Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation
Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation, based in Durham, North Carolina, is a public charity formed in 1998. Its stated work includes strengthening Jewish connections and relationships to Israel, helping people in need, promoting healthy living, and supporting charitable giving.
Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation at a glance
In short: Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation gave $390K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $35K), mostly in North Carolina. 9% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $390,314
- +3.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- -15.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $35,483
- +22.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $13,174
- Total assets
- $27,203,258
- +2.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 9% first-time grantees (1 of 11, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (96% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation
- Review Cycle
- The listed deadline for both Camp Shelanu financial aid and the Sam Stern Memorial Sabra Scholarship is January 10, 2027.
- Deadline
- The listed deadline for both Camp Shelanu financial aid and the Sam Stern Memorial Sabra Scholarship is January 10,…
- Next open deadline
- January 10, 2027 (Camp Shelanu Financial Aid)
- Contact
Mailing address: 1937 W Cornwallis Road, Durham, NC 27705
Phone: (919) 354-4936
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation
Camp Shelanu Financial Aid
Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Expected ~January
Based on past cycles
Sam Stern Memorial Sabra Scholarship
Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation
Amount
2 weeks free camp tuition
Deadline
Expected ~January
Based on past cycles
Who Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Beth El Synagogue ($188K). Together the top 10 received $384K.
Grant Size Distribution
51 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 43 grants of 51 (84%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The federation’s filing describes its engaging department as serving Durham, Orange, and Chatham counties. In 2025, 96% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina and 4% to recipients in Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation open to new grantees?
9%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 11 grantees (9%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $38K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $14K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $197K (2022) to $438K (2020). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $390K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Beth El Synagogue Durham, NC | General Support | $187,795 |
| Kehillah Synagogue Chapel Hill, NC | General Support | $65,286 |
| UNC Health Foundation Chapel Hill, NC | General Support | $35,000 |
| Judea Reform Congregation Durham, NC | General Support | $33,676 |
| Friends of the Arava Institute Newton Center, MA | General Support | $15,000 |
| NC Hillel Foundation Chapel Hill, NC | General Support | $13,174 |
| Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Raleigh, NC | General Support | $11,933 |
| Triangle Jewish Chorale Durham, NC | General Support | $9,000 |
| Durham Literacy Center Foundation Durham, NC | General Support | $6,950 |
| Triangle Land Conservancy Durham, NC | General Support | $6,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $27,203,258 | $9,992,482 | $9,907,136 | $390,314 | 11 | $261,697 |
| 2024 | $26,424,870 | $8,484,594 | $8,408,945 | $377,128 | 13 | $204,636 |
| 2023 | $22,023,432 | $7,970,741 | $5,298,399 | $306,869 | 10 | $203,667 |
| 2022 | $15,860,500 | $8,016,174 | $4,185,238 | $197,269 | 7 | $1,056,016 |
| 2021 | $14,033,252 | $5,587,897 | $4,240,567 | $306,884 | 10 | $68,168 |
| 2020 | $12,274,420 | $4,164,300 | $4,100,009 | $438,171 | 11 | $148,594 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The federation’s stated mission is to provide opportunities that deepen Jewish connections, knowledge, and relationships to Israel; services for people in need; healthy-living programs; and pathways for charitable giving. Its filing describes programs spanning whole-person wellness, community life, social services for adults and families, and Jewish education for children from newborns through fifth grade.
The 2025 grants included general support for organizations with varied missions. For example, UNC Health Foundation says it inspires philanthropic support for UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine; North Carolina Hillel Foundation says it empowers Jewish college students through community and transformative experiences; and Durham Literacy Center says it helps Durham County residents improve their literacy skills. Other recipients describe work in reproductive health care, land conservation, and services for people experiencing homelessness and poverty.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the federation reported 11 grants totaling $390,314. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $187,795, with a median of $13,174. All 11 listed grants were for general support.
The largest reported grants were $187,795 to Beth El Synagogue in Durham, $65,286 to Kehillah Synagogue in Chapel Hill, $35,000 to UNC Health Foundation in Chapel Hill, and $33,676 to Judea Reform Congregation in Durham. Other listed recipients included Friends of the Arava Institute ($15,000), North Carolina Hillel Foundation ($13,174), Planned Parenthood South Atlantic ($11,933), Triangle Jewish Chorale ($9,000), Durham Literacy Center ($6,950), Triangle Land Conservancy ($6,500), and Urban Ministries of Durham ($6,000).
For organizational grants, the federation says it uses an application process that reviews recipients’ financial information and impact measures. At the next year’s application, organizations report how the prior year’s grant was spent and its impact. For individual financial assistance, the filing describes an in-person assessment and review of two bank statements or tax returns and income-source documentation.
The federation also lists two need-based camp assistance programs. Camp Shelanu financial aid supports tuition for its day camp in Durham County; families may also request payment plans or a reduced weekly deposit. The Sam Stern Memorial Sabra Scholarship provides one camper entering grades 6–8 with two weeks of tuition for Camp Sabra, with priority for applicants from under-represented groups. Jewish community membership is not required for that scholarship. These are participant assistance programs, not grants to outside organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Ari Medoff as president; Elizabeth Singer as vice president; Christy Brooks as secretary; Charlotte Kropff as treasurer; Bryna Rapp as immediate past president; Ellen Pizer as president elect; Peter Ornstein as allocations representative; Deb Friedman as governance representative; Scott Randell as helping representative; and Shahar Koval sky as Israel Center representative.
Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation is led by Jill Madsen, CEO on every filing since 2020; 1 of 26 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jill Madsen
CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$141K (2020) → $201K (2025)
Ari Medoff
President
Member at Large → President Elect, 2022
President Elect → President, 2024
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bryna Rapp
Immediate Past President
President Elect & Jcc Representative → President, 2022
President → Immediate Past President, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christy Brooks
Secretary
Community Midrasha Representative → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael James
Building & Grounds Representative
Member at Large → Vice President, 2021
Vice President → Building & Grounds Representative, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alice Levinson
Member at Large
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Singer
Vice President
Member at Large → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ellen Pizer
President Elect
Member at Large → President Elect, 2024
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Irene Skowronek
Member at Large
Jcrc Representative → Member at Large, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter Ornstein
Allocations Representative
Allocations Representative → Allociations Representative, 2022
Allociations Representative → Allocations Representative, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Randell
Helping Representative
Jfs Representative → Helping Representative, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amanda Maris
Member at Large
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauri Klein
Member at Large
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deb Friedman
Governance Representative
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rose Mills
Personnel Representative
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shahar Kovalsky
Isreal Center Representative
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charlotte Kropff
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dan Norber
Member at Large
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jan Tuchinsky
Foundation Representative
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Koweek
Develoment Representative
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Josh Zarkin
Member at Large
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marj Wolf
Living Representative
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tammy Kom
Learning Representative
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alan Metz
Member at Large
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Mickey Eshel
Member at Large
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rabbi Solomon Hoffman
Rabbi
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (24)
- Former: Jacob Klapper (2023–2024) — Member at Large
- Former: Rabbi Matt Soffer (2023–2024) — Rabbi
- Former: Carol Haynes (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Eric Wittle (2020–2023) — Immediate Past President
- Former: Howard Glicksman (2020–2023) — Jcf Representative
- Former: Leah Austin (2020–2023) — Giving Respresentative
- Former: Rachel Bearman (2020–2023) — Member at Large
- Former: Shula Bernard (2020–2023) — Member at Large
- Former: Sue Egnoto (2022–2023) — Living Representative
- Former: Bill Zoffer (2020–2022) — Governance Representative
- Former: Jonathan Dayan (2020–2022) — Israel Center Representative
- Former: Elaine Marcus (2021–2022) — Personnel
- Former: Rabbi Laura Lieber (2021–2022) — Member at Large
- Former: Jeff Collins (2020–2021) — Member at Large
- Former: Larry Rocamora (2020–2021) — Past President
- Former: Bob Schwartz (2020) — Jcrc Representative
- Former: Ellen Singer (2020) — Jfs Representative
- Former: Emma Blass (2020) — Member at Large
- Former: Jenna Hyland (2020) — Member at Large
- Former: Karen Berman (2020) — Member at Large
- Former: Lisa Brachman (2020) — Member at Large
- Former: Phil Singer (2020) — Past President
- Former: Rabbi Elana Friedman (2020) — Member at Large
- Former: Sam Horowitz (2020) — Allocations Representative
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $201K, to Jill Madsen (CEO).
Frequently asked questions about Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation
How much does Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation give each year?
Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation gave $390K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $377K across 13 grants.
What is Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation's typical grant size?
Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation's median grant in 2025 was $13,174, and its average grant was $35,483, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation that year got $9K on average.
Where does Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation give grants?
Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation gives mostly in North Carolina: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Durham, NC (6 grants) and Chapel Hill, NC (3 grants).
Does Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 11) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation's largest grantees?
Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation's largest 2025 grantees include Beth El Synagogue ($187,795), Kehillah Synagogue ($65,286) and UNC Health Foundation ($35,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 74% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation?
Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation reported $27.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $10.0M.
What does Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation fund?
The federation’s stated mission is to provide opportunities that deepen Jewish connections, knowledge, and relationships to Israel; services for people in need; healthy-living programs; and pathways for charitable giving. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation?
Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation's EIN?
Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-1384316. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 23, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 22, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/durham-chapel-hill-jewish-federation-morg_6f43917046a345f7aab4e69c890ddd18
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_581384316_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/durham-chapel-hill-jewish-federation-morg_6f43917046a345f7aab4e69c890ddd18},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation down — hundreds of funders to go?