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Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts Inc

Annual Giving
$1.4M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.6M

Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Over $1 million in grants annually (JEF); $1,382,231 in total grants (2022)
  • Total Distributions: $2.7 million from restricted funds across all categories
  • Success Rate: Approximately 30 scholarship recipients selected annually
  • Decision Time: Varies by program
  • Grant Range: Varies by program; scholarships up to $1,500 for Israel travel
  • Geographic Focus: Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties, Western Massachusetts
  • Founded: 1925 (Federation); 1972 (Jewish Endowment Foundation)

Contact Details

Address: 1160 Dickinson Street, Springfield, MA 01108

Phone: (413) 737-4313

Email: info@jewishwesternmass.org Grants/Scholarships Inquiries: marketing@jewishwesternmass.org

Website: https://www.jewishwesternmass.org Grants & Scholarships Page: https://jewishwesternmass.org/grants-scholarships/

Overview

The Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts Inc (JFWM) has served as the central Jewish communal organization for Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties since 1925. Through its Jewish Endowment Foundation (JEF), established in 1972 as the Federation's planned giving division, the organization makes over $1 million in grants annually to local Jewish organizations and nonprofit organizations. In 2022, the Federation distributed $1,382,231 in grants, with restricted funds totaling $2.7 million across multiple categories including Jewish agencies, educational organizations, synagogues, health and wellness organizations, and social services. The Federation has earned a Four-Star rating (96%) from Charity Navigator, reflecting its strong financial health and commitment to accountability. Under the leadership of CEO Nora Gorenstein, the organization continues to strengthen Jewish community life through grants, scholarships, and strategic partnerships while maintaining its mission to ensure the continuity and well-being of a vibrant Jewish community locally, nationally, and internationally.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

JEF Unrestricted Funds

  • Provide grants to local organizations for new programs and those at risk
  • Support community needs through a grants process
  • Fund operations and emergency needs
  • Amount: Varies based on need

JEF Common Fund College Scholarships

  • Available to all qualified undergraduate students regardless of race, religion, or gender
  • Applicants must be residents of Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties
  • Based on combination of academic performance, financial need, and community involvement
  • Students eligible to renew awards for full four years of undergraduate career
  • Since 2015: Awarded more than $260,000 to more than 240 students
  • Approximately 30 students selected annually
  • Application opens: January 5, 2026

Springfield Council of Jewish Women (SCJW) Scholarships

  • Available to qualified undergraduates residing in Chicopee, Springfield, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Wilbraham, Hampden, Agawam, or West Springfield
  • SCJW has awarded more than $2.5 million over its history
  • Recent awards: 43 scholarships totaling $66,500 (2025); $70,000 in total scholarship funds (2023)

Israel Travel and Study Grants

  • Help students and adults defray costs of traveling to and studying in Israel
  • Additional subsidies available from Harold Grinspoon Foundation
  • Harold Grinspoon Foundation offers up to $1,500 for adult residents (19+) for one trip to Israel every three years
  • Application reopens: January 2026

Micro-Grant/Unexpected Opportunities Grant Program

  • Available for smaller, time-sensitive needs
  • Rolling application process

Priority Areas

The Jewish Endowment Foundation distributed $2.7 million from restricted funds across:

  • Jewish Agencies & Organizations: $617,207
  • Jewish Educational Organizations (including day schools): $385,233
  • Synagogues: $408,969
  • Health & Wellness Organizations: $383,110
  • Other Educational Organizations: $108,649
  • Social Services & Other Organizations: $103,190
  • Fine and Performing Arts Organizations: $19,340

Core Funding Areas:

  • Travel to and study in Israel
  • Jewish education and day schools
  • Professional development
  • Missions
  • Social justice
  • Holocaust education
  • Support for Israel
  • Jewish summer camps
  • College campus Jewish life (Hillel)
  • Food security programs
  • Medical facilities
  • Arts organizations

Guided by Core Values:

  • Torah (Jewish learning)
  • Klal Yisrael (responsibility of each Jew for another)
  • Tikkun Olam (repairing the world)
  • Tzedakah (justice, righteousness, and philanthropy)

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions were not detailed in available public materials. For detailed eligibility requirements, applicants should contact the organization directly or review application guidelines when programs open.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Nora Gorenstein, Chief Executive Officer

  • Appointed CEO in April 2022
  • Previously served as JFWM's Interim Executive Director and Development Officer
  • Nearly two decades of experience in Jewish education and nonprofit work
  • Over a decade of service in Western Massachusetts
  • Prior roles: Sinai Temple, Temple Beth El, Springfield JCC, Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy, Heritage Academy, Harold Grinspoon Foundation
  • Vision: "To hold space for all types of Jewish identity and connection with our Federation and welcome everyone who chooses to connect with this broad network of partnership"

Adam Solender, Interim Executive Director, Chief Philanthropy Officer, and JEF Director

  • 17+ years of nonprofit leadership experience
  • Former CEO of Jewish Educational Alliance (JEA) in Savannah, Georgia for over 17 years

Board of Trustees

Officers:

  • Robyn Newhouse, President
  • Molly Parr, Vice President
  • Aaron Saunders, Vice President
  • Robert Kahan, Treasurer
  • Joshua Vogel, Secretary
  • Mark Gold, JEF Chair
  • Frank Roberts, Past President

Trustees:

  • Kenneth Abrahams
  • Harold Grinspoon (philanthropist, real estate entrepreneur, founder of Harold Grinspoon Foundation)
  • Maurice Katz
  • Charles Nirenberg
  • Mary Louise Nissenbaum
  • Franklin Weiss

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the organization's website at https://jewishwesternmass.org/grants-scholarships/

Different programs have different application cycles and processes:

JEF Common Fund College Scholarships

  • Application period: Opens January 5, 2026
  • Online application through website

Israel Travel and Study Grants

  • Application period: Reopens January 2026
  • Additional Harold Grinspoon Foundation subsidies available for eligible applicants

Other Grant Programs

  • Application periods vary
  • Some programs operate on rolling basis (Micro-Grants)
  • Check grants and scholarships page for current application windows

Decision Timeline

Scholarships: Decisions announced after application period closes. Approximately 30 recipients selected annually for Common Fund scholarships.

Grants: Timeline varies by program and fund type. Unrestricted funds provide grants through a grants process, with emergency needs addressed as they arise.

Success Rates

Scholarships: Approximately 30 students selected annually from Common Fund applicant pool. Over 240 students have received scholarships since 2015.

Grants: The organization distributed $1,382,231 in grants in 2022 to multiple local organizations including Jewish Federation agencies, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Service, Hillel, day schools, synagogues, medical facilities, and arts organizations.

Reapplication Policy

College Scholarships: Students are eligible to renew their awards for their full four years of undergraduate collegiate career, indicating strong support for multi-year funding.

Israel Travel Grants: Through Harold Grinspoon Foundation partnership, eligible for one trip every three years.

No specific reapplication restrictions mentioned for organizational grants, though applicants should contact the organization for specific guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on the organization's stated priorities and selection criteria:

For Scholarships:

  • Demonstrate community involvement: Selection based on combination of academic performance, financial need, and community involvement
  • Show financial need: This is explicitly part of selection criteria
  • Maintain academic performance: Required for initial selection and renewal eligibility
  • Geographic eligibility is key: Must be resident of Hampden, Hampshire, or Franklin counties (Common Fund) or specific towns for SCJW scholarships

For Organizational Grants:

  • Alignment with Jewish values: Programs guided by Torah, Klal Yisrael, Tikkun Olam, and Tzedakah
  • Serve Western Massachusetts Jewish community: Geographic focus on three-county region since 1925
  • Address priority areas: Jewish agencies, education, Israel connection, health/wellness, social services, arts
  • Support new programs or at-risk programs: Unrestricted funds specifically target these areas
  • Demonstrate community need: Emergency needs and community needs receive consideration
  • Partnership potential: Federation works with local and worldwide partners

Strategic Alignment: The organization's strategic goals emphasize increasing community and volunteer involvement and satisfaction, and increasing total giving. Applications that demonstrate how they will engage the community and build participation may be particularly compelling.

CEO Nora Gorenstein's Vision: Applications that demonstrate inclusivity and welcome "all types of Jewish identity and connection" align with current leadership priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Four-star rated organization with 96% Charity Navigator score demonstrates strong financial stewardship and accountability
  • Geographic specificity matters: Must serve or be located in Hampden, Hampshire, or Franklin counties
  • Multi-year commitment: Scholarship recipients can renew for four full years, showing preference for sustained relationships
  • Jewish values alignment: Even for non-religious programs, demonstrate connection to Torah, Klal Yisrael, Tikkun Olam, or Tzedakah
  • Over 50 years of grantmaking: JEF established in 1972 has extensive experience and established processes
  • Diverse funding portfolio: From $1,500 Israel travel grants to hundreds of thousands in organizational support, various funding levels available
  • Rolling opportunities exist: Micro-grant program provides year-round funding for smaller, time-sensitive needs
  • Strong community partnerships: Works with Harold Grinspoon Foundation and other local organizations, so collaborative applications may be particularly strong
  • Mission-driven funding: Supports "continuity and well-being of a vibrant Jewish community" both locally and globally
  • Check timing carefully: Different programs have different application windows; plan ahead for January openings

References

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