Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA logo

Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA

Public charity · Grantmaker Harrisburg, PA EIN: 23-1352587 Website

The Jewish Community Foundation of Central Pennsylvania is a Harrisburg-based public charity that manages charitable funds and provides grant support to Jewish and non-Jewish organizations. The organization says it has helped individuals and organizations support Jewish and general community life in Central Pennsylvania and around the world since 1941.

Key facts about Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA

In short: Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA gave $2.0M across 31 grants in 2025 (avg $65K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 29% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

EIN
23-1352587
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$2,015,463
Grants made (2025)
31
Average grant
$65,015
Median grant
$15,096
New grantees (estimate)
29% first-time grantees (9 of 31, 2025)
Total assets
$67,893,486
Primary geography
Pennsylvania (91% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Accepts unsolicited proposals
No

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$67.9M

+24.8% YoY

Annual Giving

$2.0M

+15.2% YoY

Grant Count

31

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$65K

+15.2% YoY

Is Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA open to new grantees?

29%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 9 of 31 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $27K; repeat grants $81K. How we count

Medians: $8K first-time, $16K repeat.

  • 55% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 21% from 2022 to 2025. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The Foundation’s stated mission is to help individuals and organizations support Jewish and general community life in Central Pennsylvania and around the world. It provides grants to nonprofit organizations addressing social, cultural, and educational needs. Its program description also names health, welfare, education, and religious services, and says its funds support people in need.

The grantees listed in the 2025 filing illustrate a range of recipients. For example, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank says its mission is to solve hunger in the region, while the Harrisburg Symphony Association says it presents performances and educational programs to enrich Central Pennsylvania’s cultural life. The United Way of York County describes its work as helping working households achieve financial stability.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 31 grants totaling $2,015,463. The median grant was $15,096, with grants ranging from $5,300 to $822,177. Its largest grants included $822,177 to Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg, $253,612 to Jewish Family Service Greater Harrisburg, and $192,138 to Beth El Temple. Other substantial grants included $105,572 to Ohev Sholom Congregation in York and $98,986 to Chisuk Emuna Congregation.

The Foundation’s website says it does not accept unsolicited requests for grant applications. It says only organizations invited to apply will be considered and advises visitors to watch for updates about a future grant process, application materials, and deadlines.

Open Grants

3 open opportunities from Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The Foundation describes its work as serving Central Pennsylvania and supporting Jewish and general community life around the world. In 2025, 91% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania, 6% to New York, and 1% to Florida; Maryland and Virginia each accounted for 0% as reported.

Grant Distribution by State

10states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 31 itemized grants.

Cities

HarrisburgYorkNew YorkPhiladelphiaUniversity ParkBaltimoreCoral GablesEnolaState CollegeCarlisleLancasterWilliamsportMarsMerion StationAnnapolisBrooklynWashingtonChicagoJenkintownLakewood

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$1M$2M$3M31 grants2019 31 grants2020 32 grants2021 25 grants2022 28 grants2023 31 grants2024 31 grants2025

From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $968K (2019) to $2.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 31 grants totaling $2.0M.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Jewish Federation of GRTR HBG: $822KJewish Federation of GRTR HBG$822KJewish Family Service Greater HBG: $254KJewish Family Service GreaterHBG$254KBeth El Temple: $192KBeth El Temple$192KOhev Sholom Congregation - York: $106KOhev Sholom Congregation -York$106KChisuk Emuna Congregation: $99KChisuk Emuna Congregation$99KKesher Israel Congregation: $96KKesher Israel Congregation$96KNorth American Friends of Moed Inc: $75KNorth American Friends of MoedInc$75KThe Silver Academy: $56KThe Silver Academy$56KTemple Ohev Sholom: $44KTemple Ohev Sholom$44KKeiruv Inc: $35KKeiruv Inc$35K

The largest 2025 recipient was Jewish Federation of GRTR HBG ($822K). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.

Grant Size Distribution

147 grants across all recorded years

111<$50K19$50–100K10$100–250K4$250–500K3$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 111 grants of 147 (76%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Jewish Federation of GRTR HBG Harrisburg, PAGeneral Purpose$822,177
Jewish Family Service Greater HBG Harrisburg, PAGeneral Purpose$253,612
Beth El Temple Harrisburg, PAGeneral Purpose$192,138
Ohev Sholom Congregation - York York, PAGeneral Purpose$105,572
Chisuk Emuna Congregation Harrisburg, PAGeneral Purpose$98,986
Kesher Israel Congregation Harrisburg, PAGeneral Purpose$96,008
North American Friends of Moed Inc Woodmere, NYGeneral Purpose$75,000
The Silver Academy Harrisburg, PAGeneral Purpose$55,931
Temple Ohev Sholom Harrisburg, PAGeneral Purpose$44,354
Keiruv Inc York, PAGeneral Purpose$35,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants reported
2025 $67,893,486 $11,692,536 $3,301,391 $2,015,463
2024 $54,391,728 $9,625,729 $2,554,146 $1,749,373
2023 $41,425,581 $4,481,894 $2,139,158 $1,499,307
Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$5M$10M$15M$20M2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$67,893,486$54,391,728$41,425,581
Revenue$11,692,536$9,625,729$4,481,894
Expenses$3,301,391$2,554,146$2,139,158
Net Investment Income$1,774,687$1,122,907$744,328

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 13, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 14, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 13, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 11, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 15, 2025)
  6. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 19, 2020)
  7. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 15, 2026)
  8. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Paulette Keifer, Shelley Adler, William Adler, Zachary Benjamin, Michael Doctrow, Harvey Freedenberg, Daniel Grabenstein, Margaret Grotzinger, Peggy Grove, and Ivy Levine as officers or directors. Shelley Adler, Zachary Benjamin, Daniel Grabenstein, Peggy Grove, and Ivy Levine are listed as trustees; Margaret Grotzinger is listed as chair.

Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA is led by Margaret Grotzinger, Chair since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 27 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Margaret Grotzinger

    Chair

    Secretary → Vice Chair, 2021

    Vice Chair → Chair, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Alan Schein

    Trustee

    On filings since 2019

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Allison Siegelman

    Trustee

    Secretary → Trustee, 2020

    On filings since 2019

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Arlynn Weber

    Trustee

    On filings since 2019

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Elliott Weinstein

    Trustee

    On filings since 2019

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Peggy Grove

    Trustee

    Trustee → Allocations, 2020

    Allocations → Trustee, 2021

    On filings since 2019

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Samuel Levine

    Trustee

    Immediate Pa → Allocations, 2021

    Allocations → Trustee, 2025

    On filings since 2019

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Shelley Adler

    Trustee

    On filings since 2019

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Bruce Weber

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • David Spector

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Samara Sofian

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rick Miller

    Trustee

    On filings since 2023

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ivy Levine

    Trustee

    On filings since 2024

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ari Nepon

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Daniel Grabenstein

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael Siegel

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Robert Wolff

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Zachary Benjamin

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Paulette Keifer

    Executive Di

    On filings since 2019

    40 hrs/week

    $139K (2024) → $141K (2025)

  • Harvey Freedenberg

    Steering Cha

    Trustee → Steering Cha, 2020

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jennifer Ross

    Allocations

    Trustee → Allocations, 2025

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Joel Ressler

    Vice Chair

    Trustee → Secretary, 2024

    Secretary → Vice Chair, 2025

    On filings since 2019

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Lee Siegel

    Investment C

    Trustee → Investment C, 2020

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael Doctrow

    Immediate Pa

    Vice Chair → Chair, 2021

    Chair → Immediate Pa, 2025

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • William Walter

    Treasurer

    Trustee → Budget & Finan, 2024

    Budget & Finan → Treasurer, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • William Adler

    Senior Fund

    Trustee → Jcf Senior F, 2023

    Jcf Senior F → Senior Fund, 2025

    On filings since 2021

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Dan Schulder

    Secretary

    Trustee → Secretary, 2025

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (28)
  • Former: Josh Millman (2019–2024) — Immediate Pa
  • Former: Abby Smith (2020–2024) — Trustee
  • Former: Jennifer Kornfeld (2020–2024) — Trustee
  • Former: Sanford Cohen (2020–2024) — Trustee
  • Former: David Cohen (2024) — Trustee
  • Former: Stacy Feldman (2019–2023) — Trustee
  • Former: Edward Beck (2020–2023) — Trustee
  • Former: Arnie Sohinki (2023) — Interim Ex-Officio
  • Former: Bob Steinbach (2021–2022) — Trustee
  • Former: Jonah Geller (2021–2022) — Trustee
  • Former: Michael Reichman (2021–2022) — Trustee
  • Former: Jessica Brien (2021) — Trustee
  • Former: Dani Fessler (2019–2020) — Trustee
  • Former: Harvey Danowitz (2019–2020) — Trustee
  • Former: Robyn Chotiner (2019–2020) — Trustee
  • Former: Barry Gordon (2019) — Trustee
  • Former: Bill Walter (2019) — Trustee
  • Former: Carolyn Anner (2019) — Trustee
  • Former: Ed Beck (2019) — Trustee
  • Former: Gerald Morrison (2019) — Trustee
  • Former: Holly Engelman (2019) — Trustee
  • Former: Jennie Kornfeld (2019) — Trustee
  • Former: Karen Ball (2019) — Trustee
  • Former: Linda Goldstein (2019) — Trustee
  • Former: Maggie Grotzinger (2019) — Trustee
  • Former: Marty Rogoff (2019) — Trustee
  • Former: Rob Friedman (2019) — Trustee
  • Former: Sandy Cohen (2019) — Trustee

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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

Paulette Keifer — Executive Di: $141KPaulette KeiferExecutive Di$141K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $141K, to Paulette Keifer (Executive Di).

Contact

Mailing address: 2000 Linglestown Road Suite 301, Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 409-8220
Website: https://pajewishendowment.org

Frequently asked questions about Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA

How much does Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA give each year?

Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA gave $2.0M across 31 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.7M across 31 grants.

What is Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA's typical grant size?

Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA's median grant in 2025 was $15,096, and its average grant was $65,015, across 31 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA that year got $27K on average.

Where does Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA give grants?

Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Harrisburg, PA (10 grants), York, PA (5 grants), New York, NY (2 grants) and State College, PA (2 grants).

Does Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (31 of 31) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.

Who are Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA's largest grantees?

Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA's largest 2025 grantees include Jewish Federation of GRTR HBG ($822,177), Jewish Family Service Greater HBG ($253,612) and Beth El Temple ($192,138), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA?

Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA reported $67.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.7M.

What does Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA fund?

The Foundation’s stated mission is to help individuals and organizations support Jewish and general community life in Central Pennsylvania and around the world. It provides grants to nonprofit organizations addressing social, cultural, and educational needs. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA?

Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check pajewishendowment.org for any change to that policy.

What is Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA's EIN?

Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-1352587. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.

Does Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA accept unsolicited proposals?

No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/jewish-community-foundation-of-central-pa-morg_8282caa20d5040209bfd3e319b511330

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_231352587_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/jewish-community-foundation-of-central-pa-morg_8282caa20d5040209bfd3e319b511330},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA'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.

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