grants were announced on Thursday.
Legacy grants were awarded to organizations working in areas of personal importance to the Goldman family, including the environment, Jewish affairs, arts and culture and social justice. Recipients include San Francisco’s Jewish Community Federation and Congregation Emanu-El.
UpStart Bay Area will receive $175,000 for its efforts in assisting Jewish social entrepreneurs. Five Israeli nonprofits that work to encourage pluralism and oppose religious coercion will receive a total of $160,000.
The fund, which was founded in 1951, announced earlier this year that it will close at the end of 2012. It has awarded over $700 million to 2,600 nonprofit organizations around the world.
"The board is committed to making the transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved," said the Goldman Fund’s executive director, Amy Lyons. "Our efforts so far, including the latest set of grants, give every indication that we’re well on track to do so. This is in no small part because of the board and staff’s hard work. We are all proud of what the fund has accomplished over the years."
