Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence (JHFE)
Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $9,501,803 (2024); $9,347,054 (2023)
- Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
- Decision Time: Approximately 12 weeks after the close of the application period
- Grant Range: $5,000 - $2,300,000 (most awards under $600,000)
- Geographic Focus: Louisville metropolitan area and Commonwealth of Kentucky (excluding Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties in Kentucky; Floyd, Clark, Harrison, and Scott counties in Indiana are also served)
Contact Details
- Website: jewishheritagefund.com
- Phone: (502) 365-3209
- Email: contact@jewishheritagefund.com
- Address: 101 S. 5th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202
- Grants Portal: grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=jewishheritagefund
- Health and Medical Research Contact: Tiffany Fabing — tfabing@jewishheritagefund.com / (502) 785-0160
- Jewish Life Contact: Jaime Jorrisch — jjorrisch@jewishheritagefund.com / (502) 785-0162
Overview
The Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence (JHFE) is a Louisville, Kentucky-based grantmaking organization established in 2012 when Jewish Hospital HealthCare Services merged with Saint Joseph Health System to form KentuckyOne Health. Seeded with approximately $100 million from the proceeds of that merger, JHFE has grown to manage total assets of over $305 million (as of 2024 fiscal year). Since its founding, the organisation has distributed more than $107 million in grants to over 120 organisations through 600+ individual awards.
JHFE's mission is to improve the health of the Louisville community, advance world-class medical research, and foster a strong, vibrant Jewish community. Its three strategic pillars are Adolescent Health and Wellness, Jewish Life, and Medical Research. Annual giving consistently exceeds $9 million, with the 2024 total reaching $9,501,803. The fund draws principally from investment income, which generated $11.2 million in fiscal year 2024 alone, reflecting a well-capitalised endowment built to serve as a generational philanthropic resource.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
1. Adolescent Health and Wellness Grants
- Amount range: Typically several thousand dollars to six figures; organisation-wide grants can reach into the hundreds of thousands
- Application method: Letter of Interest (LOI) submitted through the Foundant online portal, followed by an invitation to apply; applications accepted on a rolling basis tied to quarterly decision cycles
- Key contact: Tiffany Fabing (tfabing@jewishheritagefund.com)
2. Jewish Life Grants
- Amount range: Varies; programme-level grants typically from thousands to six figures
- Application method: By invitation only; the first step is a conversation with Jaime Jorrisch, who may then ask for a brief project description and budget before issuing a formal invitation
- Key contact: Jaime Jorrisch (jjorrisch@jewishheritagefund.com)
3. Medical Research Grants
- Amount range: $5,000 to $2,300,000+; the JHFE Research Enhancement Grant (administered through the University of Louisville's School of Medicine) supports individual faculty projects; major institutional grants can reach $2 million or more
- Application method: For the UofL Research Enhancement Grant: PDF submission via hscro@louisville.edu; for broader medical research funding, contact Tiffany Fabing to initiate a conversation
- Key contact: Tiffany Fabing (tfabing@jewishheritagefund.com)
4. Overnight Camp Grants (administered via Jewish Federation of Louisville)
- Amount: Up to $2,500 (first-year campers, sessions of 19+ days); up to $1,500 (first-year campers, 11-18 day sessions); decreasing amounts for second and third year campers
- Eligibility: Jewish youth in Kentucky under 18 attending an approved overnight camp
- Application method: Apply via Jewish Federation of Louisville (jewishlouisville.org)
2024 Funding Breakdown
| Programme Area | 2024 Total |
|---|---|
| Jewish Life | $4,239,530 |
| Health (Adolescent Health and Wellness) | $3,762,273 |
| Medical Research | $1,500,000 |
| Total | $9,501,803 |
Priority Areas
Adolescent Health and Wellness
- Capacity building for youth-serving organisations
- Adolescent-centred healthcare access (ages 12-24)
- Ensuring youth input into programmes and policies
- Programming to support healthy transition to adulthood
- Systems and policy change for adolescent health
- Mental health support and leadership development
Jewish Life
- Connecting individuals and families to Jewish identity
- Individual health and safety within the Jewish community
- Community acceptance and inclusion
- Organisational capacity building for Jewish organisations
- Jewish educational opportunities
- Supporting diverse, thriving Jewish communities throughout Kentucky
Medical Research
- Translational research: moving findings from basic science to practical clinical applications
- Health outcomes research
- Medical education innovations
- Healthcare policy research
- Partnership exclusively with the University of Louisville Health Sciences Center (School of Medicine, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, Dental School, Nursing)
What They Don't Fund
- Individuals (all programmes)
- Fundraising events
- Political campaigns or lobbying efforts
- Organisations that promote hate or antisemitism
- Organisations that discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, or disability
- Organisations based in Boone, Kenton, or Campbell counties in Kentucky
- Organisations based in Indiana counties other than Floyd, Clark, Harrison, and Scott
Governance and Leadership
Senior Staff
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Jeff Polson | President and CEO |
| Tiffany Fabing | Program Director (Health and Medical Research) |
| Jaime Jorrisch | Program Director (Jewish Life) |
| Gregg Carter | Director of Finance and Grants Administration |
| Will Ousley | Communications Manager |
| Kelsey Dovico | Program Associate |
| Deborah Dewey | Executive Assistant / Board Coordinator |
Jeff Polson is the founding President and CEO of JHFE, appointed in 2012. A seventh-generation Kentuckian, he previously served as Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Jewish Hospital and St. Mary's HealthCare. He has been active in civic organisations including the Greater Louisville Project, Center for Nonprofit Excellence, and the American Heart Association.
Key Quote from Jeff Polson (President and CEO):
"We're temporary stewards of these funds that we hope are generational."
On the fund's approach to "responsible risk-taking" — rooted in Jewish Hospital's history of medical innovation — Polson has expressed a willingness to support experimental initiatives and learn from both successful and unsuccessful projects.
Board of Trustees
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Karen Abrams | Chair |
| Jennifer Tuvlin | Vice Chair |
| Marc Charnas | Treasurer |
| Glenn Levine | Secretary |
| Carlyn Altman | Trustee |
| Dr. Shellie Branson | Trustee |
| Ross Cohen | Trustee |
| Andrew Trager-Kusman | Trustee |
| Amy Lapinski | Trustee |
| Dr. Ken McLeish | Trustee |
| Dr. Sarah Moyer | Trustee |
| Dr. Ursula Mullins | Trustee |
| Jackie Richardson | Trustee |
| Richard Schultz | Trustee |
| Linda Schuster | Trustee |
| Eric Schwartz | Trustee |
| Robin Stratton | Trustee |
| Reed Weinberg | Trustee |
The board brings together community members who volunteer their expertise and knowledge of the region to guide JHFE's grantmaking strategy. Several trustees have backgrounds in medicine or public health, reflecting the fund's strong medical research mandate.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
Adolescent Health and Wellness Grants
- Verify organisational eligibility: must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating in Kentucky (excluding restricted counties)
- Submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) through the Foundant grants portal at least 30 days before the applicable application deadline
- If invited, complete the full application through the Grants Portal
- Decisions are made quarterly
Jewish Life Grants
- Contact Jaime Jorrisch to schedule an initial conversation (jjorrisch@jewishheritagefund.com / 502.785.0162)
- Based on that discussion, you may be asked to submit a brief written project description and project budget
- Invitations to apply are extended based on alignment with JHF's goals and available funding
- Formal applications are submitted through the online Grants Portal
Medical Research Grants (JHFE Research Enhancement Grant via UofL)
- Confirm eligibility: full-time faculty at UofL's School of Medicine, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, Dental School, or Nursing
- Submit a complete application in PDF format to hscro@louisville.edu
- Decisions are made within approximately 12 weeks of the deadline
For general Health and Medical Research inquiries, contact Tiffany Fabing prior to submitting any application.
Decision Timeline
Adolescent Health and Wellness — quarterly decision cycle (rolling LOI deadlines):
| LOI Deadline | Funding Decision |
|---|---|
| February 1 | April |
| April 1 | June |
| August 1 | October |
| October 1 | December |
Jewish Life — quarterly decision cycle:
| Application Deadline | Funding Decision |
|---|---|
| January 2 | February |
| February 27 | April |
| June 5 | August |
| August 21 | October |
Medical Research Enhancement Grant (UofL — rolling):
| Deadline | Earliest Funding Start |
|---|---|
| August 15 | October 1 |
| December 12 | February 1 |
| April 15 | June 1 |
Applicants can generally expect to receive a funding decision within 12 weeks after the close of the application period.
Success Rates
JHFE does not publish formal success rate data. However, context from publicly available data suggests moderate to high selectivity:
- In 2023, 35 awards were made totalling $9.35 million, implying an average award size of approximately $267,000
- In 2022, 40 awards totalling approximately $9.25 million were made, implying an average of approximately $231,000
- The Medical Research programme exclusively partners with the University of Louisville, making this stream highly targeted with a limited eligible applicant pool
Reapplication Policy
JHFE does not publicly document a formal reapplication restriction policy. Given the invitation-only nature of several programmes, it is advisable to maintain relationships with programme directors regardless of outcome. Contact the relevant programme director for guidance following an unsuccessful application.
Application Success Factors
Start with a conversation — this is non-negotiable JHFE's own guidance makes clear that prospective applicants are expected to discuss their funding request with staff before completing an application. For Health and Medical Research grants, contact Tiffany Fabing. For Jewish Life grants, contact Jaime Jorrisch. Submitting without prior dialogue significantly reduces the likelihood of success.
Demonstrate clear alignment with a specific funding priority JHFE's programme areas have distinct sub-priorities. Health applicants should frame proposals around adolescent health (ages 12–24) specifically — not general community health or services to other age groups. Jewish Life applicants should map proposals to one or more of: Jewish Identity and Community, Creating Sustainability within the Jewish Community, Jewish Education, or Senior Jewish Adult Services.
Show evidence of innovation and willingness to experiment Jeff Polson has explicitly noted that JHFE is willing to take "responsible risks" and values organisations that are willing to experiment and learn from outcomes — including failures. Proposals that present novel, evidence-informed approaches rather than conventional service delivery are likely to resonate.
Smaller and grassroots organisations receive more flexibility The fund has documented that smaller and grassroots organisations are given more flexibility in application and reporting requirements. If your organisation is smaller, don't be deterred — the fund is accessible to organisations at varying scales.
Demonstrate inclusivity and non-discrimination JHFE's eligibility criteria explicitly require applicants to promote inclusivity and prohibit organisations that discriminate or promote hate. Ensure your application materials reflect these values throughout.
Use the language of the fund's vision In proposals, mirror the fund's own framing: "healthy adolescence is the foundation for healthy adulthood"; "equitable access to health supports"; "robust and dynamic Jewish communities." This signals genuine alignment rather than opportunistic grant-seeking.
Recent grant examples to benchmark against:
- $500,000 to Goodwill Industries for an Opportunity Center in West Louisville (Health)
- $2,000,000+ to University of Louisville for cardiac stem cell research (Medical Research)
- $600,000 to UofL Department of Nephrology/Hypertension (Medical Research)
- $150,000 to YMCA Safe Place Services (Health — youth homelessness)
- $500,000 for temporary housing for young adults in Louisville (Health)
- Multiple grants to Jewish Community of Louisville for programming, preschool scholarships, and food pantry support
- University of Kentucky Holocaust Education Initiative / Jewish Studies Professorship (Jewish Life)
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Pre-application conversations are mandatory, not optional — contact the relevant programme director before preparing a full application; for Jewish Life, an invitation is required before any formal submission
- Geographic eligibility is strictly defined — the fund serves Kentucky (excluding Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties) and four specific Indiana counties; confirm your service area qualifies before proceeding
- The Medical Research programme is University of Louisville-exclusive — only UofL Health Sciences Center faculty are eligible for Research Enhancement Grants; broader medical research proposals require a conversation with Tiffany Fabing first
- Grant amounts vary enormously — from $5,000 pilot awards to $2.3 million major institutional grants; frame your budget ask relative to comparable past awards in your area
- Decision cycles are quarterly — plan LOI and application submissions well in advance; allow at least 30 days before the application deadline for LOI submission in the Health programme
- JHFE values long-term relationships and organisational learning — demonstrate in your application how you will evaluate impact, share learnings, and build on previous work, even if it involved unsuccessful experiments
- Jewish Life funding is highly relationship-dependent — if you are new to JHFE, the first step is simply reaching out to Jaime Jorrisch to introduce your organisation and explore whether there is alignment before any formal process begins
References
- Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence — Official Website: jewishheritagefund.com (accessed February 2026)
- Jewish Heritage Fund — Get Started / Eligibility page: jewishheritagefund.com/funding/get-started/ (accessed February 2026)
- Jewish Heritage Fund — Adolescent Health and Wellness funding page: jewishheritagefund.com/funding/health/ (accessed February 2026)
- Jewish Heritage Fund — Jewish Life funding page: jewishheritagefund.com/funding/jewish-life/ (accessed February 2026)
- Jewish Heritage Fund — 2024 Funding Summary: jewishheritagefund.com/2024-funding-summary/ (accessed February 2026)
- Jewish Heritage Fund — Awarded Grants page: jewishheritagefund.com/our-impact/awarded-grants/ (accessed February 2026)
- Jewish Heritage Fund — Board of Trustees: jewishheritagefund.com/about-us/board-of-trustees/ (accessed February 2026)
- Jewish Heritage Fund — Staff page: jewishheritagefund.com/staff/ (accessed February 2026)
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer — Jewish Heritage Fund For Excellence Inc (EIN: 203805455): projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/203805455 (accessed February 2026)
- Jewish Community of Louisville — "From shuls to science to social justice, the Jewish Heritage Fund is a pivotal philanthropic force": jewishlouisville.org/from-shuls-to-science-to-social-justice-the-jewish-heritage-fund-is-a-pivotal-philanthropic-force/ (accessed February 2026)
- Jewish Heritage Fund blog — "Overnight camp grants extended beyond Louisville, to all youth in Kentucky" (January 2023): jewishheritagefund.com/2023/01/18/overnight-camp-grants-extended-beyond-louisville-to-all-youth-in-kentucky/ (accessed February 2026)
- University of Louisville School of Medicine — JHFE Research Enhancement Grants: louisville.edu/medicine/research/funding-opportunities/grants/jewish-heritage-fund-for-excellence-research-enhancement-grants (accessed February 2026)
- University of Louisville School of Medicine — "Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence donates $2 million to advance adult stem cell research": louisville.edu/medicine/news/jewish-heritage-fund-for-excellence-donates-2-million-to-advance-adult-stem-cell-research-in-treatment-of-heart-disease (accessed February 2026)
- Inside Philanthropy — Jewish Heritage Fund profile: insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/kentucky-grants/jewish-heritage-fund (accessed February 2026)
- Cause IQ — Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence (JHFE): causeiq.com/organizations/jewish-heritage-fund-for-excellence,203805455/ (accessed February 2026)
- Jewish Community of Louisville — Overnight Camp Grants: jewishlouisville.org/federation/foundation/jewish-foundation-louisville-scholarships/overnight-camp-grants/ (accessed February 2026)
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