The Jewish Community Fund (JCF) is the core of the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign.
Long guided by our mission of mobilizing financial and volunteer resources, the JCF aims to address the communities’ most critical priorities locally, in Israel and elsewhere around the world. We take care of vulnerable populations who need extra support, engage informed compassionate communities in repairing the world, work to combat antisemitism and enhance security measures for Jewish institutions, and energize Jewish life and Jewish learning.
The JCF is unrestricted funds that the Jewish Federation grants to Jewish institutions that share our values by offering programs and services which Care for Those in Need Locally, Support Israel and Global Jewry, and Secure a Vibrant Jewish Future.
FOCUS AREA
FY26 will be a renewal year for currently funded agencies, and the JCF will not be reviewing new applications.
Specific funding focus areas for FY27 have not yet been determined, though they will be taken from the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia priority areas. Click here to see a full listing of our funding priorities.
Priority will be given to general operating grants. Capacity building grants will be awarded as possible based on the amount of available funds and perceived impact of the proposal.
Important Dates
- Winter 2024-25: Mid-year site visits with JFGP professional staff for FY25 funded agencies
- June 2025: Currently funded (FY25) grantees will be notified of their FY26 grant amount
- Fall 2025: End of year reports for FY25 funding due
- Fall 2026: End of year reports for FY26 funding due
FUNDING CONSIDERATIONS, ELIGIBILITY, AND RESTRICTIONS
- The Jewish Community Fund grant process is invite-only, and organizations will be invited to apply for grants in the following two categories:
- General Operating Support
- Capacity Building
- Geographic Eligibility:
- Local organizations must be based in one of the five counties of Greater Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, or Delaware).
- Israeli organizations must be located within our partnership region of Netivot and Sdot Negev. Organizations outside of our partnership region will be considered on a limited basis and only under extenuating circumstances.
- Organizational requirements:
- U.S. organizations must have their own IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt designation.
- Israeli organizations must be a registered Amuta with Rasham Ha’amotot and maintain its Malkar status.
Grant types
Considerations
- Agencies whose mission in its totality aligns with Jewish Federation priority areas
- Exceptionality in providing services across one or more of Jewish Federation’s priority areas, as evidenced by accreditations, awards, etc.
- Organizations that are fiscally healthy over with an organizational theory of change
Restrictions
Funds may be used for any direct or indirect costs related to the nonprofit’s activities, including but not limited to: payroll, rent, utilities, supplies and equipment, project costs, capital improvements, and planning. Activities for this grant must be completed within one year of award.
Considerations
An organization that focuses on enhancing the skills, resources, and overall effectiveness of other Jewish nonprofits in the Greater Philadelphia region or our Partnership region in Israel. It offers support in areas such as direct training, consulting, resource provision and facilitating collaborations to strengthen the sector as a whole or a target community. The goal is to empower nonprofits to operate more efficiently, achieve greater impact, and sustain their work over the long term. Agency must be in alignment with at least one of the Jewish Federation’s priority areas and serve multiple providers or build capacity across a system.
For more information
If you are a nonprofit organization interested in one of our grant opportunities, please contact grants@jewishphilly.org.