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Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta Inc

Annual Giving
$123.3M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.1M
Decision Time
1.4w

Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $123,308,026
  • Total Awards (2024): 355 grants
  • Total Assets: $380,783,847
  • Grant Range: $180 - $60,000 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Metro Atlanta (primary), Israel, and worldwide Jewish communities
  • Decision Time: 10 business days (JGather grants); varies by program
  • Application Method: Mixed - rolling, seasonal cycles, and invitation-only

Contact Details

Website: https://jewishatlanta.org
Main Office: Atlanta, GA
Grant Information: https://jewishatlanta.org/initiative/all-available-grants/

Program-Specific Contacts:

Overview

Founded in 1905, the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta Inc (EIN: 58-1021791) is one of the largest Jewish community organizations in the Southeastern United States, with total assets exceeding $380 million and annual grant distributions of $123.3 million. The Federation's mission extends beyond fundraising to serve as a comprehensive community-building organization that plans for the future of the Jewish community, handles security coordination, and builds relationships with the broader Atlanta community. Under the leadership of President & CEO Renee Kutner (the first woman to hold this position, appointed December 2024), the Federation supports more than 70 organizations locally, in Israel, and around the world. The organization's 2025 strategic priorities focus on philanthropic development, increased Jewish engagement, new education programs, community real estate opportunities, and addressing rising security costs and basic needs amid increasing antisemitism. The Federation distributes grants across education, philanthropy, voluntarism, grantmaking, and human services primarily in Georgia, New York, and Florida.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual & Community Engagement

  • JGather Individual Engagement Grants: $180 per person (rolling seasonal cycles)
  • JGather Organizational Engagement Grants: Up to $5,000 (organizations only, seasonal cycles)

Education

  • SEEDS Day School Professional Development: Up to $10,000 individual; up to $12,000 collaborative (covers 66-80% of expenses)
  • BOOST Micro-Grants: $1,500-$5,000 for supplemental Jewish education programs (Pre-K to 8th grade)
  • Educator Professional Development: Up to $500 per person (50% of costs, rolling basis)
  • Day School Educator Wellness Grants: Up to $400 per full-time K-12 educator (once per school year)
  • Jewish Community Professional Tuition Grant: Up to 50% tuition reduction for children of full-time Jewish nonprofit professionals

Camp & Youth

  • One Happy Camper Grants: $1,000-$1,500 for first-time campers
  • Federation Scholarship Program: Amounts vary, anonymous review process
  • Russian Speaking Jewish (RSJ) Grants: For families with Former Soviet Union heritage

Teen Engagement

  • JTeen Large-Scale Sustainability Grants: Up to $25,000
  • JTeen Prototype Grants: Up to $5,000 (with second round in fall)

Innovation & Accessibility

  • Propel Innovation Grants: Up to $60,000 (applications open each winter)
  • JAccess Inclusive Communities Grant: $10,000-$20,000 for disability accessibility projects
  • Innovation Renewal Grant: Invitation-only for established innovative projects

Partner Support

  • Core, Domestic, and Global Partner Grants: By invitation only

Priority Areas

The Federation prioritizes funding that:

  • Builds and strengthens Jewish community connections throughout metro Atlanta
  • Supports Jewish education from early childhood through adult learning
  • Enhances accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities
  • Fosters innovation and entrepreneurship in Jewish community programming
  • Provides camp experiences and youth engagement opportunities
  • Develops Jewish educators and community professionals
  • Supports partner agencies serving the Atlanta Jewish community
  • Addresses security needs and responds to antisemitism
  • Provides support for Israel and global Jewish communities

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not explicitly documented in public materials. However, based on program descriptions:

  • The Federation focuses primarily on Jewish community organizations and individuals
  • Most programs require Atlanta-area geographic connection
  • Several grants are restricted to specific constituencies (e.g., Jewish day schools, first-time campers, teen programs)

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership:

  • Renee Kutner, President & CEO (appointed December 2024) - First woman to serve as CEO; previously served as COO since 2021. She brings extensive experience in strategic direction, leadership development, community planning and impact, internal operations, and governance.

Former Leadership:

  • Eric M. Robbins, Former CEO (2016-June 2024) - Served for eight years, leading significant organizational transformation.

Leadership Philosophy:

Renee Kutner on the Federation's role: "People are seeking community, they are seeking Jewish education, and they're seeking connection – and the Federation is going to be here to provide it."

Eric Robbins articulated the Federation's broader mission: "We don't just exist to fundraise for the community. If that's all there is, you could argue there is no relevance for us. But who is planning for the future of the Jewish community? Who is bringing the community together? Who is handling security on a community-wide perspective? Who is helping to build relationships with the non-Jewish community?"

Robbins also emphasized: "I look at it as a community building organization first. If we do that well, the fundraising will follow."

Partner Agencies:

The Federation collaborates with more than 40 partner agencies, with core local partners including:

  • The Breman Museum
  • Hillels of Georgia
  • Jewish Family & Career Services (JF&CS)
  • Jewish HomeLife
  • Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA)

Additional partners include PJ Library, Blue Dove Foundation, Camp Judaea, Creating Connected Communities, OneTable, 18Doors, AgeWell Atlanta, Jewish Fertility Foundation, and global organizations like Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and JDC (American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application processes vary by grant program:

JGather Individual Engagement Grants ($180):

  • Online application available on rolling seasonal basis
  • Spring grants (used April-May): applications open in March
  • Summer grants (used July-August): applications open in June
  • Fall grants (used October-November): applications open in September
  • Winter grants (used January-February): applications open in December
  • Short application form
  • Must plan event with at least 10 guests who are not immediate family members
  • Each household can apply once per cycle

JGather Organizational Engagement Grants (up to $5,000):

  • Organizations only
  • Same seasonal cycles as individual grants
  • Available for events, community connections, or collaborative projects

JTeen Prototype Grants (up to $5,000):

  • Applications due March 31
  • Second round offered in fall 2025

Education Grants (SEEDS, BOOST, Professional Development):

  • Contact program-specific coordinators listed above
  • Rolling basis for professional development grants (fiscal year July 1-June 30)

Propel Innovation Grants (up to $60,000):

  • Applications open each winter
  • For intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs with transformative ideas for Jewish Atlanta
  • Seeks scalable, community-driven projects

Invitation-Only Programs:

  • Core, Domestic, and Global Partner Grants: By invitation only
  • Innovation Renewal Grants: By invitation only

Decision Timeline

  • JGather Individual Grants: Responses within 10 business days
  • JTeen Prototype Grants: Announcements in early June (for March 31 deadline)
  • Other Programs: Timelines vary; contact program coordinators for specifics

Success Rates

Based on 2024 data: The Federation made 355 awards in 2024, with total grants distributed of $123.3 million. Specific success rates by program are not publicly disclosed. The high volume of awards (355 in 2024, 336 in 2023, 324 in 2022, 425 in 2021) suggests robust grant-making activity across multiple programs.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies vary by program:

  • JGather Individual Grants: One application per household per cycle; can reapply in subsequent cycles
  • Day School Educator Wellness Grants: Once per school year per applicant
  • Professional Development Grants: One grant per school year per applicant
  • Other programs: Contact program coordinators for reapplication guidelines

Application Success Factors

Based on the Federation's documented priorities and recent initiatives:

For Innovation Grants (Propel, JumpSpark): The Federation seeks "leaders with the drive and commitment to launch sustainable projects for social good, investing in transformative, creative, scalable, and community-driven projects." Recent awards include Creating Connected Communities ($39,000 for Leadership Development Program expansion), In the City Camps ($45,000 for Camp Mogul business camps), and Jewish Kids Groups ($36,850 for Learner-Leader-Teacher Development Academy).

Community-Building Focus: Former CEO Eric Robbins emphasized: "I look at it as a community building organization first." Applications should demonstrate how projects will build connections, strengthen community, and create lasting engagement within Jewish Atlanta.

Strategic Alignment with 2025 Priorities: CEO Renee Kutner identified key priorities including "philanthropic development, increased Jewish engagement, new education programs, and opportunities to build community." She also noted the need to "respond to our current environment of increasing antisemitism, rising security costs, and greater needs for care."

Education and Professional Development: For SEEDS grants, applications should demonstrate commitment to strengthening teaching excellence and fostering collaboration across schools. Collaborative grants receive higher funding percentages (80% vs. 66%) and higher maximums ($12,000 vs. $10,000).

Accessibility and Inclusion: JAccess grants specifically seek projects that "create more inclusive and accessible communities for people with disabilities" - applications should clearly articulate disability inclusion goals.

Demonstrated Community Impact: With 355 grants awarded in 2024 ranging from small individual engagement grants ($180) to major innovation grants ($60,000), the Federation funds projects at all scales. Emphasize measurable community impact regardless of project size.

Confidentiality and Accessibility: The Federation emphasizes that "all applications and inquiries are confidential" for scholarship programs, demonstrating commitment to reducing barriers for families seeking support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Multi-tier funding strategy: The Federation offers grants ranging from $180 individual engagement grants to $60,000 innovation awards - identify the right program tier for your project scope
  • Community-building is paramount: Frame proposals around building connections, strengthening community engagement, and creating lasting Jewish identity rather than just program delivery
  • Fast turnaround for some programs: JGather individual grants receive responses within 10 business days - excellent opportunity for quick community engagement funding
  • Collaboration is valued and rewarded: Collaborative SEEDS grants receive higher funding percentages (80% vs. 66%) and larger maximums ($12,000 vs. $10,000 per school)
  • Innovation requires scalability: Propel and JumpSpark grants seek "transformative, creative, scalable, and community-driven" projects - demonstrate long-term systemic change potential
  • Established relationships matter: Core partner grants are invitation-only, suggesting value in building relationships with Federation staff and demonstrating track record
  • Strategic alignment with current environment: Address contemporary challenges including security, antisemitism, mental health, and accessibility to align with CEO's stated 2025 priorities

References

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