Career Opportunities
We are conducting a search for a new CEO. If you are interested, please review the position profile. Thank you.
About Us
The Jewish Community Foundation strengthens and protects Greater Hartford’s Jewish community by building a permanent pool of charitable dollars provided by generous donors who share our vision of a strong, resilient and joyous Jewish community forever. Guided by Jewish values, we assist donors in structuring charitable gifts, building legacies, facilitating personalized philanthropy, and distributing community grants to a broad range of programs and institutions.
Our Staff Values
Collaboration (Shituf P’ulah) – We partner as a team to solve problems and to celebrate achievements.
Accountability (Areivut) – We are responsible to each other and for one another.
Respect (Derekh Eretz) – We act with integrity and treat everyone the way we would want to be treated.
Self-Reflection (Cheshbon Nefesh) – We are open to constructive feedback and always willing to learn.
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Philanthropic Services
The Foundation currently manages 1,400 funds for individual, family, and foundation donors. Designated (31%) and Donor Advised Funds (27%) comprise the largest proportion of the Foundation’s assets, followed by Community Action (Unrestricted) Funds (24%), and Custodial Funds (18%).
The Foundation is sensitive to the philanthropic interests of our donors but also attempts to call attention to the importance of unrestricted giving. In recent years, the Foundation has increasingly highlighted opportunities for legacy giving and the organization works directly with donors and with their professional advisors – including attorneys, accountants, and financial consultants – to provide counsel on charitable giving options. Such charitable options include Community Action Funds, Donor Advised Funds, Custodial Funds, and Designated Funds, which incorporates field of interest and scholarship funds.
Grantmaking
The Foundation and our donors make grants to charitable institutions in Greater Hartford, across the country, and around the world. In FY22, the Foundation awarded $4.5 million in grants. These grants fund innovative projects, community-wide initiatives, and a broad range of programs and institutions. Grants from Community Action Funds are awarded through a competitive grant application process; grants from Donor Advised Funds are made upon the recommendation of donors, after review and approval by the Foundation Board; and grants from Designated Funds are made automatically each year to fulfill the charitable interests for which the funds were originally created.
While the Foundation and our donors make grants to many organizations and programs, our four areas of community grant-making priority are: Jewish education, Jewish outreach and engagement, non-profit capacity building, and seniors and aging.