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Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas

Annual Giving
$9.3M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.5M
Decision Time
2mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $9,333,684 (2024)
  • Number of Awards: 44 grants (2024)
  • Total Organizations Supported: 85+ local, national, and international agencies
  • Strategic Allocations: $11+ million annually
  • Application Type: Rolling basis for Local Impact Grants; annual cycle for Israel & Overseas Grants
  • Geographic Focus: Dallas, Collin, and Denton Counties (Texas); Israel; International
  • Grant Management System: Fluxx

Contact Details

Main Office

Overview

Founded to serve the Dallas Jewish community, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas (EIN: 75-0800654) functions as the central coordinating agency for Jewish philanthropy in North Texas. The organization strategically allocates over $11 million annually to more than 85 local, national, and international agencies and initiatives through its Annual Community Campaign. With a mission to "help ensure the continuity of a strong and vibrant Jewish community in Dallas, Israel, and throughout the world," the Federation provides funding, professional development, and consultation services to Jewish nonprofits. In 2024-2025, the Federation achieved significant milestones, including securing $2 million in state security funding and receiving the 2024 Tepper Foundation Security Grant from Jewish Federations of North America. Robert French joined as CEO in Fall 2025, bringing extensive experience from leadership roles at Jewish Federations in New Orleans, El Paso, and New York City synagogue administration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Local Impact Grants

  • Rolling application cycle (applications accepted year-round)
  • No limit on number of applications per organization
  • No limit on funds requested per project
  • Program funding available for 12 months to 3 years
  • Applications processed through Fluxx Grant Management System
  • Organizations may contact Planning & Allocations team for consultation before applying

Israel & Overseas Impact Grants

  • Annual application cycle (typically opens February 15, closes March 15)
  • Funds distributed through partnerships with Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), WorldORT, and other international NGOs

Individual Scholarships

  • Teen Israel summer programs (approximately $215,000 annually across 75 awards)
  • One Happy Camper grants ($1,000 per child for first-time Jewish camp attendance)

Priority Areas

The Federation supports organizations working in:

  • Jewish Education: Day schools, Hillels at SMU, UNT, A&M, and University of Texas; scholarships and summer camps
  • Senior Services: Skilled nursing care, transportation, activities, housekeeping, and programs (particularly through The Legacy Senior Communities)
  • Family Services: Counseling activities, employment and job training, social services
  • Israel Experiences: Teen and young adult programming connecting Dallas Jews with Israel
  • Community Security: Safety network, security enhancements for Jewish institutions and early childhood centers
  • Leadership Development: Professional and lay leadership cultivation
  • Crisis Response: Support for vulnerable Jewish communities worldwide
  • Community Infrastructure: Housing support, healthcare for all life stages, safe community spaces
  • Holocaust Education and Human Rights: Through partnerships with Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum

Partner Agencies (Examples)

Local partners receiving allocations include:

  • Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas
  • The Legacy Senior Communities
  • Dallas Hebrew Free Loan Association
  • Community Homes for Adults, Inc. (CHAI)
  • Dallas Jewish Community Foundation
  • Dallas Jewish Historical Society
  • Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
  • B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO)
  • Multiple Jewish day schools and early childhood centers

What They Don't Fund

Public documentation does not specify explicit exclusions. However, based on mission and pattern of giving:

  • The Federation does not award full funding for programs (applicants expected to secure additional sources)
  • Primary focus is Jewish and Jewish-serving organizations; non-Jewish organizations unlikely to be funded unless addressing broader community needs impacting Jewish populations
  • For scholarships: families earning over $140,000 are not likely to receive awards unless extenuating circumstances exist

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Robert French, CEO (joined Fall 2025)

  • Previously CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans (2023-2025)
  • Former Executive Director of Jewish Federation and Jewish Community Foundation of El Paso
  • Over two decades in synagogue leadership, including 10 years as Executive Director of Temple Israel in New York City
  • Serves on Connect Israel board; former Co-Chair of StandWithUs Board (9 years)
  • Vision: "I believe in Jewish life and the power of what we can do. I love seeing people engaged and connected to us and to Jewish life."
  • Priorities: Authentic relationships, strengthening Jewish life, building vibrant Jewish future, collaboration among agencies and congregations

Board Officers (2025-2027)

  • Sherry Goldberg: Board Chair (also serves as Chair of Community Security Initiative; appointed to Mayor's Anti-Hate Advisory Council)
  • Dot Haymann: Immediate Past Board Chair
  • Michelle Berger: Vice Chair, Outreach & Engagement
  • Eric Fleiss: Vice Chair, Financial Resource Development
  • Grant Herlitz: Vice Chair, Administration
  • Debbi Levy: Vice Chair, Community Relations
  • Shiva Beck: Secretary
  • Dan Levitan: Treasurer

The board includes 25 members representing diverse backgrounds across the Dallas Jewish community.

Organizational Goals

  1. Increase the number of Jewish community members engaged in the organization and community
  2. Increase dollars raised by the Jewish Federation
  3. Increase and measure the Federation's impact in the community

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Local Impact Grants:

  • Applications accepted on rolling basis throughout the year
  • Contact Planning & Allocations team at (214) 615-5223 or mharris@jewishdallas.org for consultation before applying
  • The Federation provides consultation services to help organizations better serve constituents
  • Review sample documents before applying (available on website):
    • Memorandum of Understanding
    • Branding Guidelines
    • Reimbursement Guidelines
    • CS Partnership Agreement
    • CS Liability Waiver
    • Affiliate Information Template
  • Complete all application items; incomplete applications will not be submitted to committee for consideration

Israel & Overseas Impact Grants:

  • Annual cycle: applications typically open February 15, close March 15
  • Contact Planning & Allocations for specific requirements

Application Process

  1. Pre-Application Consultation (recommended): Contact Planning & Allocations team for guidance
  2. Application Submission: Submit complete application through Fluxx Grant Management System
  3. Committee Review: Applications reviewed by relevant committee based on program focus
  4. Notification: Approved organizations receive notification letter with specific grant terms
  5. Document Signing: Digital signing via DocuSign through Fluxx system
  6. Agreement Finalization: All local allocations contingent upon terms in signed documents

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines not publicly disclosed. Process involves:

  • Committee review of applications
  • Board approval for allocations
  • Notification via Fluxx system with DocuSign for document execution

Success Rates

  • 44 awards made in 2024
  • 40 awards made in 2023
  • 38 awards made in 2022
  • Specific success rates (percentage of applications funded) not publicly disclosed

Reapplication Policy

  • No limit on number of grant applications an organization can submit
  • Rolling basis for Local Impact Grants allows for year-round reapplication
  • Multi-year funding available (12 months to 3 years)
  • No explicit waiting period mentioned for reapplication after unsuccessful submission

Application Success Factors

Based on Federation's Documented Priorities

Alignment with Mission:

  • Organizations must support Jewish community continuity, vibrancy, and connection to Israel
  • Programs should serve Dallas Jewish community, Israel, or Jewish communities worldwide
  • Focus on ensuring "every member of our Jewish community can thrive"

Consultation and Relationship Building:

  • The Federation encourages organizations to seek consultation before applying
  • They convene councils for networking and sharing best practices among agencies
  • Pre-application consultation helps organizations understand alignment with Federation priorities

Complete Applications:

  • All application items must be completed
  • Incomplete or missing forms will not be submitted to committee
  • Attention to detail and thorough responses essential

Collaboration and Partnership:

  • Federation values organizations that work collaboratively within Jewish community ecosystem
  • Willingness to share best practices and participate in Federation convening activities viewed positively
  • Organizations that complement rather than duplicate existing services

Demonstrated Impact:

  • Clear articulation of how program benefits Jewish community members
  • Measurable outcomes aligned with Federation's goals
  • Evidence of capacity to deliver on proposed program

Financial Sustainability:

  • Organizations expected to secure multiple funding sources (Federation rarely provides full funding)
  • Sound financial management practices
  • Compliance with reporting and documentation requirements

Branding and Recognition:

  • Understanding that Federation support comes with branding requirements (review Branding Guidelines)
  • Willingness to recognize Federation partnership in materials and communications

Recent Funding Patterns

The 2024 Tepper Foundation Security Grant supported nine early childhood centers with security assessments, trainings, and enhancements for over 1,500 children, indicating strong Federation priority for:

  • Security infrastructure for Jewish institutions
  • Early childhood education programs
  • Multi-site initiatives serving large numbers of community members

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Consultation is encouraged: Contact Planning & Allocations team before applying for guidance on alignment and application strength
  • Rolling basis for local grants: No need to wait for specific deadline; apply when ready, but allow adequate time for review
  • Complete applications only: Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed; thoroughness is essential
  • Partnerships valued: The Federation sees itself as partner to agencies, not just funder; emphasize collaborative approach
  • Multiple funding sources expected: Do not request full program funding; demonstrate efforts to secure additional support
  • Mission alignment critical: Programs must clearly connect to strengthening Jewish community in Dallas, Israel, or worldwide
  • Multi-year funding possible: Programs can receive support for 12 months to 3 years, allowing for sustained initiatives
  • Documentation requirements: Be prepared to sign agreements via DocuSign through Fluxx system and comply with MOU, branding, and reporting requirements
  • No application limits: Organizations may submit multiple applications, allowing for support of various programs
  • Security funding priority: Recent major grants focus on community security; relevant proposals likely competitive
  • New leadership focus: CEO Robert French emphasizes collaboration, engagement, and authentic relationships—highlight these elements in proposals

References

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