Welcome to Winnick Foundation

The Winnick Family Foundation was formed by Gary and Karen Winnick in 1983. According to Gary Winnick, the Hebrew phrase ‘tikkun olam’ -- which means repairing the world -- is the guiding principle behind every dollar donated to support programs as diverse as pioneering the latest in scientific health care research, to improving children’s literacy, to promoting religious tolerance.

As Chairman of The Winnick Family Foundation, Gary Winnick gives a great deal of time and energy to philanthropic causes. In addition to supporting wonderful initiatives such as the state- of-the-art clinical research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and The Winnick International Conference Center at the Simon Wiesenthal Center Jerusalem, he also serves on numerous boards, including The Simon Wiesenthal Center, The Museum of Modern Art and Hillel International. In addition, Gary Winnick funds student scholarships at the C.W. Post campus of Long Island University, his alma mater, and restored the Post Mansion and transformed the main cafeteria into the Arnold S. Winnick Student Center, named in memory of his late father.

The Winnick Family Foundation focuses its giving in the general program areas of Education, Health Care, Art and Culture, and the Jewish Community. The Winnick Family Foundation prefers project-specific programs, but it also selectively supports capital campaigns and provides unrestricted support to some grantee organizations. There is a preference for projects in Los Angeles or New York or those having an international component. At present, The Winnick Family Foundation does not publish an annual report or grant list.

Gary Winnick’s recent quote to Mosaic Magazine might best sum up ‘tikkun olam’ and his thoughts on philanthropy, “All of us in our own way have an obligation to improve what we can improve for others. I’ve been luckier with money than others, but that doesn’t give me any entitlement other than to do more. People say to me: ‘Look at all the philanthropic things you’ve done over your life.’ As far as I’m concerned, I wish I did ten time more…But, I’m not done yet…”

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