Encourage charitable giving, support partner agency endowment development, and build & sustain a vibrant Jewish community.
The Jewish Foundation of Memphis channels large-scale support into Jewish communal life in Memphis through partner agencies, endowment building, and donor-directed giving. Its recent grants show a strong emphasis on institutions that anchor religious practice, education, health and welfare, and community services, with multiple seven-figure awards going to Memphis Jewish Federation and Kavod (ensuring Dignity for Holocaust Survivors). The foundation also supports named synagogues and schools, alongside organizations serving older adults and families, which points to a funding model that blends institutional stability with direct community needs. The foundation’s structure matters as much as its grant list. It manages donor advised funds, special interest endowment funds, agency funds, and support organizations, giving donors and partner agencies different ways to build long-term charitable support. That mix is consistent with a foundation whose stated purpose is to encourage charitable giving, support partner agency endowment development, and build and sustain a vibrant Jewish community. Recent awards to Temple Israel, Baron Hirsch Congregation, and Memphis Jewish Home & Rehab show how that mission reaches across religious, social, and care-oriented institutions in the Memphis area.
A central theme in the Jewish Foundation of Memphis’s grantmaking is Jewish community infrastructure. In 2024, it gave $567,471 to Baron Hirsch Congregation for religious purposes and $411,705 to Temple Israel for religious purposes, supporting congregational life in Memphis. It also funded Beth Sholom Synagogue with $291,198 in 2024. Education is another visible focus. The foundation awarded $316,865 to Bornblum Jewish Community School in 2024 and $279,807 to Margolin Hebrew Academyfyos for religious education. Hillel of Memphis received $139,969 in 2024 for cultural education. Health and welfare needs appear in several grants as well. Memphis Jewish Home & Rehab received $249,970 in 2024, while Jfs at the Memphis Jewish Community Center received $384,127 the same year. The foundation also gave $2,000,000 to Kavod (ensuring Dignity for Holocaust Survivors) for food and nutrition.
Typical grant size sits at $7,575 at the 25th percentile, $13,000 at the median, and $33,075 at the 75th percentile. The recent-grants list shows a wide spread from smaller awards like $82,858 to larger institutional grants above $2 million, suggesting both routine community support and major operating or endowment-level commitments. The pattern is recurring rather than one-off. Memphis Jewish Federation appears in both 2023 and 2024, as do Kavod, Temple Israel, Baron Hirsch Congregation, Bornblum Jewish Community School, Hillel of Memphis, Memphis Jewish Home & Rehab, and the Memphis Jewish Community Center. The foundation is a mixed Jewish Federation DAF structure, and it offers donor advised funds, agency funds, special interest funds, and support organizations. Donor advised funds can be recommended broadly, while Book of Life gifts direct donor-selected support to Memphis Jewish organizations.
Current and upcoming funding from Jewish Foundation of Memphis that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Local nonprofit organizations may establish agency funds with the Foundation and be represented on the Foundation’s investment committee; agencies remain owners of their endowment assets while leveraging Foundation investment oversight.
$9M
$84.8M
$15.5M
$10.3M
Most grants fall between $8K and $33K, with a median of $13K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$13K
75th Percentile
$33K
About 55% of grants go to recipients in TN.
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Giving is heavily centered in Tennessee: 55% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state, and Tennessee is also the top state by grant count. Memphis is the main city of concentration, but Germantown and Cordova also appear repeatedly in the recent grants list. Outside Tennessee, the recent-grants table includes recipients in New York and St. Louis. All listed recipient-country data is domestic, with 215 grants to U.S. organizations.
It supports Jewish community organizations, endowments and permanent funds, donor advised funds, legacy and estate giving, teen philanthropy, and professional advisor services. Recent grants also show support for congregations, schools, health and welfare organizations, and Holocaust-survivor services.
Yes. Memphis Jewish Federation, Kavod (ensuring Dignity for Holocaust Survivors), Temple Israel, Baron Hirsch Congregation, Bornblum Jewish Community School, Hillel of Memphis, Memphis Jewish Home & Rehab, and the Memphis Jewish Community Center all appear in more than one recent grant year.
The typical grant size is $7,575 at the 25th percentile, $13,000 at the median, and $33,075 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also shows much larger awards for major community institutions, including multiple grants above $1 million.
Donor advised funds are a charitable giving vehicle at the Jewish Foundation of Memphis. Donors open an account, recommend grants, choose investment options, and add to the fund over time. The program is listed as accepting unsolicited participation.
Yes. The B'nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy Co-Op grants let Memphis-area teens manage individual funds and a Teen Co-Op Fund that awards approximately $10,000 each year to local Jewish organizations. Eligible local Jewish charities may apply for grants during the program cycle.
2024
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2024.
Who can apply: Donors create a permanent endowment fund by making a gift. Funds may be designated to support a particular organization, program or purpose and are subject to fund-specific spending policies and Foundation oversight.
Who can apply: Interested donors/families work with the Foundation to create a support organization that supports the umbrella organization's goals; must follow legal and bylaw requirements for a separate corporate entity.
Who can apply: Qualified local Jewish charities and nonprofit organizations in the Memphis area (organizations serving the Memphis Jewish community).
Deadline: Program calendar has historically shown a grant application window in February (e.g., application open in early February and close later in February). Specific dates vary by year.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEMPHIS JEWISH FEDERATION | GERMANTOWN, TN | $2,330,186 | 2024 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| KAVOD (ENSURING DIGNITY FOR HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS) | GERMANTOWN, TN | $2,000,000 | 2024 | FOOD/NUTRITION |
| BARON HIRSCH CONGREGATION | MEMPHIS, TN | $567,471 | 2024 | RELIGIOUS |
| TEMPLE ISRAEL | MEMPHIS, TN | $411,705 | 2024 | RELIGIOUS |
| JFS AT THE MEMPHIS JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER | MEMPHIS, TN | $384,127 | 2024 | HEALTH/WELFARE |
| BORNBLUM JEWISH COMMUNITY SCHOOL | MEMPHIS, TN | $316,865 | 2024 | EDUCATION - RELIGIOUS |
| BETH SHOLOM SYNAGOGUE | MEMPHIS, TN | $291,198 | 2024 | RELIGIOUS |
| MEMPHIS JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER | GERMANTOWN, TN | $283,312 | 2024 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| MARGOLIN HEBREW ACADEMYFYOS | MEMPHIS, TN | $279,807 | 2024 | EDUCATION - RELIGIOUS |
| MEMPHIS JEWISH HOME & REHAB | CORDOVA, TN | $249,970 | 2024 | HEALTH/WELFARE |
| HILLEL OF MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $139,969 | 2024 | EDUCATION - CULTURAL |
| UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS FOUNDATION | MEMPHIS, TN | $131,025 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL |
| MEMPHIS OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP TRUST | MEMPHIS, TN | $82,858 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL |
| BBYO - DELTA REGION | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,700 | 2024 | FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $75,300 | 2024 | HUMANITARIAN AID |
| YOUNG ISRAEL OF MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $57,907 | 2024 | RELIGIOUS |
| MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF THE MID-SOUTH | MEMPHIS, TN | $55,700 | 2024 | FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF MEMPHIS & THE MID-SOUTH | CORDOVA, TN | $55,439 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL |
| CAMP NEBAGAMON FOUNDATION AKA CN FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $51,000 | 2024 | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| FRIENDS OF ISRAELI SCOUTS | NEW YORK, NY | $50,250 | 2024 | ISRAEL ADVOCACY |
| MID-SOUTH FOOD BANK | MEMPHIS, TN | $42,239 | 2024 | FOOD/NUTRITION |
| HUTCHISON SCHOOL | MEMPHIS, TN | $41,500 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL |
| FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | BOCA RATON, FL | $41,000 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL |
| FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES | MEMPHIS, TN | $31,730 | 2024 | EDUCATION - CULTURAL |
| MEMPHIS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL | MEMPHIS, TN | $30,325 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL |
| YESHIVAT MAHARAT INC | BRONX, NY | $30,000 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL |
| CHURCH HEALTH | MEMPHIS, TN | $26,800 | 2024 | HEALTH/WELFARE |
| UNION FOR REFORM JUDAISM | NEW YORK, NY | $26,100 | 2024 | FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| HENRY S JACOBS CAMP | UTICA, MS | $25,708 | 2024 | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF YESHIVAT HAKOTEL | BERGENFIELD, NJ | $25,500 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL |
| AUTOZONER ASSISTANCE FUND INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $25,000 | 2024 | PHILANTHROPY |
| ISRAAID (US) GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE INC | PALO ALTO, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| MEMPHIS ZOO | MEMPHIS, TN | $24,850 | 2024 | ANIMAL RELATED |
| THE JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $23,229 | 2024 | FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| METROPOLITAN INTER-FAITH ASSOCIATION | MEMPHIS, TN | $22,510 | 2024 | SOCIAL SERVICES |
| WEST CANCER FOUNDATION | MEMPHIS, TN | $21,136 | 2024 | DISEASE - DISORDER |
| ST MARY'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL | MEMPHIS, TN | $20,680 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL |
| SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $20,500 | 2024 | ARTS & CULTURAL |
| CHABAD LUBAVITCH OF TENNESSEE | MEMPHIS, TN | $20,320 | 2024 | RELIGIOUS |
| BRIDGES | MEMPHIS, TN | $20,250 | 2024 | RELIGIOUS |
| BEN PORAT YOSEF INC | PARAMUS, NJ | $20,000 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN | AUSTIN, TX | $20,000 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL |
| THE SCHECHTER INSTITUTES INC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $20,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION - ISRAEL |
| OCEAN REEF COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC | KEY LARGO, FL | $19,100 | 2024 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| WKNO - FM AND TV | CORDOVA, TN | $18,669 | 2024 | ARTS & CULTURAL |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $18,127 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| PUPS WITHOUT BORDERS | VAN NUYS, CA | $18,000 | 2024 | ANIMAL RELATED |
| SHELBY FARMS PARK CONSERVANCY | MEMPHIS, TN | $17,158 | 2024 | ENVIRONMENTAL |
| BAPTIST MEMORIAL HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION | MEMPHIS, TN | $13,500 | 2024 | HEALTH/WELFARE |
| MARINE MAMMAL CARE CENTER LOS ANGELES | SAN PEDRO, CA | $13,000 | 2024 | FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE |
MEMPHIS JEWISH FEDERATION
$2,330,186COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
KAVOD (ENSURING DIGNITY FOR HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS)
$2,000,000FOOD/NUTRITION
BARON HIRSCH CONGREGATION
$567,471RELIGIOUS
TEMPLE ISRAEL
$411,705RELIGIOUS
JFS AT THE MEMPHIS JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
$384,127HEALTH/WELFARE
BORNBLUM JEWISH COMMUNITY SCHOOL
$316,865EDUCATION - RELIGIOUS
BETH SHOLOM SYNAGOGUE
$291,198RELIGIOUS
MEMPHIS JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
$283,312COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
MARGOLIN HEBREW ACADEMYFYOS
$279,807EDUCATION - RELIGIOUS
MEMPHIS JEWISH HOME & REHAB
$249,970HEALTH/WELFARE
HILLEL OF MEMPHIS
$139,969EDUCATION - CULTURAL
UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS FOUNDATION
$131,025EDUCATIONAL
MEMPHIS OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP TRUST
$82,858EDUCATIONAL
BBYO - DELTA REGION
$75,700FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE
JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE
$75,300HUMANITARIAN AID
YOUNG ISRAEL OF MEMPHIS
$57,907RELIGIOUS
MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF THE MID-SOUTH
$55,700FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF MEMPHIS & THE MID-SOUTH
$55,439EDUCATIONAL
CAMP NEBAGAMON FOUNDATION AKA CN FOUNDATION
$51,000YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
FRIENDS OF ISRAELI SCOUTS
$50,250ISRAEL ADVOCACY
MID-SOUTH FOOD BANK
$42,239FOOD/NUTRITION
HUTCHISON SCHOOL
$41,500EDUCATIONAL
FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$41,000EDUCATIONAL
FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES
$31,730EDUCATION - CULTURAL
MEMPHIS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL
$30,325EDUCATIONAL
YESHIVAT MAHARAT INC
$30,000EDUCATIONAL
CHURCH HEALTH
$26,800HEALTH/WELFARE
UNION FOR REFORM JUDAISM
$26,100FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE
HENRY S JACOBS CAMP
$25,708YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF YESHIVAT HAKOTEL
$25,500EDUCATIONAL
AUTOZONER ASSISTANCE FUND INC
$25,000PHILANTHROPY
ISRAAID (US) GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE INC
$25,000FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE
MEMPHIS ZOO
$24,850ANIMAL RELATED
THE JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA
$23,229FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE
METROPOLITAN INTER-FAITH ASSOCIATION
$22,510SOCIAL SERVICES
WEST CANCER FOUNDATION
$21,136DISEASE - DISORDER
ST MARY'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
$20,680EDUCATIONAL
SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER
$20,500ARTS & CULTURAL
CHABAD LUBAVITCH OF TENNESSEE
$20,320RELIGIOUS
BRIDGES
$20,250RELIGIOUS
BEN PORAT YOSEF INC
$20,000EDUCATIONAL
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
$20,000EDUCATIONAL
THE SCHECHTER INSTITUTES INC
$20,000EDUCATION - ISRAEL
OCEAN REEF COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
$19,100COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
WKNO - FM AND TV
$18,669ARTS & CULTURAL
ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
$18,127MEDICAL RESEARCH
PUPS WITHOUT BORDERS
$18,000ANIMAL RELATED
SHELBY FARMS PARK CONSERVANCY
$17,158ENVIRONMENTAL
BAPTIST MEMORIAL HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION
$13,500HEALTH/WELFARE
MARINE MAMMAL CARE CENTER LOS ANGELES
$13,000FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE