Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,092,863 (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A - allocation model, not competitive grants
• Decision Time: Annual budget cycle
• Grant Range: Varies by partner agency allocation
• Geographic Focus: Greater Hartford (30 towns), Israel, worldwide Jewish communities

Contact Details

Website: https://www.jewishhartford.org

Phone: (860) 232-4483

Email: jangell@jewishhartford.org (Jody Angell, Associate VP Community Impact)

Address: 333 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117

For Competitive Grants: Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford - grants@jcfhartford.org or (860) 523-7460

Overview

The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, established in 1945, serves as the central fundraising and coordinating organization for Jewish philanthropic activities in Greater Hartford. With a 4-star Charity Navigator rating and annual revenue of $14.3 million (FY2024), the Federation distributed $3.1 million in grants in 2023 to support over 40 programs and partner agencies across 30 towns, plus 70 programs in Israel and Jewish communities worldwide.

Operating on a traditional Jewish Federation model, the organization raises funds through an Annual Campaign (approximately $4.3 million annually) and allocates these resources to established partner agencies through an internal committee process. The Federation's mission centers on enhancing Jewish life through the values of tikkun olam (repairing the world), tzedakah (charity and social justice), and Torah (Jewish learning). Unlike traditional foundations with open application processes, the Federation maintains long-term partnerships with selected agencies serving nearly 15,000 local Jewish households.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Federation operates an allocation model rather than competitive grants:

• Partner Agency Allocations: Annual funding to 40+ established partners
• Emergency Response Funds: Crisis support (e.g., COVID-19 Rapid Relief Fund)
• Summer Camp Scholarships: Support for Jewish youth programs
• Security Grants: Funding for Jewish institutional safety

Priority Areas

• Jewish education at all levels
• Senior care and vulnerable population support
• Youth engagement and leadership development
• Israel connection and advocacy
• Community security initiatives
• Social services (regardless of race, nationality, or religion)
• Community building and engagement

What They Don't Fund

• Unsolicited grant applications from new organizations
• Project-specific grants (directed to Jewish Community Foundation instead)
• Organizations without established partnership relationships

Governance and Leadership

David Waren - President and CEO (since June 2019, formerly with Anti-Defamation League for 24 years)

Cheryl Wolmer - Vice President and CFO

Deborah Rothstein - Senior Vice President, Philanthropy

Heather Rubin Fiedler - Vice President, Impact & Strategy

Jody Angell - Associate Vice President of Community Impact

The Federation is governed by a Board of Directors who oversee strategic planning and allocation decisions through the Allocations Planning Committee.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Federation operates on an allocation model where funding is distributed to established partner agencies through an internal planning committee. Partner agencies receive annual allocations as part of the Federation's budgeting cycle following their Annual Campaign.

Alternative Option: Organizations seeking competitive grants should apply to the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford (separate EIN: 06-1372107), which offers strategic grants from $5,000 to $125,000 with quarterly application deadlines.

Getting on Their Radar

1. Contact Community Impact Leadership: Reach out to Jody Angell (jangell@jewishhartford.org) to discuss alignment with Federation priorities and explore potential pathways to partnership

2. Engage Through Federation Programs: Participate in the Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Leadership Academy, or Women's Philanthropy Division to build visibility within the Federation network

3. Apply to the Jewish Community Foundation First: Establish credibility by successfully managing grants from the affiliated Foundation before pursuing Federation partnership

4. Partner with Current Agencies: Build collaborative relationships with existing Federation-supported agencies to demonstrate community value and integration

5. Attend Federation Events: Participate in community events, educational programs, and engagement opportunities hosted by the Federation to build relationships with leadership

Decision Timeline

Annual allocations determined during budget cycle following Annual Campaign (typically spring/summer)

Success Rates

Not applicable - allocation model rather than competitive process

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - partner agencies receive annual allocations through ongoing relationships

Application Success Factors

Since the Federation doesn't accept applications, organizations should focus on:

• Demonstrating Clear Community Need: Document how your work addresses priorities identified by the Federation's planning committees, particularly in education, senior services, or youth engagement

• Building Long-Term Relationships: The Federation values "partnership with local, national and international Jewish charitable organizations" - focus on multi-year relationship building rather than immediate funding

• Showing Organizational Capacity: The Federation's allocations are based on "community needs, agency capacity and financial sustainability" - demonstrate strong governance and financial management

• Aligning with Jewish Values: While serving people "regardless of race, nationality or religion," organizations must demonstrate alignment with the Federation's mission to "enhance, build and perpetuate Jewish life"

• Starting with Foundation Grants: Successfully managing grants from the Jewish Community Foundation can establish credibility for potential Federation partnership

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Do not submit unsolicited grant applications to the Federation - they only fund established partner agencies
• Direct competitive grant requests to the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford instead
• Federation partnership requires years-long relationship building, not one-time applications
• The Federation distributes $3+ million annually to 40+ programs - partnership value is substantial
• Contact Jody Angell to explore alignment and potential pathways to collaboration
• Focus on demonstrating community impact, organizational capacity, and mission alignment
• Consider starting with Jewish Community Foundation grants to establish credibility

References

1. Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford official website: https://www.jewishhartford.org (Accessed February 2025)
2. Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford - Supported Programs: https://www.jewishhartford.org/supported-programs (Accessed February 2025)
3. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/60655482 (Accessed February 2025)
4. Charity Navigator - Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/060655482 (Accessed February 2025)
5. Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford - Apply for Grants: https://www.jcfhartford.org/jcf-grants/apply-for-a-grant/ (Accessed February 2025)
6. Foundation Directory Online - Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford profile (Accessed February 2025)
7. Jewish Federation Staff Directory: https://www.jewishhartford.org/staff (Accessed February 2025)