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Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles

Annual Giving
$177.0M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.3M

Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $177 million (2023)
  • Assets Under Management: $1.46 billion
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $300,000
  • Geographic Focus: Los Angeles (primarily), Israel, national/international causes

Contact Details

Address: 6505 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone: 323.761.8700
Email: info@jewishfoundationla.org
Website: www.jewishfoundationla.org

Overview

Founded in 1954, the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles (JCFLA) is one of the 10 largest foundations in Los Angeles, managing over $1.46 billion in assets and serving 1,400 client families. Over the past 15 years, the Foundation has distributed $1 billion in grants to thousands of nonprofits. The Foundation's mission is to strengthen the Jewish community and the community at large by facilitating, increasing, and ensuring effective philanthropy in Los Angeles, nationally, and internationally. JCFLA operates both as a donor-advised fund administrator and through its own competitive grant programs. In 2023, the Foundation distributed $177 million in grants, including 1,172 awards across diverse causes. Under President & CEO Rabbi Aaron Lerner (appointed January 2023), the Foundation has shifted to "broadening our recipient pool to include a wider spectrum of organizations" to meet pressing community needs. The Foundation has received a Four-Star rating with a 97% score from Charity Navigator.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Cutting Edge Grants 2.0: $100,000 - $300,000 total, distributed over 2-3 years. Support innovative programs that build a vibrant and inclusive LA Jewish community. In 2023, awarded $2 million to 8 organizations addressing antisemitism, uplifting diverse Jewish communities, and promoting health and wellbeing. Application process currently closed; reopens periodically.

Next Stage Grants: $150,000 - $300,000 total, distributed over 3 years. Capacity-building grants to strengthen internal and operational capacity of LA-based Jewish nonprofits. In 2023, awarded $2 million to 8 organizations. Application process currently closed.

General Community Grants: Up to $200,000 for multi-year awards. Reflects the Foundation's commitment to "tikkun olam" (repairing the world), focusing on a different high-priority concern in Los Angeles each year. Recent focus areas include homelessness, human trafficking survivors, education equity, older adult poverty, and Black maternal and infant health. This is the best opportunity for secular nonprofits in Los Angeles.

Israel Grants: Up to $300,000 for multi-year initiatives. Focus on economic development and pluralistic Jewish identity/engagement in Israel. Operates on an invitation-only model as of 2023-2024. Organizations can contact israel@jewishfoundationla.org to share information. In 2024, awarded $2 million to 29 nonprofits addressing post-October 7 needs including mental health, resilience, and at-risk youth.

Capital Grants: Support construction of new facilities, renovations, and upgrades to existing buildings for Los Angeles Jewish institutions. Not for equipment purchases or routine maintenance.

Security Grants: In 2024, distributed 55 security grants to enhance physical safety of local Jewish nonprofits.

Priority Areas

  • Jewish community vitality and innovation
  • Combating antisemitism and promoting inclusive Jewish identity
  • Capacity building for Jewish nonprofits
  • Staff wellbeing and healthy workplaces
  • Direct social services for vulnerable populations
  • Education and youth development
  • Mental health and trauma support
  • Arts, culture, and civic engagement
  • Los Angeles community needs (rotating annual focus)

What They Don't Fund

Information not explicitly stated in public materials. Contact the Foundation for exclusions.

Governance and Leadership

Board Leadership

Mark N. Schwartz - Foundation Chair. Longtime trustee and Beverly Hills resident who assumed the role of board chair.

Marcia Weiner Mankoff - Vice President and Secretary. Clinical social worker specializing in foster care and adoption.

Senior Management

Rabbi Aaron Lerner - President & CEO (since January 2023). Former executive director of Hillel at UCLA. Key quote: "In the past, we focused on supporting a smaller group of nonprofits with bigger grants. However, in light of the challenging times we're living in, broadening our recipient pool to include a wider spectrum of organizations will better meet the pressing needs of our community." He identified priorities including growing donor-advised funds, addressing mental health crises from the pandemic, supporting Jews living in poverty, and maintaining the Foundation's obligation to the broader Los Angeles community.

Dan Rothblatt - Executive Vice President

Deborah Johnston - Senior Vice President, Finance & Administration / CFO

Naomi Strongin - Senior Vice President, Center for Designed Philanthropy

Steve Gamer - Senior Vice President, Chief Advancement Officer

Lewis Groner - Vice President, Community Relations

Ellen Rosen - Vice President and General Counsel

Marvin I. Schotland - President & CEO Emeritus (led Foundation 1989-2022)

Notable Trustees

Annette Shapiro - 60+ year volunteer; first woman and first donor to serve as trustee

Cathy Siegel Weiss - Former Foundation Chair; Co-Chair of Investment Committee

William R. Feiler - Co-Chair, Investment Committee; Former Board Chair

Advisory Board and Investment Committee include professionals from Ernst & Young, Deloitte, law firms, and investment management firms.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application processes and availability vary by grant program. Most programs operate on a fixed application cycle that opens and closes periodically. The Foundation closes grant opportunities once it has received enough applications and typically reopens at the beginning of the new year.

Workshop Requirement: For some programs, interested grantseekers must first attend a Grantseekers' Workshop, though this requirement has been temporarily paused.

Current Status: As of late 2024, both Cutting Edge Grants and Next Stage Grants application processes are closed. Applicants should regularly check the website at www.jewishfoundationla.org/grant-opportunities/ for updates on when programs reopen.

General Eligibility:

  • Cutting Edge and Next Stage Grants: LA-based Jewish nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status
  • General Community Grants: LA-based nonprofits (secular organizations welcome)
  • Israel Grants: Currently invitation-only; contact israel@jewishfoundationla.org
  • Capital Grants: LA-based Jewish institutions

Contact for Inquiries:

  • General inquiries: info@jewishfoundationla.org or 323.761.8700
  • Grants: Information available through the website; philanthropy advisors available for consultation

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed and vary by program. Multi-year grants (Cutting Edge, Next Stage, Israel) suggest a comprehensive review process.

Success Rates

In 2024, the Foundation awarded $4.3 million to 87 organizations through its competitive grant programs. In 2023, the Foundation made 1,172 awards total (including donor-advised fund grants). Specific success rate percentages (applications received vs. awarded) are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Contact the Foundation directly at info@jewishfoundationla.org or 323.761.8700 for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Advice from Leadership:

Rabbi Lerner emphasized that the Foundation has shifted strategy to support a "wider spectrum of organizations" to meet pressing community needs. This suggests openness to newer, smaller organizations alongside established legacy institutions.

Workshop Participation: When available, attending the Grantseekers' Workshop is required and provides valuable insight into Foundation priorities and application requirements.

Team Approach for Capacity Building: For Next Stage Grants, the Foundation explicitly encourages applicants to "develop a strategy team of invested stakeholders, including senior leadership, staff, and board, who would participate in executing proposed capacity building plans." This demonstrates institutional commitment.

Innovation and Inclusivity: Cutting Edge Grants specifically seek "innovative programs that build a vibrant and inclusive LA Jewish community." Recent recipients addressed antisemitism, uplifted diverse Jewish populations (Latin, Asian, Misrahi, Sephardic), and promoted health and wellbeing.

Examples of 2024 Funded Organizations:

The Foundation supported a diverse range of organizations including:

  • Legacy organizations: Simon Wiesenthal Center, Beit T'Shuvah, Jewish Family Service of LA, Bet Tzedek
  • Newer/smaller initiatives: Pico Union Project, Fuente Latina, JIMENA, Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles
  • Campus Hillels: Chabad at USC, Hillel at UCLA, USC Hillel
  • Specialized organizations: JQ International, Jews of Color Initiative, Chai Lifeline West Coast, Creative Community for Peace

Accessibility and Transparency: The Foundation is described by funders' networks as "an accessible and transparent funder that welcomes contact even after it has closed opportunities for the year." This suggests applicants should not hesitate to reach out for guidance.

Current Community Priorities: Rabbi Lerner identified key areas including mental health crises (especially in younger people due to pandemic), technology-informed philanthropic trends, addressing the leaky Jewish educational/professional pipeline, supporting Jews living in poverty, and broader Los Angeles community obligations.

Geographic Priority: As a community foundation, JCFLA prioritizes the city in which it is headquartered (Los Angeles), though it also supports national and international causes, particularly in Israel.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Timing is Critical: Grant programs close once they receive enough applications; monitor the website closely and apply early when programs open, typically at the beginning of the year.

  • Both New and Established Welcome: The Foundation's recent shift toward supporting a "wider spectrum of organizations" means smaller, newer nonprofits have genuine opportunities alongside legacy institutions.

  • Innovation Matters: For Jewish community grants, demonstrate how your program brings innovative approaches to building a vibrant, inclusive community or addresses emerging needs.

  • Demonstrate Institutional Commitment: Especially for capacity-building grants, show that senior leadership, staff, and board are invested in the proposed work.

  • Secular Nonprofits: General Community Grants provide the best pathway for non-Jewish organizations; focus on the annual priority area and Los Angeles impact.

  • Build Relationships: The Foundation welcomes contact throughout the year. Reach out to philanthropy advisors even when applications are closed to understand priorities and get guidance for future cycles.

  • Alignment with Values: Whether Jewish or secular, demonstrate how your work reflects the Foundation's commitment to community strengthening and "tikkun olam" (repairing the world).

References

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