Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $7.1 million (Jewish Community Foundation, FY24)
Annual Campaign: $4.3 million (Federation)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: 3-6 months
Grant Range: Up to $125,000 (Community Transformation Grants)
Geographic Focus: Greater Hartford area (30 towns), with support for Israel and global Jewish communities

Contact Details

Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford

Address: 333 Bloomfield Avenue, Suite C, West Hartford, CT 06117
Phone: (860) 232-4483
Email: info@jewishhartford.org
Website: jewishhartford.org

Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford (Grant-Making Arm)

Phone: (860) 523-7460
Grant Inquiries: grants@jcfhartford.org
Website: jcfhartford.org

Key Contacts for Grant Applicants:

Jody Angell, Associate Vice President, Community Impact: jangell@jewishhartford.org, (860) 727-6151
Heather Rubin Fiedler, Vice President, Impact & Strategy: hfiedler@jewishhartford.org, (860) 727-6121
Michael Elfenbaum, VP of Community Engagement (Foundation matters)

Overview

Founded to serve the Greater Hartford Jewish community, the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford works in tandem with the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford (established with approximately $130 million in assets under management). In FY24, the Foundation awarded 1,390 grants totaling $7.1 million to Jewish and community organizations. The Federation's Annual Campaign raises $4.3 million annually to support nearly 15,000 local Jewish households in Greater Hartford, plus programs in Israel and 60 countries worldwide. The Federation operates as the central coordinating body for Jewish life in Greater Hartford, supporting over 40 programs and partner agencies across 30 towns, while the Foundation serves as the primary grant-making arm. The organization's mission centers on protecting and enhancing Jewish well-being through Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), tzedakah (charity and social justice), and Torah (Jewish learning). President and CEO David Waren, who joined in 2019, emphasizes community resilience and growth.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Transformation Grants (Jewish Community Foundation)

Amount: Up to $125,000
Purpose: High-impact, high-visibility programs designed to create positive transformation in the Greater Hartford Jewish community
Focus: Untested programs, programs piloted in Hartford needing wider implementation, or programs from elsewhere that could be adapted for Hartford
Application: Rolling basis, reviewed quarterly

Springboard Grants (Jewish Community Foundation)

Amount: Multi-year grants (specific amounts not disclosed)
Purpose: Capacity-building support to ensure continued, sustainable organizational growth
Application: Rolling basis

Local/Board-Directed Community Grants (Jewish Community Foundation)

Amount: Varies; limited one-time programs capped at $10,000
Purpose: Strategic investments in programs and services from the Foundation's Unrestricted Funds
Focus: Seed funding for innovative programs that fill service gaps; capacity-building support
Exclusions: No ongoing operations funding; no projects already funded by applicant
Application: Rolling basis with quarterly deadlines (first week of August, November, March, and May)

Federation Direct Support

Camp scholarships for first-time Jewish camp attendees
Support to Jewish day schools and youth programs
Professional development grants for Jewish educators
Emergency relief funding (e.g., $600,000+ distributed during COVID-19 pandemic)

Priority Areas

Jewish Community Organizations in Greater Hartford:

Jewish education and leadership training
Programs welcoming and engaging Jewish families
Youth development and camping experiences
Day schools and religious education
Services for those in need (regardless of race, nationality, or religion)
Capacity building for Jewish organizations
Security and safety initiatives for faith-based organizations

Israel and Global Support:

Humanitarian assistance (including Ukrainian Jews and neighbors)
Programs in Israel and 60+ countries worldwide
Crisis response and emergency relief

Community-Wide Initiatives:

Literacy programs (e.g., Children's Reading Partners)
Interfaith collaboration
Strategic planning support
Organizational assessments and development

What They Don't Fund

Ongoing operational costs (Foundation prefers seed funding and capacity building)
Projects already funded by the applicant organization
More than one application per organization per grant cycle

Governance and Leadership

Federation Leadership:

David Waren, President and Chief Executive Officer (joined June 2019; previously with Anti-Defamation League for 24 years as vice president of regional operations)
Leslie Iarusso, Chief of Staff
Deborah Rothstein, Senior Vice President, Philanthropy
Heather Rubin Fiedler, Vice President, Impact & Strategy
Russ Benblatt, Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Cheryl Wolmer, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Jody Angell, Associate Vice President, Community Impact

Board Leadership:

Robert K. Yass, Assistant Secretary
Jill Dulitsky, Chair-elect of Board and current chair of Women's Philanthropy Division

Leadership Perspective:

David Waren has emphasized community resilience: "Out of the crises of the last two years – including COVID-19, rising anti-Semitism, and the devastating war in Ukraine – our community has not only risen to the challenges – we have grown stronger. Thanks to the work of so many across our community, we have not only bounced back, we have also grown stronger. We are incredibly optimistic about the future of this amazing Jewish community."

The Federation positions itself as "the only organization in the Greater Hartford area that touches every aspect of Jewish life."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

CRITICAL FIRST STEP: Before submitting any application, the Executive Director or chief staff person should consult with the Foundation's grants department at grants@jcfhartford.org or by calling the contacts listed above.

Application Schedule:

The Foundation accepts grant proposals on a rolling basis
The Grants Committee meets approximately four times per year
Grant proposals are due the first week of August, November, March, and May

Review Process:

Proposals reviewed by Foundation staff
Evaluated by volunteer Grants Committee
Final approval by Foundation's Board of Trustees
Scholarship applications reviewed anonymously by Scholarship Committee

Application Restrictions:

One application per organization per grant cycle (strictly enforced)
Organizations cannot apply for projects they have already funded themselves

Portal/Method: Contact the grants department to initiate the application process and discuss eligibility before formal submission.

Decision Timeline

Typical timeline: 3-6 months from submission to decision
Variable factors: Timeline depends on follow-up required and complexity of proposal
Notification: Decisions communicated directly to applicants after Board approval

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly disclosed. However, in FY24, the Foundation awarded 1,390 grants totaling $7.1 million, indicating substantial grant-making activity.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation does not publicly disclose its reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations should consult with the grants department at grants@jcfhartford.org to discuss reapplication possibilities and timing.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment is Critical: The Foundation emphasizes "strategic impact" and alignment with long-term organizational goals. Applications should focus on unique opportunities that would not be possible without Foundation support.

Explain the "Why," Not Just the "What": According to Foundation guidance, applicants must clearly articulate the rationale behind their proposals, not merely describe activities. Demonstrate how the project fills a clear community need or service gap.

Seed Funding and Innovation Over Operations: The Foundation explicitly does not fund ongoing operations. Successful applications focus on:

New, innovative programs addressing unmet needs
Capacity-building initiatives that strengthen organizational sustainability
High-impact, high-visibility projects that transform the community
Programs that fill service gaps

Pre-Application Consultation: The Foundation "strongly suggests" that organizations consult with the grants department before applying. This consultation helps ensure alignment with Foundation priorities and increases likelihood of success.

Recent Funded Projects as Examples: Successful grants have supported:

Humanitarian assistance for Ukrainian Jews and neighbors
Clinical services assessments to increase capacity and streamline operations
Strategic planning with consultants to develop 5-year plans and board fundraising training
Physical infrastructure enhancements (e.g., synagogue courtyard improvements)
Scholarships for Israel missions
Security training for faith-based organizations

Capacity Building Emphasis: Multi-year Springboard Grants prioritize organizational capacity building. Applications demonstrating long-term sustainability plans and growth strategies align with Foundation priorities.

Community-Wide Impact: While primarily focused on Jewish organizations, the Federation also values projects that help people "regardless of race, nationality or religion," showing openness to broader community benefit.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Mandatory pre-application consultation: Contact grants@jcfhartford.org before applying to discuss project alignment and eligibility—this is strongly encouraged and can save time.
Strategic positioning is everything: Frame proposals around seed funding, innovation, and filling service gaps rather than operational support; emphasize the "why" behind your project with clear community need.
One shot per cycle: With only one application allowed per organization per grant cycle, ensure your proposal is well-developed and strategically aligned before submission.
Patience required: Allow 3-6 months for decision-making; the quarterly committee meeting schedule means timing of submission affects overall timeline.
Think transformation, not maintenance: Community Transformation Grants (up to $125,000) prioritize high-impact, high-visibility programs that create positive change—incremental improvements to existing programs are less competitive.
Capacity building opportunities: Multi-year Springboard Grants offer significant support for organizational development and sustainability—consider this option if your organization needs infrastructure strengthening.
Build relationships proactively: The Foundation's key contacts (Jody Angell, Heather Rubin Fiedler, Michael Elfenbaum) are accessible and consultative—leverage their expertise in developing your proposal strategy.

References

All sources accessed December 2025.