← Back to US Funders Directory

The OJC Fund

Annual Giving
$338.9M
Grant Range
$5K - $6.6M

The OJC Fund - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $338,935,575 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $53,969,063 (2023)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $6,642,374
  • Number of Grants: 3,016 awards (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York (especially Brooklyn), New Jersey, Florida, and Israel
  • Application Method: No public application process (donor-advised fund model)

Contact Details

Website: www.ojcfund.org

Phone: 718-599-1400

Email: office@ojcfund.org

Address: 1303 53rd St Suite 303, Brooklyn, NY 11219-3823

Charity Portal: Organizations can register through the OJC Charity Portal (accessible via website) to accept donations from OJC donors

Overview

The OJC Fund was established in 2002 (received tax-exempt status April 2002) and operates as a registered donor-advised fund (DAF) based in Brooklyn, New York. The organization has experienced dramatic growth, from $635,856 in revenue in 2011 to approximately $386.6 million in 2024. With total assets of $53.9 million and annual grant distributions exceeding $338 million in 2023, the fund has distributed over $606 million to 7,008 organizations since inception. The OJC Fund's primary focus is supporting Jewish causes and Israel, with giving directed toward the preservation and promotion of Jewish heritage and culture, Jewish education, religious organizations, and anti-discrimination groups. While a portion of grants supports organizations in Israel, the vast majority of funding goes to organizations serving the Jewish community in New York City and surrounding areas. The fund holds a 3/4 star rating from Charity Navigator.

Funding Priorities

Operating Model

As a donor-advised fund, The OJC Fund does not operate traditional grant programs. Instead, individual donors establish accounts, contribute funds, and then recommend grants to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations. The fund processes these grant recommendations on behalf of donors.

Grant Distribution Pattern:

  • Grant amounts range from a few thousand dollars to several million
  • Most common grant size: approximately $5,000
  • Largest grants can reach $6,642,374
  • 3,016 grants distributed in 2023

Priority Areas

The OJC Fund focuses on:

  • Jewish Heritage and Culture: Preservation and promotion of Jewish cultural traditions
  • Jewish Education: Educational institutions and programs serving the Jewish community
  • Religious Organizations: Synagogues and Jewish religious institutions
  • Anti-discrimination Groups: Organizations working to combat prejudice
  • Human Services: Social service organizations serving Jewish communities
  • Philanthropy and Grantmaking: Supporting other charitable giving initiatives

Geographic Focus

  • Primary: Brooklyn, New York (vast majority of giving)
  • Secondary: Other parts of New York, New Jersey, Florida
  • International: Israel (smaller portion of total giving)

What They Don't Fund

As a donor-advised fund processing recommendations from individual donors, funding decisions are made by account holders rather than through institutional grant programs. Organizations must be eligible 501(c)(3) entities to receive grants.

Governance and Leadership

Key Officers:

  • Efraim Sofer, President & CEO (Compensation: $923,544 in 2024)
  • Kalmen Ekstein, Treasurer & CFO (Compensation: $903,557 in 2024)
  • Nathan Smaia, Secretary (No reported compensation)

Staff: The organization employs 7 staff members to manage its donor-advised fund operations, processing thousands of grant recommendations annually.

Operational Approach: The fund operates with conflict of interest policies in place and reports transactions transparently, maintaining accountability while processing discretionary grant distributions on behalf of donors.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The OJC Fund does not have a public application process. As a donor-advised fund, grants are distributed based on recommendations from individual donor account holders rather than through competitive application cycles.

How the System Works:

  1. Individual donors establish accounts with The OJC Fund
  2. Donors contribute assets and receive immediate tax deductions
  3. Donors recommend grants to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations
  4. The OJC Fund reviews eligibility and processes the grant
  5. Grants are distributed directly to recipient organizations

For Organizations Seeking Funding:

Organizations can register through the OJC Charity Portal (accessible at ojcfund.org) to make themselves known to donors and facilitate the ability to accept OJC/Nadven donations. This portal allows organizations to:

  • Create a profile visible to OJC donors
  • Accept grant recommendations from account holders
  • Process donations efficiently through the fund's system

Organizations cannot submit unsolicited grant applications or proposals, as funding decisions rest with individual donor account holders.

Getting on Their Radar

The OJC Fund provides a Charity Portal specifically designed for organizations to register and make themselves visible to the fund's donors. Organizations serving the Jewish community, particularly those focused on education, culture, heritage, religious services, and human services in the New York/New Jersey area, should:

  • Register through the OJC Charity Portal at ojcfund.org - this is the primary mechanism the fund provides for organizations to connect with potential donors
  • Ensure your organization is properly registered as a 501(c)(3) to be eligible for grants
  • Contact the fund at office@ojcfund.org or 718-599-1400 to inquire about portal registration

The portal registration is the specific, funder-unique mechanism that The OJC Fund has established for organizations to be discovered by their donor base.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary as they depend on individual donor recommendations rather than institutional grant cycles. Once a donor recommends a grant:

  • The OJC Fund reviews the recipient organization's eligibility
  • Approved grants are processed and distributed
  • Specific timeframes are not publicly documented

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the fund does not operate on an application/reapplication model. Organizations that have previously received grants through donor recommendations may receive future grants if recommended by the same or different donors.

Application Success Factors

Understanding the Donor-Advised Fund Model:

Success in receiving funding from The OJC Fund requires understanding that grants come from individual donors, not institutional decisions. Organizations should:

Align with Donor Interests:

  • The vast majority of OJC donors support Jewish causes and organizations serving Jewish communities
  • Focus areas that resonate include Jewish education, cultural preservation, religious institutions, and social services
  • Organizations serving Brooklyn's Jewish community are particularly well-represented among recipients

Register in the Charity Portal:

  • The fund specifically provides this portal "for organizations to make themselves known to donors"
  • Registration increases visibility among the fund's donor base
  • This is the primary mechanism the fund offers for connecting organizations with potential funders

Build Relationships with Potential Donors:

  • Individual donors make all funding decisions, not fund staff
  • Organizations that receive grants likely have existing relationships with donor account holders
  • Networking within the Jewish philanthropic community can lead to donor connections

Demonstrate Strong Community Impact:

  • With over 7,000 organizations funded and grants ranging from $5,000 to $6.6 million, donors support both small grassroots efforts and major institutions
  • Clear mission alignment with Jewish values and community service is essential
  • Organizations should be prepared to demonstrate impact and accountability to individual donors

Maintain 501(c)(3) Status:

  • All recipient organizations must be eligible 501(c)(3) entities
  • Compliance with tax-exempt organization requirements is essential

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Not a traditional funder: The OJC Fund is a donor-advised fund where individual donors make all funding decisions, not an institutional grantmaker with competitive applications
  • Register in the portal: Use the OJC Charity Portal at ojcfund.org to make your organization visible to the fund's donor base - this is the primary tool the fund provides for organizations
  • Focus on Jewish causes: Over $606 million has been distributed primarily to organizations supporting Jewish heritage, culture, education, and community services
  • Geographic concentration: The vast majority of funding stays in Brooklyn, NY, with secondary support in New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Israel
  • Wide grant range: Grants range from $5,000 (most common) to over $6.6 million, supporting both small community organizations and major institutions
  • High volume of grants: With 3,016 grants in 2023 alone to 7,008 organizations historically, the fund processes thousands of recommendations annually
  • Build donor relationships: Success depends on connecting with individual donors who hold accounts with the fund, not submitting proposals to fund staff

References

← Back to US Funders Directory