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AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 461411164 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A12 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Medium ($1M-$10M) · preserveauschwitz.org
revenue
$3.7M
expenses
$2.3M
net assets
$2.7M
employees
2
program ratio
77%
mission · from form 990

AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU MEMORIAL FOUNDATION WAS ESTABLISHED TO SUPPORT THE PRESERVATION OF THE GROUNDS & REMNANTS OF THE FORMER CONCENTRATION CAMP KL AUSCHWITZ I AND II BIRKENAU.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation supports the preservation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum in Poland, ensuring the site and its artifacts endure for future generations. The organization strengthens Holocaust education by connecting U.S. educators with survivors and organizing fellowships for teachers to visit the site. It also sustains relationships with survivors, amplifies their stories, and combats rising antisemitism and Holocaust denial through public engagement and educational programming.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $105K
    OTHER PROGRAMS - THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS THE VISITOR'S CENTER AT THE AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU MEMORIAL AND ALSO PROMOTES STORIES OF THE SURVIVORS AS PART OF THEIR LEGACY PROGRAM.
  2. #2 $67K
    THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTS FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE PRESERVATION OF THE GROUNDS AND REMNANTS OF THE FORMER CONCENTRATION CAMP KL AUSCHWITZ I AND AUSCHWITZ II BIRKENAU CONCENTRATION CAMP, SUPERVISED BY THE AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU STATE MUSEUM IN OSWIECIM, POLAND. THE ORGANIZATION ORGANIZES ACTIVITIES SUCH AS LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS, WHICH RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE PRESERVATION OF THE AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU MEMORIAL SITE IN POLAND.
named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship
Provides U.S. high school teachers with a life-changing opportunity to study at Auschwitz-Birkenau, engage with survivor testimonies, and bring authentic Holocaust education back to their classrooms.
Birthday Flowers & Letters
Maintains ongoing relationships with survivors by sending birthday flowers and messages, fostering emotional connection and public remembrance.
Preservation Support
Provides financial and organizational support for the conservation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, including the barracks, artifacts, and archival materials, in partnership with the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation.
Survivors' Voices
Amplifies the stories of Auschwitz-Birkenau survivors through public speaking, social media, and educational outreach, ensuring their testimonies are preserved and shared with new generations.
activities · 2 groups

What they do

  • Holocaust and Genocide Remembrance Education 5 activities
    • Advocacy and public awareness campaigns about Auschwitz-Birkenau
      Conducts fundraising, organizes public lectures and galas—including a gala in Krakow for the 80th anniversary—and secures media coverage in national outlets to raise awareness about the preservation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial site.
    • Operating the Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship for U.S. educators
      Runs a capacity-building program that trains American high school teachers through study trips to Poland, educational programming, and resources to teach the history and lessons of Auschwitz; has trained over 190 educators from 22 states since 2022.
    • Organizing commemorative events and delegations for Auschwitz-Birkenau anniversaries
      Organizes and supports delegations of survivors and families to Poland for major anniversaries, including travel, accommodations, and emotional needs; led delegations for the 75th and 80th anniversaries of liberation.
    • Preserving survivor stories and legacies through publications and social media
      Produces and publishes survivor-centered materials including the cookbook "Honey Cake & Latkes," which compiles recipes and reflections from Auschwitz-Birkenau survivors, and shares survivor biographies and birthday wishes on social media to honor and preserve their memories.
    • Producing educational content and media about Auschwitz and the Holocaust
      Creates and premieres original films and media, such as the short film “They Were Just Like Us,” and organizes lectures, exhibits, and events in the U.S. to educate the public about Auschwitz and the Holocaust.
  • Jewish Life and Security Support 1 activity
    • Funding preservation and educational initiatives at Auschwitz-Birkenau
      Provides direct financial support to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation's Perpetual Endowment Fund and raises funds for new preservation and educational initiatives in partnership with the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.72M
Contributions & grants$3.69M99%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$28K
expenses
Total expenses$2.35M
Program expenses77%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising11%
Salaries & benefits$486K
Grants paid out$1.30M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.47M
Cash$2.07M
Investments$0
Liabilities$808K
Net assets$2.66M
Liquid reserves10.6 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +185.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MARIA ZALEWSKA Executive Dir. 40 $352K
board members · 11
  • ANDREA CAYTON — BOARD MEMBER
  • ANDREW INTRATER — BOARD MEMBER
  • CLIFFORD BRANDEIS — BOARD MEMBER
  • GAIL BECKER — BOARD MEMBER
  • HARRY KRAKOWSKI — BOARD MEMBER
  • HOWARD UNGER — BOARD MEMBER
  • JOE FINKELSTEIN — BOARD MEMBER
  • JOEL CITRON — BOARD MEMBER
  • LEWIS GANTMAN — BOARD MEMBER
  • MARTIN E KARLINSKY — BOARD MEMBER
  • RONALD S LAUDER — CHAIR OF BOARD
relationships · 16

Who they work with

  • Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship Partner — Program run by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation to educate American teachers about the Holocaust.
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation Partner — U.S. partner organization collaborating to support the Perpetual Endowment Fund for long-term site preservation.
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum Partner — Collaborates on preservation and educational initiatives, with Dr. Maria Zalewska serving as Honorary Consul of the Memorial and Museum in the U.S.
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum Partner — Collaborates with the Foundation on the development and implementation of preservation and educational initiatives.
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Partner — Supports the museum by organizing exhibits in the United States and helping establish partnerships with U.S. institutions.
  • CBS Mornings Partner — Featured the cookbook on CBS Mornings with Gayle King.
  • Cracow University of Economics Partner — Hosts educational workshops for Fellowship participants.
  • Dr. Maria Zalewska Government — Executive Director of ABMF and producer of the short film “They Were Just Like Us”
  • Eugene Ginter Partner — Survivor whose story is featured by the foundation to educate the public about the Holocaust
  • Maria Zalewska Government — Executive director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation and author referenced in educator programming.
  • Museum of the History of Polish Jews Partner — Partner organization providing educational components of the Fellowship.
  • Tova Friedman Partner — Survivor and public speaker who participates in the Foundation's delegations and commemorative events.
  • Tova Friedman Partner — Survivor whose story is featured by the foundation to educate the public about the Holocaust
  • United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Partner — Partner organization in the Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship program.
  • World Jewish Congress Government — Leadership connection through Chairman Ronald S. Lauder, who serves as President of the World Jewish Congress.
  • Yad Vashem Partner — Partner organization in the Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship program.
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Education Through Immersive Experience and Educator Empowerment
    methodology: immersive_education
    By providing U.S. educators with immersive, firsthand experiences at Auschwitz-Birkenau and equipping them with pedagogical tools, we produce more effective and impactful Holocaust education in American schools, because direct engagement deepens understanding, moral responsibility, and teaching fidelity.
  • Preservation as Moral Stewardship for Active Remembrance
    methodology: preservation-based_remembrance
    By preserving the physical site of Auschwitz-Birkenau and survivor testimony, we sustain authentic historical memory, because material and moral continuity enables active remembrance and strengthens resistance to contemporary hatred and indifference.
  • Youth Engagement Through Digital Intergenerational Storytelling
    methodology: intergenerational_digital_education
    By using digital platforms like TikTok to share Holocaust stories through intergenerational collaboration, we produce greater relevance and engagement among young audiences, because contemporary media formats combined with personal narrative make historical memory accessible and emotionally resonant.