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Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford Inc

Annual Giving
$7.2M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.5M
Decision Time
4mo

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Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,191,866
  • Assets Under Management: $167,175,533
  • Decision Time: 12-24 weeks
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $450,000
  • Geographic Focus: Greater Hartford, Connecticut (with some national and international giving)

Contact Details

Address: 333 Bloomfield Avenue, Suite D, West Hartford, CT 06117

Phone: (860) 523-7460

Website: www.jcfhartford.org

Email:

Pre-Application Support: Executive Directors or chief staff persons should consult with the Foundation's grants department before applying

Overview

The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford was established in 1972 with an initial gift of $50,000 and has grown significantly over five decades to manage $190 million in assets under management. The Foundation promotes philanthropy, manages the Greater Hartford Jewish community's charitable endowment, and makes grants to support key community needs. The Foundation awards approximately $7 million annually across more than 1,000 grants to improve the health and well-being of Jewish communal institutions in the Greater Hartford area by funding programmes and projects that address priority needs and will have an important, positive impact in the community.

Led by President and CEO Kathryn Gonnerman, appointed in July 2025 and beginning her role on August 18, 2025, the Foundation focuses on unlocking "the transformative power of personalised and collective philanthropy to solve problems, strengthen community organisations, and provide permanent support for the Jewish community." The Foundation has earned a Four-Star rating (100% score) from Charity Navigator, reflecting its strong financial health and commitment to accountability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Innovation Grants: Up to $125,000

  • Encourage community thinkers, social entrepreneurs, and forward-thinking organisations to propose programmes of high impact and visibility
  • Designed to create positive transformation in the Greater Hartford Jewish community
  • Application: Rolling basis

Seed Funding/Programme Development: Varies

  • Supports innovative programmes or programmes that fill a need or service gap in the community
  • Focus on strategic programmes and services that address clear community needs
  • Application: Rolling basis

Capacity Building Support: Varies

  • Strengthens nonprofit organisational capabilities
  • Application: Rolling basis

Limited Programme Funding: Varies

  • One-time programme support for specific initiatives
  • Application: Rolling basis

Educational Scholarships: Up to $5,000

  • Available to Jewish students for college and graduate school education
  • Assists with tuition, fees, and room and board
  • Eligibility: At least one parent must be Jewish and applicant identifies as Jewish, or applicant has gone through formal conversion

Israel Travel Scholarships: Up to $6,000

  • Limited number of scholarships for programmes in Israel lasting from 4 weeks to one semester
  • For high school, college, or graduate school students, or college graduates
  • Eligibility: Must be of Jewish faith, demonstrate financial need, and be U.S. citizen

General Grant Range: The Foundation's grants typically range from about $5,000 to $450,000, funding a broad range of programmes and institutions.

Priority Areas

The Foundation prioritises:

  • Jewish Education: Programmes that strengthen Jewish learning and knowledge
  • Jewish Outreach and Engagement: Initiatives that connect individuals to Jewish community and identity
  • Nonprofit Capacity Building: Strengthening organisational effectiveness and sustainability
  • Seniors and Ageing: Programmes serving older adults in the Jewish community

The Foundation makes grants "to programmes and charitable institutions, both Jewish and in the community at large, in Greater Hartford, in the U.S., and around the world," though priority focus is on Greater Hartford Jewish organisations.

What They Don't Fund

  • Ongoing Operations: The Foundation explicitly does not fund routine operational expenses. They "do not fund ongoing operations, but rather look for unique opportunities that – without the Foundation's support – might not be possible"
  • Projects Already Committed: Applications for already-committed projects are ineligible
  • Geographic limitation: Primary focus is Greater Hartford area, though some national and international giving occurs

Governance and Leadership

Executive Officers

  • Walt L. Harrison, Chair, Board of Trustees
  • I. Bradley Hoffman, Vice Chair
  • Rachel S. Rubin, Secretary
  • Jerry Rosenstock, Treasurer

Executive Staff

  • Kathryn Gonnerman, President and CEO - Oversees nine-member staff; holds master's and bachelor's degrees from Yale University in East Asian Studies; named one of Hartford Business Journal's 40 Under Forty in 2016; appointed July 2025
  • Laura Whitney, Chief Financial Officer
  • Michael Elfenbaum, J.D., Vice President, Community Engagement
  • Maureen O'Connell, Marketing Director

Board of Trustees

A sixteen-member Board of Trustees serves as the governing body, overseeing operations, setting policies, and making final decisions on all grant awards.

Recent trustee additions include:

  • I. Bradley Hoffman, Co-chairman of the Hoffman Auto Group (joined Board 2023, elevated to Vice Chair 2025)
  • Joshua R. Feldman, Partner and Connecticut Family Law Attorney (joined Board 2023)
  • Rachel Rubin, Deputy Director of Athletics/Chief of Staff at the University of Connecticut (joined Board 2020, elevated to Secretary 2025)

Leadership Philosophy

President and CEO Kathryn Gonnerman has stated: "Philanthropy is more than a monetary exchange between donors and nonprofits. At its best, philanthropy unites donors and nonprofits in pursuit of positive impact and strong communities." She views her role as: "I consider myself a facilitator for communities to create the change they envision."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation accepts grant proposals on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Pre-Application Requirement: Prior to applying, the Executive Director or chief staff person should consult with the Foundation's grants department at grants@jcfhartford.org. The Foundation is described as "approachable" and "invites grantseekers to reach out for a conversation prior to submitting proposals."

Application Limitations: A limit of one grant application from an organisation will be considered at a time.

Important Note: "The submission of a grant does not guarantee funding in part, or in whole."

Decision Timeline

Grant proposals are reviewed by Foundation staff and a Grants Committee comprised of volunteer community members, then approved by the Foundation's Board of Trustees.

Timeline: Grant decisions are typically shared within 3-6 months of submission, depending on the follow-up required.

Committee Meetings: The Grants Committee generally meets 4 times per year.

Review Process

  1. Initial Review: Foundation staff review proposals
  2. Committee Review: Grants Committee (volunteer community members) evaluates applications
  3. Final Approval: Board of Trustees provides final approval

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Applicants should contact the grants department at grants@jcfhartford.org to enquire about reapplication procedures and any waiting periods.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's documented guidance, successful applications demonstrate:

  1. Strategic Impact Focus: "Focus on the strategic impact of the grant and its alignment with the long-term goals of the programme and/or project." Grant reviewers require a comprehensive understanding of the "why" behind the proposal, not just the "what."

  2. Logic Model and Indicators: "The logic model and indicators are important in the consideration of any grant." Include clear performance metrics and theory of change.

  3. Unique Opportunity: Demonstrate that this is a unique opportunity that would not be possible without the Foundation's support, not just ongoing operational funding.

  4. Clear Community Need: Show how the grant addresses a clear, documented need in the Greater Hartford Jewish community.

  5. Innovation and Impact: For larger Innovation Grants, demonstrate high impact, visibility, and potential for positive transformation.

  6. Pre-Application Consultation: Take advantage of the Foundation's openness to conversation before submission. This consultation can help align proposals with current priorities and avoid common pitfalls.

  7. Comprehensive "Why": Anticipate reviewer questions by thoroughly explaining the rationale and necessity of the proposed programme, not just describing what will be done.

  8. Alignment with Priorities: Ensure clear connection to at least one of the Foundation's priority areas: Jewish education, Jewish outreach and engagement, nonprofit capacity building, or seniors and ageing.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Consult first: The Foundation explicitly encourages pre-application consultation with their grants department - this is not optional for serious applicants and can significantly improve your proposal's alignment with current priorities
  • Think unique, not operational: This Foundation will not fund your ongoing operations; focus proposals on innovative programmes, seed funding for new initiatives, or unique opportunities that couldn't happen without their support
  • Demonstrate strategic impact: Reviewers want to understand the "why" behind your proposal and how it aligns with long-term strategic goals - include a strong logic model with clear indicators
  • Be patient but strategic: With 3-6 month decision timelines and rolling applications, plan your timing carefully; only one application per organisation at a time is allowed
  • Serve Greater Hartford: While some national and international giving occurs, priority focus is on Jewish organisations and programmes serving the Greater Hartford area
  • Show transformation potential: Particularly for Innovation Grants up to $125,000, demonstrate how your programme will create positive transformation and fill a genuine service gap in the community
  • Leverage their resources: The Foundation operates a Centre for Innovative Philanthropy - consider how their capacity-building support could complement grant funding for maximum organisational impact

References

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