Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee
The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville is a public charity based in Nashville, Tennessee. Established in 1936, it describes itself as the central voluntary communal organization of the Jewish community, working through fundraising, planning, and community relations to support Jewish life locally, in Israel, and around the world.
Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee at a glance
In short: Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee gave $2.7M across 43 grants in 2024 (avg $62K), mostly in Tennessee. 40% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,670,215
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- Average grant
- $62,098
- Median grant
- $11,000
- Total assets
- $43,389,309
- +1.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (17 of 43, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (76% 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 Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee
- Contact
Mailing address: 801 Percy Warner Boulevard 102, Nashville, TN 37205
Phone: (615) 352-0056
Website: https://jewishnashville.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Gordon Jewish Community Center ($566K). Together the top 10 received $2.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
231 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 183 grants of 231 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Federation’s mission and website describe work in Nashville and Middle Tennessee, Israel, and around the world. In the 2024 filing, 76% of grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee, 14% to New York, 4% to Colorado, 2% to Florida, and 2% to Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 17 of 43 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $61K; repeat grants $63K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $12K repeat.
- 40% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+3%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.0M (2022) to $3.7M (2023, 18 months). In 2024 it made 43 grants totaling $2.7M.
*2023: Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Gordon Jewish Community Center Nashville, TN | General Program Support | $565,975 |
| Vanderbilt Hillel Ben Schulman Center for Jewish Life Nashville, TN | General Program Support | $381,327 |
| Akiva School Nashville, TN | General Program Support | $340,921 |
| Friends of United Hatzalah New York, NY | General Program Support | $261,000 |
| Jewish Family Service Nashville, TN | General Program Support | $196,957 |
| The Temple Ohabai Sholom Nashville, TN | General Program Support | $174,153 |
| Jewish Upper School of Nashville Nashville, TN | General Program Support | $120,400 |
| Jewish Community Centers of Denver Denver, CO | General Program Support | $100,000 |
| Congregation Sherith Israel Nashville, TN | General Program Support | $54,339 |
| American Technion Society New York, NY | General Program Support | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 filing reports assets of $43,389,309, revenue of $5,491,417, and expenses of $5,935,072. Grant figures below are the filing’s reported grant sums and counts.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $43,389,309 | $5,491,417 | $5,935,072 | $2,670,215 | 43 | $1,918,371 |
| 2023* | $42,888,894 | $7,853,136 | $8,059,016 | $3,702,497 | 69 | $3,221,460 |
| 2022 | $40,918,621 | $7,283,638 | $4,441,468 | $2,038,351 | 45 | $3,274,956 |
| 2021 | $41,624,552 | $4,668,273 | $4,954,934 | $2,587,423 | 33 | $1,692,192 |
| 2020 | $35,174,786 | $4,594,911 | $4,622,710 | $2,491,815 | 41 | $1,792,978 |
| 2019 | $36,733,253 | $5,285,436 | $4,997,638 | $2,863,387 | 50 | $1,859,474 |
*2023: Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Federation’s stated mission is to promote the welfare, viability, and cohesiveness of the Jewish community in Nashville and Middle Tennessee and to ensure the continuity of the Jewish people locally, in Israel, and around the world. Its filing also describes charitable support to secular and nonsecular charitable organizations, education about Judaism and Israel, and publication of a monthly newspaper about local and global issues affecting the Jewish community.
The Federation’s website describes support for education and Jewish identity, including school and camp scholarships; safety-net services such as kosher food boxes, senior services, and financial assistance; community programs; and Israel and global Jewry. Examples of grantee missions illustrate the range of organizations it supports: Akiva School says it pursues academic excellence and informed Jewish living; Friends of United Hatzalah says it funds nonprofit medical and trauma-related first-responder services, focusing most support on emergency medical services in Israel; and Our Place Nashville says it works to create affordable homes, meaningful jobs, and inclusive communities for adults with developmental disabilities.
Grantmaking
The 2024 filing lists 43 grants totaling $2,670,215. Awards ranged from $5,100 to $565,975, with a median of $11,000. The Federation’s grants webpage separately reports $1,907,846 awarded in 2024 to the Jewish community in Nashville and around the globe.
The largest grants listed in the 2024 filing were to Gordon Jewish Community Center ($565,975), Vanderbilt Hillel Ben Schulman Center for Jewish Life ($381,327), Akiva School ($340,921), Friends of United Hatzalah ($261,000), and Jewish Family Service ($196,957). Each was listed with the purpose “general program support.” The website also describes scholarships and other support for individuals and families; those participant supports are distinct from grants to outside organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Leslie Kirby as president, with an end date of November 2024; Aron Karabel as vice president; Jacob Kleinrock as treasurer; and Arlene Averbuch, Harold Benus, David Bockian, Mary Cornelius, Lindsey Danzinger, Seth Goldberg, and Amy Goldstein as directors.
Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee is led by Dan Horwitz, CEO on every filing since 2023; 4 of 29 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Dan Horwitz
CEO
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$95K (2023) → $231K (2024)
Leslie Kirby
President
Treasurer → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Oleshansky
Community Relations Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$101K (2023) → $113K (2024)
Jason Sparks
Director & CDO
Director → Director & CDO, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$107K (2024)
Adam Dretler
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Batia Karabel
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cara Suvall
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mindy Hirt
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Hirsch
Director
President → Past President, 2022
Past President → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Goldstein
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Bockian
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hayley Levy
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jacob Kupin
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lana Pargh
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Townsend
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anna Stern
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Arlene Averbuch
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Becca Groner
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Mirowitz
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Harold Benus
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lindsey Danzinger
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Cornelius
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ori Hart
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rabbi Joshua Kullock
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Seth Goldberg
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Becky Gunn
CFO
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$126K (2023) → $138K (2024)
Aron Karabel
Vice President
Vice President → Board Member, 2022
Board Member → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christie Wiemers
Secretary
Secretary → Director, 2023
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jacob Kleinrock
Treasurer
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (29)
- Former: Dan Weisman (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Adam Landa (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Eric Stillman (2019–2022) — CEO
- Former: Lori Fishel (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Brad Greenbaum (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Ellie Flier (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Gary Fradkin (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Sam Averbuch (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Michael Simon (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Andrew May (2022) — President
- Former: Rabbi Saul Strosberg (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Steven Remer (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Fred Zimmerman (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Lisa Perlen (2019–2021) — Past President
- Former: Mark Kaplan (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Tara Axelroth (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Rabbi Mark Schiftan (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Micheal Simon (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Carol Hyatt (2019) — Immediate Past President
- Former: David Levy (2019) — Board Member
- Former: David Steine Jr. (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Frank Boehm (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Hilary Diskin (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Janet Weismark (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Leslie Newman (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Mark Cohen (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Michael Doochin (2019) — Treasurer
- Former: Rabbi Yitzchok Tiechtel (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Suzanne Schulman (2019) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 $231K, to Dan Horwitz (CEO). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee
How much does Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee give each year?
Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee gave $2.7M across 43 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.7M across 69 grants. The 2023 filing year covers 18 months because its fiscal year-end changed.
What is Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee's typical grant size?
Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee's median grant in 2024 was $11,000, and its average grant was $62,098, across 43 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee that year got $61K on average.
Where does Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee give grants?
Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee gives mostly in Tennessee: 76% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Nashville, TN (17 grants), New York, NY (6 grants), Philadelphia, PA (2 grants) and Davie, FL (2 grants).
Does Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (43 of 43) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee's largest grantees?
Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee's largest 2024 grantees include Gordon Jewish Community Center ($565,975), Vanderbilt Hillel Ben Schulman Center for Jewish Life ($381,327) and Akiva School ($340,921), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee?
Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee reported $43.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.5M.
What does Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee fund?
The Federation’s stated mission is to promote the welfare, viability, and cohesiveness of the Jewish community in Nashville and Middle Tennessee and to ensure the continuity of the Jewish people locally, in Israel, and around the world. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee?
Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check jewishnashville.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee's EIN?
Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-6077703. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 6, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 18, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 6, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/jewish-federation-of-nashville-and-middle-tennessee-morg_d7edc7641ab240bc837d1afc3d7a18bb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_626077703_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/jewish-federation-of-nashville-and-middle-tennessee-morg_d7edc7641ab240bc837d1afc3d7a18bb},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-06. 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 Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee'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.
Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee down — hundreds of funders to go?