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UJA-Federation of New York

Annual Giving
$263.5M

UJA-Federation of New York - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $263.5 million (FY 2024 grant expense)
  • Organizations Supported: 400+ organizations, including 65 core partners
  • Geographic Focus: New York City's five boroughs, Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties; plus Israel and 70 countries worldwide
  • Application Method: Rolling basis through UJANet portal (Requests for Applications)
  • EIN: 51-0172429

Contact Details

Website: https://www.ujafedny.org

Main Office: 130 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022

Phone: (212) 980-1000

Grants Portal: https://ujanet.ujafedny.org/home

Overview

UJA-Federation of New York (United Jewish Appeal-Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York, Inc.) is the largest local philanthropy in the world. Since its founding through the merger of the United Jewish Appeal and Federation of Jewish Philanthropies in 1986, the organization has grown to manage an endowment of $1.2 billion as of 2021. In FY 2024, UJA distributed $336 million for grants and programs, with total grant expenses of $263.5 million. The organization's mission centers on caring for people in need, strengthening Jewish life, and responding to crises both locally and globally. UJA-Federation provides funding and resources to over 400 organizations, including 65 core health, human-service, educational, and community-building institutions across New York, Israel, and 70 countries worldwide.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

UJA-Federation offers two primary funding approaches:

General Operating Support: Provides critical, unrestricted dollars for infrastructure and resiliency to core partner organizations. This funding stream offers organizations the most flexibility in how they deploy resources.

Designated Grants: Available through Requests for Applications (RFAs) or by invitation for specific programs, capacity building, or initiatives. These grants are project-specific and tied to particular outcomes or program areas.

Special Programs:

  • Jewish Day School Subsidies: A $15 million, three-year pilot launched in 2024 providing grants of up to $20,000 per student for middle-income families and Jewish communal professionals in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island
  • Israel Emergency Response: Over $146 million allocated as of December 31, 2024, for rebuilding efforts, trauma healing, and community support in Israel
  • Antisemitism Response: Multi-faceted programs addressing security threats in campuses, K-12 schools, and workplaces

Priority Areas

UJA-Federation has three main strategic priorities:

  1. Caring for People in Need and Strengthening Jewish Life: Investments in poverty alleviation, employment, mental health services, deepening Jewish identity, and building Jewish community

  2. Crisis Response: Immediate and long-term support for communities facing emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic (nearly $70 million in emergency grants) and ongoing Israel crisis response

  3. Core Partner Support: Providing general operating support and oversight to 60 core partners, ensuring stability of critical community infrastructure

Specific Focus Areas:

  • Social services and poverty alleviation
  • Healthcare and mental health
  • Jewish education (day schools, supplementary schools)
  • Community centers and cultural institutions
  • Israel and overseas Jewish communities
  • Holocaust survivors and vulnerable populations
  • Antisemitism prevention and security
  • Immigration services and refugee support

What They Don't Fund

  • Political Activities: UJA-Federation is strictly prohibited from supporting or opposing any candidate for elective public office to maintain tax-exempt status
  • Geographic Restrictions: Domestic funding is limited to New York City's five boroughs, Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties (international programs operate through established partnerships)
  • Limited Resources: Due to limited funds, many worthwhile proposals cannot be funded, though UJA remains interested in learning about initiatives for future collaboration

Governance and Leadership

Eric S. Goldstein, Chief Executive Officer: Serving as CEO since July 1, 2014, Goldstein has announced his intention to step down at the end of the 2026 fiscal year (June 30, 2026). Under his leadership, UJA distributed $336 million for grants and programs in the most recent fiscal year. On Jewish day school education and engagement, Goldstein stated: "There's a receptivity to day school education among a broader segment of the community," and "In this moment of opportunity… we're trying to remove barriers that keep families from choosing a Jewish school."

Linda Mirels, President: Appointed July 1, 2023, Mirels is a committed philanthropist with a long history serving the Jewish community, having joined UJA leadership as an executive committee member in 1999. Professionally, she chairs a diversified global investment company with holdings in food distribution and real estate.

Marc Rowan, Board Chair: Appointed July 1, 2023, Rowan is co-founder and chief executive officer of Apollo Global Management. He has been focused on combating antisemitism throughout his career and was a founding supporter of UJA's Community Security Initiative (CSI).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

UJANet Portal: UJA-Federation uses UJANet as their "one-stop shop that makes it easy to apply for and manage your UJA funding." Access the portal at https://ujanet.ujafedny.org/home.

For New Applicants:

  1. Review current Requests for Applications (RFAs) available on the UJANet homepage
  2. Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) so UJA can learn more about your organization and work
  3. Complete the full application if invited to proceed

For Existing Grantees:

  1. Log in to your existing UJANet account
  2. Visit the RFA tab to view all available funding opportunities
  3. Submit applications through the portal

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
  • Must be charitable, educational, or scientific in nature as defined by IRS regulations
  • Domestic applicants must serve UJA's eight-county catchment area (NYC's five boroughs plus Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties)
  • International programs considered through partnerships with Jewish Agency for Israel and American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee

Application Format: Applications are submitted through the online UJANet portal. The system manages both the application process and ongoing grant management for funded organizations.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed and vary depending on the grant program and RFA. Organizations can expect to receive updates through the UJANet portal system.

Success Rates

UJA-Federation has acknowledged that "due to limited funds, there are many worthwhile proposals we cannot fund." Specific success rate percentages and application statistics are not publicly available. However, with over 400 organizations receiving funding and only a portion of those being new grantees annually, competition is significant.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Organizations interested in reapplying should contact UJA-Federation directly through the UJANet portal or main office for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Strategic Priorities: Applications that clearly align with UJA-Federation's three strategic priorities—caring for people in need and strengthening Jewish life, crisis response, and core partner support—are most likely to succeed. Given the organization's recent focus on Israel emergency response, antisemitism prevention, and Jewish education, proposals addressing these areas may receive heightened consideration.

Geographic Focus: Ensure your domestic programs serve UJA's specific eight-county catchment area. Applications from organizations outside NYC's five boroughs, Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties are unlikely to be funded unless they involve international partnerships.

Demonstrated Community Impact: With over 400 organizations competing for funding, applications must demonstrate measurable impact on the Jewish community and vulnerable populations. Include specific data, outcomes, and evidence of effectiveness.

Organizational Capacity: UJA-Federation invests in organizational infrastructure and resiliency. Applications should demonstrate strong organizational capacity, financial stability, and sustainability planning beyond the grant period.

Innovation and Responsiveness: Recent examples of funded initiatives—such as the Jewish day school subsidy pilot and rapid COVID-19 response—demonstrate UJA's willingness to support innovative approaches and respond quickly to emerging community needs.

Relationship Building: While UJA accepts applications from new organizations, the existence of 65 "core partners" receiving ongoing general operating support suggests that relationship development with UJA is valuable. Organizations should consider engaging with UJA before applying to understand priorities and receive guidance.

Comprehensive Budgets: Applications should include realistic, detailed budgets that clearly link funding requests to program activities and outcomes. UJA provides both restricted (designated) and unrestricted (general operating) support, so clarity about funding needs is essential.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • UJA-Federation is the largest local philanthropy in the world with $263.5 million in annual grant expenses—significant funding capacity for aligned organizations in their service area

  • Geographic eligibility is strictly defined: Domestic programs must serve NYC's five boroughs, Westchester, Nassau, or Suffolk counties; international programs operate through specific partnerships

  • Two distinct funding streams: General operating support goes to established core partners, while designated grants through RFAs are available for specific programs—understand which stream fits your organization

  • Current priority areas reflect contemporary challenges: Israel crisis response, antisemitism prevention, Jewish education, and community security are receiving heightened attention and funding

  • Use the UJANet portal effectively: This is the required gateway for applications—familiarize yourself with the system and submit strong Letters of Intent as a new applicant

  • Competition is significant: With 400+ organizations funded from limited resources, applications must demonstrate clear alignment with strategic priorities, measurable impact, and organizational capacity

  • Relationship building matters: The existence of 65 core partners suggests that ongoing engagement with UJA strengthens funding prospects—attend community events and build connections before applying

References

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