Local Donors Choose Where $1 Million Is Allocated

The San Francisco Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund (JCF) pledged over $1 million last year to a variety of South Peninsula organizations. The nonprofit then embarked on a social-venture based approach to philanthropy which lets local donors prioritize areas of greatest need in the community.

Four organizations were chosen to encourage young Jewish families in Palo Alto and the surrounding area to connect with their heritage.

According to Jennifer Gorovitz, CEO of the San Francisco JCF, “Once our Palo Alto committee members determined that engaging young Jewish families was a pressing need in their community, they issued a request for proposals and received responses from organizations that could best effect that change. It’s a really exciting initiative that provided donors with a ‘hands-on’ way to deepen their philanthropic expertise and make a real impact in their community.” 

The four local organizations received $500,000 in a ceremony last month. The money will be used over the next three years. The remaining $500,000 in grants will go to other Jewish groups working in the area. 

The chosen programs:

Jewish Birth Network, Congregations Kol Emeth and Beth Am
Working closely with Palo Alto’s Congregation Kol Emeth, this project works with secular birth education centers to provide high quality childbirth classes with Jewish content for new families who would not otherwise pursue Jewish experiences. Ongoing services beyond childbirth also aim to create micro-communities of new Jewish parents.

Setting the Table South Peninsula, Hazon
Setting the Table creates programs for pre-kindergarten students and their families in domestic skills like cooking and making traditional Jewish household objects. Young students engage in fun cultural activities while young parents learn how to create an authentic Jewish home environment.

Friendship Circle, Bay Area
Additional funding will go to programs at Palo Alto-based Friendship Circle for Jewish families with special needs children. Friendship Circle will use grant dollars to build marketing and development infrastructure to reach a broader audience for these new programs in Palo Alto.

Kesher, Jewish Learning Works
Targeted at families with children aged 3-7, Kesher’s Palo Alto branch office works with less engaged families to find culturally-relevant programs and activities that fit their needs and interests. A Community Concierge will work with families on an individual level to help find meaningful Jewish programs for all participants. The Kesher Family Education Fellowship will help professionals tailor family opportunities and fill programmatic gaps.

About The Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund:  The Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund is a philanthropic catalyst, connecting people of all ages, backgrounds, and perspectives to the power we have as a Jewish community to improve the world. We partner with donors, organizations, and foundations to address pressing issues facing our community, and develop innovative strategies that result in deep and lasting impact locally, in Israel, and around the world. Find out more at

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