Jewish Endowment Foundation
The Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana (JEF) is a public charity based in Metairie, Louisiana. Founded in 1967, it manages charitable funds and makes grants to Jewish and non-Jewish organizations that benefit the Jewish community and other communities.
Jewish Endowment Foundation at a glance
In short: Jewish Endowment Foundation gave $5.6M across 135 grants in 2024 (avg $42K), mostly in Louisiana. 23% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,636,090
- +16.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 135
- +15.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $41,749
- +1.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $100,051,386
- +8.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (31 of 135, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (67% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Jewish Endowment Foundation
- How to Apply
-
JEF’s website invites Louisiana 501(c)(3) organizations to submit an application for a General Fund grant for a program aligned with its mission and purpose. Applications are reviewed twice yearly, and the process may take up to two months. The website lists spring and fall application deadlines of March 1 and September 1, respectively; both 2026 deadlines have passed as of September 28, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1 Galleria Blvd 1040, Metairie, LA 70001
Phone: (504) 524-4559
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Jewish Endowment Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $2.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
578 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 472 grants of 578 (82%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
JEF’s General Fund application eligibility is limited to 501(c)(3) organizations in Louisiana, and the foundation says it prioritizes requests with a clear, direct impact on Jewish communities within the state. In 2024, 67% of grant dollars went to recipients in Louisiana. Other leading recipient states included New York (11%), Alabama (4%), Mississippi (4%), and the District of Columbia (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 135 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Jewish Endowment Foundation open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 31 of 135 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $50K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $19K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.2M (2021) to $5.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 135 grants totaling $5.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans Metairie, LA | Community Development | $1,049,096 |
| Touro Synagogue New Orleans, LA | Religion | $405,634 |
| Congregation Gates of Prayer Metairie, LA | Religion | $402,258 |
| Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience New Orleans, LA | General Operational Support | $223,215 |
| Jewish Community Day School Metairie, LA | Education | $196,865 |
| Henry S Jacobs Camp Utica, MS | Camping | $171,291 |
| Jewish Community Center New Orleans, LA | Community Development | $121,183 |
| Anti-Defamation League Atlanta, GA | Civil Rights | $98,730 |
| Tulane Hillel New Orleans, LA | Community Engagement | $96,915 |
| Jewish Family Service Metairie, LA | Human Service | $90,862 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
JEF reported holding $16,384,372 in custodial assets for agencies at December 31, 2024.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $100,051,386 | $9,312,988 | $7,070,276 | $5,636,090 | 135 | $2,206,924 |
| 2023 | $92,304,490 | $7,367,325 | $6,121,646 | $4,830,401 | 117 | $2,385,570 |
| 2022 | $85,038,091 | $15,593,156 | $6,845,303 | $5,528,461 | 102 | $2,361,607 |
| 2021 | $92,360,141 | $9,096,206 | $6,915,257 | $4,219,455 | 102 | $3,949,740 |
| 2020 | $82,341,177 | $20,397,840 | $6,008,018 | $4,796,290 | 122 | $2,121,135 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
JEF’s mission is to “ensure a secure future and an enduring legacy by serving as an essential resource for Jewish and non-Jewish philanthropy.” Its website describes General Fund grants as supporting programs across Louisiana that align with this mission, including new initiatives, successful programs ready to expand, and emerging critical needs. It also identifies limited funding for Jewish youth leadership, Jewish seniors’ needs, women’s education and development, and music and theater projects.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of its grants. The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans says it works to help community members explore and share their Jewish identities. The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience says it uses exhibitions, collections, and programs to explore Jewish history in the American South and encourage understanding of identity, diversity, and acceptance. Other 2024 recipients included religious congregations, schools, a camp, and organizations focused on community services and engagement.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, JEF reported 135 grants totaling $5,636,090. Grants ranged from $5,075 to $1,049,096, with a median of $15,000. Its website says the average grant distribution is approximately $2,500.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $1,049,096 to the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans for community development; $405,634 to Touro Synagogue and $402,258 to Congregation Gates of Prayer for religion; $223,215 to the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience for general operational support; and $196,865 to Jewish Community Day School for education.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on JEF’s 2024 filing included Alan Franco, president; Robert French, federation CEO; Robert B. Brickman, executive vice president; Jill Israel and Mark S. Stein, vice presidents; Morris Mintz, treasurer; and Edward L. Soll, MD, secretary. The filing also listed Mara Baumgarten Force as an at-large board member, Morton Katz as immediate past president, and Jessica Bach as a director.
Jewish Endowment Foundation is led by Robert French, Federation CEO on every filing since 2023; 1 of 37 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert French
Federation CEO
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
R. Justin Garon
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$156K (2023) → $161K (2024)
Alan Franco
President
Vice President → Executive Vice President, 2021
Executive Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Lake
Federation President
Federation Board Chair → Federation President, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cathy S. Glaser
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dana Shepard
Director
Assistant Secretary → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ellie Wainer
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Harry P. Lowenburg
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joan Brooks Cox
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John L. Haspel
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laurence Manshel
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robin M. Giarrusso
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shellie Jacobson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sidney C. Pulitzer Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey P. Good
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Bach
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leon H. Rittenberg III
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Zoller
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joshua Lichtman
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Green
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Dulitz
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Max Zwain
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alan Posner
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Israel
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily Kupperman
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Lessell
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Wilkins
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Heller
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Kaufman
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maureen Gershanik
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jill Israel
Vice President
Director → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mara Baumgarten Force
At-Large Board Member
Director → At-Large Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark S. Stein
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Morris F. Mintz
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Morton H. Katz
Immediate Past President
Vice President → President, 2021
President → Immediate Past President, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert B. Brickman
Executive Vice President
Vice President → Executive Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edward L. Soll MD
Secretary
At-Large Board Member → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (25)
- Former: Austin Marks (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Hirsch Katzen (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jay Corenswet (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Rose S. Sher (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Brian Katz (2021–2023) — Federation Board Chair
- Former: Molly Pulda (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Sue Daube (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Arnie Fielkow (2020–2022) — Federation CEO
- Former: Bobby Garon (2020–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Doris Gauthier (2020–2022) — Controller
- Former: Julie Wise Oreck (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Susan Hess (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Lawrence M. Lehmann (2021–2022) — Immediate Past President
- Former: Betsy Threefoot Kaston (2022) — Director
- Former: Howard Green (2022) — Director
- Former: Jack C. Benjamin Jr. (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Joseph H. Hart IV (2021) — Director
- Former: Andrea S. Lestelle (2020) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Howard Hirsch (2020) — Director
- Former: James Spiro (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Joshua Force (2020) — Federation Chair Executive Officio
- Former: Keith Katz (2020) — Director
- Former: Larry Lehmann (2020) — President
- Former: Michael Stern (2020) — Assistant Treasurer
- Former: William Norman Jr. (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $161K, to R Justin Garon (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Jewish Endowment Foundation
How much does Jewish Endowment Foundation give each year?
Jewish Endowment Foundation gave $5.6M across 135 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $4.8M across 117 grants.
What is Jewish Endowment Foundation's typical grant size?
Jewish Endowment Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $41,749, across 135 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Jewish Endowment Foundation that year got $13K on average.
Where does Jewish Endowment Foundation give grants?
Jewish Endowment Foundation gives mostly in Louisiana: 67% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were New Orleans, LA (38 grants), New York, NY (19 grants), Metairie, LA (14 grants) and Washington, DC (8 grants).
Does Jewish Endowment Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 19% of Jewish Endowment Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (26 of 135) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Religion" (20 grants), "Education" (19 grants) and "Human Service" (8 grants).
Who are Jewish Endowment Foundation's largest grantees?
Jewish Endowment Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans ($1,049,096), Touro Synagogue ($405,634) and Congregation Gates of Prayer ($402,258), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Jewish Endowment Foundation?
Jewish Endowment Foundation reported $100.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.3M.
What does Jewish Endowment Foundation fund?
JEF’s mission is to “ensure a secure future and an enduring legacy by serving as an essential resource for Jewish and non-Jewish philanthropy.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Jewish Endowment Foundation?
JEF’s website invites Louisiana 501(c)(3) organizations to submit an application for a General Fund grant for a program aligned with its mission and purpose. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Jewish Endowment Foundation's EIN?
Jewish Endowment Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 72-0638456. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 27, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 22, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Jewish Endowment Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Jewish Endowment Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 8, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/jewish-endowment-foundation-morg_5c3b8d4bbc6543ea84ba45a1fe1ee05f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_720638456_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Jewish Endowment Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/jewish-endowment-foundation-morg_5c3b8d4bbc6543ea84ba45a1fe1ee05f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-08. 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 Endowment Foundation'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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