Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit & The Jewish Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $84.1 million (Federation total expenses per 990); $3 million (The Jewish Fund grants)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Approximately 6-7 months from pre-request to decision
• Grant Range: $2,500 - $600,000
• Geographic Focus: Metropolitan Detroit (Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties)

Contact Details

The Jewish Fund (Primary grant-making arm)

• Address: 6735 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
• Phone: (248) 833-2434
• Website: https://thejewishfund.org/
• Grants Administrator: Kristin Moskovitz (primary contact for applicants and grantees)
• Executive Director: Margo Pernick

Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit

• Address: 6735 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
• Phone: (248) 642-4260
• Website: https://jewishdetroit.org/
• CEO: Steven Ingber

Overview

The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit (founded 1926) is the major instrument of Jewish philanthropy and engagement in the Detroit area, with total annual giving of approximately $30.5 million. The Federation operates through a network of affiliated organisations, including the United Jewish Foundation (which manages endowment and communal assets) and The Jewish Fund.

The Jewish Fund was established in 1997 from the proceeds of Sinai Hospital's sale to the Detroit Medical Center and serves as the primary competitive grant-making arm. With over $64 million in assets and an annual grant-making budget of approximately $3 million, The Jewish Fund has awarded over $25 million in grants since its founding. The Fund focuses on improving the quality of life for vulnerable residents in metropolitan Detroit through health and social welfare programmes.

In November 2024, The Jewish Fund approved $1.1 million in new and continuation grants, demonstrating active and substantial ongoing grant-making. The organisation emphasises an "open, collaborative process that prioritises well-formed projects and will be the start of mutually beneficial relationships with grant partners."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The Jewish Fund - Major Grant Programmes (Annual Cycles)

The Jewish Fund provides funding through two annual grant cycles (May and November decisions) with the following terms:

• Health and Welfare of the Jewish Community: Up to 3-year grants ranging from $25,000 to $600,000

  • Application: Pre-requests accepted fall/early winter for May cycle; late spring/early summer for November cycle
  • Recent example: Jewish Family Service received $600,000 for home care and transportation services for vulnerable older adults

• Enhancing the Historic Bond: Up to 3-year grants ranging from $17,000 to $200,000

  • Application: Limited to spring submissions for fall decisions
  • Recent example: Yeshivah Beth Yehudah received $200,000 for an accessible playground

• Health of Metropolitan Detroit: Up to 1-year grants (renewable) ranging from $10,000 to $75,000

  • Recent examples: Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan ($40,000 for behavioural health services), Cass Community Social Services ($25,000 for emergency shelter bathrooms)

Teen Board Grants

• Grant Range: $2,500 - $15,000
• Total Annual Distribution: $100,000
• Focus: Youth-led philanthropic initiatives supporting mental health, wellness, and community needs
• Application: Separate process for teen board consideration

Continuation Grants Multi-year grants approved in prior cycles continue funding (e.g., Yad Ezra food pantry - $100,000; Tamarack Camps medical support - $100,000)

Priority Areas

The Jewish Fund focuses exclusively on:

1. Health and Welfare of the Jewish Community - Programmes that help vulnerable and underserved Jewish residents of metropolitan Detroit achieve enhanced health outcomes through improved access to high-quality health-promoting services, with priority on urban communities

2. Enhancing the Historic Bond - Support services, projects and programmes that enhance a thriving Jewish community in the city of Detroit and/or further the Jewish community's bond with the city

3. Health of Metropolitan Detroit - Programmes helping vulnerable and underserved children achieve improved wellness outcomes through health intervention and wellness programmes (prenatal services, youth initiatives) enhancing physical, mental, and social-emotional well-being

Types of projects prioritised:

• New programmes with a defined period that address a critical need
• Evidence-based programmes that are new or expanded offerings in a specific community
• Development and implementation of capacity building strategies that will strengthen operations and/or overall service delivery

What They Don't Fund

• Organisations outside Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties in metropolitan Detroit
• Organisations not recognised as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
• Individuals
• Political organisations
• Projects that do not align with the three priority areas listed above

Governance and Leadership

The Jewish Fund Board of Directors

Board Leadership:

• Jeffrey B. Schlussel, Board Chair (Carson Fischer, PLC)
• Mark Kowalsky, Board Vice Chair (Partner at Taft)
• Dorothy Benyas, Board Secretary/Treasurer (CFO at Jewish Federation of Detroit)
• Michael Eizelman, Past Chair (Jackier Gould, PC)

Notable Board Members:

• Brian Hermelin, President, Jewish Federation of Detroit
• Steven Ingber, CEO, Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit
• Michael Berger, United Jewish Foundation President
• Amy Good, Retired CEO, Alternatives For Girls
• Monica L. Woodson, CEO, Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan
• Justin F. Klamerus, MD, MMM, EVP/Chief Medical Officer, McLaren Health Care
• Sharlonda Buckman-Davis, Assistant Superintendent, Detroit Public Schools

The board includes 39 members representing diverse sectors including healthcare, education, legal, nonprofit leadership, and community volunteers.

The Jewish Fund Staff

• Margo Pernick, Executive Director (leading the organisation since 2008; previously programme officer at Kresge Foundation)
• Kristin Moskovitz, Grants Administrator (joined September 2017; primary contact for applicants and grantees)
• Laura Charnas, Teen Board Director (20 years in education)
• Shelby Bruseloff, Teen Board Facilitator

Jewish Federation Leadership

• Brian Hermelin, President (2025-2026)
• Sherri Ketai, Vice President
• Gary Torgow, Immediate Past President; Chair of Jewish Federations of North America
• Steve Ingber, Federation CEO

Key Philosophy on Grant-Making:

The board has stated that "a key purpose for The Fund is to help community partners achieve their unique missions," and while they may choose not to fund something they question, "that is different from questioning the organisation's decision-making." The board demonstrates "respect for grant partners' expertise while recognising inherent funder-grant partner power dynamics as key to beneficial grantmaking."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Pre-Application Contact (Strongly Encouraged)

The Jewish Fund encourages potential applicants to call and discuss their proposed project with staff before applying. These conversations "may be helpful in strengthening the proposed project." Contact Kristin Moskovitz, Grants Administrator, at (248) 833-2434.

Step 2: Pre-Request Submission

The Jewish Fund uses a two-stage application process beginning with a pre-request:

• Pre-requests accepted for 2 periods per calendar year:

  • Fall/early winter for May grant cycle
  • Late spring/early summer for November grant cycle

• Pre-request content: Brief description (a few sentences) outlining:

  • The problem you are trying to address
  • How you plan to address it
  • Outcomes you hope to achieve

Step 3: Full Application (By Invitation)

Organisations whose pre-requests align with funding priorities will be invited to submit full applications.

Required attachments for full application include:

• Organisation budget
• Most recent complete audited financial statement with management letter
• Board of directors list
• Updated project budget
• Logic model
• Resumes of key staff

Special Note on "Enhancing the Historic Bond" Priority Area:

Requests in this category are limited to submissions in the spring for a fall decision.

Decision Timeline

• Pre-Request Submission Window: Typically fall/early winter for May decisions; late spring/early summer for November decisions
• Decision Announcement: Approximately 6-7 months from pre-request to decision
• Grant Cycles: Two per year (May and November board decisions)

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly disclosed. However, The Jewish Fund's recent grant cycle (May 2025) awarded 28 grants totalling over $1 million, plus continuation grants, indicating active grant-making with multiple awards per cycle.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated in publicly available materials. Contact the Grants Administrator to discuss reapplication possibilities if your organisation was previously declined.

Application Success Factors

What The Jewish Fund Specifically Values

1. Alignment with Well-Defined Projects

The application process "prioritises well-formed projects" that clearly address critical needs. The Fund prioritises:

• New programmes with a defined period that address a critical need
• Evidence-based programmes that are new or expanded offerings in a specific community
• Capacity building strategies that will result in strengthened operations and/or overall service delivery

2. Collaborative Partnership Philosophy

The Fund explicitly states they designed their process "with the goal of creating an open, collaborative process...that will be the start of mutually beneficial relationships with grant partners." This indicates they value:

• Organisations seeking partnership, not just funding
• Transparency in project design and implementation
• Ongoing communication and relationship building

3. Respect for Grantee Expertise

Board philosophy emphasises "respect for grant partners' expertise while recognising inherent funder-grant partner power dynamics." The board has stated they recognise "that is different from questioning the organisation's decision-making," showing they:

• Trust organisations to know their work and communities
• Respect professional judgement of grant partners
• Seek to minimise traditional funder-grantee power imbalances

4. Geographic Focus and Community Impact

All funded projects must demonstrate clear impact on "residents in the metropolitan Detroit area of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties." Successful applications show:

• Specific community need in the tri-county area
• How the project will reach vulnerable and/or underserved populations
• Measurable outcomes for Detroit-area residents

5. Financial Sustainability and Organisational Capacity

Requirement for audited financial statements and logic models indicates they evaluate:

• Organisational stability and financial health
• Clear theory of change and measurable outcomes
• Capacity to deliver on proposed programmes

Recent Funded Projects as Examples

Health and Welfare of the Jewish Community:

• Jewish Family Service: $600,000 for home care and transportation services for vulnerable non-survivor older adults
• Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network: $55,000 for financial services consultation for mission alignment
• Yad Ezra: $100,000 continuation grant for food pantry operations

Enhancing the Historic Bond:

• Yeshivah Beth Yehudah: $200,000 for fully accessible playground for children with physical and developmental challenges
• Jewish Federation of Detroit: $65,050 for equipment for community mass casualty preparedness response

Health of Metropolitan Detroit:

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan: $40,000 for behavioural health services including therapy and psychological testing for youth
• Autism Alliance of Michigan: $10,000 for training early childhood educators to identify autism spectrum disorder red flags
• Kevin's Song: $29,200 for suicide prevention training for faith leaders and first responders

Pre-Application Discussion Value

The Fund explicitly states that pre-application conversations with staff "may be helpful in strengthening the proposed project," indicating:

• Staff are accessible and willing to provide guidance
• Early dialogue can improve application quality
• This is not just a formality but a genuine opportunity to refine proposals

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Call before you apply - The Jewish Fund explicitly encourages pre-application conversations with their Grants Administrator. This is your best opportunity to strengthen your proposal and ensure alignment with priorities.

2. Think partnership, not transaction - The Fund emphasises "mutually beneficial relationships with grant partners" and respects grantee expertise. Frame your proposal as the beginning of a collaborative relationship, not just a funding request.

3. Geography is non-negotiable - Your project must impact residents in Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb counties in metropolitan Detroit. Make this geographic focus crystal clear in your application.

4. Multi-year funding is available - For Health and Welfare and Historic Bond priorities, you can request up to 3 years of funding. Consider whether a multi-year approach would strengthen your project's sustainability and impact.

5. Evidence-based and capacity-building approaches stand out - The Fund prioritises evidence-based programmes and capacity building strategies. Include research supporting your approach and show how the grant will strengthen organisational capacity.

6. Align with the right priority area - Applications must clearly align with one of three priority areas. Don't try to fit your project into all three; choose the best match and make that alignment explicit throughout your application.

7. Pre-requests matter - The two-stage process means your pre-request is crucial. Spend time crafting a clear, compelling brief description that will earn you an invitation to submit a full application.

References

• The Jewish Fund website: https://thejewishfund.org/
• The Jewish Fund - Making a Grant Request: https://thejewishfund.org/make-a-grant-request/
• The Jewish Fund - Recent Grants: https://thejewishfund.org/newgrants/
• The Jewish Fund - Board of Directors: https://thejewishfund.org/board-of-directors/
• The Jewish Fund - Our Staff: https://thejewishfund.org/our-staff/
• The Jewish Fund - Annual Report 2024: https://thejewishfund.org/annual-report-2024/
• The Jewish Fund - Annual Report 2023: https://thejewishfund.org/annual-report-2023/
• The Jewish Fund - Annual Report 2022: https://thejewishfund.org/annual-report-2022-2/
• Jewish Federation of Detroit website: https://jewishdetroit.org/
• Jewish Federation of Detroit - Leadership: https://jewishdetroit.org/about/leadership/
• Jewish Federation of Detroit - A Guide to Philanthropic Funds: https://jewishdetroit.org/a-guide-to-philanthropic-funds-2023/
• The Grantsmanship Center - Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit: https://www.tgci.com/funder/jewish-federation-metropolitan-detroit
• GuideStar Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/38-1359214
• Charity Navigator Rating: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/381359214
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/381359214
• Cause IQ Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/jewish-federation-of-metropolitan-detroit,381359214/
• The Jewish News - New Leadership at the Detroit Jewish Federation: https://www.thejewishnews.com/news/local/on-the-cover-new-leadership-at-the-detroit-jewish-federation-and-foundation/article_ec54e3aa-7e53-11ee-8fbc-674c7f5eb072.html
• Candid Foundation Directory - United Jewish Foundation: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&activity=result&key=UNIT342
• Date accessed: December 22, 2025