Grant Making at JCF
Grant making is at the heart of what we do. Since 1949, the Jewish Community Foundation and our donors have made grants to a wide range of programs and institutions, both Jewish and in the broader community, locally and around the world.
We fund academic scholarships and provide other forms of financial aid to individuals and families in need. We respond to emergencies that affect the Jewish community here in New Jersey, nationally, and around the world. Our grants also support new initiatives, innovative programs, and special community projects.
- Grants recommended by our fundholders, from their donor-advised funds and supporting foundations, make up the vast majority of JCF’s grantmaking. These grants support charitable organizations ranging from our local Federation and partner agencies, to programs in Israel and overseas Jewish communities, to secular organizations around the country and around the world. About 70 percent of our fundholders’ grants support Jewish causes. Learn more about donor-advised funds.
- JCF’s advisory councils oversee grantmaking in particular areas, including Jewish camps, day schools, programs and services for older adults, women, teen programs, and Israel. Each advisory council is a group of donors with common interests who oversee targeted funds of the JCF. Learn more about advisory councils.
- JCF also has restricted endowment funds, established through family legacies, that are overseen by a grant review committee. Currently, our grant review committee is also working with an innovations committee on cutting-edge philanthropy. Learn more about Innovations Grants.
- The largest annual gift to Federation’s UJA Annual Campaign is a grant from JCF, funded by legacy gifts from Lester Society and Lion of Judah Endowment donors.

Contact
Yaffa Karp
Associate Director,
Center for Strategic Philanthropy
Grant Highlights
- Project CEASSE: Educates about elder abuse through presentations and literature. Provides counseling, case management, and home health aide services.
- Holocaust Council and Newark Initiatives: Scholarship funds to enable GMW Holocaust educators to engage in advanced study opportunities in Europe and Israel.
- Be'er-Sova (Israel) Community Restaurant: A soup kitchen providing meals for those in the Be’er-Sova community who struggle with food insecurity.