Newton and Rochelle Becker Charitable Trust

The Newton and Rochelle Becker Charitable Trust (BCT) was founded in 2006 by Newt Becker, entrepreneur (founder of the Becker CPA Review Course that has prepared half of America’s CPAs for the CPA Exam), visionary investor (lead investor and Chairman of the Board of Luz, the world’s largest developer of solar energy for many years, and investor in many other cutting edge investments) and involved, hands-on philanthropist. Dr. David Becker, Newt’s son, has led the trust as Managing Trustee since Newt passed away in 2012, and Dylan Tatz has served as its President since 2020.

Growing up as a teenager in a working class Jewish neighborhood in Cleveland during the Holocaust, at a time when anti-Semitism was a very real factor for the American Jewish community, Newt and his peers experienced a reality of vulnerability and powerlessness. They were very aware of the inability of their community to protect their fellow Jews in Europe. Newt vowed that if he ever had the means, he would do what he could to protect Jews around the world and to further American democratic values that lead to safety and security for all people.

BCT is a grantmaking foundation with more than 130 annual grantees dedicated to safeguarding democratic values and ensuring the future of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. BCT has developed a strategic philanthropic model and takes an entrepreneurial approach, often being among the first funders of new projects and organizations. Most of BCT’s giving is focused in three priority areas: Research and Education to Advance Middle East Peace and Security; Jewish Continuity and Identity; and Supporting Democratic Values. Please see BCT’s website, www.BeckerTrust.org for more details.