Funding Opportunities

Your fund or foundation has an important philanthropic role to play in our community.

While the Annual Campaign is a strong safety net, it cannot cover every need in Baltimore. Please consider supporting one or more of the programs below through your fund or foundation. Click here for a donor advised fund grant recommendation form.

Fall 2019

1. Activities and Connections for Older Adults – $590
The Myerberg Center helps older adults stay engaged, healthy and connected through a variety of programs and classes.  Funding will underwrite membership for 10 older adults who cannot afford the annual fee. Myerberg Center

2. Care Packages for the Homeless – $750
Funding will purchase warm weather gear, toiletries and more to supplement community donations for 2,000 winter care packages for Baltimore’s homeless population. Volunteers will assemble the packages on Community Mitzvah Day.  Jewish Volunteer Connection

3. Community Connector Programming – $500
The Macks Center for Jewish Education (CJE)’s Community Connector program develops cohorts of families with young children in neighborhoods spanning downtown to the Baltimore suburbs. The families get together for social outings and to share Jewish experiences. Funding will underwrite program supplies and refreshments for Jewish holiday celebrations. Macks Center for Jewish Education

4. Diapers for Children in Need – $500 
The Jewish Museum of Maryland offers onsite and offsite educational programs interpreting the American Jewish experience for Maryland public school students including tours of its exhibitions and historic synagogues. Funding will underwrite admission and buses for 80 Baltimore City students. Jewish Museum of Maryland

5. Educational Field Trips for Baltimore City Students – $640
The Elijah Cummings Youth Program in Israel (ECYP) was created as a partnership between the Baltimore Jewish Council (BJC) and the late Congressman Elijah Cummings. Through leadership training and an immersive experience in Israel, the two-year fellowship prepares students to become leaders who promote interethnic, racial, and religious understanding. Funding will help to underwrite a leadership retreat. ECYP

6. Elijah Cummings Youth Program in Israel – $560
The Elijah Cummings Youth Program in Israel (ECYP) was created as a partnership between the Baltimore Jewish Council (BJC) and the late Congressman Elijah Cummings. Through leadership training and an immersive experience in Israel, the two-year fellowship prepares students to become leaders who promote interethnic, racial, and religious understanding. Funding will help to underwrite a leadership retreat. ECYP

7. Family Farm Festivals – $500
Family Farm Festivals are ‘drop-in’ programs that allow families to spend an afternoon experiencing Pearlstone’s innovative Jewish environmental education programming that highlights the seasons and Jewish calendar celebrations. Funding will underwrite hands-on activities, such as making holiday-themed farm-to-table snacks and nature crafts, for 50 participants. Pearlstone

8. Financial Assistance for Basic Needs – $1,000
Every day, families in our community turn to Jewish Community Services (JCS) seeking help to meet their day-to-day living expenses. Many are facing the threat of eviction, foreclosure or utility shut-off. JCS provides short-term financial assistance and connects them with additional services and resources, including public benefits. Jewish Community Services

9. Home Repairs and Modifications for Low-Income Seniors – $750
CHAI’s Senior Home Repair program provides low-income seniors with home repairs and modifications that support their independence. Funds will underwrite safety modifications such as stair railings, bathroom safety chairs and bathroom grab bars. CHAI

10. Inclusion Programming for Children with Disabilities – $1,000
The Jewish Community Center (JCC)’s inclusion program ensures that children of varying abilities are able to participate in J Kids After School and School’s Out programming with their peers. Parents pay an extra fee for inclusion support, over and above program fees, but it does not cover the full cost. Funding will help to offset the cost of inclusion counselors. Jewish Community Center

11. Jewish Books for Children in Odessa – $800
Each month, PJ Library sends Jewish children’s books to families across the world so that they can share Jewish stories at bedtime. Join The Associated in helping to provide Jewish children’s books in Russian and Ukrainian to children in Odessa, Ukraine, Baltimore’s sister city. Funding will underwrite a year of books for 20 children. The Associated

12. Jewish Teen Programming – $1,000
4Front, the Baltimore Jewish community’s comprehensive teen engagement initiative, offers a variety of programs for Jewish teens, from one-time gatherings to year-long signature programs. Funding will underwrite 4FrontU programs that help to prepare teens for life after high school. All contributions will be matched by the Jim Joseph Foundation. The Associated

13. Meals for the Homebound – $700
Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious meals to homebound older adults and people with disabilities, helping them eat well and remain in their homes.  Funding will provide 100 meals. Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland

14. Program Supplies for Independent Living Skills – $550
Internis, Inc. provides opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum to participate meaningfully in all aspects of adult life. Funding will provide supplies for clients to practice skills so they are able to live as independently as possible. Itineris

16. Reading Support for Day School Students with Learning Disabilities – $625
SHEMESH is a community-wide initiative that provides educational support for Jewish Day School students with learning disabilities, including school-based Reading Services for kindergarten and first grade students that have been identified by their teachers as needing extra support.  Funding will underwrite books and workbooks to help children strengthen their literacy skills. SHEMESH

17. Scholarships for Jewish Day School Students – $1,000
Jewish education is the key to a vibrant Jewish present and future. More than half of Baltimore’s 5,000+ Jewish day school students receive need-based financial assistance to help with tuition costs. Funding will underwrite a scholarship for a Jewish day school student. The Associated

18. Shabbat Dinners for College Students – $900
Shabbat celebrations at Hillel enable Jewish college students to connect with each other and the rhythm of the Jewish calendar. Funding will sponsor Shabbat dinner for 25 students at one of the five campus Hillels supported by The Associated – Goucher, Hopkins, Towson, University of Maryland and UMBC.  Hillel

19. Shelter for Victims of Abuse – $700
CHANA provides crisis intervention, counseling and legal advocacy to address the needs of people experiencing abuse and trauma. CHANA’s family safehouse and older adult safehouse offer safety and support for people seeking safety. Funding will cover two months of operating costs at one of CHANA’s shelters, underwriting utilities, security and maintenance. CHANA

20. Subsidized Personal Care Services for Frail Older Adults – $975
Each month, Jewish Community Services provides financial assistance to 190 low-income older adults to help them obtain personal care services from community providers. Underwrite 75 hours of care for low-income older adults. Jewish Community Services

21. Tutoring for At-Risk Ethiopian-Israeli Children – $610
The Ethiopian National Project’s School Performance and Community Empowerment (SPACE) program provides low-income Ethiopian-Israeli students with academic support and enrichment to improve their scores on Israel’s matriculation exams. Funding will underwrite one year of SPACE programming for a student in Ashkelon. The Associated

22. Winter Relief for the Elderly in Eastern Europe – $1,000
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) provides winter relief for more than 10,000 destitute Jewish seniors across eastern Europe. Funding will help to provide those in need with coats, boots and warm blankets. The Associated