Susquehanna Foundation
The Susquehanna Foundation is the foundation arm of the Susquehanna International Group, a private financial trading firm based in suburban Philadelphia. The foundation, like the firm, was founded by billionaire Jeffrey Yass. Its current president is Arthur Dantchik, a billionaire who funded the right-wing Israeli think tank behind Israel’s antidemocratic 2023 judicial overhaul plan.[1]
The Susquehanna Foundation largely funds organizations that push for charter schools and privatized education, such as the Philadelphia School Partnership and the Center for Education Reform, a pro-privatization group on which Jeffrey Yass’s wife, Janine Yass, serves as a board member.[2] In 2007, Janine Yass founded Boys’ Latin Charter School in Philadelphia, an all-boys charter school which received opposition from the American Civil Liberties Union and the Women’s Law Center. The Latin School — which was ultimately approved by charter evangelist and failed Chicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas — receives consistent funding from the Susquehanna Foundation.[3]
The foundation also funds a variety of libertarian organizations, such as the Cato Institute, the Institute for Justice, the Goldwater Institute, the Institute for Free Speech, and the Reason Foundation, as well as Jewish and zionist organizations. The foundation has also provided funding for the Koch-backed State Policy Network.
The Susquehanna Foundation also provides funding to the arts, though this is typically less than 1% of its annual giving.
Contents
News and Controversies
Funding Israel’s Hard Right
Arthur Dantchik, one of the Claw Foundation’s three board members and president of the Susquehanna Foundation, is a notoriously private billionaire who funded the right-wing Israeli think tank behind Israel’s antidemocratic 2023 judicial overhaul plan.[4]
An investigation by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz found that Jeffrey Yass, one of the foundation’s founders, is also a major contributor to the same right-wing Israeli nonprofit organization, the Kohelet Policy Forum.[5]
The judicial restructuring that has provoked widespread civil unrest in Israel.
Grants Distributed
The Susquehanna Foundation made $85,833,476 in contributions to various organizations between 2017 and 2022, as disclosed on their IRS filings. Listed below are the grant recipients.
2022
As reported on its 2022 IRS 990 Filing, a total of $21,514,774 in grants were distributed.
- Ashoka: $12,000
- Atlas Network: $50,000
- Atlantic Council: $50,000
- Alliance for Decision Education Inc: $7,096,620
- Associated Alumni of the Central High School Of Philadelphia: $25,000
- Boys' Latin of Philadelphia Charter School: $266,464
- Cobbs Creek Restoration and Community Foundation: $100,000
- Cato: $3,000,000
- Chop Foundation: $3,100,000
- Dominic V Dicicco Memorial Trust: $10,000
- Edchoice Inc: $200,000
- End It For Good Inc: $50,000
- Elizabeth H. Faulk Foundation Inc: $50,000
- Greenwich House: $35,000
- Hadassah the Womens Zionist Organization of America Inc: $50,000
- Independent Institute Lighthouse Society: $5,000
- Institute For Free Speech: $500,000
- Institute For Justice: $500,000
- Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County Inc: $50,000
- Juvenile Law Center: $25,000
- Kavod: $200,000
- Lynnhaven Academy: $50,000
- Philadelphia Museum of Art: $27,690
- Philadelphia Mural Arts Advocates: $50,000
- Philadelphia City Rowing: $60,000
- Philadelphia Robotics Coalition Inc: $30,000
- Penta Medical Recycling Corp: $7,000
- The Pap Corps Champions For Cancer Research: $5,100,000
- The Union League Legacy Foundation: $25,000
- Young Voices: $60,000
- Vanguard Charitable: $600,000
- Wainscott Sewing Society Inc Memo Wainscott Chapel Renovation: $130,000
2021
As reported on its 2021 IRS 990 Filing, a total of $15,688,866 in grants were distributed.
- 1UP Coaching: $215,000
- 9-11 Memorial Garden of Reflection: $50,000
- Acton Academy Foundation: $25,000
- American Federation for Children Growth Fund: $50,000
- Ashoka: $11,000
- Atlantic Council: $50,000
- Atlas Network: $200,000
- Barnes Foundation: $5,000
- Black Mother’s Forum Inc: $86,000
- Cato: $3,000,000
- Center for Education Reform: $2,382,500
- Child Advocacy Center of Montgomery County: $5,000
- Children's Scholarship Fund Philadelphia: $3,000,000
- Community Partnership School: $5,000
- Division of Development and Alumni Relations: $50,000
- Dominic V Dicicco Memorial Trust: $10,000
- Elizabeth H. Faulk Foundation Inc: $50,000
- End It For Good Inc: $50,000
- Gen Justice: $5,000
- Germantown Academy: $20,000
- Goldwater Institute: $15,000
- Greenwich House: $35,000
- Hadassah the Womens Zionist Organization Of America Inc: $50,000
- Independent Institute Lighthouse Society: $5,000
- Institute For Free Speech: $250,000
- Institute For Justice: $500,000
- JDRF: $25,000
- Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County Inc: $50,000
- Jewish Student Enrichment Center: $25,000
- Juvenile Law Center: $25,000
- Kavod: $200,000
- Mercatus Center George Mason University: $50,000
- Mural Arts Philadelphia: $75,000
- National Brain Tumor Society: $10,000
- Peter's Place: $2,500
- Philadelphia Museum of Art: $28,166
- Prep For Prep: $2,500
- Reason Foundation: $400,000
- Sun Valley Community School Inc: $25,000
- The 52nd Street Project: $15,000
- The Future Of Freedom Foundation: $5,000
- The Pap Corps Champions For Cancer Research: $50,000
- The Union League Legacy Foundation: $25,000
- Vanguard Charitable: $4,525,000
- Win: $16,200
- Young Voices: $10,000
2020
As reported on its 2020 IRS 990 Filing, a total of $9,968,663 in grants were distributed.
- Acton Academy Foundation: $25,000
- American Friends of Magen David Adom: $300,000
- Ashoka: $12,000
- Boys' Latin of Philadelphia Charter School: $273,497
- Children's Scholarship Fund Philadelphia: $3,000,000
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center: $50,000
- Elizabeth H. Faulk Foundation: $100,000
- Generation Justice: $5,000
- Hadassah the Womens Zionist Organization Of America Inc: $50,000
- Institute For Justice: $500,000
- Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County Inc: $150,000
- National Brain Tumor Society: $10,000
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society: $50,000
- Papanicolaou Corps for Cancer Research Inc: $150,000
- Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools: $25,000
- Philadelphia City Rowing: $60,000
- Philadelphia Museum of Art: $28,166
- Philadelphia Schools Project: $5,150,000
- Summer Search Philadelphia: $25,000
- Young Voices: $5,000
2019
As reported on its 2019 IRS 990 Filing, a total of $9,007,000 in grants were distributed.
- American Friends of Magen David Adom: $150,000
- Ashoka: $12,000
- Association of Alumni of Central High School: $25,000
- Barry Goldwater Institute for Public Policy Research: $15,000
- Center for Education Reform: $50,000
- Children's Scholarship Fund Philadelphia: $3,000,000
- Cobbs Creek Restoration & Community Foundation: $50,000
- Dominic V Dicicco: $10,000
- Elizabeth H. Faulk Foundation: $150,000
- Foundation for Economic Education Inc: $5,000
- Freire Charter School Foundation: $5,000
- Future of Freedom Foundation: $5,000
- Generation Justice: $5,000
- Hadassah the Womens Zionist Organization Of America Inc: $50,000
- Independent Institute: $5,000
- Institute For Justice: $500,000
- Katie Samson Foundation: $1,000
- Mastery Charter Schools Foundation: $1,200,000
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: $25,000
- National Brain Tumor Society: $10,000
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society: $50,000
- Papanicolaou Corps for Cancer Research Inc: $250,000
- Philadelphia City Rowing: $50,000
- Philadelphia Museum of Art: $30,000
- Philadelphia Schools Project: $3,304,000
- Summer Search Philadelphia: $25,000
- The 52nd Street Project: $20,000
- Young Voices: $5,000
2018
As reported on its 2018 IRS 990 Filing, a total of $13,920,229 in grants were distributed.
- Acton Academy Foundation: $25,000
- American Friends of Magen David Adom: $25,000
- Ashoka: $12,000
- Association of Alumni of Central High School: $25,000
- Barry Goldwater Institute for Public Policy Research: $10,000
- Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools: $4,000,000
- Children's Scholarship Fund Philadelphia: $3,000,000
- Conscious Capitalism Inc: $50,000
- Dominic V Diccio: $10,000
- Elizabeth H. Faulk Foundation: $75,000
- Free to Choose Network: $10,000
- Future of Freedom Foundation: $5,000
- Independent Institute: $5,000
- Institute for Justice: $500,000
- Katie Samson Foundation: $1,000
- Long Island University: $1,000,000
- Mastery Charter Schools: $1,500,000
- National Brain Tumor Society: $10,000
- Papanicolaou Corps for Cancer Research: $125,000
- Philadelphia City Rowing: $50,000
- Philadelphia Museum of Art: $30,000
- Philadelphia Schools Project: $3,407,229
- Summer Search Philadelphia: $25,000
- The 52nd Street Project: $15,000
- Young Voices: $25,000
2017
As reported on its 2017 IRS 990 Filing, a total of $15,733,944 in grants were distributed.
- Acton Academy Foundation: $25,000
- Ashoka: $11,000
- Association of Alumni of Central High School: $25,000
- Atlas Economic Research Foundation: $200,000
- Barry Goldwater Institute for Public Policy Research: $10,000
- Boys' Latin of Philadelphia Charter School: $77,500
- Business Leadership Organized For Catholic Schools: $4,000,000
- Cai Learning Academy Inc: $10,000
- Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia: $5,000
- Center For Education Reform: $100,000
- Children's Scholarship Fund Philadelphia: $3,000,000
- Community Food Bank of New Jersey Inc: $5,000
- Council For Economic Education: $1,000
- Culture Trust Greater Philadelphia: $100,000
- Dominic V Dicicco: $10,000
- Elizabeth H. Faulk Foundation: $100,000
- Foundation For Economic Education Inc: $5,000
- Free To Choose Network: $10,000
- Future Of Freedom Foundation: $5,000
- Independent Institute: $5,000
- Institute For Justice: $500,000
- Katie Samson Foundation: $1,000
- National Brain Tumor Society: $10,000
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society: $75,000
- NCOBS: $25,000
- Papanicolaou Corps For Cancer Research Inc: $205,000
- Park Place School: $75,000
- Philadelphia City Rowing: $50,000
- Philadelphia Independent Mission Schools: $5,000
- Philadelphia Museum of Art: $30,000
- Philadelphia Schools Project: $6,930,944
- Project Home: $25,000
- Project Walk Recovery Foundation Inc: $10,000
- Silicon Valley Community Foundation: $6,500
- State Policy Network: $10,000
- Steppingstone Scholars: $5,000
- Success Academy Charter Schools: $15,000
- Summer Search Philadelphia: $25,000
- The 52nd Street Project: $5,000
- Wissahickon Foundation: $10,000
- Young Americans For Liberty Foundation: $10,000
- Young Voices: $1,000
Core Financials
As reported on the Susquehanna Foundation’s IRS 990 filings:
2022[6]
- Total Revenue: $29,569,359
- Total Expenses: $25,144,037
- Net Assets: $494,452,990
2021[7]
- Total Revenue: $61,262,452
- Total Expenses: $17,851,255
- Net Assets: $640,733,550
2020[8]
- Total Revenue: $255,548,676
- Total Expenses: $9,995,064
- Net Assets: $477,256,748
2019[9]
- Total Revenue: $1,379,846
- Total Expenses: $9,044,537
- Net Assets: $160,861,081
2018[10]
- Total Revenue: $1,227,813
- Total Expenses: $19,266,681
- Net Assets: $130,333,173
2017[11]
- Total Revenue: $28,389,369
- Total Expenses: $15,750,227
- Net Assets: $147,669,791
Personnel
As of December 31, 2022:
- Arthur Dantchik, President
- Andrew Frost, Vice President
- Jeffrey Yass, Vice President
- Robert Sack, Treasurer
- Theodore Bryce, Secretary
- Philip Poche, Assistant Treasurer
- Mark Dooley, Director
Former personnel:
- Joel Greenberg, former secretary
Contact Information
401 City Avenue 220
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(610) 617-2635
Resources and Articles
IRS Filings
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
References
- ↑ David Segal, Billionaire Parts With Group Behind Israel’s Judicial Overhaul, New York Times, August 4, 2023.
- ↑ Center for Education Reform, Our Board of Directors, Center for Education Reform, Accessed August 14, 2023.
- ↑ Up North Live, Philly school rekindles same-sex education debate, Up North Live, September 5, 2008.
- ↑ David Segal, Billionaire Parts With Group Behind Israel’s Judicial Overhaul, New York Times, August 4, 2023.
- ↑ Nettanel Slyomovics, The U.S. Billionaires Secretly Funding the Right-wing Effort to Reshape Israel, Haaretz, March 11, 2021.
- ↑ Susquehanna Foundation, 2022 IRS Form 990, Susquehanna Foundation, May 3, 2023.
- ↑ Susquehanna Foundation, 2021 IRS Form 990, Susquehanna Foundation, October 25, 2022.
- ↑ Susquehanna Foundation, 2020 IRS Form 990, Susquehanna Foundation, July 9, 2021.
- ↑ Susquehanna Foundation, 2019 IRS Form 990, Susquehanna Foundation, June 12, 2020.
- ↑ Susquehanna Foundation, 2018 IRS Form 990, Susquehanna Foundation, June 26, 2019.
- ↑ Susquehanna Foundation, 2017 IRS Form 990, Susquehanna Foundation, July 23, 2018.
