The Bernard and Etta Weinberg Family Fund is currently the largest restricted fund of the Jewish Federation with approximately $23.8 million in assets and $9.8 million granted since 2010.
According to Etta’s original intentions, the Fund directed money to programs she funded during her lifetime: Jewish Family and Children’s Service: CLASP (City Line Assisting Seniors Program) and Senior Horizons, as well as Passport to Israel. Funding for these eventually ended as the programs ended, and per Etta’s will, the Fund began to direct money to support programs she cared most about: geriatric counseling and care management (50% of grant), older adults (33% of grant), and Jewish education (16% of grant).
The committee continues to search for programs that are new and innovative and reflect Etta’s core areas of interest. Viable options are limited so the committee has begun to focus on programs that meet more of the basic, unmet needs of older adults while still considering opportunities that are new and innovative. The committee for The Weinberg Fund approves funding for up to three years.
Funding focus Areas
Requests for support must align with one of the three identified areas from the original Fund agreement (below) and identify specific and measurable outcomes.
- Geriatric Counseling and Care Management
- Older Adults
- Jewish Education
- Health and human services in Israel, if funds are available
FUNDING CONSIDERATIONS
The Weinberg fund considers proposals in an invite-only process. Our vetting process ensures that granted funds are only distributed to organizations that:
- Demonstrate strength and viability
- Make lasting, impactful contributions to our Jewish communities
- New, pilot or expansion of existing projects will be prioritized
Priority will be given to Greater Philadelphia area organizations, with remaining funds to be allocated to appropriate Israeli organizations.
ELIGIBILITY
- Geographic eligibility:
- U.S. organizations must be based in one of the five counties of Greater Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, or Delaware).
- Israeli organizations do not have any geographic restrictions, though agencies from our partnership region of Netivot and Sdot Negev are encouraged to apply.
- Organizational requirements:
- U.S. organizations must have their own IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt designation OR have a public charity as a fiscal sponsor.
- Israeli organizations must be a registered Amuta with Rasham Ha’amotot and maintain its Malkar status.
- Organizations considered must serve a significant number of Jewish individuals, but do not necessarily have to be “Jewish” organizations.
MONITORING AND REPORTING
After each grant is awarded, grantees undergo regular monitoring and evaluation both to ensure effective and efficient use of funds, and to facilitate and measure successful outcomes.
Important Dates
- Nov. 11, 2024: Request for proposals for funding in FY26-27 opens
- Dec. 15, 2024: Deadline for proposal submissions for funding in FY26-27
- June 2025: Grantees for FY26-27 notified
- Fall 2025: End of year reports for organizations funded in FY25 due
- Fall 2026: End of year reports for organizations funded in FY26 due
For more information
If you are a nonprofit organization interested in a Bernard and Etta Weinberg Family Fund grant, please contact grants@jewishphilly.org.