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Jewish Federation Of Northern New Jersey Inc

Annual Giving
$10.7M
Grant Range
$5K - $4.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10,740,098 (2024)
  • Grant Range: $5,250 - $4,086,216
  • Total Assets: $90,054,504
  • Number of Awards: 105 (2024), 81 (2023), 92 (2022)
  • Geographic Focus: Northern New Jersey (Bergen, Hudson, and parts of Passaic Counties), Israel, and overseas Jewish communities
  • Service Area: 125,000 Jews in Northern New Jersey

Contact Details

Address: 50 Eisenhower Drive, Paramus, NJ 07652
Phone: 201-820-3900
Email: welcome@jfnnj.org
Website: https://jfnnj.org

For Allocation Inquiries: Sheryl Sarin, Senior Director, Communications Planning and Allocations
Email: SherylS@jfnnj.org | Phone: 201-820-3913

Overview

The Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey (JFNNJ) is the largest Jewish organization in northern New Jersey, serving 125,000 Jews across Bergen, Hudson, and parts of Passaic Counties. With roots dating back to 1933 when the Jewish Community Council of Paterson was created, the organization was officially renamed the Jewish Federation of North Jersey in 1969. As a public charity with assets exceeding $90 million, JFNNJ distributes over $10 million annually in grants to support Jewish communities locally, in Israel, and around the world. The Federation operates as a central coordinating structure, bringing people and resources together to meet urgent Jewish communal needs through partnerships with local agencies, day schools, synagogues, and international organizations. CEO Jason M. Shames emphasizes their mission: "No matter the circumstances, we are always on a quest to create and build a stronger community."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Hudson County Micro Grants

  • Amount: Up to $200 per event (reimbursement basis)
  • Eligibility: Jewish-identifying individuals, couples, friend groups, or families residing in Hudson County
  • Purpose: Support community-building events with at least 10 attendees
  • Application: Rolling basis through online application
  • Reimbursement: Via Venmo after event completion and receipt submission

Major Allocations to Partner Agencies

  • Grant amounts range from $5,250 to $4,086,216
  • Typical recipients include Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), Jewish Community Centers (JCCs), day schools, and social service organizations
  • No public application process for organizational allocations

Priority Areas

Education

  • Jewish day schools receive grants for innovative educational programs, security guidance, and advocacy for educational opportunities
  • Jewish Education Services program support
  • Mental health services at Jewish camps and day schools

Social Services and Community Care

  • Social services, hunger relief programs
  • Senior nutrition and transportation (nearly 70,000 meals annually through five congregate meal and Kosher Meals-on-Wheels sites)
  • Partnership with Jewish Family and Children's Services of Northern New Jersey (JFCS) for counseling and support services
  • Annual March Mega Food Drive collecting and distributing 25,000 lbs of food

Security and Safety

  • Community security programs and guidance
  • Advocacy for nonprofit security funding through state programs

Israel and Overseas Support

  • Allocations to Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) for Israel and overseas programs
  • Support for The Jewish Agency for Israel and American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee

Community Building and Jewish Identity

  • Programs that strengthen Jewish identity
  • Youth engagement and 20s/30s/40s programming
  • Support for the Kaplen JCC and community centers

What They Don't Fund

The Federation's focus is specifically on Jewish community needs, education, and social services within their geographic service area and Jewish communities in Israel and overseas. Based on their Form 990 classifications, they primarily fund 501(c)(3) organizations.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Jason M. Shames - President & Chief Executive Officer
Shames leads the Federation with a focus on community building and adaptive funding strategies. He has stated, "No matter the circumstances, we are always on a quest to create and build a stronger community." Under his leadership, the Federation has worked with partners in the legislature and nonprofit community to ensure safety and security of New Jersey's nonprofit and religious institutions. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Shames led the Federation to shift its allocation model to be more nimble, with priorities and methodologies for distributing funds based on changing community needs.

Management Team

  • Amy Glazer - Chief Advancement Officer
  • Naomi Knopf - Chief Impact Officer
  • Andrew Epstein - Chief Financial Officer
  • Laura Freeman - Managing Director, Marketing & Communications
  • Robin Rochlin - Managing Director, Endowment Foundation, Assistant Executive Vice President
  • Marla Chartoff - Executive Assistant to CEO

Strategic Approach

The Federation operates through data-driven planning, having commissioned community studies to better understand who lives in the community, their views, and important points of connection. They describe themselves as fundamentally "a community-building organization" focused on creating lasting impact through strategic partnerships.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Hudson County Micro Grants:

  1. Complete the online Micro-Grant application at jfnnj.org
  2. Plan and host your event with 10+ attendees
  3. Take photos during the event
  4. Complete post-event survey
  5. Submit receipts for reimbursement
  6. Receive reimbursement via Venmo (up to $200)

Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Contact welcome@jfnnj.org with questions.

For Organizational Allocations: The Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey does not have a public application process for major organizational grants. Allocations to partner agencies, day schools, JCCs, and social service organizations are determined through internal decision-making processes involving the board and allocation committees. The Federation works collaboratively with existing partner agencies and identifies community needs through strategic partnerships.

Getting on Their Radar

The Federation identifies grant recipients through its established network of Jewish community organizations in Northern New Jersey and through its membership in the Jewish Federations of North America system. Organizations seeking to become partner agencies should:

  • Contact Sheryl Sarin, Senior Director, Communications Planning and Allocations (SherylS@jfnnj.org or 201-820-3913) to discuss potential partnership opportunities
  • Demonstrate alignment with the Federation's four pillars: caring for others, combating antisemitism and securing the community, strengthening Jewish identity, and advocating for and supporting Israel
  • Be prepared to show how your organization serves the Jewish communities in Bergen, Hudson, or Passaic Counties
  • The Federation emphasizes partnerships with organizations that "leverage resources and generate collaborative partnerships, broaden access and incorporate best practices"

The Federation also manages endowment resources for local agencies, day schools, and synagogues through its Endowment Foundation.

Decision Timeline

No specific public timeline is available for organizational allocation decisions. The Federation operates an annual campaign and makes allocation decisions based on community needs assessment and strategic priorities.

For Hudson County Micro Grants, applicants are notified about their status after submitting the online application.

Success Rates

With 105 awards made in 2024 from a total grant distribution of $10,740,098, the Federation maintains an active grant-making program. However, specific success rates and total application numbers are not publicly available for organizational allocations due to the closed application process.

Reapplication Policy

For Hudson County Micro Grants, individuals may apply multiple times throughout the grant cycle (different seasonal periods).

For organizational allocations, relationships with partner agencies are ongoing, with annual campaign distributions reviewed and adjusted based on community needs and strategic priorities.

Application Success Factors

For Hudson County Micro Grants

  • Events must have at least 10 attendees
  • Focus on "Doing Jewish" - activities that strengthen Jewish community and identity
  • Eligible expenses include food (ingredients, pickup, take-out) and supplies (decorations, art materials, books, party favors)
  • Strong documentation through photos and post-event surveys

For Organizational Partnerships

While there is no public application process, organizations that receive funding from JFNNJ typically:

Demonstrate Community Impact
The Federation uses data-driven decision making and seeks to understand concrete community needs. Organizations should be able to articulate how they serve the Jewish community in Northern New Jersey and measure their impact.

Align with Strategic Priorities
CEO Jason Shames notes that the Federation has "shifted its whole allocation model to be more nimble, with priorities and methodologies for distributing funds based on the changing needs of the community." Current priority areas include security and safety, particularly given the rise in antisemitism, as well as traditional focus areas of education, social services, and Jewish identity.

Leverage Collaborative Partnerships
The Federation values organizations that work collaboratively and leverage resources across the community. They describe themselves as bringing "people and resources together" and working "collaboratively with donors, volunteers, and other Jewish organizations to ensure contributions achieve maximum impact."

Serve Multiple Community Segments
Successful partners serve diverse needs within the Jewish community, from seniors (nearly 70,000 meals served annually) to youth programs, from mental health services to security guidance, and from hunger relief to Jewish education.

Maintain 501(c)(3) Status
Grant recipients are 501(c)(3) organizations, including Jewish Federations, JCCs, day schools, social service agencies, and synagogues.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Closed Application Process: Major organizational grants are awarded through internal allocation processes, not public applications. Building relationships with Federation leadership is essential for becoming a partner agency.

  • Contact the Right Person: Sheryl Sarin, Senior Director, Communications Planning and Allocations, is the key contact for allocation inquiries (SherylS@jfnnj.org, 201-820-3913).

  • Micro Grants Available: The Hudson County Micro Grants program ($200 reimbursements) offers a public application process for individuals and small groups hosting Jewish community events with 10+ attendees.

  • Strategic Alignment is Critical: Organizations must align with the Federation's four pillars - caring for others, combating antisemitism/security, strengthening Jewish identity, and supporting Israel - and demonstrate how they serve Northern NJ's Jewish communities.

  • Data-Driven Approach: The Federation values concrete data and measurable community impact. Organizations should be prepared to demonstrate their effectiveness and community reach.

  • Significant Funding Range: With grants ranging from $5,250 to over $4 million and 105 awards made in 2024, the Federation supports organizations at various scales, from small programs to major institutional partners.

  • Annual Campaign Cycle: The Federation operates an annual campaign that addresses all needs of the Jewish community, with over 40 years of tradition including their annual Super Sunday phone-a-thon.

References

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