Jim Joseph Foundation Announces New Grants Awarded at Special Board Meeting in Israel

More than $13.6 million awarded at Board Meeting coinciding with Foundation’s 10^th Anniversary

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Earlier this summer, the San Francisco-based Jim Joseph Foundation awarded more than $13.6 million in new grants at a special Board Meeting in Israel to mark the Foundation’s 10^th anniversary. The Foundation’s founder, Jim Joseph, z”l, was laid to rest in Israel upon his passing in 2003. Today, the Foundation that bears his name has awarded more than $370 million in grants to organizations that help create effective and compelling Jewish learning experiences for youth, teens, and young adults in the United States.

“Holding this Board meeting in Israel was a deeply meaningful moment for the Foundation and for me personally,” says Al Levitt, President of the Jim Joseph Foundation. “As we mark the Foundation’s ten year anniversary, I know that Jim would be very pleased with the accomplishments of the dedicated and talented grantees with which we partner.”

Many of the new grants were awarded to past recipients, including BBYO, Birthright Israel Foundation, the iCenter, Moishe House, and others. Israel education remains a central component of many of the Foundation’s grantmaking awards.

Major Grants from June 2015 Board Meeting

BBYO: BBYO Directors of Jewish Enrichment and Capacity Building Planning (2015-2016)
Up to $811,961 for bridge funding for the Directors of Jewish Enrichment (DJEs) program to continue to deepen    its Jewish experiential education across North America and planning for related organizational capacity building. The Jim Joseph Foundation has awarded a total of up to $2,761,612 for BBYO’s DJE program and up to $9,909,506 for all BBYO grants.

Birthright Israel Foundation: General Support
Up to $2,500,000 for general operating support so more young adults can experience ten-day immersive trips to Israel. The Jim Joseph Foundation has awarded a total of up to $23,525,000 to the Birthright Israel Foundation for trip support.

iCenter for Israel Education: Capacity Building Support To Fund Key Initiatives and Organizational Capacity (2016-2018)
Up to $2,250,000 to sustain and further the work of the iCenter in developing the field of Israel education in North America. A portion of the grant is allocated to maintain and advance iCenter signature initiatives including its Master’s Concentration and various camp and day school initiatives. Another portion of the grant is designated for strengthening organizational capacity to support continued growth. The Jim Joseph Foundation has awarded a total of up to $6,700,000 to the iCenter.

Moishe House: Capacity Building Support (2015-2018)
Up to $3,250,000 for growth capital and ongoing capacity to continue providing meaningful Jewish learning experiences for young adults who create home-based Jewish communities. This is a 2:1 challenge match for new and increased donations ($2 from the Jim Joseph Foundation for every $1 raised). The Jim Joseph Foundation has awarded up to $8,074,021 to Moishe House.

Awards for Community-Based Jewish Teen Education Initiatives (totaling $21,494,176 in seven communities since 2013): 

The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore: Community-Based Jewish Teen Education Initiative (2015-2020)
Up to $1,525,000 as a 1:1 match to support a multi-faceted Jewish Teen Education Initiative in Baltimore designed to both increase the number of teens engaged in high quality Jewish learning experiences and to deepen the engagement of teens currently participating in episodic experiences. The Associated seeks to achieve these goals by strengthening communal collaboration and by working in partnership with the JCC of Greater Baltimore to launch new immersive teen programs, to develop the skills of teen professionals, and to train lay teen advocates serving on boards of Jewish organizations.

Jewish Federation of San Diego County: Community-Based Jewish Teen Education Initiative (2015-2020)
Up to $3,092,041 as a 1:1 match to support a multi-faceted Jewish teen education initiative in San Diego designed to significantly increase the number of San Diego Jewish high school-aged teens engaged in Jewish learning experiences and to deepen the quality of the learning experiences being offered. As part of the grant, the United Jewish Federation of San Diego, in partnership with the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, Jacobs Family Campus, will develop a community-based Center for Jewish Service Learning to catalyze more immersive and ongoing Jewish service learning opportunities for San Diego Jewish teens. The Center also will provide educators and teen leaders with new skills to run these programs and connect teen participants to more Jewish experiences.

Expedited Grants from June 2015 Board Meeting

 American Friends of Livnot U’Lehibanot: Northern Exposure and Emerging Jewish Leaders Project
Up to $250,000 (a one-time grant) to support Livnot U’Lehibanot (Livnot) to expand the Northern Exposure Birthright extension program, and to launch the Emerging Jewish Leaders Project, an Israel experience for North American Young Adults.

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By investing in promising Jewish education grant initiatives, the Jim Joseph Foundation seeks to foster compelling, effective Jewish learning experiences for young Jews in the United States. Established in 2006, the Jim Joseph Foundation has awarded more than $370 million in grants to engage, educate, and inspire young Jewish minds to discover the joy of living vibrant Jewish lives. www.jimjosephfoundation.org