The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,744,301 (2022)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 90 days for overseas grants
• Grant Range: $500 - $19,500 (based on available data)
• Geographic Focus: Sarasota-Manatee County (local), Israel (international)

Contact Details

• Website: www.jfedsrq.org
• Phone: 941-371-4546
• Address: 580 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, FL 34232
• Email: Not publicly listed

Overview

The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee Inc is a community allocation organization founded to strengthen Jewish life and identity in the Sarasota-Manatee region. With revenue of $6.2 million in 2022, the Federation distributed $1,744,301 in grants through 40 awards. The organization operates primarily as a community funding mechanism, allocating resources to established partner agencies and specific program areas rather than accepting open grant applications from the general public. The Federation's mission encompasses supporting Jewish people in need locally, nationally, and internationally, with particular emphasis on Israel and Holocaust survivors.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Education Scholarships (Individuals Only)

• Annual scholarships for college/vocational students
• Need-based with consideration for academic record and Jewish involvement
• Application: Online portal at jfedsrq.org/educationscholarships

Youth Camp Grants (Individuals Only)

• $500 incentive grants per child
• Application: First-come, first-served basis
• Priority to annual campaign donors

Women's Giving Circle - Ma'agal Nashim (Israeli Organizations Only)

• Funding for Israeli nonprofits serving women and children
• $525,000+ distributed since 2014 to 100+ organizations
• Application: Annual cycle for Israeli organizations

Overseas Grants Program

• $75,000 annual budget
• Exclusively for Israeli nonprofit organizations
• $3,000 - $19,500 typical range
• Application: One granting cycle per year

Community Partner Allocations

• Primary funding mechanism for local Jewish organizations
• Distributed through internal allocation committee
• No public application process

Priority Areas

• Jewish education and youth engagement
• Holocaust survivor support services
• Israel advocacy and support
• Community safety and security
• Jewish cultural preservation
• Social services for vulnerable populations

What They Don't Fund

• General nonprofit organizations outside Jewish community
• Individual business ventures
• Political campaigns
• Non-Jewish religious organizations
• General operating support for non-partner agencies

Governance and Leadership

CEO: Shep Englander Chief Development Officer: Hermione Gilpin
Chief Operating Officer: Kim Adler Chief Financial Officer: Nicole Coyne

The Federation operates with a community-driven board structure typical of Jewish Federations, with allocation committees determining funding priorities based on community needs assessments.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process for local organizational grants. Community allocations are distributed through an internal committee process to established partner agencies including Jewish Family & Children's Service of the Suncoast, Flanzer Jewish Community Center, and Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Housing Council.

Exception Programs with Applications:

• Individual scholarships (students only)
• Israeli organization grants (Women's Giving Circle and Overseas Grants)
• Emergency response funding (case-by-case basis)

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations seeking partnership opportunities should:

• Contact the development office directly at 941-371-4546 to explore collaboration
• Participate in Federation community events and initiatives
• Consider co-programming opportunities with existing partner agencies
• Engage with Federation leadership through community involvement
• Build relationships with board members active in the Jewish community

Decision Timeline

• Overseas grants: 90 days from application submission
• Community allocations: Annual budget cycle
• Emergency grants: Case-by-case basis

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not specified for general grants; education scholarships can be renewed annually

Application Success Factors

Based on the Federation's funding patterns and priorities:

• Strong alignment with Jewish community needs and Federation mission priorities
• Demonstrated impact on Jewish life and identity
• Collaboration with existing Federation partner agencies
• Programs addressing security, engagement, advocacy, inspiration, or support
• Clear connection to serving Jewish populations locally or in Israel
• Evidence of community support and sustainability
• Integration with Federation's five strategic priorities: Protect, Advocate, Engage, Inspire, Support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Federation primarily funds through established partnerships rather than open grant competitions
• Direct relationship building with Federation leadership is essential for new organizations
• Individual scholarships and Israeli organization programs have public application processes
• Emergency and special circumstance funding may be available outside standard allocations
• Partnership or collaboration with existing Federation agencies may provide indirect access to funding
• The Federation follows the traditional Jewish Federation model of community-driven allocations
• Organizations should focus on demonstrating alignment with the Federation's five strategic priorities

References

• Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee official website (jfedsrq.org) - Accessed February 2024
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer Form 990 data for EIN 591227747 - Accessed February 2024
• Candid Foundation Directory profile SARA322 - Accessed February 2024
• Sarasota Magazine: "Rooted in Sarasota: Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee" - November 2025
• Federation Overseas Grants page (jfedsrq.org/overseas-grants/) - Accessed February 2024
• GuideStar Profile 59-1227747 - Accessed February 2024
• Instrumentl 990 Report for Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee - Accessed February 2024