Youngstown Area Jewish Federation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed (revenue ~$18 million, includes grants received)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 1-2 months following application deadline
• Grant Range: $250 - $50,000 (varies by program)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Mahoning and Shenango Valleys, Ohio; also Israel partnership region

Contact Details

Main Office: 505 Gypsy Lane Youngstown, OH 44504

Phone: 330-746-3251

General Email: eskolnick@jewishyoungstown.org

Endowment Applications Contact: Courtney Campesi, Financial Resource Development Director Phone: 330-746-3250 ext. 152 Email: ccampesi@jewishyoungstown.org

Website: www.jewishyoungstown.org | www.yajfoundation.org

Overview

Founded in August 1935, the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation serves as the central coordinating organization for the Jewish community in Youngstown, Ohio, raising and allocating funds locally, nationally, and internationally. Initially raising $37,000 in its first year, the Federation merged with Warren, Ohio and Sharon, Pennsylvania communities in 1981 to strengthen regional impact. The organization operates as an umbrella entity supporting multiple agencies including the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family & Community Services, Senior Living facilities, and the Jewish Community Relations Council. Guided by Jewish values of tzedakah (righteous giving) and tikkun olam (repairing the world), the Federation makes grants through multiple endowment funds to both Jewish and secular organizations. In recent years, the Federation has also been a grant recipient itself, receiving $195,000 from the Ohio Department of Aging for senior programs and securing additional foundation support for early childhood education and social services.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Thomases Family Endowment

• Amount: Up to $50,000/year (multi-year requests considered, maximum 5 years)
• Deadlines: January 15, May 15, September 15
• Focus: Promoting tzedakah and ensuring Jewish presence in the general community
• Three Tracks:
  • Organizations in Mahoning and Shenango Valleys
  • Jewish Organizations (US)
  • Israeli Organizations (Partnership Region of Akko & Matte Asher only)

Andrew L. Lipkin Tikkun Olam Community Impact Grant

• Amount: Up to $1,000
• Deadline: January 15
• Focus: Local nonprofit organizations engaged in initiatives to combat antisemitism and all forms of hate

Penner Family Endowment

• Amount: Not specified (has distributed over $370,000 since 2023 launch)
• Deadline: May 24
• Focus: Breaking the cycle of poverty through enhancing early childhood education (birth through kindergarten start)
• Two Tracks:
  • Organizations in Mahoning and Shenango Valleys
  • Jewish Organizations

Sam Kooperman Endowment

• Amount: Not specified
• Deadlines: December 31 (camp scholarships); December 31 and June 30 (Israel study)
• Focus: Camp scholarships and Israel study programs for youth

Stanley Engel Fund

• Amount: $250+
• Focus: Assists local Jewish residents in need (individuals, not organizations)
• Eligible Expenses: College tuition, transportation, medical, utility bills

Mildred Engel Nurse Scholarship

• Focus: Individuals pursuing associate or baccalaureate nursing degrees
• Requirement: Maintain residency within 60 miles of Youngstown

Priority Areas

For General Community Organizations:

• Initiatives combating antisemitism and hate
• Early childhood education programs (birth to kindergarten)
• Community development and revitalization
• Cultural and educational initiatives
• Social services addressing poverty

For Jewish Organizations:

• Youth education and engagement (camps, Israel programs)
• Jewish community services
• Programs in Partnership Region of Akko & Matte Asher, Israel
• Supporting Jewish presence in the general community

What They Don't Fund

No explicit exclusions are documented, though organizations must align with the specific purposes of each endowment fund. The Stanley Engel Fund is restricted to local Jewish residents only.

Governance and Leadership

Board Officers

• Atty. Mark Huberman - President
• Atty. Michael Barr - President Elect
• Alice Franklin - Treasurer
• Lee Burdman - Secretary
• Suzyn Schwebel Epstein - Immediate Past President

Board Members

Steve Anderson, Andi Baroff, William Benedikt, Nancy Burnett, Atty. Bruce Epstein, Amy Hendricks, Josh Hill, Rachel Kay, Richard Marlin, Jason Rubin, Bruce Tamarkin, Dr. Nancy Wagner, Wendy Weiss

Past Presidents

Richard Marlin, Myra Benedikt, William Benedikt, Louis R. Epstein, Atty. Alan R. Kretzer, Bruce Lev, Alan Mirkin, Atty. James L. Pazol, Dr. Ronald Roth, Sam A. Roth, Bruce Sherman

Key Staff

• Courtney Campesi - Financial Resource Development Director

Leadership Perspective

President Mark Huberman has emphasized the Federation's commitment to community resilience and fighting antisemitism. At a memorial event, he stated: "Together, these flames shine as a beacon against darkness and a reminder that even in grief, we remain unbroken."

The late Andrew Lipkin, who served as Federation CEO for 39 years until his retirement in 2024, shaped the organization's emphasis on tikkun olam (repairing the world) and established programs to send high school students to Israel as educational experiences.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must use the official application format provided on the Federation's website. Each endowment has separate application forms available at www.yajfoundation.org/endowmentapps or www.jewishyoungstown.org/federation/endowment-applications.

Important Requirements:

• Incomplete applications and/or those not using the application format provided will not be considered
• Applications must be complete in their entirety
• Required attachments must be included
• Submit applications via email to clockshaw@jewishyoungstown.org or ccampesi@jewishyoungstown.org

Thomases Family Endowment Specific:

• Organizations may submit multiple applications within the same cycle
• Multi-year requests can span no longer than five years and can ask for no more than $50,000/year
• Proposals for Israeli organizations must be specific to work in the Partnership Region of Akko & Matte Asher

Decision Timeline

Applications are reviewed by the respective Endowment Committee and approved by the Youngstown Area Jewish Foundation Board of Directors.

Notification: Applicants will be notified of decisions 1-2 months following the corresponding application deadline.

Reporting Requirements: If funding is granted, a progress report is required to be submitted 9 months after receiving payment.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may submit multiple applications within the same cycle (at least for the Thomases Family Endowment). No specific restrictions on reapplication after rejection have been documented.

Application Success Factors

Foundation Philosophy

Understanding the Jewish values that guide each endowment is critical:

Tzedakah (Righteous Giving): The Thomases Family Endowment was created by Irwin Thomases "so that upon his death his philanthropic values, including ensuring a Jewish presence in the general community, would live on." The endowment "seeks to promote a spirit of tzedakah."

Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World): Multiple funds explicitly reference this concept. The Penner Family Endowment's stated purpose is "to pursue tikkun olam by breaking the cycle of poverty through enhancing Early Childhood Education." The Lipkin Tikkun Olam Fund focuses on combating hate.

Recent Successful Projects

Thomases Family Endowment:

• YNDC (Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation): $15,000 for renovation of 2915 Glenwood Avenue; previously awarded $5,000 for REVITALIZE Youngstown
• ACTS: $2,500 to help turn Sacred Heart Church into a theatre
• OH WOW! Children's Museum: $30,000
• Camp JCC: $10,000

Lipkin Tikkun Olam Fund:

• Akiva Academy: $1,000 for school trip to National Holocaust Museum
• Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past: $1,000 to screen the movie "Till" focusing on civil rights history

Penner Family Endowment:

• JCC Early Learning Center: $32,000 for enrichment activities including motor and emotional skills development and water safety

Application Best Practices

Be Specific: For Israeli organizations applying to Thomases, proposals must be specific to work in the Partnership Region of Akko & Matte Asher. General proposals will not be considered.

Complete Documentation: The Federation explicitly states that incomplete applications or those not using the proper format will not be considered. This is a firm requirement.

Geographic Tie: For general organizations applying to Thomases or Penner endowments, organizations must be located in or have a direct tie to the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys.

Plan for Reporting: Budget time for the required 9-month progress report. This demonstrates the Federation's interest in outcomes and accountability.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Match the endowment purpose precisely - Each fund has a specific focus (early childhood education, combating hate, Jewish community presence). Align your proposal clearly with the stated purpose of the endowment.

• Use Jewish values language appropriately - If relevant to your proposal, incorporate concepts of tzedakah and tikkun olam, but only if authentic to your work. The Federation funds both Jewish and secular organizations.

• Follow format requirements strictly - The Federation explicitly rejects incomplete applications and those not using provided formats. This is non-negotiable.

• Consider multiple application cycles - With three annual deadlines for the Thomases Endowment (January 15, May 15, September 15), organizations have flexibility in timing. Multiple applications per cycle are allowed.

• Think multi-year for larger projects - The Thomases Endowment accepts multi-year requests up to five years and $50,000/year. This suggests they value sustained impact over one-time grants.

• Plan for the progress report - The required 9-month follow-up demonstrates accountability matters to this funder. Build reporting time into your project timeline.

• Geographic focus is essential - For general community organizations, having a direct tie to the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys is critical. Clearly establish this connection in your application.

References

• Youngstown Area Jewish Foundation Endowment Applications page: https://www.yajfoundation.org/endowmentapps (Accessed January 2026)
• Youngstown Area Jewish Federation About Us page: https://www.jewishyoungstown.org/federation/about-us/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Youngstown Area Jewish Federation Board page: https://www.jewishyoungstown.org/federation/youngstown-area-jewish-federation-board/ (Accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Youngstown Area Jewish Federation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/340714442 (Accessed January 2026)
• Cause IQ - Youngstown Area Jewish Federation profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/youngstown-area-jewish-federation,340714442/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation news: "Thomases Family Endowment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation Approves a $15,000 Grant to YNDC" (October 2021)
• Cleveland Jewish News: "Youngstown Camp JCC receives $10,000 grant from Thomases Family Endowment" (March 2021)
• Business Journal Daily: "David and Benita Penner Named Legacy Award Honorees" (Accessed January 2026)
• WFMJ.com: "Early Learning Center at the JCC of Youngstown receives $38K in grants" (August 2024)
• The Vindicator: "Anniversary of Oct. 7 Hamas attacks marked" (October 2025)
• Cleveland Jewish News: "Youngstown longtime federation exec Kooperman dead at 74" (May 2021)