June Foundation

OVERVIEW: The June Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to Jewish causes, particularly Torah education.

IP TAKE: The foundation does not maintain a website, which restricts transparency about grantmaking strategies and guidelines.

PROFILE: Established in 1999, the June Foundation is steered by Michael Kest and family. Michael is a son of the late Sol Kest, who cofounded Goldrich Kest, a Southern California company founded in 1957 which manages a diverse portfolio of over 200 properties nationwide. The foundation does not maintain a website, which makes it difficult to locate further information on its priority areas and grantmaking strategies. Tax filings suggest the June Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to Jewish causes, particularly Torah education.

The June Foundation typically offers grants for general support. The late Sol Kest still looms large in family giving. He was the only one of nine children in his family to survive incarceration in a concentration camp. In the United States, Sol was a generous supporter of Torah institutions across Los Angeles. The Gindi Maimonides Academy in Los Angeles is home to the Sol & Clara Kest Family Building.

Grants range between $100 to $655,000. In a recent year, the foundation gave away around $673,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on Los Angeles and the Northeast. Past local grantees include Congregation Ohr Hachaim, Young Israel of Hancock Park, and Yeshiva Orchos Chaim.

The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

The June Foundation
5757 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 345
Los Angeles, CA 90036