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The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore

Annual Giving
$28.9M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.0M
Decision Time
3mo

The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $28,943,387 (2023)
  • Grant Awards: 45 awards (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Varies by program (2-3 months typical)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $7,500 (for competitive programs)
  • Geographic Focus: Baltimore metropolitan area, with additional support for Israel and global Jewish communities

Contact Details

Main Office:

Program-Specific Contacts:

Overview

The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore (EIN: 52-0607957) has served as the central fundraising, community planning, and allocations organization for the Baltimore Jewish community for over 90 years. With approximately $1 billion in assets under management and an annual budget of $50 million, The Associated is recognized as one of the top Jewish community organizations in North America and a national leader within the Jewish Federation system.

The organization distributes nearly $29 million annually in grants to support a network of 27 agencies and programs serving the Baltimore Jewish community, Israel, and Jewish communities worldwide. The Associated operates across five core pillars: caring for one another, standing against antisemitism, shaping Jewish journeys, connecting to Israel and the world, and building a stronger Baltimore. The organization maintains a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and reports that 90% of donations go directly to programs and services.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Jewish Education Enhancement Projects (JEEP)

  • Grants up to $5,000 (standard)
  • Limited grants up to $7,500 for ambitious projects
  • Administered by Jewish Educational Services on behalf of The Associated with Charles Crane Family Foundation support
  • Application deadline: January 23, 2026 (for 2025-2026 cycle)
  • Online application via forms.jesbaltimore.org

Meyerhoff New Jewish Family Innovation Fund

  • Supports innovative family education and engagement programs
  • Targets diverse modern families including interfaith, people of color, adoptees, single parents, and LGBTQ families
  • Two-stage application: Letter of Inquiry (LOI) due December 19, 2025; Full application due February 20, 2026
  • Funding decisions by March 2026
  • Grant amounts not publicly specified

Jacob & Hilda Blaustein Fund for the Enrichment of Jewish Education

  • Provides funding for programs and activities that enrich informal Jewish education
  • Guidelines and deadlines updated frequently
  • Supports religious and Hebrew education programs in the Baltimore area

Community Fund for Israel Experiences (CFIE)

  • Limited merit and need-based scholarships for high school and first-year post-high school students
  • Baltimore City/County residents only
  • Supports Israel experiences for youth

Donor Advised Funds

  • Oversees approximately 400 donor advised funds
  • Minimum $5,000 to establish a fund
  • Grants made based on donor recommendations to 501(c)(3) organizations
  • Organizations cannot apply directly; must be recommended by fund holders

Allocated Funding to Partner Agencies

  • The Associated provides significant core funding to 27 partner agencies
  • Organizations receiving allocated funding are ineligible for JEEP grants
  • Includes Jewish Community Services, CHANA, camps, schools, and other community programs

Priority Areas

  • Jewish Education and Engagement: Formal and informal Jewish education, camps, youth programs, congregational programming
  • Family Services: Supporting diverse Jewish families, interfaith outreach, modern family structures
  • Care for Vulnerable Populations: Seniors, people with disabilities, mental health services, financial wellness, trauma support
  • Combating Antisemitism: Community safety, campus advocacy, incident reporting
  • Israel Connection: Programming connecting Baltimore Jews to Israel, global partnerships
  • Community Development: Strengthening Baltimore neighborhoods, social justice initiatives

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations already receiving Associated core allocations (for JEEP grants specifically)
  • Programs that conflict with The Associated's mission
  • Organizations outside the Baltimore metropolitan area (for local grant programs)
  • Individual requests unrelated to Jewish identity building

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Andrew Cushnir has led The Associated since his appointment. Cushnir brings a vision focused on collaboration, innovation, and combating antisemitism. He stated: "I'm a believer in Judaism is a contact sport, and Jewish community leadership is a contact sport. When we are all together, all kinds of things are happening." On fundraising, he noted: "When you match the donor's passion to the work you're doing, you can raise more money. It's our job to inspire the newer, different kinds of funders to support the work we do."

Regarding The Associated's mission to combat antisemitism, Cushnir emphasized: "Our goal is not only to confront antisemitism with facts but to lead through education, bringing people together to build understanding and mutual respect. If fear and violence make it so we can't live the Jewish lives we want to live, we're at a dead end in our community, and we cannot tolerate that."

Senior Leadership:

  • Carole Taylor, COO
  • Allison Rinker, Senior VP of Human Resources

Board of Governors: Includes Dan Hirschhorn and other community leaders (full roster available on website)

The Associated employs over 100 full-time staff members and maintains a robust endowment and investment program with professional financial management.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Competitive Grant Programs:

The Associated operates several grant programs with public application processes:

JEEP Grants:

  1. Review eligibility guidelines (organizations receiving Associated allocations are ineligible)
  2. Complete online application at forms.jesbaltimore.org
  3. Submit by deadline (January 23, 2026 for current cycle)
  4. Contact Terri Rosen at tnrosen@jesbaltimore.org or 410-735-5008 with questions

Meyerhoff New Jewish Family Innovation Fund:

  1. Submit Letter of Inquiry (LOI) via online form by December 19, 2025
  2. LOI notifications sent early January 2026
  3. Invited organizations submit full application by February 20, 2026
  4. Contact Lauren Klein at lklein@associated.org or 410-369-9278 with questions

Blaustein Fund:

  • Check associated.org/grant-opportunities for current guidelines and deadlines
  • Contact main office at information@associated.org or 410-727-4828

For Allocated Funding to Partner Agencies:

The Associated does not have a public application process for its core allocation funding to partner agencies. This funding is determined through The Associated's community planning process and distributed to its network of 27 established partner organizations. Organizations seeking to become partner agencies would need to build relationships with Associated leadership over time.

For Donor Advised Fund Grants:

Organizations cannot apply directly for grants from donor advised funds. Instead:

  • Grants are made based on recommendations from individual donors who have established funds
  • Donors submit grant recommendation forms to grant@associated.org
  • The Associated verifies the tax status and mission alignment of recommended organizations
  • Organizations should focus on cultivating relationships with individual donors rather than applying to The Associated directly

Decision Timeline

JEEP Grants: Decision timeline not publicly specified; applications close in January with funding decisions expected by spring

Meyerhoff New Jewish Family Innovation Fund:

  • LOI decisions: Early January 2026
  • Final funding decisions: March 2026
  • Total process approximately 3 months from LOI submission

General Timeline: Based on the program structure, applicants should expect 2-3 months from application submission to funding decision for competitive grant programs.

Success Rates

The Associated made 45 awards in 2023 totaling $28,943,387 and 47 awards in 2022. Specific success rates and total application numbers are not publicly available. The competitive nature varies by program, with JEEP grants noting "limited" availability for larger $7,500 grants, suggesting higher competition for those awards.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly stated for most programs. JEEP grants operate on an annual cycle, suggesting organizations can apply each year. Organizations should contact program officers for specific guidance on reapplication after unsuccessful attempts.

Application Success Factors

Based on The Associated's stated priorities and program guidelines, successful applications demonstrate:

For JEEP Grants:

  • Increase engagement: Projects should demonstrably increase engagement in Jewish educational experiences
  • Reach new learners: Programs that attract broader audiences or previously unengaged populations
  • Enhance quality: Initiatives that improve the quality of existing Jewish education experiences
  • Expand volume: Programming that increases the quantity of Jewish educational opportunities

For Meyerhoff New Jewish Family Innovation Fund:

  • Inclusivity: Programs must be "inclusive to all Jewish families" with explicit welcome to diverse family structures
  • Innovation: The fund emphasizes "innovative" approaches to family education and engagement
  • Modern family focus: Addressing needs of interfaith families, people of color, adoptees, single parents, and LGBTQ families
  • Family engagement: Clear strategy for engaging families, not just individuals

General Success Factors:

  • Mission alignment: Clear connection to The Associated's five core pillars (care, antisemitism, Jewish journeys, Israel connection, Baltimore community)
  • Community impact: Demonstrable benefit to the Baltimore Jewish community
  • Sustainability: While not explicitly stated, innovative projects that show potential for lasting impact
  • Collaboration: Cushnir's emphasis on collaboration suggests partnership approaches may be valued
  • Jewish identity building: All grant programs emphasize strengthening Jewish identity and engagement

Strategic Guidance from Leadership:

CEO Andrew Cushnir's philosophy suggests The Associated values:

  • Collaborative, partnership-based approaches ("Judaism is a contact sport")
  • Innovation in engaging new and diverse donors/participants
  • Clear connection between donor passion and organizational work
  • Forward-thinking approaches ("Our best days are ahead of us")

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Know your eligibility: Organizations receiving Associated core allocations cannot apply for JEEP grants; check program-specific restrictions carefully before applying
  • Focus on Jewish identity: All programs emphasize building Jewish identity, engagement, and education—make this central to your proposal
  • Demonstrate innovation and inclusivity: Particularly for the Meyerhoff Fund, show how your approach is innovative and welcomes diverse Jewish families
  • Start with smaller grants: JEEP grants ($5,000-$7,500) provide accessible entry points for organizations new to The Associated's grantmaking
  • Build donor relationships for DAF funding: Since donor advised fund grants require donor recommendations, cultivate relationships with individual donors rather than applying directly
  • Align with current priorities: The Associated's current emphasis on combating antisemitism, supporting Israel, and welcoming diverse families should be reflected in proposals where relevant
  • Follow the process: Two-stage applications (like Meyerhoff Fund) require strong LOIs to advance; invest time in crafting compelling initial submissions
  • Plan ahead: Application cycles are annual with specific deadlines; mark calendars and prepare materials well in advance

References

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