The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley raises funds and supports a network of organizations to care for people in need and to nurture and sustain Jewish community life locally, in Israel, and around the world.
The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s largest recent grant went to Jewish Federation of North America for the advancement and support of Jewish education in community, a pattern that sits alongside major support for local institutions in Allentown and Bethlehem. Across the recent grants list, the federation repeatedly backs Jewish education, campus engagement, senior services, and community organizations that serve the Lehigh Valley Jewish community. Its annual awards also show how the federation combines broad allocations with targeted recognition: the Vicki Wax Jewish Student Campus Leadership Award supports a Jewish college student’s campus leadership, while the Melvin M. Goldberg Undergraduate Fellowship for Research in Israel supports supervised STEM research in Israel for a U.S. undergraduate. The philanthropy here is not limited to one type of recipient. It includes federated partners, Jewish community centers, day schools, family services, Hillel groups, and congregational grants. That mix points to a funder that uses its grantmaking to sustain communal infrastructure, support education at multiple life stages, and connect local Jewish life with Israel and the wider Jewish world.
Jewish education is the clearest thread in the grant record. The federation awarded $375,207 to the Jewish Community Center of Allentown, $329,254 to the Jewish Day School of Allentown PA, and $16,500 to the Muhlenberg College Hillel Society Co Muhlenberg College, all for advancement and support of Jewish education in community. Social services and older-adult support also appear in the record: Jewish Family Services of the Lehigh Valley received $186,012 for support of Jewish senior and social activities in community. Smaller local grants extend that pattern to congregational life, including Bethlehem Jewish Community Grant Congregation Brith Sholom at $25,000. The active programs list adds another layer, with scholarships for teen experiences, resident camp, and educational improvement tax credit scholarships that support local families.
Typical grant size ranges from a 25th percentile of $11,500 to a median of $167,006 and a 75th percentile of $333,250. The recent grant list shows repeated awards to the same recipients across 2023, 2024, and 2025, which suggests ongoing support rather than one-off transactions for several local partners. The federation operates through a mix of annual campaign allocations, scholarships, and named awards. Some programs accept unsolicited requests, including the Vicki Wax Jewish Student Campus Leadership Award, the Melvin M. Goldberg Undergraduate Fellowship for Research in Israel, and several scholarship and award programs; the annual campaign allocations process does not. The foundation funds individuals through these structured awards, even though its broader profile says it does not fund individuals generally.
$1.4M
$58.5M
$5.8M
$4.5M
Most grants fall between $12K and $333K, with a median of $167K.
25th Percentile
$12K
Median
$167K
75th Percentile
$333K
JERILYN ZIMMERMAN
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Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local: 87% of grants go to recipients in Pennsylvania, and all grants in the recent list went to U.S. recipients. Recent grants concentrate in Allentown and Bethlehem. Allentown recipients include the Jewish Community Center of Allentown, the Jewish Day School of Allentown PA, Jewish Family Services of the Lehigh Valley, and Muhlenberg College Hillel Society Co Muhlenberg College. Bethlehem recipients include Bethlehem Jewish Community Grant Congregation Brith Sholom and Lehigh University Hillel Society Co Lehigh University. The active programs also tie several awards to the Lehigh Valley.
The grant record centers on Jewish education, social services, campus engagement, and congregational life. Recent recipients include the Jewish Community Center of Allentown, the Jewish Day School of Allentown PA, Jewish Family Services of the Lehigh Valley, and local Hillel organizations, all funded for community-based Jewish purposes.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple consecutive years. The Jewish Community Center of Allentown, the Jewish Day School of Allentown PA, and Jewish Family Services of the Lehigh Valley each received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025, showing repeated support over time.
It uses named awards and scholarships. The Vicki Wax Jewish Student Campus Leadership Award provides a $500 grant toward an approved Israel experience or relevant national conference, and teen-focused programs include Teen Experience Grants, Resident Camp Scholarships, and the Max 'Maggie' Levine Essay Contest.
The grant-size distribution is $11,500 at the 25th percentile, $167,006 at the median, and $333,250 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes several larger recurring allocations and smaller local awards.
Most grants go to Pennsylvania recipients, with 87% of grants in the HQ state. In the recent list, the strongest concentration is in Allentown and Bethlehem, with all listed recent grants going to U.S. recipients.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: The page describes a Federation-supported community resource rather than a competitive grant. Organizations and community members may contact the community shlicha to engage with programming.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF NORTH AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $543,436 | 2026 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF ALLENTOWN | ALLENTOWN, PA | $350,000 | 2026 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| JEWISH DAY SCHOOL OF ALLENTOWN PA | ALLENTOWN, PA | $307,500 | 2026 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY | ALLENTOWN, PA | $120,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF JEWISH SENIOR AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES IN COMMUNITY |
| BETHLEHEM JEWISH COMMUNITY GRANT CONGREGATION BRITH SHOLOM | BETHLEHEM, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| MUHLENBERG COLLEGE HILLEL SOCIETY CO MUHLENBERG COLLEGE | ALLENTOWN, PA | $12,500 | 2026 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| HEBREW FAMILY LEAGUE | ALLENTOWN, PA | $7,500 | 2026 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| LEHIGH UNIVERSITY HILLEL SOCIETY CO LEHIGH UNIVERSITY | BETHLEHEM, PA | $6,500 | 2026 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF NORTH AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $1,396,879 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF ALLENTOWN | ALLENTOWN, PA | $375,207 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| JEWISH DAY SCHOOL OF ALLENTOWN PA | ALLENTOWN, PA | $329,254 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY | ALLENTOWN, PA | $186,012 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF JEWISH SENIOR AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES IN COMMUNITY |
| BETHLEHEM JEWISH COMMUNITY GRANT CONGREGATION BRITH SHOLOM | BETHLEHEM, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| MUHLENBERG COLLEGE HILLEL SOCIETY CO MUHLENBERG COLLEGE | ALLENTOWN, PA | $12,500 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| HEBREW FAMILY LEAGUE | ALLENTOWN, PA | $7,500 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| LEHIGH UNIVERSITY HILLEL SOCIETY CO LEHIGH UNIVERSITY | BETHLEHEM, PA | $6,500 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF NORTH AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $620,852 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF ALLENTOWN | ALLENTOWN, PA | $373,288 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| JEWISH DAY SCHOOL OF ALLENTOWN PA | ALLENTOWN, PA | $328,260 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY | ALLENTOWN, PA | $172,702 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF JEWISH SENIOR AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES IN COMMUNITY |
| BETHLEHEM JEWISH COMMUNITY GRANT CONGREGATION BRITH SHOLOM | BETHLEHEM, PA | $25,000 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| MUHLENBERG COLLEGE HILLEL SOCIETY CO MUHLENBERG COLLEGE | ALLENTOWN, PA | $16,500 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| HEBREW FAMILY LEAGUE | ALLENTOWN, PA | $7,400 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| LEHIGH UNIVERSITY HILLEL SOCIETY CO LEHIGH UNIVERSITY | BETHLEHEM, PA | $6,500 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF NORTH AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $788,448 | 2023 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF ALLENTOWN | ALLENTOWN, PA | $337,245 | 2023 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| JEWISH DAY SCHOOL OF ALLENTOWN PA | ALLENTOWN, PA | $298,187 | 2023 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY | ALLENTOWN, PA | $167,006 | 2023 | SUPPORT OF JEWISH SENIOR AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES IN COMMUNITY |
| BETHLEHEM JEWISH COMMUNITY GRANT CONGREGATION BRITH SHOLOM | BETHLEHEM, PA | $20,000 | 2023 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| MUHLENBERG COLLEGE HILLEL SOCIETY CO MUHLENBERG COLLEGE | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,500 | 2023 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
| HEBREW FAMILY LEAGUE | ALLENTOWN, PA | $7,000 | 2023 | ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY |
ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF ALLENTOWN
$350,000ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
SUPPORT OF JEWISH SENIOR AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES IN COMMUNITY
BETHLEHEM JEWISH COMMUNITY GRANT CONGREGATION BRITH SHOLOM
$25,000ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
HEBREW FAMILY LEAGUE
$7,500ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
JEWISH FEDERATION OF NORTH AMERICA
$1,396,879ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF ALLENTOWN
$375,207ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
SUPPORT OF JEWISH SENIOR AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES IN COMMUNITY
BETHLEHEM JEWISH COMMUNITY GRANT CONGREGATION BRITH SHOLOM
$25,000ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
HEBREW FAMILY LEAGUE
$7,500ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF ALLENTOWN
$373,288ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
SUPPORT OF JEWISH SENIOR AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES IN COMMUNITY
BETHLEHEM JEWISH COMMUNITY GRANT CONGREGATION BRITH SHOLOM
$25,000ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
HEBREW FAMILY LEAGUE
$7,400ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF ALLENTOWN
$337,245ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
SUPPORT OF JEWISH SENIOR AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES IN COMMUNITY
BETHLEHEM JEWISH COMMUNITY GRANT CONGREGATION BRITH SHOLOM
$20,000ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY
HEBREW FAMILY LEAGUE
$7,000ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY