Get Funded
Below are all the Jewish Federation grants and funding opportunities available to nonprofit organizations and types of support available to individual community members during 2024.
Before completing an application for an investment, be sure to review materials related to the Jewish Federation grants process and our funding priorities:
- Review A Guide to Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ Priorities
- Review Needs Assessments and Plans
- Consider how to use data from the Community Study to inform your assessment of needs
- Read through tips and mad libs for filling out your proposal
- Reach out to Community Impact staff with questions
Types of Jewish Federation Grants & Funds
Our funding opportunities are divided into two categories: one for nonprofit organizations and schools and another to support individuals, students or specific clients from nonprofits or congregations.
Investment Opportunities for Organizations
Community Impact Investments
- Focus: Community Impact Investments are aligned with Federation’s Core Commitments and priorities.
- Who can apply: By invitation only.
- How to apply: Spectrum online portal
- Timing: Applications open January 4, 2024, and close on February 15, 2024; decisions communicated no later than July 1, 2024.
- Contact: Scott Berzon, sberzon@jfedstl.org, 314-442-3814
The Saul Brodsky Educational Resource Fund
- Focus: To provide support for local Jewish programs that promote literacy and literature, the operation and expansion of Jewish libraries, speaker events, family library programming, and more. Click here to read the Request for Proposals.
- Who can apply: St. Louis based Jewish tax-exempt organizations
- How to apply: Spectrum online portal – name of opportunity: The Saul Brodsky Educational Resource Fund.
- Timing: Applications open and are accepted on a rolling basis; decisions are made and communicated once a quarter.
- Contact: Scott Berzon, sberzon@jfedstl.org, 314-442-3814
Interfaith Inclusion & Engagement Mini Grants
- Focus: To create a more welcoming and inclusive St. Louis Jewish community for Jewish Adjacent family members and Jewish+ families. Click here to read the Request for Proposals.
- Who can apply: St. Louis based Jewish tax-exempt organizations
- How to apply: Spectrum online portal – name of opportunity: Interfaith Inclusion & Engagement Mini Grants Application
- Timing: Applications open January 4, 2024 and are accepted on a rolling basis; decisions are made and communicated once a quarter.
- Contact: Scott Berzon, sberzon@jfedstl.org, 314-442-3814
Staenberg Family Foundation
General support and event sponsorships:
- Focus: Giving in the St. Louis region and the St. Louis Jewish community in addition to certain organizations throughout the U.S., mainly in the Midwest
- Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations that align with the Foundation’s mission and priorities.
- How to apply: Spectrum online portal – name of opportunities: Staenberg Family Foundation Event Sponsorship; Staenberg Family Foundation General and Project Support Application
- Timing: Applications close March 1, 2024
- Contact: Karen Sher, KSher@JFedSTL.org, 314-442-3824
- Focus: Supporting projects, infrastructure, and programs of local Jewish organizations that help create a thriving Jewish community in St. Louis, while encouraging other members of the community to give matching funds
- Who can apply: Local Jewish nonprofit organizations and congregations on behalf of their clients. Please note: Only Jewish nonprofit organizations local to St. Louis, MO will be considered. Applications outside of St. Louis, MO are not eligible.
- How to apply: Spectrum online portal – name of opportunity: 2024 Anything Grant
- Timing: Applications for 2024 Anything Grants open May 6, 2024 and close June 20, 2024; decisions communicated by end of July 2024.
- Contact: Lori Kabrun-Berry, LKabrun-Berry@JFedSTL.org, 314-442-3828
Lubin-Green Foundation
- Focus: Supporting projects and programs within the St. Louis Jewish community as well as international Jewish causes
- Who can apply: By invitation only.
- Contact: Lori Kabrun-Berry, LKabrun-Berry@JFedSTL.org, 314-442-3828
Kranzberg Family Foundation
- Focus: Outreach to and engagement of future generations of Jews and creation of a vibrant, embracing, local Jewish community that will help retain and be attractive to young adults and families with young children
- Who can apply: Local Jewish nonprofit organizations that align with the Foundation’s mission
- How to apply: Spectrum online portal – name of opportunity: 2024 Kranzberg Family Foundation
- Timing: Applications open September 9, 2024; applications close November 4, 2024; decisions communicated in mid-December 2024.
- Contact: Lori Kabrun-Berry, LKabrun-Berry@JFedSTL.org, 314-442-3828
Women’s Auxiliary Foundation for the Jewish Aged
- Focus: Ensuring the dignity and honor of the Jewish elderly in the St. Louis community
- Who can apply: Local Jewish nonprofit organizations that align with the Foundation’s focus
- How to apply: Spectrum online portal
- Timing: Applications open April 9, 2024 and close on May 21, 2024. Decisions communicated by end of June 2024.
- Contact: Lori Kabrun-Berry, LKabrun-Berry@JFedSTL.org, 314-442-3828
Strategic Sponsorships
- Focus: To provide sponsorship support to community events or programs that align with Federation’s mission
- Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations
- How to apply: Spectrum online portal – name of opportunity: Strategic Sponsorship Application
- Timing: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
- Contact: Marci Mayer Eisen, MEisen@JFedSTL.org, 314-442-3810
Support for Individuals
Financial Cash Assistance
- Focus: To stabilize those experiencing financial insecurity and to move people toward financial self-sufficiency through the provision of cash assistance towards rent, utilities, advocacy, and other support. In general, financial cash assistance is offered on a short-term basis of one to six months.
- Who can apply: Individuals in the local Jewish community
- Timing: Applications are rolling
- Contact: Intake line at Jewish Family Services, 314-993-1000
Grants for Jewish Summer Camps
One Happy Camper grants of up to $1,000 are available to 1st through 12th graders. To be eligible, the camper must not have previous camp experience of more than 11 consecutive days. The program is a partnership between the Jewish Federation of St. Louis and the Foundation for Jewish Camp. The grant can be applied toward a minimum 12-day session at one of 150+ nonprofit Jewish summer camps. Limited grants available. Your child can share in the summer of a lifetime while strengthening Jewish identity, making lasting connections and learning Jewish values.
Visit OneHappyCamper.org to fill out the One Happy Camper grant application and find out more info. You can also check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.
*Restrictions apply.
Contact: Ben Panet, Bpanet@jfedstl.org, 314-442-3881
Grants for Israel Travel
Federation’s Israel Center offers teens and young adults funding through merit and incentive-based grants for Israel travel. Additional information is available here.
Contact: Ben Panet, Bpanet@jfedstl.org, 314-442-3881
Indigent Burial Fund
Jewish Federation of St. Louis provides funds to Jewish Family Services to support traditional Jewish burial arrangements for members of the Jewish community who can’t afford them. There is an application process to determine eligibility.
Contact: Intake line at Jewish Family Services, 314-993-1000
Jossem Memorial Fund
- Focus: For elderly Jewish people experiencing financial insecurity to purchase needed personal and medical items beyond or supplemental to those ordinarily supplied by Federation’s community partners (i.e., Federation-supported agencies)
- Who can apply: Local Jewish nonprofit organizations and congregations on behalf of their clients.
- How to apply: Spectrum online portal – name of opportunity: Jossem Memorial Fund Reimbursement Request
- Timing: Applications are rolling
- Contact: Lori Kabrun-Berry, LKabrun-Berry@JFedSTL.org, 314-442-3828
Loeb Opportunity Fund
- Focus: To improve quality of life and long-term prospects by providing education, job/skills training, and after-school, weekend, and/or summer enrichment programs for selected families who are clients of Jewish Family Services
- Who can apply: Individuals in the local Jewish community with low income
- How to apply: Referrals can come from local Jewish organizations, congregations, or Jewish day schools, or people can self-refer to Jewish Family Services
- Timing: Applications are rolling
- Contact: Intake line at Jewish Family Services, 314-993-1000
St. Louis Jewish Loan Association
- Focus: To provide interest-free General Needs loans of up to $5,000 to be repaid within 36 months. Loans should address a need or hardship. Applicants must show proof of their ability to repay the loan as well as provide one loan guarantor.
- Who can apply: Jewish Individuals (including those who are a member of a Jewish household) who are at least 18 years of age and have established local residency in St. Louis or surrounding areas for at least 12 months. *Other restrictions apply.
- Timing: Applications are rolling
- Contact: Jennifer McGroty, 314-442-3755 or jewishloan@jfedstl.org
Academic Scholarships and Loans
Jewish Federation of St. Louis distributes a number of academic scholarships and interest-free loans to St. Louis area students. These scholarships are open to residents of the greater St. Louis metropolitan area, with a preference given to Jewish applicants, unless indicated. The applications will be open generally from January through mid-April. Apply online at https://stlouisgraduates.academicworks.com/opportunities/5143.
Awardees will be notified no later than the end of April. Please direct questions regarding any of these scholarships from the Jewish Federation of St. Louis to Karen Sher at KSher@JFedSTL.org or 314-442-3824.
THE LENTIN SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Established by Scott Lentin
Provides scholarships of up to $10,000 to high school juniors and seniors demonstrating financial need who have completed secondary school and are enrolling in full-time undergraduate degree programs or vocational programs at accredited nonprofit colleges or universities. Preference given to applicants of any faith connected to the Jewish community and first-generation college students.
THE BENJAMIN D. AND MIRIAM PESSIN EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FUND
Established in memory of Benjamin D. Pessin and Miriam Pessin by members of their immediate family
Provides $2,500 scholarships to qualified Jewish students demonstrating scholastic achievement and financial need pursuing a business degree.
THE RUTH GREENBERG MEMORIAL FUND FOR RABBINICAL TRAINING
Established by the late Ruth Greenberg
Provides $2,500 scholarships for rabbinical training for St. Louis residents demonstrating financial need and intent to pursue a career in the rabbinate.
THE SAM A. KESSLER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Established by friends of the late Sam A. Kessler
Provides a $1,000 scholarship for a local law school student demonstrating financial need and a willingness to contribute their time and talent to the Jewish community. Applicants must have resided in the St. Louis metropolitan area for no less than 10 years.
THE RICHARD L. LEVIS, JR. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Established in memory of Richard L. Levis, Jr. by his widow, Barbara Rosen
Provides up to $1,000 in scholarship money to Missouri area college or university students demonstrating scholastic achievement and financial need.
THE BLANCHE AND IRVING MILLER SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Established through a bequest from the estate of Blanche and Irving Miller
Provides $1,000 scholarships to deserving and qualified students enrolled in accredited colleges or universities who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in professional fields.
THE L. ALLEN ZORENSKY FINE ARTS LOAN FUND
Awards interest-free loans to students pursuing an education in fine arts or other arts at a post-secondary level at a recognized accredited academic institution. Loan recipients must sign a promissory note in which the recipient agrees to repay the loan, in full, within five years of graduation.
THE LOEB FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Made possible through the Louise & Benjamin, Marjorie & Harry Loeb Endowment
Provides grants or scholarships for as much as $5,000 annually for study at an accredited nonprofit institution, either a vocational, community, or four-year college. Awards are made to applicants from the local Jewish community, based on the potential to significantly improve an applicant’s long-term prospects and financial need, with preference given to first-generation students.
THE CYNTHIA AND GARRY SELTZER COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
Provides a renewable scholarship for $10,000 to a student who has demonstrated academic achievement, leadership skills and financial need. This scholarship will be available for the 2025-2026 academic year.