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The Jewish Federations of North America Inc

Annual Giving
$234.6M
Grant Range
Up to $155.3M00

The Jewish Federations of North America Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $234.6 million (FY 2023)
  • Number of Grants: 242 awards (FY 2023)
  • Founded: 1935
  • EIN: 13-1624240
  • Geographic Focus: North America, Israel, and 70+ countries worldwide
  • Application Method: Mixed - varies by program (federal grant programs, invitation-only for major beneficiaries, local federation grants)

Contact Details

Main Office:

Overview

The Jewish Federations of North America Inc (JFNA) was established in 1935 as the umbrella organization for the Jewish Federations system, representing over 350 independent Jewish communities across North America that collectively raise and distribute over $2 billion annually. With total grant distributions of $234.6 million in fiscal year 2023 alone, JFNA serves as both a direct grant-maker and a coordinating body for the broader federation system. The organization's mission is to improve the quality of Jewish life worldwide, nurture Jewish learning, care for those in need, rescue Jews in danger, and ensure the continuity of the Jewish people through the values of tikkun olam (repairing the world), tzedakah (charity), and Torah. Under the leadership of President and CEO Eric Fingerhut since 2019, JFNA has significantly expanded its emergency response capacity, raising over $900 million following the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, and securing $100 million in federal grants through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program while launching the LiveSecure initiative with $62 million raised to protect Jewish communities across North America.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Major International Beneficiaries (Primary Grant Recipients):

  • United Israel Appeal: $155,290,107 (FY 2023) - Supporting immigration and absorption services, Jewish identity programs in Israel
  • American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC): $47,873,503 (FY 2023) - Relief and welfare programs, social development initiatives in 70+ countries worldwide
  • World ORT: Educational and vocational training programs globally

Federal Grant Programs (JFNA as Administrator):

  • Holocaust Survivor Care Program: $4.935 million annually through Administration for Community Living (ACL) cooperative agreement - Funds person-centered, trauma-informed (PCTI) services for Holocaust survivors, older adults with trauma history, and family caregivers. Only accepting applications from organizations that have never previously received direct JFNA federal grant funding.
  • Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP): Up to $150,000 per award - JFNA advocates for and provides technical assistance to organizations applying for FEMA security grants for physical security improvements, training, and security personnel

Emergency Relief Funds:

  • Israel Emergency Fund: Over $900 million raised post-October 7, 2023
  • Ukraine Emergency Response: Substantial funds raised and deployed in partnership with Jewish Agency and other organizations
  • LiveSecure Initiative: $62 million raised for community security

Priority Areas

JFNA structures its work around seven strategic initiatives:

  1. Safe Communities: Community security, combating antisemitism, Nonprofit Security Grant Program coordination
  2. Caring Communities: Holocaust survivor support, crisis relief, social services for vulnerable populations
  3. Educated & Engaged Communities: Young families, early childhood education, Israel experiences
  4. Healthy Communities: Mental health support for Jewish youth, health programs for mind, body, and spirit
  5. Welcoming & Inclusive Communities: Support for religious diversity, people with disabilities, mixed heritage families
  6. Active Communities: Government relations, public policy advocacy, securing federal funding
  7. Connected Communities: International humanitarian work across Israel and 70+ countries

Current Strategic Priorities (2025):

  • Jewish education, Zionist identity, and Torah learning
  • Countering antisemitism and ensuring community security
  • Mental health support to Jewish youth
  • Caring for seniors and those with disabilities
  • Inspiring a new generation of Jews
  • Supporting Israel advocacy

What They Don't Fund

JFNA primarily operates as an umbrella organization with a focused grant-making approach. The organization does not have a general open application process for unrestricted grants. Most direct grants go to three major international beneficiary organizations (United Israel Appeal, JDC, World ORT) through trustee discretion and strategic planning processes.

Governance and Leadership

Lay Leadership

Board Officers:

  • Gary Torgow - Chair, Board of Trustees; Chairman of Huntington Bank, serves on boards of DTE Energy and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
  • Jeffrey A. Schoenfeld - Vice Chair, Board of Trustees; Retired General Partner from Brown Brothers Harriman; past president of UJA-Federation of New York
  • David B. Golder - Secretary; Former founder and president of Lightfall Interactive Media; recently chaired Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
  • Dena B. Rashes - Treasurer; serves on Wellesley College Board of Trustees and Hillel at Stanford
  • Julie B. Platt - Immediate Past Chair; Former chair of Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and Foundation for Jewish Camp

Committee Chairs:

  • J. David Heller - National Campaign Chair; President and CEO of The NRP Group, a major multifamily development company
  • Sara Gottlieb - Chair, Israel & Overseas; Former investment banker; chairs Women's Philanthropy for UJA Federation of Greater Toronto
  • Sherri Ketai - Chair, National Women's Philanthropy; Longstanding leader in Detroit Jewish community
  • Jason Wuliger - Chair, Public Affairs; President of Nachshon Ventures LLC; attorney and former prosecutor

Professional Leadership

  • Eric Fingerhut - President and Chief Executive Officer (since 2019); Previously served as President and CEO of Hillel International (2013-2019), former Ohio state senator and U.S. Congressman
  • Shira Hutt - Executive Vice President
  • Rebecca Caspi - Director General, Israel Office; Senior Vice President, Global Operations
  • Mimi Kravetz - Chief Impact & Growth Officer
  • Larry Brooks - Chief Financial Officer
  • Liz Fisher - Chief Talent Officer & Head of Mandel Center for Leadership Excellence

Governance Structure: The federations select approximately two-thirds of the 120 members on the board of trustees. The board includes various specialized committees including Israel & Overseas Committee, Domestic Policy and Government Affairs Council, and the Lay Leadership Development Committee.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

JFNA does not have a standard public application process for most of its grant-making. The organization operates through three primary funding mechanisms:

  1. Major International Beneficiaries (Invitation Only): The three primary beneficiary organizations (United Israel Appeal, JDC, World ORT) receive funding through strategic allocation decisions made by JFNA leadership and board of trustees. These allocations are based on an overseas needs assessment system developed to meet ongoing needs and support diverse programs and populations.

  2. Federal Grant Programs (Limited Public Application):

    • Holocaust Survivor Care Program: JFNA administers federal funds from the Administration for Community Living. Applications are only accepted from organizations that have never previously received direct JFNA federal grant funding. Interested federations complete a participation form indicating willingness to meet requirements and proposed beneficiary agencies/programs.
    • NSGP Technical Assistance: JFNA provides support services and training to Jewish organizations applying for FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program funds (applications typically due February-April annually through FEMA, not JFNA).

  3. Local Federation Grants: Most organizations seeking Jewish Federations funding should apply through their local Jewish Federation rather than directly to JFNA. Each of the 350+ local federations operates independent grant programs with their own application processes, deadlines, and priorities. Use the Federation Finder at https://www.jewishfederations.org/federation-finder to locate your local federation.

For inquiries about specific programs:

Getting on Their Radar

For Organizations Seeking JFNA Support:

Given JFNA's role as an umbrella organization rather than a typical grant-making foundation, relationship building occurs through specific channels:

  • Work through Local Federations: The most effective path to JFNA recognition is establishing strong relationships with your local Jewish Federation. JFNA's board includes representatives from local federations, and successful local partnerships can lead to broader system-wide recognition.

  • Federal Grant Programs: Organizations focused on Holocaust survivor care or serving older adults with trauma can build relationships by participating in JFNA's Center for Advancing Holocaust Survivor Care trainings and webinars, which have trained over 10,000 professionals in person-centered, trauma-informed approaches.

  • Annual General Assembly: JFNA hosts an annual General Assembly conference that brings together Jewish communal leaders from across North America. This represents a networking opportunity for organizations already engaged with the federation system.

  • Specialized Initiatives: Organizations working in JFNA's priority areas (community security, Holocaust survivor care, Jewish education) can engage by contacting relevant department heads at JFNA to discuss alignment with strategic initiatives.

Decision Timeline

Major Beneficiary Allocations: JFNA develops annual forecasts of funding available for beneficiary agencies. Board of Trustees meetings occur several times per year (including at the annual General Assembly) where allocation decisions are reviewed and approved.

Holocaust Survivor Care Federal Grants: Timeline varies based on federal funding cycles and ACL requirements. The current five-year cooperative agreement runs through the grant period with annual distributions to participating organizations.

Local Federation Grants: Varies significantly by federation. Example from Naples Jewish Federation: Applications sent November, due February, decisions made May.

Success Rates

Specific success rates for JFNA programs are not publicly disclosed. However, the Holocaust Survivor Care program has funded over 400 PCTI programs since 2015, serving over 15,000 Holocaust survivors and 4,000 family caregivers through the initial ACL grant period.

For Nonprofit Security Grant Program applications, JFNA provides technical assistance to improve success rates, noting they have helped bring in $100 million in federal grants for Jewish community security.

Reapplication Policy

For the Holocaust Survivor Care program, current eligibility explicitly states the program "is only accepting applications from organizations that have never previously received direct funding from JFNA's federal grant program."

For other programs, reapplication policies are not publicly specified and would depend on the specific program and relationship with JFNA.

Application Success Factors

For Organizations Seeking JFNA Federal Grant Programs:

  • Focus on PCTI Approach: The Holocaust Survivor Care program prioritizes person-centered, trauma-informed care methodologies. Organizations should demonstrate understanding of trauma's impact on the body and brain, and show commitment to implementing PCTI principles.

  • New Applicants Only: For current federal grant programs, explicitly note that only organizations without previous direct JFNA federal grant funding are eligible, reflecting a strategic priority to expand reach to new communities.

  • Collaborative Approach: JFNA values partnerships between federations and local service agencies. Applications indicating strong local federation support and collaborative implementation plans align with the organization's network-based model.

For Building Long-Term Relationships:

  • Local Federation Excellence: Eric Fingerhut has stated that JFNA's role is "to help federations excel at their mission, but also to help the federation system act collectively." Organizations that demonstrate impact through local federation partnerships position themselves well for broader system recognition.

  • Alignment with Post-October 7 Priorities: Fingerhut noted that "the need for an organized communal response that bridges all factions of our community has become more important than ever." Programs that demonstrate ability to unite diverse segments of the Jewish community and respond to crisis situations align with current strategic direction.

  • Security and Safety Focus: With $62 million raised for LiveSecure and $100 million in NSGP grants secured, JFNA prioritizes community security. Organizations addressing safety, security training, or threat preparedness should emphasize this alignment.

  • Youth Engagement and Jewish Education: The 2025 conference emphasized "Jewish education, Zionist identity, and Torah learning" as top priorities. Programs serving young families, early childhood education, and youth engagement reflect current strategic focus.

  • Emergency Response Capacity: JFNA raised over $900 million for emergency needs following October 7, 2023, which Fingerhut described as deployed "quickly — and I think with real efficiency, but also integrity." Organizations that can demonstrate rapid response capabilities and efficient fund deployment align with JFNA's operational values.

Language and Terminology to Use:

  • Emphasize "person-centered, trauma-informed" approaches for health and social service programs
  • Reference "tikkun olam" (repairing the world), "tzedakah" (charity), and "Torah" values
  • Demonstrate understanding of the federation system's collective impact model
  • Highlight capacity to "bridge all factions" of the Jewish community
  • Frame security needs within context of combating antisemitism and protecting Jewish institutions

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • JFNA is primarily a coordinating body, not a traditional foundation: Most grant-seeking organizations should approach their local Jewish Federation rather than JFNA directly. The three major beneficiaries (United Israel Appeal, JDC, World ORT) receive funding through strategic trustee decisions, not open applications.

  • Limited public grant opportunities exist: The Holocaust Survivor Care federal grant program represents the main publicly accessible funding, but explicitly requires organizations without prior JFNA federal grant funding, limiting repeat applicants.

  • Federal grant administration is a key role: JFNA serves as an effective advocate and administrator for federal funding streams (NSGP, ACL grants), making it valuable to engage with JFNA for technical assistance even when applying to federal sources directly.

  • Current priorities heavily emphasize security and crisis response: With over $1 billion raised for emergency responses (Israel, Ukraine, LiveSecure), organizations addressing community safety, antisemitism, or emergency preparedness align strongly with current strategic focus.

  • Person-centered, trauma-informed care is a proven methodology: The Holocaust Survivor Care program's success (400+ programs funded, 15,000+ survivors served) demonstrates JFNA's commitment to this approach, which has expanded beyond Holocaust survivors to other trauma-affected populations.

  • Local federation relationships are essential: Since JFNA's board draws two-thirds of its 120 members from local federations, and the system collectively distributes over $2 billion annually, building strong local federation partnerships provides the most realistic path to engagement with the broader JFNA system.

  • Timing matters for federal programs: NSGP applications typically run February-April annually through FEMA, while ACL cooperative agreement timelines follow federal grant cycles. Organizations should plan ahead and engage early with JFNA technical assistance resources to strengthen applications.

References

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