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Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix / Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix

Annual Giving
$8.9M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.1M
Decision Time
6mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8,857,888 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 5-6 months (from October application deadline to April notification)
  • Grant Range: $3,000 - $50,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Greater Phoenix area, Israel, and international Jewish communities

Contact Details

Website: https://phoenixcjp.org

Phone: 480-699-1717

Email: info@phoenixcjp.org

Address: 12701 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 201, Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Grant Program Contact: squen@phoenixcjp.org (Small Grants)

Overview

The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix was originally established in 1972 as the Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix and independently incorporated in 2002. In March 2021, the Jewish Community Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix integrated to form the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix (CJP). The organization awarded 146 grants totaling $8,857,888 in 2023, supporting organizations serving the Greater Phoenix Jewish community, Israel, and overseas. CJP's mission is to "connect and serve the Greater Phoenix community by inspiring philanthropy that supports and enlivens Jewish life locally, in Israel, and around the world." The organization has been a trusted partner to the Greater Phoenix Jewish community for over 130 years through its legacy organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Operating Support: Grants to eligible organizations (excludes schools and synagogues) for core operational expenses. Application deadline: October 20 annually.

Strategic Initiative Grants: $5,000 - $15,000 for specific programs and projects. Application deadline: October 20 annually. Presentation required in November-December or January-February, with notifications in April.

Small Grants Program: Up to $3,000 for one-time needs. Rolling basis, reviewed quarterly. Applications accepted anytime at squen@phoenixcjp.org.

Priority Areas

Community Building and Cohesion: Programs that connect Jewish people to one another and to the Jewish community, particularly programs promoting engagement for underserved demographics

Jewish Education: Research projects that improve the quality of Jewish life; educational programs and ritual experiences that increase meaning, motivation, and engagement in the Jewish community

Social Service Needs: Health, welfare, and education services; senior concierge programs; youth and family services

Capacity Building: Programs that improve the overall performance, effectiveness, and financial sustainability of local Jewish organizations

Leadership Development: Training opportunities in health, education, science, humanitarian aid, culture, and community relations that benefit the Jewish community

Jewish Culture: Strengthening and increasing exposure to Jewish culture, including film festivals, Holocaust education, and cultural programs

Israel and Overseas Support: Resettlement aid and assistance services to Jewish refugees; interfaith responses to community needs; support for JFNA historic partners (by invitation only)

Security: Security funding for Arizona's small and medium-sized synagogues

What They Don't Fund

  • Schools and synagogues are excluded from General Operating Support (must apply through Strategic Initiative or Small Grants)
  • Equipment purchases to replace or upgrade equipment (Small Grants exclusion)
  • Capital campaigns, endowment campaigns, or ongoing fundraising campaigns
  • Scholarships or grants to individuals
  • Projects in their entirety (seeking partial funding)
  • Multi-year grants
  • Organizations that don't meet reporting requirements from previous grants
  • Israel programs for camp scholarships (camps themselves are eligible, but Israel programs are not)
  • Organizations that are not 501(c)(3) nonprofits, qualifying schools/synagogues, or working through a fiscal agent

Governance and Leadership

Senior Leadership Team

Richard Kasper, Chief Executive Officer: Over 20 years of experience in law, nonprofit governance, and philanthropy. Previously served as President/CEO of the Jewish Community Foundation. Recipient of the Sy Clark Young Leadership Award in 1999.

Gail Baer, Chief Philanthropy Officer: Over 15 years of nonprofit fundraising experience. Previously Vice President at Jewish Family & Children's Service. Earned Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy certification.

Sheryl Quen, Vice President, Community Impact: Oversees the entire grant process, which takes several months and has multiple layers.

Charlene Green, Vice President, Community Engagement: Leads strategic initiatives to strengthen and connect the Jewish community.

Julie Perry, Vice President, Finance and Operations

Sarah Langert, Vice President, Annual Campaign

Sheryl Press, Vice President, Marketing and Campaign Events

Rich Solomon, Senior Director, Media and Press Relations: Manages the team running JewishPhoenix.com and serves as associate publisher of the Jewish News of Greater Phoenix.

Alison Johnston, Chief of Staff

Board of Directors

Chair: Alan Gold

The Board consists of 19 members, including youth board representatives. Volunteer board members provide organizational oversight and represent various professional sectors.

Leadership Philosophy

According to CJP leadership: "Great Jewish leaders dream big, articulate aspirations, remove barriers, engage in expert problem-solving, and then do everything within their power to bring their vision to reality."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

General Operating Support and Strategic Initiative Grants: All requests must be submitted online through CJP's grants portal at phoenixcjp.org. Applicants may start the online application, save it, and return later to continue working on it.

Small Grants: Applications may be submitted anytime to squen@phoenixcjp.org.

Important Restriction: Organizations may apply for only ONE grant – either General Operating Support (if eligible), a Strategic Initiative, OR a Small Grant. Organizations may receive only one CJP grant in a 12-month period.

Eligibility

  • Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a qualifying school, a synagogue, or have a fiscal agent in one of those categories
  • Must directly serve the Greater Phoenix Jewish community (for local grants)
  • Israel and Overseas programs funded by invitation only for JFNA historic partners

Decision Timeline

Annual Grant Cycle:

  • Mid-August: Grant cycle begins
  • October 20 (4pm): Application deadline for General Operating Support and Strategic Initiative grants
  • November-December & January-February: Presentations to grant committee
  • April: Grant notifications sent

Small Grants: Reviewed quarterly on a rolling basis

The grant review process begins with a broad letter of intent that leads to some applicants being invited to submit a full application outlining the organization's budget and proposed use of grant funds, followed by a presentation to the committee, which makes the final decision.

Success Rates

CJP awarded 146 grants in 2023, an increase from 141 in 2022 and 134 in 2021. Recent announcements indicate they awarded grants to 29-36 organizations in single funding cycles. Specific success rates (percentage of applications funded) are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may receive only one CJP grant in a 12-month period. For Small Grants specifically, organizations cannot receive more than one small grant in a 12-month period, and renewed support to past grantees that have not met reporting requirements will not be funded. Specific policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly disclosed; interested organizations should contact CJP directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Funding Priorities

CJP is particularly interested in programs that:

  • Connect Jewish people to one another and to the Jewish community, especially for underserved demographics
  • Provide Jewish educational and ritual experiences that increase engagement
  • Improve the overall performance, effectiveness, and financial sustainability of local Jewish organizations

Application Preparation

According to CJP's guidance, applicants should:

  • Carefully review the funding guide before applying
  • Prepare answers in advance
  • Take advantage of the ability to save and return to the online application

Reporting Compliance

Organizations that have not met reporting requirements from previous grants are excluded from funding. This emphasizes the importance of:

  • Submitting mid-year reports on time (within 6 months for Strategic Initiative grants, at 6 months for General Operating Support)
  • Submitting final reports promptly (1 month after program conclusion for Strategic Initiatives, at 12 months for General Operating Support)
  • Using the online grants portal for all reporting

Examples of Funded Programs

Recent successful grants have supported:

  • ADL: Advocacy efforts including hate crimes legislation, annual lobby day, and GRACE committee work
  • Scottsdale Arts ($7,500): "Hold on to Hope Traveling Exhibition" featuring Holocaust survivor Oskar Knoblauch's story
  • Valley of the Sun JCC ($433,000): General support for cultural, educational, social, and health/fitness programs
  • Bureau of Jewish Education ($62,000): Wise Aging program for seniors and IGNITE learning series for religious school educators
  • Jewish Family and Children's Service ($266,500): Senior Concierge and Virtual Center programs
  • Arizona Kosher Pantry: Weekly kosher Shabbat dinners delivered to families in need
  • Birthright Israel: Funding for Greater Phoenix participants
  • Shevet Shemesh (Israeli Scouts): Support for Yom HaZikaron ceremonies
  • Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival: Film rental costs

Programs funded have ranged from community security to inclusivity training, Holocaust education, antisemitism awareness, refugee resettlement, and cultural programming.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • One grant per year: Organizations can only apply for and receive one CJP grant in a 12-month period, so choose your grant type strategically based on your needs and eligibility
  • Strong community impact focus: Applications should clearly demonstrate how the program connects people, builds community, and serves underserved demographics within the Greater Phoenix Jewish community
  • Long timeline for major grants: Plan for a 5-6 month process from October application deadline to April notification for General Operating Support and Strategic Initiative grants
  • Reporting matters: Previous grantees must be in good standing with reporting requirements to be eligible for new funding
  • Broad scope welcomed: CJP funds a wide range of programs from direct services to cultural programming, security, education, and advocacy—don't self-select out
  • Strategic Initiative presentations required: Be prepared to present your proposal to the grant committee if you're applying for Strategic Initiative funding over $3,000
  • Small grants offer faster timeline: For time-sensitive needs under $3,000, the rolling Small Grants program offers quarterly review rather than the annual cycle

References

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