If you’ve spent any time looking at the donor walls of New York’s biggest hospitals or private schools, you’ve probably seen the name. It’s everywhere. Yet, for a foundation that moves tens of millions of dollars every single year, there is a surprising lack of "fluff" out there about it. Most folks just see the name on a building and keep walking.
But money like this doesn't just "happen." The Jane and Daniel Och Family Foundation isn't just a tax vehicle or a quiet hobby for a retired hedge fund mogul. It’s a massive, highly strategic operation that focuses on a few very specific pillars: healthcare, Jewish life, and education.
Honest talk? It’s basically the engine behind some of the most advanced medical research in the Northeast right now.
Who are the people behind the checkbook?
To understand the foundation, you’ve gotta know Daniel Och. He’s the guy who founded Och-Ziff Capital Management (now Sculptor Capital Management). He’s an old-school Goldman Sachs alum who knows how to spot value. That same "investor mindset" carries over into how he and his wife, Jane, run their philanthropy.
They aren't just cutting checks to every gala that sends an invite. They are looking for "leverage."
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Jane and Daniel have been at this since 2008. They operate out of an office in Greenwich, Connecticut, though you’ll often see them linked to New Jersey and Florida too. Why the spread? Well, Daniel grew up in Maplewood, NJ. They live in Florida now. They spent decades in New York. Their giving follows the map of their lives.
The $50 Million Spine "Problem"
Most people think of charity as "feeding the hungry" or "saving the whales." While that’s great, the Jane and Daniel Och Family Foundation tends to go for the "big system" fixes.
Take their 2022 gift to NewYork-Presbyterian. It was $50 million. That is a staggering amount of money.
It wasn't for a new lobby. It was specifically to expand the "Och Spine" program. If you’ve ever had back pain, you know how much it sucks. Now imagine being in an underserved community where you can't even get an appointment with a specialist. That gift was designed to fix that, pushing world-class spinal care out of the fancy Manhattan offices and into the surrounding boroughs and Westchester.
Why Jewish Education is their "North Star"
If you look at their tax filings (which are public, by the way), you’ll see a massive recurring theme: Jewish identity.
This isn't just a "sorta" interest for them. It’s core.
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They famously gave a $15 million matching gift to the Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union. The school ended up changing its name to Golda Och Academy, in honor of Daniel’s mother, who was one of the original founders.
- The Michael Och Fund: They also set up a $10 million challenge gift for faculty excellence, named after Dan’s father.
- Birthright Israel: They’ve been huge supporters of getting young people to Israel.
- UJA-Federation of New York: They consistently drop seven-figure grants here.
It’s about "continuity." They want to make sure the culture and education they grew up with doesn't just fade away into the background of modern life.
The numbers that nobody talks about
Let's get into the weeds for a second because the scale is kinda wild.
In a typical year, the foundation grants somewhere between $25 million and $30 million. As of the most recent filings heading into 2026, the foundation’s total assets are hovering around $523 million.
That is a serious war chest.
They don't just hold the cash, either. They invest it. Their portfolio is a mix of corporate stocks, bonds, and "alternative investments"—which makes sense given Daniel’s background. They are basically running a mini-hedge fund where the "profit" goes toward fixing spines and teaching kids.
Where is the money going lately?
- JESPY House: In late 2025, they dropped $500,000 to help adults with intellectual disabilities. They even have a building there called the "Michael Och House."
- Mount Sinai Medical Center (Miami): They’ve been pouring resources into cancer care in Florida.
- Anti-Defamation League (ADL): They are major players in the fight against antisemitism, often providing million-dollar-plus grants.
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows
Look, we have to be real. High-finance philanthropy always comes with some baggage. Daniel Och’s career hasn't been without its headlines—there was that massive SEC settlement years ago related to Och-Ziff's dealings in Africa.
Some people look at foundation giving as a way for billionaires to "clean up" their image.
Whether you believe that or not, the impact of the money is undeniable. When a kid gets a scholarship to a top-tier school or a construction worker gets a life-changing spine surgery at a clinic that wouldn't exist without Och’s money, the "why" matters a lot less than the "what."
How they choose who to fund
If you’re a small nonprofit hoping to get a slice of that $30 million pie, I’ve got some bad news. They aren't really "open for applications" in the traditional sense.
The Jane and Daniel Och Family Foundation is a private, grant-making foundation. They have a Program Officer and an Executive Director (Andy Katzman) who scout for opportunities. They "source" potential grantees.
They look for:
- Scale: Can this organization handle a $1M+ grant?
- Focus: Does it fit into education, health, or Jewish life?
- Efficiency: They hate waste. They want to see that the money is actually hitting the ground, not just paying for fancy offices.
The "Miami Shift"
Over the last few years, there’s been a noticeable shift in where the money lands. Since the Ochs moved their primary base to Florida, Miami-Dade organizations have started seeing more love.
The Irma and Norman Braman Comprehensive Cancer Center is a great example. Jane and Daniel have been vocal about making sure Miami has the same level of healthcare as New York. It’s not just about writing checks anymore; they are actively trying to build up the infrastructure of their new home.
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What this means for the future of giving
The Och foundation represents a specific type of "high-conviction" philanthropy. They aren't trying to solve every problem in the world. They aren't trying to end global warming or fix the housing crisis.
They’ve picked their lanes.
By sticking to spine health, Jewish education, and community development, they’ve managed to become arguably the most influential donors in those specific niches. It’s a "mile deep, inch wide" strategy.
Actionable Takeaways for Following the Foundation
If you are tracking the foundation's impact or looking for a model for high-net-worth giving, here is how you should look at it:
- Watch the 990-PF forms: If you want the truth about where the money goes, don't read the press releases. Look at the tax filings. They show every single dollar that leaves the door.
- Follow the "Och Spine" expansion: This is their most ambitious healthcare play. If you're in the NY metro area, watch for new clinics popping up in non-traditional areas—that's the Och money at work.
- Look for "Matching Challenges": They love to use their money as a magnet. If they give $5 million, they often require the organization to raise another $5 million. It’s a great way to see which nonprofits actually have community support.
- Monitor the Florida pivot: As more New York wealth moves south, the Och foundation is a "bellwether." Where they give, other billionaire foundations usually follow within 18–24 months.
The Jane and Daniel Och Family Foundation isn't going anywhere. With half a billion in assets and a very clear mission, they are set to remain the "silent partners" behind some of the most important institutions in the US for decades to come.