Jewish Community Foundation Of Orange County

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $10,196,875 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Contact foundation for timeline
• Grant Range: $5,084 - $1,254,121
• Geographic Focus: Orange County, CA (primarily Jewish organizations)

Contact Details

Website: https://jcfoc.org/
Phone: 949-435-3490
Email: info@jcfoc.org
Grants Contact: Sharon Chelouche, Legacy & Grants Coordinator
Email: sharon@jcfoc.org
Address: 1 Federation Way, Suite 230, Irvine, CA 92603

Overview

Founded in 1981, the Jewish Community Foundation of Orange County (JCFOC) manages over $101 million in assets and has distributed more than $27 million to over 1,600 charitable organizations in the past five years alone. The Foundation's mission is to guarantee a Jewish tomorrow through creating a culture of legacy within the local Jewish community while ensuring financial resources for institutions that promote Jewish identity and support quality Jewish life in Orange County and beyond. Recognized with Charity Navigator's 4-star rating and GuideStar's Platinum Seal of Transparency (2025), JCFOC operates primarily through donor-advised funds and endowments rather than traditional competitive grant cycles. Under Executive Director Wendy Chase Arenson's leadership since 2012, the Foundation has increased assets by 190% and implemented strategic initiatives like the Life & Legacy program, which has secured over 1,000 legacy commitments from community members.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• General Grants Program: $5,084 - $1,254,121 (awarded 185 grants in 2023)

  • Funded through donor-advised funds and endowments
  • Application method: Contact Sharon Chelouche directly for current procedures

• Weissman Arts Program: Variable amounts for arts and culture initiatives

  • Annual Weissman Arts Collaborative Grants
  • Artist-in-Residence programs
  • Application method: Through Foundation's arts curator

Priority Areas

• Jewish identity promotion and education
• Human services for Jewish community members
• Support for children, teens, young adults, seniors, and individuals with special needs
• Arts and culture (through Weissman Arts Program)
• Jewish institutional capacity building
• Synagogue and Jewish organization support

What They Don't Fund

• Non-Jewish organizations (except in rare donor-specified cases)
• Organizations outside Orange County (primary focus)
• Individual assistance (generally)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Wendy Chase Arenson, J.D., CSPG (since 2012) - Former prosecutor who has grown foundation assets by 190%

Board Chair: Ed Levin

Key Staff:

• Sharon Chelouche - Legacy & Grants Coordinator (primary grants contact)
• Anne Hromadka Greenwald - Weissman Arts Program Curator
• Diana Velazquez - Donor Engagement & Administrative Coordinator

The Foundation operates with a Grants Committee of lay leaders who review applications and award grants to match donors' vision. The board includes prominent Orange County Jewish community leaders across the Executive Committee and Advisory Board.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Jewish Community Foundation of Orange County operates differently from traditional foundations. Their grantmaking is structured through:

1. Donor-Advised Funds - Donors recommend distributions to charitable organizations
2. Endowment Funds - Grants distributed based on donor-established criteria
3. Supporting Foundations - Structured grantmaking with family involvement

Organizations interested in grants should contact Sharon Chelouche at sharon@jcfoc.org or 949-435-3490 for current application procedures and requirements. There is no standard open application process with published deadlines.

Getting on Their Radar

• Become a Life & Legacy partner organization (15 current partners)
• Build relationships with Foundation donors and board members
• Participate in Foundation-sponsored community events like the DWELL Festival
• Consider establishing an Organization Endowment Fund (minimum $25,000) with JCFOC

Decision Timeline

Contact the Foundation directly for current decision timelines as this information is not publicly available.

Success Rates

Specific grant application success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Foundation had a 67% formalization rate for legacy commitments (compared to 58% national average) in their Life & Legacy program.

Reapplication Policy

No publicly available information regarding reapplication policies. Organizations should inquire directly with Sharon Chelouche.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's structure and priorities:

• Alignment with Jewish values and community needs is paramount - the Foundation exclusively supports Jewish organizations and causes
• Orange County connection is critical - priority goes to organizations serving the local Jewish community
• Relationship building matters significantly given the donor-advised fund structure - connecting with donors who have funds at JCFOC can be valuable
• Consider becoming a Life & Legacy partner rather than just seeking one-time grants - this provides ongoing support and training
• Demonstrate impact on specific populations the Foundation prioritizes: children, teens, young adults, seniors, women, and individuals with special needs
• For arts funding, work directly with Anne Hromadka Greenwald, the Weissman Arts Program Curator, who manages this specialized funding stream

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• JCFOC is not a traditional foundation with competitive grant cycles - it manages donor-advised funds and endowments that support Jewish causes
• Direct contact with Sharon Chelouche is essential as there is no public application portal or published deadlines
• Focus exclusively on Jewish organizations serving Orange County - this is their primary geographic and demographic focus
• Consider multiple engagement strategies beyond grants: becoming a Life & Legacy partner, establishing an endowment fund, or connecting with specific donors
• The Foundation has significant resources ($101M in assets, $10M+ annual giving) but operates through donor direction rather than open competition
• Arts organizations should pursue the specialized Weissman Arts Program pathway
• Building long-term relationships is likely more valuable than one-time grant applications given the Foundation's structure

References

• Jewish Community Foundation of Orange County Official Website. https://jcfoc.org/. Accessed February 9, 2026.
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - JCFOC Profile. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/953645825. Accessed February 9, 2026.
• Charity Navigator Rating for JCFOC. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/953645825. Accessed February 9, 2026.
• GuideStar Profile - Jewish Community Foundation of Orange County. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/95-3645825. Accessed February 9, 2026.
• Candid Foundation Directory - JCFOC Entry. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=COMM680. Accessed February 9, 2026.
• Cause IQ - Jewish Community Foundation of Orange County Analysis. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/jewish-community-foundation-of-orange-county,953645825/. Accessed February 9, 2026.
• Instrumentl 990 Report - JCFOC. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/jewish-community-foundation-of-orange-county. Accessed February 9, 2026.