Our Mission

Natan inspires philanthropists to become actively engaged in building the Jewish future by giving collaboratively to cutting-edge initiatives that strengthen Israel and Jewish communities around the world. Natan believes that educated, engaged, and entrepreneurial philanthropy can transform both givers and grant recipients.

Members pool their charitable contributions, review grant applications and collectively decide Natan’s strategic and philanthropic direction.
Joining Natan means becoming part of a community of philanthropically-minded professionals who are dedicated to supporting Jewish and Israeli nonprofit innovation.
Natan supports entrepreneurial ventures that demonstrate an innovative approach to transforming the Jewish future.

Our History

In November 2002, after extensive consultations and planning with JJ Greenberg, z”l, Sender Cohen invited a group of young professionals and academics to gather at Makor in New York City to hear from Michael Steinhardt and George Rohr and launch a new approach to Jewish philanthropy: a thoughtful, engaging, and strategic giving experience where intellectual and financial contributions alike would support new ideas and transform the Jewish world and Israel.
They sought to give together in a community of like-minded peers; they wanted control over where their money went and transparency about how it was used; and they wanted to make a real impact - to support new ideas with the potential to make systemic change.
They created a Jewish giving circle—a grantmaking foundation where members pool their charitable contributions, set the group's philanthropic strategy and agenda, and collectively award grants to emerging initiatives, working actively with their leaders to help them grow.
They named the new foundation Natan in memory of JJ “Natan” Greenberg—a Jewish philanthropic leader who embodied generosity, joy, and a passion for Jewish life. JJ was an influential figure in the planning stages of Natan, and his spirit continues to imbue our work.