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Federation CJA

Annual Giving
$49.1M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M

Federation CJA

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $49,141,857 USD (2024)
  • Total Donations Received: $63.2 million (F2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Varies by program
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $75,000+ (depending on program)
  • Geographic Focus: Montreal and surrounding areas; Israel; international Jewish communities

Contact Details

Main Office: 1 Cummings Square, Montreal, Quebec H3W 1M6, Canada

Phone: 514-735-3541

Website: https://www.federationcja.org

Email: General inquiries through contact form on website

Grants Contact: Yael Edery, Program Manager for Impact Partner Relations & Grants Programs (yael.edery@federationcja.org)

Overview

Founded in 1917, Federation CJA (formerly the Allied Jewish Community Services) is one of Canada's largest Jewish community organizations, leading efforts to promote a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving Montreal Jewish community. With annual giving exceeding $49 million in 2024 and total donations of $63.2 million received in F2023, the organization distributes grants to other Canadian charities while also operating in-house programs. Federation CJA operates with 14% overhead spending and achieves an efficiency rate where 86 cents of every donated dollar goes to programs after overhead costs. The organization has received a 4-star charity rating and a B+ results reporting grade from charity evaluators. Its mission is to "preserve and strengthen the quality of Jewish life and engagement in Montreal, Israel, and the world" through three core priority areas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Working Together: Community Impact Grant

  • Amount: Up to $50,000
  • Focus (2025-26): Advancing Community Mental Health & Well-Being
  • Duration: 12 months or less
  • Application Method: Online through Survey Monkey Apply
  • Deadline: October 28, 2025
  • Description: Supports short-term collaborative initiatives between community organizations that promote emotional wellbeing and mental health literacy, support individuals and families in building psycho-emotional resilience and coping skills, and reduce stigma while creating inclusive, accessible, supportive environments.

Generations Fund

  • Total Fund: Over $80 million designated to strengthening Jewish identity
  • Program Areas: Increased access to and excellence in Jewish day schools and Jewish camps; youth outreach and engagement; Jewish learning; Israel experiences
  • Description: Federation CJA's most significant investment in the future of the Montreal Jewish Community, established in partnership with generous donors

Camp Initiative

  • One Happy Camper: First-time camper incentive grants up to $1,000
  • CAMPS Access Grants: Multi-year subsidies for Jewish overnight camp experiences
  • Application: First-come, first-served basis with limited spaces
  • Description: Makes Jewish camping experiences accessible to more children in the community

GOTEENISRAEL

  • Amount: Up to $1,800 USD
  • Eligibility: Jewish teens in grades 9, 10, or 11 traveling to Israel
  • Application: First-come, first-served based on financial criteria
  • Partners: 10 trip provider partners including BBYO, Bnei Akiva, Camp B'nai Brith Montreal, NCSY, and others

DALFEN FELLOWS: Teen Israel Leadership Initiative

  • Amount: $5,500 voucher
  • Recipients: 50 Jewish teens with exceptional leadership qualities
  • Description: Leadership training combined with Israel experience

ProMontreal Entrepreneurs (PME) Fund

  • Amount: Up to $75,000 in start-up capital
  • Application Schedule: Twice annually (March and October)
  • Eligibility: Registered PME members; business based in greater Montreal area; in operation less than 2 years
  • Duration: 6 years or until loan balance fully repaid
  • Description: Mentor-driven accelerator providing financing, coaching, and connections to other investors and opportunities

Organizational Capacity Building Grant

  • Duration: 12 months
  • Focus Areas: Efficient management; forging partnerships; investing in IT capacity
  • Description: Enhances internal organizational capacity of Jewish community organizations

Leadership Development Micro-Grant Program

  • Description: Supports leadership development initiatives within the community

Priority Areas

Federation CJA operates through three impact priority areas:

  1. Delivering Community Care with Compassion

    • Supporting vulnerable community members (approximately 20% of Montreal Jews struggle with basic needs)
    • Meals for homebound and isolated community members (20,828 meals delivered)
    • Senior programming (2,460 seniors reached)
    • Special needs camp support (165 campers supported)
    • Community Assistance Program (2,560 individuals assisted)

  2. Strengthening Jewish Life and Continuity

    • Jewish day school support (5,472 students in 13 schools financially supported in F2023)
    • Jewish camping (412 campers received financial help for overnight camp in F2023)
    • Israel and Poland immersive trips (970+ teens and young adults sent)
    • Youth outreach and engagement
    • Jewish learning and education

  3. Advancing Jewish Communal Interests

    • Addressing antisemitism
    • Community safety and security
    • Working with diverse Jewish and non-Jewish community and government partners

What They Don't Fund

  • Expenses incurred prior to receiving application approval
  • Organizations must be warned that incurring expenses before approval is at their own risk
  • Specific exclusions not detailed in public materials; contact grants team for clarification

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Yair Szlak

Board Chair: Joel Segal - Also First Vice President, past Campaign Chair for Combined Jewish Appeal, and current Chair of the FRD Department

Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operations Officer: Jonathan Kuczer

Director of Corporate Partnerships: Alex Zinegyi

The organization maintains an active board of directors with members deeply engaged in Montreal's Jewish community, many having participated in Federation CJA leadership development programs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Working Together: Community Impact Grant:

  • Applicants must contact Yael Edery at yael.edery@federationcja.org before starting the application process if they do not already have a Survey Monkey Apply account
  • Complete online application through Survey Monkey Apply platform
  • Provide accurate project budget with clear goals, outcomes, and evaluation plans
  • Demonstrate how collaboration is essential and adds value
  • Applications accepted until October 28, 2025

For ProMontreal Entrepreneurs Fund:

  • Must be a registered member of ProMontreal Entrepreneurs
  • Submit PME Fund application form, CV, business plan (including three-year cash flows, income statements, and balance sheets), detailed list of required funds and uses
  • Provide two letters of reference
  • Provide recent credit bureau report from Equifax or Trans Union to Program Manager
  • Applications reviewed twice annually (March and October)

For Camp Initiative and GOTEENISRAEL:

  • Applications accepted on a first-come, first-served basis
  • Limited spaces available
  • Financial criteria assessment required

For Organizational Capacity Building Grant:

  • Contact Federation CJA grants team for application details

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by program and are not publicly specified. Applicants should expect:

  • Administrative review upon submission
  • Evaluation against program criteria
  • Notification method varies by program (contact provided to applicants)

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly published. However, recent data shows:

  • Working Together Grant (2023): 7 collaborative initiatives funded in the second cycle, led by Atelier Jem Workshop, Auberge Shalom, Chabad Lifeline, Mile-End Chavurah, The Segal Centre, Yaldei, and the Museum of Jewish Montreal
  • 2020-21: Multiple organizations funded across education, social services, and community support categories

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly stated in public materials. Applicants are encouraged to contact the grants team for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Based on Federation CJA's documented guidance and funded projects:

Alignment with Core Priorities: Programs and services must align with Federation CJA's three key impact priorities: delivering community care with compassion, strengthening Jewish life and continuity, and advancing Jewish communal interests.

Measurement and Evaluation: Applications must outline clear plans for measuring success of goals and outcomes. According to Federation CJA's application requirements: "Successful applicant organizations will be required to contribute to a shared measurement framework and plan for the grant program." Provide specific metrics and evaluation methodologies.

Collaboration Over Duplication: Federation CJA explicitly emphasizes "forging partnerships with other organizations to strengthen organizational capacity and avoid service duplication." For the Working Together grant, applicants must "explain how collaboration is essential and demonstrate value-added from collaboration."

Community Mental Health Focus (2025-26): For the current funding cycle, Federation CJA states: "With recognition of the continuously increased need for programs and activities targeting mental health and well-being within our community, Advancing Community Mental Health & Well Being is the focus area for the 2025-26 Working Together - Community Impact Grant." Prioritize initiatives that promote emotional wellbeing, build resilience, and reduce stigma.

Capacity Building Emphasis: Successful organizational capacity building applications emphasize "efficient management focused on growth and impact, empowering and training employees, and establishing well-defined strategies, effective structures, and a supportive organizational culture" or "investing in new IT capacity to streamline workflows and reduce administrative burdens."

Serving Montreal's Jewish Community: Proposals must serve "the Jewish Community population in Montreal and its surrounding areas." Demonstrate clear connection to and impact on this community.

Examples of Funded Organizations: Recent recipients provide insight into Federation CJA's priorities:

  • Education: Akiva School, Hebrew Academy, Beth Jacob School, École Maïmonide, Solomon Schechter Academy
  • Social Services: Auberge Shalom (housing/support), Chabad Lifeline (addiction support), Miriam Foundation (disabilities), Yaldei Developmental Centre
  • Community Programs: Holocaust Education Program (EMSB), Museum of Jewish Montreal, Segal Centre

Budget Accuracy: Federation CJA requires "an accurate project budget" and notes that for Working Together grants, "grants will only be funded in the entirety of their request; partial amounts will not be given." Ensure budget requests are realistic and fully justified.

Reporting Readiness: Expect "a 2-page Progress Report during the implementation phase and a Final Evaluation and Financial Report at the conclusion of the project." Demonstrate capacity for thorough reporting.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Prioritize collaboration: Federation CJA strongly values partnerships between organizations that maximize resources and avoid duplication. Applications demonstrating meaningful collaboration have a competitive advantage.

  • Align with current focus areas: The 2025-26 funding cycle emphasizes mental health and well-being. Frame applications around emotional resilience, mental health literacy, and stigma reduction.

  • Think beyond your organization: Federation CJA wants to see how your project strengthens the entire Montreal Jewish community ecosystem, not just your individual organization.

  • Request full project funding: For the Working Together grant, partial funding is not available—grants are funded in their entirety or not at all. Budget accordingly.

  • Prepare for measurement: Have a clear evaluation framework ready. Federation CJA requires participation in shared measurement frameworks and expects detailed progress and final reports.

  • Contact grants team early: For Working Together applicants without Survey Monkey Apply accounts, contact Yael Edery before beginning your application. For other programs, early contact can clarify eligibility and expectations.

  • Act quickly for first-come programs: Camp Initiative and GOTEENISRAEL grants operate on a first-come, first-served basis with limited spaces—don't delay if eligible.

  • Consider the broader ecosystem: With $49+ million in annual giving distributed primarily to other Canadian charities, Federation CJA views itself as a steward of community resources. Demonstrate how your work contributes to long-term community sustainability.

References

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