Jewish Federation of Greater Portland

Quick Stats

• EIN: 93-0386825
• Annual Giving: $6,245,121 (2024)
• Total Awards: 31 grants (2024)
• Grant Range: $180 - $126,190+ (varies by program)
• Geographic Focus: Oregon and SW Washington (primarily Greater Portland area)
• Founded: 1920
• Charity Navigator Rating: 4/4 Stars

Contact Details

Address: 9900 SW Greenburg Road, Suite 220, Tigard, OR 97223

Phone: (503) 245-6219 or (503) 892-7404

Email: info@jewishportland.org

Website: www.jewishportland.org

Chief Development Officer: Wendy Kahn (for grant inquiries)

Overview

The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland has been the support system for Jewish life since 1920, serving as the central fundraising and fund distribution organization for the Jewish community in the Greater Portland area. With an annual grantmaking portfolio of over $6.2 million, the Federation supports 18 local partner agencies through its annual campaign allocations, along with numerous direct grant programs. The organization operates across five core impact areas: Building Jewish Identity, Jewish Education, Advocacy & Social Justice, Jewish Culture & Engagement, and Social Services. Under President and CEO Marc Blattner's leadership since 2010, the Federation has raised over $40 million and more than tripled the number of Federation-funded organizations. The Federation earned a 4/4 Star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting its strong financial health and commitment to accountability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Annual Campaign Allocations

• Block grants to 18 local Jewish partner agencies
• Range: $14,400 - $126,190+ (based on 2022 allocations)
• Focus: Core operating support for established community organizations
• Application Method: Partner agency review process (existing partners)

Women's Giving Circle

• Amount: $26,000 total distributed to 9 recipients (2025)
• Individual grants: Typically $3,000-$3,600
• Focus: Programs benefiting Jewish women and girls
• Application Method: Annual grant cycle with formal application
• Since 2017: 66 grant recipients, $207,965 total distributed

Gather Grants

• Amount: Up to $180 per event
• Eligibility: Any Jewish-identifying individual, couple, friend group, or family in Greater Portland
• Requirements: Minimum 2 families or 6 people outside household must attend
• Application Method: Rolling basis with seasonal deadlines
• Focus: Community building through hosted Jewish events

Sussman-Shenker Scholarship Fund

• Amount: $1,000-$1,800 per recipient
• Recipients: 2-5 awards per year
• Eligibility: Jewish students from Portland area pursuing higher education
• Established: 1981
• Application Method: Annual application cycle

One Happy Camper Grants

• Amount: Up to $1,500 for first-time campers; up to $500 for returning campers
• Eligibility: Children attending Jewish overnight camp for 12+ consecutive days
• Type: Need-blind incentive grant
• Application: Through jewishcamp.org

Israel and Overseas Grants

• Support for programs in Israel and internationally
• Focus: Projects helping vulnerable populations, breaking poverty cycles
• Eligibility: Registered 501(c)(3)s, NGOs, or Amutot internationally
• Teen Israel Travel: 18% of trip cost, not exceeding $1,800
• Gap Year Programs: Maximum $2,000

Priority Areas

• Building Jewish Identity and community connection
• Jewish Education across all age groups
• Advocacy and Social Justice initiatives
• Jewish Culture and Engagement programs
• Social Services for vulnerable populations
• Combating antisemitism and supporting Israel
• Programs benefiting women and girls
• Holocaust education and remembrance
• Senior support and independence
• Youth development and camping

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed, but the Federation primarily focuses on:

• Organizations and programs serving the Jewish community
• Geographic limitation to Oregon and SW Washington (local programs)
• For organizational grants: 501(c)(3) status required
• Projects must align with Federation's five core impact areas

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Marc Blattner (since 2010)

• Quote: "Portland is a community that understands that it's different than it was even 15 years ago... a laboratory for the rest of the country"
• Under his leadership, the Federation has raised over $40 million and significantly expanded funded organizations
• Active voice in community advocacy, particularly on antisemitism and press freedom issues

Key Staff:

• Wendy Kahn - Chief Development Officer (since 2017)
• Robert - Chief Community Relations and Public Affairs Officer (27 years with organization)
• Jakob Rich-Levin - Campaign Administrator (joined July 2024)
• Rachel Nelson - Director of Educational Initiatives
• Jessica - Regional Security Director
• Merit Pinker - Volunteer Coordinator (joined December 2024)

Governance Structure: Board of Directors oversees operations and strategic direction. Specific allocations committee reviews partner agency proposals using established criteria including likelihood of success, synergistic collaborations, sustainable community engagement, and measurable outcomes.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Women's Giving Circle:

• Annual grant cycle (2026 cycle currently open)
• Required documents: Program budget, IRS determination letter, IRS Form 990
• Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations with projects in Oregon and/or SW Washington
• Site visit participation required (virtual or in-person)
• Projects must be completed by June 30, 2026
• Contact: Wendy Kahn, Chief Development Officer

Gather Grants:

• Rolling applications with seasonal deadlines
• Winter cycle: December 31 deadline (for Dec 1 - Feb 28 period)
• Apply through website at jewishportland.org/ourcommunity/gathergrants
• Simple application process for individuals and families
• Reimbursement after hosting event and sharing details

Sussman-Shenker Scholarship:

• Annual application cycle (2026 applications now open)
• For Jewish students from Portland area
• Apply through website scholarship application portal

Partner Agency Allocations:

• Existing partner agencies undergo annual review process
• Proposals evaluated by allocations committee
• Not an open application for new agencies seeking partnership status

Decision Timeline

Women's Giving Circle: Grant decisions made annually; specific timeline not publicly detailed but cycle runs calendar year with June 30 project completion date

Gather Grants: Quick turnaround on approval; reimbursement after event completion

Partner Agency Allocations: Annual review cycle aligned with campaign calendar

Scholarships: Annual awards cycle; specific decision dates not publicly detailed

Success Rates

Specific success rate statistics are not publicly available. However:

• 31 grants awarded in 2024
• 24 grants awarded in 2023
• 24 grants awarded in 2022
• Women's Giving Circle: 9 recipients from 2025 cohort of 12 members
• Sussman-Shenker Scholarship: 2-5 recipients per year

Reapplication Policy

No specific restrictions on reapplication mentioned. Organizations can apply annually to grant programs. Partner agencies receive ongoing annual allocations subject to continued review and performance.

Application Success Factors

For Organizational Grants (Women's Giving Circle, Partner Agencies):

• Alignment with Core Priorities: Programs must clearly connect to Federation's five impact areas - Building Jewish Identity, Jewish Education, Advocacy & Social Justice, Jewish Culture & Engagement, and Social Services
• Measurable Outcomes: The Federation specifically looks for "high likelihood of success with measureable outcomes" - include concrete metrics and evaluation plans
• Sustainable Community Engagement: Show how the program will engage communities in a sustainable manner beyond the grant period
• Synergistic Collaborations: Proposals that create new efficiencies or new capacity through partnerships are favored
• Empowerment Focus: Programs that empower community members toward self-sufficiency and move participants "from passive giving to the active practice of Tikkun Olam" align with Federation values
• Women and Girls Focus (for Women's Giving Circle): Programs that enrich Jewish women and girls, strengthen Jewish identity through engagement and education, promote tolerance, and combat antisemitism and social injustice

Recent Successful Projects Include:

• Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education - Art + Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon ($57,750 annual allocation)
• Jewish Free Loan - Aid for families in need ($3,000)
• Alumni Support Program - Supporting young organizers from marginalized populations ($3,600)
• Congregation Shir Tikvah - Torah studies at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility
• Girls in Trouble - Web series project (Women's Giving Circle 2025)
• Mittleman Jewish Community Center ($126,190 allocation)
• Tivnu: Building Justice ($14,400 allocation)

Documentation Requirements:

• Complete program budget showing realistic costs
• Current IRS determination letter confirming 501(c)(3) status
• Most recent IRS Form 990
• Willingness to participate in site visits

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Multi-tier grantmaker: The Federation operates at different scales - from $180 Gather Grants for individuals to six-figure annual allocations for major partner agencies; identify the right program for your organization's size and needs
• Focus on Jewish community impact: All programs must demonstrate clear benefit to Jewish life in Portland - be explicit about how your work strengthens Jewish identity, education, culture, advocacy, or social services
• Measurable outcomes essential: The Federation emphasizes "high likelihood of success with measureable outcomes at the end of year one" - include specific, quantifiable success metrics
• Collaboration valued: Proposals showing synergistic partnerships that create new efficiencies or capacity have competitive advantage
• Women's Giving Circle opportunity: For programs specifically benefiting women and girls, this targeted fund provides focused support with engaged donor-reviewers
• Strong financial stewardship: As a 4-star Charity Navigator organization, the Federation expects professional financial management - ensure your documentation is complete and accurate
• Long-term community building: The Federation looks beyond one-time events to programs that create sustainable engagement and move community members toward self-sufficiency and active participation
• Geographic specificity: Local programs (Oregon/SW Washington) are prioritized; clearly demonstrate Portland-area Jewish community benefit

References

1. Jewish Federation of Greater Portland official website - https://www.jewishportland.org/ (accessed February 24, 2026)
2. "Gather Grants" - https://jewishportland.org/ourcommunity/gathergrants (accessed February 24, 2026)
3. "Women's Giving Circle" - https://www.jewishportland.org/ourcommunity/womens-philanthropy/womens-giving-circle (accessed February 24, 2026)
4. "Women's Giving Circle 2025 Grant Recipients" - https://jewishportland.org/ourcommunity/womens-philanthropy/wgcgrantees2025 (accessed February 24, 2026)
5. "Shenker Sussman Scholarship Fund" - https://jewishportland.org/shenkersussman (accessed February 24, 2026)
6. Jewish Federation of Greater Portland on Instrumentl - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/jewish-federation-of-greater-portland (accessed February 24, 2026) - "Jewish Federation Of Greater Portland contributed $6,245,121 in grants during 2024"
7. Jewish Federation of Greater Portland on Candid/Foundation Directory - https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&activity=result&key=JEWI369 (accessed February 24, 2026)
8. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/930386825 (accessed February 24, 2026)
9. Charity Navigator Rating - https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/930386825 (accessed February 24, 2026)
10. "Portland Jewish Federation Announces Innovation Grants" - eJewishPhilanthropy - https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/portland-jewish-federation-annouces-innovation-grants/ (accessed February 24, 2026)
11. "Marc Blattner: A decade at the helm" - https://jewishportland.org/jewishreview/jr-stories/marc-blattner-a-decade-at-the-helm (accessed February 24, 2026)
12. "Spotlight on OJMCHE" - https://www.jewishportland.org/jewishreview/jr-stories/spotlight-on-ojmche (accessed February 24, 2026)
13. "Spotlight on Tivnu: Building Justice" - https://jewishportland.org/jewishreview/jr-stories/spotlight-tivnu (accessed February 24, 2026)
14. "Grants for camp" - https://www.jewishportland.org/jewishreview/jr-stories/grants-for-camp (accessed February 24, 2026)
15. "Israel and Overseas" - https://www.jewishportland.org/israel-overseas (accessed February 24, 2026)
16. NOW WE GO FORWARD - 2022 Annual Report - https://cdn.fedweb.org/fed-29/2/JFGP-AnnualReport-2022.pdf (accessed February 24, 2026)