Jewish Federation of San Diego County
The Jewish Federation of San Diego County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in San Diego, California, dedicated to building a vibrant, caring, connected, and enduring Jewish community. Founded in 1936, the organization serves as the community's central fundraising and resource mobilization entity, touching the lives of over 30,000 individuals in San Diego County annually through programs subsidized by the Federation.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$32.6M
+72.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.5M
+47.1% YoY
Grant Count
42
+7.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$106K
+36.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Federation's mission is to broaden and deepen engagement in Jewish life, strengthen Jewish identity, and foster dynamic connections with Israel while caring for all Jews in need. The organization mobilizes community resources, leaders, and organizations to address critical needs locally, in Israel, and around the world.
Primary Focus Areas:
Caring for Jews in Need
- Supporting and engaging local Holocaust survivors
- Responding to Jewish poverty
- Jewish chaplaincy services
Building a Vibrant Jewish Future
- Supporting young families and children through One Happy Camper Grants
- Engaging teens in Jewish life through teen travel subsidies, teen wellness and resilience programs, and the Peter & Elaine Chortek BRIDGE Initiative
- Connecting with Israel and global Jewry through immersive travel opportunities
Grantmaking
The Federation functions as both a grantmaker and fundraising organization. Based on the most recent tax filings, the organization distributed approximately $3.2 million in grants in 2023.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Federation's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, with additional activity in New York and Tennessee. Locally, the organization serves San Diego County and the broader San Diego region.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending June 2023:
- Total Assets: $18,941,309
- Total Revenue: $7,849,261
- Total Expenses: $8,855,509
- Total Liabilities: $2,180,000
- Number of Employees: 29
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $32,572,522 | $18,941,309 | $19,018,903 |
| Revenue | $25,666,223 | $7,849,261 | $5,373,334 |
| Expenses | $14,152,657 | $8,855,509 | $6,262,617 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $313,254 | $107,370 | $50,327 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
146 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Jewish Federations of North America ($2,312,092), Joint Distribution Committee ($329,900), Secure Community Network ($293,545).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AJC SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO, CA | ANTISEMITISM | $25,000 |
| BEIT BERL COLLEGE - PEF ISRAEL ENDOWMENT FUNDS INC NEW YORK, NY | YOUTH SERVICES | $25,000 |
| BETH JACOB CONGREGATION & CENTER SAN DIEGO, CA | YOUTH SERVICES/SECURITY | $7,500 |
| CAMP MOUNTAIN CHAI SAN DIEGO, CA | SCHOLARSHIPS | $75,000 |
| CAMP RAMAH DENVER, CO | SCHOLARSHIPS | $11,500 |
| CHABAD HEBREW ACADEMY SAN DIEGO, CA | SECURITY/LEADERSHIP | $16,860 |
| CHABAD OF SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO, CA | SECURITY | $10,000 |
| CHAI PRESCHOOL AND INFANT CENTER POWAY, CA | SECURITY | $16,500 |
| CONGREGATION BETH AM SAN DIEGO, CA | YOUTH SERVICES/SECURITY/LEADERSHIP | $28,940 |
| CONGREGATION BETH EL LA JOLLA, CA | YOUTH SERVICES/SECURITY/LEADERSHIP | $28,580 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- President & CEO: Ms. Heidi Gantwerk
- Chief Planning and Strategy Officer: Darren Schwartz
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALLISON HAUSER ERICKSON | DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| BETH SIRULL | PERMANENT GUEST (JCF CEO | 1 | — |
| DAVID BARK | BOARD CHAIR | 5 | — |
| DAVID BRAMZON | DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| DEBBIE KORNBERG | DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| ELIZABETH WEINRIB | WOMEN'S PHILANTHROPY BOARD CHAIR | 1 | — |
| ELLIOT SCOTT | DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| GRAEME GABRIEL | JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION BOARD CHAIR | 1 | — |
| GURI STARK | DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| HEIDI GANTWERK | PRESIDENT & CEO | 50 | $291,030 |
| HOWARD SOMERS | DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| INGRAM LOSNER | DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| JACK MAIZEL | IMMEDIATE PAST BOARD CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JEFF SCHINDLER | VICE CO-CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JOSH FEDER | DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| JUDI GOTTSCHALK | DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| JULIE DATNOW | DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| JUNE CHOCHELES | WOMEN'S PHILANTHROPY BOARD CHAIR | 1 | — |
| KIRA FINKENBERG | DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| LARRY KATZ | VICE CHAIR AND SECRETARY/TREASURER | 1 | — |
| LISA KORNFELD | DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| LISA PEARL | WOMEN'S PHILANTHROPY BOARD CHAIR | 1 | — |
| MERYL MANEKER | DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| ROBERT RUBENSTEIN | DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| SARAH SHEKHTER | DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| SETH KROSNER | DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| SILVANA CHRISTY | DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| SIMONE ABELSOHN | DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| SONIA ISRAEL | VICE CO-CHAIR | 1 | — |
| SUZANNE SLATKIN | CFO | 50 | $167,294 |
| URI FELDMAN | DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| CARLY EZELL LOBENSTEIN | CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | 40 | $110,446 |
| DARREN SCHWARTZ | CHIEF PLANNING & STRATEGY | 40 | $166,597 |
| SCOTT MCGRATH | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 40 | $197,049 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Federation received significant grant funding to support Jewish institutional security:
$8.75M Tepper Grant to Help Protect Jewish Preschools in San Diego\_ - Jewish\**$8.75 Million Tepper Grant** to help protect Jewish preschools in San Diego
$8.75M Tepper Grant to Help Protect Jewish Preschools in San Diego\_ - Jewish\**$1.39 Million in State Grants** awarded to San Diego Jewish institutions
$8.75M Tepper Grant to Help Protect Jewish Preschools in San Diego\_ - Jewish\The organization has also announced a **$3 Million investment** in the Jewish future of the community.
S.D. Jewish Institutions to Receive $1.39 Million in State GrantsFrequently Asked Questions
What does Jewish Federation of San Diego County fund?
The Federation's mission is to broaden and deepen engagement in Jewish life, strengthen Jewish identity, and foster dynamic connections with Israel while caring for all Jews in need. The organization mobilizes community resources, leaders, and organizations to address critical needs locally, in Israel, and around the world. **Caring for Jews in Need** • Supporting and engaging local Holocaust survivors • Responding to Jewish poverty • Jewish chaplaincy services **Building a Vibrant Jewish Futur…
How do I apply for a grant from Jewish Federation of San Diego County?
The Federation functions as both a grantmaker and fundraising organization. Based on the most recent tax filings, the organization distributed approximately $3.2 million in grants in 2023. **Grant Activity:** • Total giving (2023): $3,208,981 • Typical award range: $6,000–$1,458,388 • Primary grant recipients include The Jewish Federations of North America and the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego **Focus Areas for Grantmaking:** • Education • Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking •…
Where does Jewish Federation of San Diego County make grants?
The Federation's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, with additional activity in New York and Tennessee. Locally, the organization serves San Diego County and the broader San Diego region.
What size grants does Jewish Federation of San Diego County award?
In 2024, Jewish Federation of San Diego County awarded 42 grants totaling $4.5M — an average of about $106K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Jewish Federation of San Diego County's EIN?
Jewish Federation of San Diego County's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-1319015. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Jewish Federation of San Diego County's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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