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    5. National Center to Encourage Judaism
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    National Center to Encourage Judaism

    ActiveReligion-Related
    KENSINGTON, MDWebsite3018024254

    About National Center to Encourage Judaism

    The National Center to Encourage Judaism concentrates its support on organized Reform Judaism and related institutional channels, providing unrestricted/general support to national movement bodies. Most giving is channeled in large, handful grants rather than many small awards, and it also uses donor-advised vehicles to direct funds. The foundation appears focused on sustaining the infrastructure of Reform Jewish life rather than program-level grassroots funding.

    Focus Areas

    National Reform Jewish movement support (Union for Reform Judaism/URJ)Institutional operating support for Jewish denominational bodiesDonor-advised fund distributions to Jewish causes

    Who They Fund

    national Reform Jewish institutions (e.g., Union for Reform Judaism)Jewish denominational bodies and movement leadershipcharitable intermediaries/donor-advised fund sponsors (e.g., Vanguard Charitable)

    Giving Approach

    Highly concentrated: very few, relatively large general-support grants with repeat funding to the Union for Reform Judaism and use of a donor-advised fund intermediary.

    About National Center to Encourage Judaism

    The National Center to Encourage Judaism centers its giving on outreach and education for people exploring Judaism, especially through programs that introduce newcomers to Jewish beliefs, holiday practice, interfaith engagement, and conversion support. Its recent grants show a mix of national movement bodies, synagogues, federations, and Jewish educational organizations, with large general-support awards sitting alongside smaller program grants. The largest recent grant in the data is $76,000 to Union Reform Judaism, followed by $70,000 in 2025 to the same organization and $60,000 in 2024 to Vanguard Charitable. That pattern points to a funder that uses both direct operating support and donor-advised channels to move money to Jewish causes. The foundation’s grantmaking is not limited to one institution type. It gave $45,000 in 2025 to the Institute for Southern Jewish Life and $35,175 in 2024 to the Joint Distribution Committee, while also funding many synagogue-based efforts and outreach programs. Recent awards also include support for Jewish Federation of North America, Sha'ar Zahav, and Center for Jewish Life Beth David.

    What National Center to Encourage Judaism Funds

    A central theme in the foundation’s giving is support for programs that welcome new people into Judaism. It awarded $23,900 in 2025 to Sutton Place Synagogue NYC for general support, and its program descriptions emphasize Judaism 101 classes, experiential learning, and holiday programming. Interfaith and intercultural engagement is another recurring focus. The foundation gave $17,100 in 2025 to Sha'ar Zahav, and its active grant programs explicitly include interfaith engagement and outreach to participants exploring Judaism. The foundation also supports institutions that build movement infrastructure. It gave $25,000 in 2024 to Jewish Federation North America and $20,000 in 2025 to the same organization, while donor-advised giving appears in the $60,000 grant to Vanguard Charitable. Jewish education and conversion-related support appear in the funding menu as well, including introductory classes, holiday workshops, and support for those exploring or converting to Judaism.

    How National Center to Encourage Judaism Gives

    Typical grants are relatively small even though the funder also makes occasional larger awards: the p25 grant size is $2,150, the median is $3,900, and the p75 is $7,050. The recent-grants list shows repeated support to the same recipients across years, including Union Reform Judaism, Joint Distribution Committee, and Jewish Federation North America, which indicates a recurring relationship pattern rather than one-off only. The foundation uses general support frequently and gives through donor-advised vehicles as well, including Vanguard Charitable. It also accepts unsolicited applications through multiple grant programs and an initial proposal form.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $380K

    Total Assets

    $2.7M

    Total Revenue

    $313K

    Total Expenses

    $479K

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $2K and $7K, with a median of $4K.

    25th Percentile

    $2K

    Median

    $4K

    75th Percentile

    $7K

    Geographic Reach

    National32 states funded

    About 5% of grants go to recipients in PA.

    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

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    EIN: 52-1194529
    3 filings on record
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    Funding Style

    unrestricted/general operating supportinstitutional/infrastructure sustainingconcentrated large grantsdonor-advised fund distributions

    Notable grantees: Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), Vanguard Charitable, National Reform Jewish movement institutions (general)

    Topics

    national Reform Jewish movement support (URJ)denominational institutional operating supportmovement infrastructure and sustainabilityphilanthropic intermediary funding (donor-advised funds)

    Where National Center to Encourage Judaism Makes Grants

    Giving is national, and every grant in the recipient-country distribution is in the United States. Pennsylvania appears most often in the grant list, including Philadelphia, Jenkintown, and Allentown. New York City recipients are also frequent, with awards to Union Reform Judaism, Sutton Place Synagogue NYC, and Project Kesher. Other recipient cities in the data include Jackson, Miami, San Francisco, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Bellevue, and Warwick, RI.

    Frequently Asked Questions About National Center to Encourage Judaism

    What kinds of organizations does National Center to Encourage Judaism fund?

    It funds synagogues, JCCs/federations, national and international Jewish organizations, and other Jewish nonprofits. Recent examples include Union Reform Judaism, Jewish Federation North America, and synagogue-based recipients, with many awards labeled general support.

    What is the typical grant size?

    The grant-size distribution is modest: p25 is $2,150, the median is $3,900, and p75 is $7,050. The recent grants list also shows a few much larger awards, including $76,000 and $70,000.

    Does the foundation accept unsolicited applications?

    Yes. Several active grant programs are marked as accepting unsolicited applications, and the foundation also offers an online proposal or interest form for organizations to submit initial program ideas.

    What program areas can grants support?

    The active programs focus on introducing new people to Judaism through Judaism 101 classes, interfaith and intercultural engagement, holiday programming, experiential learning, outreach and marketing, and limited support for program materials and staff expenses.

    Where does the foundation give most often?

    Its giving is national, but Pennsylvania appears most often in the recent grants list. Recipient cities there include Philadelphia, Jenkintown, and Allentown.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from National Center to Encourage Judaism that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: $10K+

    Larger Grant Requests (Requests over $10,000)

    Larger-scale outreach and programmatic initiatives to attract newcomers to JudaismCapacity for expanded marketing and program replication

    Who can apply: Larger organizations or projects with grant requests exceeding $10,000; follow the larger grant request guidance page for application instructions.

    Deadline: Not specified; applicants should contact NCEJ. Standard guidance indicates year-round acceptance but larger requests may have a different review timeline.

    View & apply
    Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Up to $10K

    NCEJ General Grants (Programs Welcoming New People to Judaism)

    Judaism 101Introduction to Jewish beliefs and traditionsInterfaith and intercultural engagement+4 more

    Who can apply: Open to synagogues, JCCs/federations, national groups, international organizations, and other Jewish nonprofits sponsoring programs that attract new people to Judaism. Programs must include an educational component and be designed to engage people exploring Judaism, interfaith couples, or those interested in conversion.

    Deadline: Applications accepted year-round; bonus funding mentioned for applications submitted by November 15 on one page.

    View & apply

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    UNION REFORM JUDAISMNEW YORK, NY$70,0002025GENERAL
    INSTITUTE FOR SOUTHERN JEWISH LIFEJACKSON, MS$45,0002025GENERAL
    VARIOUS SYNAGOGUES VARIOUS SYNAGOGUESALL IN USCANADA, MD$43,0002025GENERAL
    JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMNEW YORK, NY$30,0002025GENERAL
    SUTTON PLACE SYNAGOGUE NYCNEW YORK, NY$23,9002025GENERAL
    JEWISH FEDERATION NORTH AMERICANEW YORK, NY$20,0002025GENERAL
    SHA'AR ZAHAVSAN FRANCISCO, CA$17,1002025GENERAL
    CENTER FOR JEWISH LIFE BETH DAVIDMIAMI, FL$15,0002025GENERAL
    JEWISH LEARNING VENTUREJENKINTOWN, PA$10,0002025GENERAL
    KENESETH ISRAEL CONGREGATIONALLENTOWN, PA$7,1002025GENERAL
    TEMPLE BNAI TORAH WABELLEVUE, WA$7,0002025GENERAL
    ALEPH ALLIANCE FOR JEWISH RENEWALPHILADELPHIA, PA$6,6002025GENERAL
    BUFFALO JEWISH FEDERATIONWILLIAMSVILLE, NY$6,4002025GENERAL
    SHABBAT WITH FRIENDSSANTA FE, NM$6,2002025GENERAL
    HAVER-THE BOULDER RABBINICAL COUNCIBOULDER, CO$6,0002025GENERAL
    CHARLESTON JEWISH FEDERATIONCHARLESTON, SC$5,6002025GENERAL
    NATL WOMEN REFORM JUDAISMNEW YORK, NY$5,5002025GENERAL
    SCHECHTER INSTITUTEUKRAINEPHILADELPHIA, PA$5,0002025GENERAL
    INTRO PHOENIXSCOTTSDALE, AZ$5,0002025GENERAL
    NJ RABBINICAL ASSEMBLYONTVILLE, NJ$5,0002025GENERAL
    SILICON VALLEY JCCLOS GATOS, CA$3,5002025GENERAL
    BETHESDA JEWISH CONGREGATIONBETHESDA, MD$3,5002025GENERAL
    CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL AUSTINAUSTIN, TX$3,2002025GENERAL
    MISHKAN CHICAGOCHICAGO, IL$3,1002025GENERAL
    RABBINICAL ASSN KANSAS CITYOVERLAND PARK, KS$3,0002025GENERAL
    EMANUEL SYNAGOGUE OKOKLAHOMA CITY, OK$3,0002025GENERAL
    TEMPLE BETH EL APTOS-JCC SANTA CRUZAPTOS, CA$2,3002025GENERAL
    CONGREGATION GEMILUTH CHASSODIMALEXANDRIA, LA$2,3002025GENERAL
    OHAVI ZEDEK SYNAGOGUE VTBURLINGTON, VT$2,0002025GENERAL
    GR HARTFORD BD RABBISCONG BETH ISRWEST HARTFORD, CT$2,0002025GENERAL
    YOUR JEWISHHOPKINS, MN$1,9002025GENERAL
    JEWISH FOLKSHULLAFAYETTE HILL, PA$1,8002025GENERAL
    TEMPLE BNAI ISRAEL MONROEMONROE, LA$1,7252025GENERAL
    CONGREGATION NER TAMID NVHENDERSON, NV$1,6002025GENERAL
    MA'YAN TIKVAH MAWAYLAND, MA$1,5552025GENERAL
    TEMPLE BETH SHALOMHUDSON, OH$1,0502025GENERAL
    KEHILLAH RICHMOND RVAMIDLOTHIAN, VA$9002025GENERAL
    TEMPLE BETH EL MUNCIEMUNCIE, IN$9002025GENERAL
    CONGREGATION CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ATHENS GA/PJ LIBRARYATHENS, GA$7502025GENERAL
    SHIR TIKVAHTROY, MI$3002025GENERAL
    VANGUARD CHARITABLEWARWICK, RI$60,0002024GENERAL
    UNION REFORM JUDAISMNEW YORK, NY$44,0002024GENERAL
    JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMNEW YORK, NY$35,1752024GENERAL
    JEWISH FEDERATION NORTH AMERICANEW YORK, NY$25,0002024GENERAL
    CENTER FOR JEWISH LIFE BETH DAVIDMIAMI, FL$15,0002024GENERAL
    VARIOUS SYNAGOGUES VARIOUS SYNAGOGUESALL IN USCANADA, MD$10,5102024GENERAL
    HILLEL INTLWASHINGTON, DC$10,3542024GENERAL
    SANDRA KAPLAN BET DIN LOS ANGELES 441LOS ANGELES, CA$10,0002024GENERAL
    MYZUZAHCHEVY CHASE, MD$10,0002024GENERAL
    KENESETH ISRAEL CONGREGATIONALLENTOWN, PA$9,2002024GENERAL

    UNION REFORM JUDAISM

    $70,000
    NEW YORK, NY2025

    GENERAL

    INSTITUTE FOR SOUTHERN JEWISH LIFE

    $45,000
    JACKSON, MS2025

    GENERAL

    VARIOUS SYNAGOGUES VARIOUS SYNAGOGUES

    $43,000
    ALL IN USCANADA, MD2025

    GENERAL

    JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMM

    $30,000
    NEW YORK, NY2025

    GENERAL

    SUTTON PLACE SYNAGOGUE NYC

    $23,900
    NEW YORK, NY2025

    GENERAL

    JEWISH FEDERATION NORTH AMERICA

    $20,000
    NEW YORK, NY2025

    GENERAL

    SHA'AR ZAHAV

    $17,100
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA2025

    GENERAL

    CENTER FOR JEWISH LIFE BETH DAVID

    $15,000
    MIAMI, FL2025

    GENERAL

    JEWISH LEARNING VENTURE

    $10,000
    JENKINTOWN, PA2025

    GENERAL

    KENESETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION

    $7,100
    ALLENTOWN, PA2025

    GENERAL

    TEMPLE BNAI TORAH WA

    $7,000
    BELLEVUE, WA2025

    GENERAL

    ALEPH ALLIANCE FOR JEWISH RENEWAL

    $6,600
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2025

    GENERAL

    BUFFALO JEWISH FEDERATION

    $6,400
    WILLIAMSVILLE, NY2025

    GENERAL

    SHABBAT WITH FRIENDS

    $6,200
    SANTA FE, NM2025

    GENERAL

    HAVER-THE BOULDER RABBINICAL COUNCI

    $6,000
    BOULDER, CO2025

    GENERAL

    CHARLESTON JEWISH FEDERATION

    $5,600
    CHARLESTON, SC2025

    GENERAL

    NATL WOMEN REFORM JUDAISM

    $5,500
    NEW YORK, NY2025

    GENERAL

    SCHECHTER INSTITUTEUKRAINE

    $5,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2025

    GENERAL

    INTRO PHOENIX

    $5,000
    SCOTTSDALE, AZ2025

    GENERAL

    NJ RABBINICAL ASSEMBLY

    $5,000
    ONTVILLE, NJ2025

    GENERAL

    SILICON VALLEY JCC

    $3,500
    LOS GATOS, CA2025

    GENERAL

    BETHESDA JEWISH CONGREGATION

    $3,500
    BETHESDA, MD2025

    GENERAL

    CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL AUSTIN

    $3,200
    AUSTIN, TX2025

    GENERAL

    MISHKAN CHICAGO

    $3,100
    CHICAGO, IL2025

    GENERAL

    RABBINICAL ASSN KANSAS CITY

    $3,000
    OVERLAND PARK, KS2025

    GENERAL

    EMANUEL SYNAGOGUE OK

    $3,000
    OKLAHOMA CITY, OK2025

    GENERAL

    TEMPLE BETH EL APTOS-JCC SANTA CRUZ

    $2,300
    APTOS, CA2025

    GENERAL

    CONGREGATION GEMILUTH CHASSODIM

    $2,300
    ALEXANDRIA, LA2025

    GENERAL

    OHAVI ZEDEK SYNAGOGUE VT

    $2,000
    BURLINGTON, VT2025

    GENERAL

    GR HARTFORD BD RABBISCONG BETH ISR

    $2,000
    WEST HARTFORD, CT2025

    GENERAL

    YOUR JEWISH

    $1,900
    HOPKINS, MN2025

    GENERAL

    JEWISH FOLKSHUL

    $1,800
    LAFAYETTE HILL, PA2025

    GENERAL

    TEMPLE BNAI ISRAEL MONROE

    $1,725
    MONROE, LA2025

    GENERAL

    CONGREGATION NER TAMID NV

    $1,600
    HENDERSON, NV2025

    GENERAL

    MA'YAN TIKVAH MA

    $1,555
    WAYLAND, MA2025

    GENERAL

    TEMPLE BETH SHALOM

    $1,050
    HUDSON, OH2025

    GENERAL

    KEHILLAH RICHMOND RVA

    $900
    MIDLOTHIAN, VA2025

    GENERAL

    TEMPLE BETH EL MUNCIE

    $900
    MUNCIE, IN2025

    GENERAL

    CONGREGATION CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ATHENS GA/PJ LIBRARY

    $750
    ATHENS, GA2025

    GENERAL

    SHIR TIKVAH

    $300
    TROY, MI2025

    GENERAL

    VANGUARD CHARITABLE

    $60,000
    WARWICK, RI2024

    GENERAL

    UNION REFORM JUDAISM

    $44,000
    NEW YORK, NY2024

    GENERAL

    JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMM

    $35,175
    NEW YORK, NY2024

    GENERAL

    JEWISH FEDERATION NORTH AMERICA

    $25,000
    NEW YORK, NY2024

    GENERAL

    CENTER FOR JEWISH LIFE BETH DAVID

    $15,000
    MIAMI, FL2024

    GENERAL

    VARIOUS SYNAGOGUES VARIOUS SYNAGOGUES

    $10,510
    ALL IN USCANADA, MD2024

    GENERAL

    HILLEL INTL

    $10,354
    WASHINGTON, DC2024

    GENERAL

    SANDRA KAPLAN BET DIN LOS ANGELES 441

    $10,000
    LOS ANGELES, CA2024

    GENERAL

    MYZUZAH

    $10,000
    CHEVY CHASE, MD2024

    GENERAL

    KENESETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION

    $9,200
    ALLENTOWN, PA2024

    GENERAL