Dallas Jewish Community Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $29.7 million (2024)
Total Assets: $384 million
Total Awards: 410 grants (2024)
Grant Range: $5,000 - $50,000 (Sylvan T. Baer Foundation)
Scholarships: $215,000 annually across 75 awards
Geographic Focus: Primarily Dallas/North Texas; also supports national and international Jewish causes
Founded: 1973

Contact Details

Address: Byrna & Joe Funk Family Philanthropy Center, 12222 Merit Drive, Suite 450, Dallas, TX 75251

Phone: (972) 645-1028

Email: info@djcf.org (general inquiries); scholarships@djcf.org (scholarship inquiries)

Overview

Founded in 1973, the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation (DJCF) manages $384 million in charitable assets across donor-advised funds, endowments, custodial funds, and scholarships. The foundation distributes approximately $20 million annually to nonprofits in Dallas and across the United States, with approximately half of grants supporting non-Jewish entities, demonstrating broad community impact. DJCF operates under the motto "Sustaining Jewish Community Legacy, Now & Forever" and positions itself as a philanthropic resource for individuals, families, nonprofit organizations, and professional advisors. Originally the trust and endowment arm of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, DJCF became an independent, publicly supported charity in 2006. Over the last decade, the foundation has contributed more than $125 million in charitable distributions supporting education, human services, the arts, and faith-based organizations. In 2024, DJCF earned a Four-Star rating with a 98% score from Charity Navigator.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Sylvan T. Baer Foundation

Grant Range: $5,000 - $50,000
Description: Established in 1965 by Mr. Sylvan T. Baer in memory of his parents, Jacob and Helen Baer. Has granted more than $8.5 million to support the Jewish community in North Texas.
Eligibility: Qualified 501(c)(3) charitable Jewish organizations within Texas, with preference for organizations in Dallas County and surrounding areas
Types of Support: Capital projects, programs and special projects, financial aid, start-up programs, and limited general operating support
Duration: Majority of grants are 1-year; multi-year support occasionally awarded
Restriction: Organizations that received funding in the previous grant cycle are not eligible
Application Method: Annual application cycle; deadline typically July 31st with awards announced late spring of the following year

Donor-Advised Funds

DJCF manages numerous donor-advised funds through which fundholders recommend grants to 501(c)(3) organizations
Fundholders can recommend grants online through the donor portal
Supports both Jewish and non-Jewish causes across the U.S.

Named Endowment Funds

Janis Levine Music Women and Children's Endowment Fund: Supports organizations benefiting women and children for over 20 years; recent focus on Israeli organizations
Jill Stone Memorial Fund: Annual grant to agencies benefiting residents of Vickery Meadow
Bank of America Partnership: DJCF recommends qualified Jewish organizations (synagogues, day schools) for funding

Scholarship Programs

Over 80 individual scholarship opportunities totaling approximately $215,000 annually
Covers early childhood, summer camp, college, and post-graduate education
Includes overnight Jewish camp scholarships (Essie and Reuben Rosenbloom Foundation, Charlotte and Joe Webberman Jewish Teen Camp Fund)
Eligibility generally limited to Dallas, Denton, or Collin County residents
Single application considers students for all eligible scholarships
Application deadline varies by program; notifications by end of April for college scholarships

Agency Funds

Nonprofits can establish donor-designated custodial and endowment funds at DJCF
Earning distributions provide ongoing income to advance agency missions
Endowment Pool available to custodial agency funds over $10 million AUM

Priority Areas

Jewish education and day schools
Synagogues and Jewish institutions
Women and children's programs
Community service and human services
Arts and culture
Israeli relief and support
Jewish camping experiences
Higher education for Jewish students
Security for Jewish institutions

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Sylvan T. Baer Foundation restricts eligibility to:

Organizations outside of Texas (for Baer Foundation specifically)
Non-501(c)(3) organizations
Organizations that received funding in the previous year's grant cycle (for Baer Foundation)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Megan Hyman, CAP® – CEO & President

Oversees $384 million in charitable assets
Previously spent 15 years at J.P. Morgan in banking and wealth management roles
First-generation college graduate; Indiana University alumna
Holds Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) certification
Quote: "As someone who spent over 15 years advising families and foundations on legacy and estate planning, I understand how powerful it is when philanthropy becomes part of the conversation early on. We're not just facilitating charitable giving, we're equipping advisors with the tools and confidence to help their clients build meaningful, lasting legacies."

Jerry Blair, CPA – Chief Financial Officer

Manages Foundation finances, operations, and investments
With DJCF since 2006; formerly with McGladrey & Pullen LLP
MS and BA in Accounting from Texas Tech University

Sarah Golman – Chief Operating Officer

Oversees strategy, operations, and programming
Background in consulting and Jewish communal organizations
UT Austin graduate; majored in Jewish & Middle Eastern Studies

Mona Allen – Chief Impact Officer

Leads donor-advised funds, endowments, and scholarship efforts
35+ years in Jewish communal career
Kent State University degree in Special Education

Board of Trustees

Louis Zweig – Board Chair
Mike Weinberg – Vice Chair
Stuart Prescott – Second Vice Chair
Lisa Newman – Immediate Past Chair
Todd Healy – First non-Jewish trustee (notable for inclusion)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Sylvan T. Baer Foundation Grants

Annual application cycle with deadline typically July 31st
Online application available at djcf.org
Organizations must be 501(c)(3) Jewish charitable organizations in Texas
Preference for Dallas County and surrounding area organizations
Organizations funded in previous cycle are not eligible to reapply

Scholarship Programs

Single online application automatically considers applicants for all eligible scholarships
High school seniors and current college/graduate students invited to apply
Application notifications sent by end of April
Camp scholarship deadline: Mid-February

Donor-Advised Fund Grants

DJCF does not have a public application process for donor-advised fund grants
Fundholders recommend grants to organizations through online portal
Organizations may appear in the "Funders File" showcasing urgent needs and programs to fundholders
Some endowment funds send personal invitations to qualified agencies

Agency Funds

Nonprofits interested in establishing endowment or custodial funds should contact DJCF directly at info@djcf.org or (972) 645-1028

Decision Timeline

Sylvan T. Baer Foundation

Application deadline: July 31st
Award announcements: Late spring of following year (approximately 9-10 months)

Scholarships

Notifications by end of April

Donor-Advised Funds

Variable timeline depending on fundholder recommendations

Success Rates

410 grants awarded in 2024
349 grants awarded in 2023
312 grants awarded in 2022
Specific success rates or application-to-award ratios not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Sylvan T. Baer Foundation: Organizations that received funding in the previous grant cycle are explicitly not eligible to reapply for the following year. This means there is a mandatory one-year waiting period between awards.

Other Programs: Reapplication policies not explicitly stated but scholarship programs accept applications annually from eligible students.

Application Success Factors

For Sylvan T. Baer Foundation Applicants:

Focus on Texas Jewish community impact: The foundation was established specifically to "assist needy and deserving Jews in the Dallas community" with preference for Dallas County organizations
Demonstrate community need: Applications should clearly articulate how the project addresses needs within the Jewish community
Consider multiple grant types: The foundation accepts capital, programs/special projects, financial aid, and limited general operating requests—choose the category that best fits your need
Plan for one-year funding: Most grants are single-year awards, so demonstrate how you'll sustain the program or complete the project within this timeframe
Don't apply if recently funded: Organizations funded in the previous cycle are ineligible, so plan your application timing strategically

For Getting on DJCF's Radar for Donor-Advised Funds:

Participate in the Funders File: DJCF publishes the Funders File showcasing urgent needs and programs from partner nonprofits to fundholders
Build relationships with donors: Since donor-advised funds operate on fundholder recommendations, developing relationships with individual donors who have funds at DJCF is valuable
Establish an agency fund: Consider setting up a custodial or endowment fund at DJCF, which creates an ongoing relationship with the foundation

General Guidance:

Align with Jewish values and community priorities: Even when supporting non-Jewish causes (which represents ~50% of grants), demonstrate alignment with Jewish values of tzedakah (charity/justice) and tikkun olam (repairing the world)
Show multigenerational impact: DJCF emphasizes legacy and multigenerational giving, so demonstrating long-term community impact resonates
Professional presentation: As noted by CEO Megan Hyman's focus on professional advising, DJCF values sophisticated, well-planned philanthropic strategies

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Multi-faceted funding source: DJCF operates multiple funding streams—Sylvan T. Baer Foundation has the clearest public application process, while donor-advised funds require relationship-building with individual fundholders
Strong Jewish community focus with broader reach: While prioritizing Jewish organizations and causes, approximately 50% of grants support non-Jewish entities, so non-Jewish organizations serving the community shouldn't self-select out
Mandatory waiting period for Baer grants: Plan strategically—if you receive a Sylvan T. Baer grant, you cannot reapply the following year; use that time to seek other funding sources or plan a larger request for the subsequent cycle
Significant assets and distribution: With $384 million in assets and nearly $30 million distributed in 2024, DJCF is a major philanthropic player in the Dallas region
Long decision timeline for Baer Foundation: With applications due July 31st and awards announced late spring (9-10 months later), plan your funding timeline accordingly and secure bridge funding if needed
Relationship-driven for DAF grants: Much of DJCF's grantmaking flows through donor-advised funds, making relationship-building with individual donors and visibility to fundholders critical
Educational resources available: DJCF provides educational support for nonprofits through initiatives like "Your Legacy, Our Jewish Future" and the "Impact of Legacy Giving Lunch Series"—participating in these can increase your visibility and expertise in planned giving

References

Dallas Jewish Community Foundation Official Website - https://djcf.org (accessed December 27, 2025)
"Dallas Jewish Community Foundation - GuideStar Profile" - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/75-2836123 (accessed December 27, 2025)
"DALLAS JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | Foundation Directory | Candid" - https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&activity=result&key=DALL018 (accessed December 27, 2025)
"Dallas Jewish Community Foundation prepares next generation for a legacy of generosity" - Dallas News - https://www.dallasnews.com/fwddfw/2024/03/22/dallas-jewish-community-foundation-prepares-next-generation-for-a-legacy-of-generosity/ (accessed December 27, 2025)
"Additional Grants & Scholarships - Dallas Jewish Community Foundation" - https://djcf.org/grants/ (accessed December 27, 2025)
"The Sylvan T. Baer Foundation Grant Program (Texas)" - GrantsforUS.io - https://grantsforus.io/type-of-eligible-entity/organizations/nonprofits-with-501c3/the-sylvan-t-baer-foundation-grant-program-texas/ (accessed December 27, 2025)
"Sylvan T. Baer Foundation application cycle opens" - Texas Jewish Post - https://tjpnews.com/sylvan-t-baer-foundation-application-cycle-opens/ (accessed December 27, 2025)
"Our People - Dallas Jewish Community Foundation" - https://djcf.org/about/our-people/staff/ (accessed December 27, 2025)
"Dallas Jewish Community Foundation offers expert guidance on legacy giving" - Dallas News - https://www.dallasnews.com/fwddfw/2025/07/18/dallas-jewish-community-foundation-offers-expert-guidance-on-legacy-giving/ (accessed December 27, 2025)
"Dallas Jewish Community Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica" - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/752836123 (accessed December 27, 2025)
"Nonprofits - Dallas Jewish Community Foundation" - https://djcf.org/work-with-us/nonprofits/ (accessed December 27, 2025)
"Sylvan T. Baer Foundation Grant | Dallas BUILDS" - https://dallasbuilds.org/resource-profile/sylvan-t-baer-foundation-grant (accessed December 27, 2025)