American Friends of Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

New York, NY · Founded 1972

Supports the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra through fundraising and advocacy in the United States

Primary audience
Music Audiences
Work area
Fundraising Support
Topic
Classical Music
Contact
Catherine Lou
Website Contact

About Organization

The organization serves as the American fundraising arm for the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, promoting world-class orchestral music and cultural exchange. Based in New York, NY, the organization generated $4.8 million in revenue in 2024 with a staff of 7 employees and maintains assets of $25.6 million.

What They Focus On

Orchestra Support

Provides financial and institutional support to sustain the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra's operations and artistic programming

Cultural Exchange

Facilitates cultural connections between American audiences and Israeli classical music through fundraising and advocacy

Donor Engagement

Builds and maintains relationships with American philanthropists committed to supporting world-class orchestral music

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$4.8M

+0% vs 2024

Assets (2024)

$25.6M

+0% vs 2024

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2024 — — — —
2024 $4,798,869 $4,892,954 $25,569,710 7
2023 — — — —
2023 $3,247,945 $4,267,683 $25,020,592 8
2022 — — — —
2022 $4,038,588 $6,501,961 $24,227,413 7
2020 — — — —
2020 $3,394,526 $3,498,965 $27,447,792 8
2019 $4,288,044 $4,836,279 $25,517,768 8
2018 $5,793,257 $5,955,001 $23,694,912 9

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Donor Outreach

    Identify and engage potential American donors interested in supporting classical music and Israeli culture

  • 02

    Fundraising Events

    Host concerts, galas, and cultivation events to raise awareness and generate financial support

  • 03

    Grant Administration

    Process donations and distribute unrestricted general support grants to the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

  • 04

    Impact Communication

    Report back to donors on how their contributions support the orchestra's artistic excellence

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by American Friends of Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

Fundraising Campaigns

Raises funds from American donors to support the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra's operations and programming

Donor Relations

Cultivates relationships with American supporters and provides engagement opportunities with the orchestra

Cultural Advocacy

Promotes appreciation for classical music and the Israel Philharmonic's artistic mission in the United States

General Support Grants

Provides unrestricted general operating support to the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra for its exempt purposes

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind American Friends of Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

CL

Catherine Lou

CEO & CFO
Full-time
Compensation: $249,359
JR

Jennifer Ritvo Hughes

Chief Executive Officer (through 9/24)
Full-time
Compensation: $225,000
CP

Claudio Pincus

Vice President
0 hrs/week
ES

Eta Somekh

Vice President
0 hrs/week
HF

Helgard Field-Lion

Director (through 12/24)
0 hrs/week
JC

James C Ackerman

President
3 hrs/week
JS

Jane Stern Lebell

Vice President
0 hrs/week
MT

Mina Tulchinsky

Director (as of 9/24)
0 hrs/week
RS

Richard S Ziman

Vice President (through 6/24)
0 hrs/week
SF

Sara Fabrikant

Vice President (through 5/24)
0 hrs/week
CL

Catherine L Lou

CEO & CFO
AT

Abigail Tananbaum

Director
AD

Abraham D Sofaer

Director
BH

Benjamin Hildner

Director
CK

Chaim Katzman

Director
DA

David A Hirsch

Director
EA

Emanuel Ax

Director
HS

Hadar Shemtov

Director
HL

Heidi Learner

Director
IS

Irwin S Field

Director
LS

Lynn Syms

Director
MS

Myron S Glucksman

Director
NB

Noemi Brief Zafrany

Director
PL

Polly Levine

Director
SG

Sharon Gabriel

Director
SG

Stephen Gordon

Director
TM

Theodore Mirvis

Director
TP

Tricia Pantzer

Director
YB

Yefim Bronfman

Director

Milestones

1972

Organization Founded

1972

Established as the American fundraising arm for the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

2018

Peak Fundraising Year

2018

Achieved highest recorded revenue of $5.8 million with 9 staff members

2024

Leadership Transition

2024

Catherine Lou appointed as CFO and Interim CEO effective October 2024

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AT
Abigail Tananbaum Director 0.1 hrs/week
AD
Abraham D Sofaer Director 0.1 hrs/week
BH
Benjamin Hildner Director 0.3 hrs/week
CK
Chaim Katzman Director 0.1 hrs/week
DA
David A Hirsch Director 0.3 hrs/week
EA
Emanuel Ax Director 0.1 hrs/week
HS
Hadar Shemtov Director 0.1 hrs/week
HL
Heidi Learner Director 0.3 hrs/week
IS
Irwin S Field Director 0.3 hrs/week
LS
Lynn Syms Director 0.3 hrs/week
MS
Myron S Glucksman Director 0.3 hrs/week
NB
Noemi Brief Zafrany Director 0.3 hrs/week
PL
Polly Levine Director 0.1 hrs/week
SG
Sharon Gabriel Director 0.3 hrs/week
SB
Stacey Bronfman Secretary 0.3 hrs/week
SG
Stephen Gordon Director 0.3 hrs/week
TM
Theodore Mirvis Director 0.3 hrs/week
TP
Tricia Pantzer Director 0.3 hrs/week
YB
Yefim Bronfman Director 0.1 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$490K

Highest Paid

$264K

Catherine Lou

Compensated Officers

2

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Catherine Lou CFO & Interim CEO (Effective 10/24) $249,359 $15,062 $264,421 40
Jennifer Ritvo Hughes Chief Executive Officer (Through 9/24) $225,000 $470 $225,470 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$216K

Total Forgiven

$219K

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

14

Loan Details 2 loans

$110,000
Forgiven
Forgiven: $111,170 100%
Approved Feb 24, 2021
Lender Capital One, National Association
Jobs Reported 7
Forgiven On Mar 22, 2022
$106,400
Forgiven
Forgiven: $107,771 100%
Approved Apr 27, 2020
Lender Capital One, National Association
Jobs Reported 7
Forgiven On Aug 19, 2021

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$170K Grants Received
5 Organizations

Top Funders

5 total
MS
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc. 2 grants
$55K
F
Fjc
$43K
FI
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
$36K
AO
American Online Giving Foundation Inc.
$26K
JC
Jewish Community Foundation
$10K
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc. Fjc Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Jewish Community Foundation
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc. Fjc Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Jewish Community Foundation

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Lobbying Activity

Lobbying Disclosure Act registrations

4 Registrations
4 Clients

Clients 4 total

A
American Friends Of Kosovo - An Ad Hoc Coalition
1 filing
A
American Friends Of Notre Dame University
1 filing
A
American Friends Of The Hebrew University
1 filing
C
Cormac Group On Behalf Of The American Friends Of The Hebrew University
1 filing

Source: Senate Office of Public Records — Lobbying Disclosure Act

Contact

Get in touch with American Friends of Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

Phone

(212) 697-2949
Visit Website
122 E 42nd Street 4507 New York, NY 10168