Jewish Film Institute
The Jewish Film Institute champions bold films and filmmakers that expand and evolve the Jewish story for audiences everywhere. Through its exhibition and artist development programs, JFI celebrates the spirit of film, inquiry, independence, collaboration, community, and inclusion to turn conversation into action, reframe understanding of Jewish cultures and identities, and nurture networks of filmmakers and artists. Its signature program, the annual San Francisco Jewish Film Festival (SFJFF), is the worlds first and most revered showcase of independent Jewish film, taking place throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. JFI provides significant support for filmmakers and artists exploring Jewish themes and identities, including the JFI Completion Grants, which provide finishing funds to jury-selected projects, and creative, marketing, and production support for its annual cohort of Filmmakers in Residence. JFI also presents the Mitzvah Series at assisted living facilities and penitentiari
Jewish Film Institute at a glance
In short: Jewish Film Institute gave $83K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $17K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $83,000
- +84.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- +150.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $16,600
- -26.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $1,596,513
- -27.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (88% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Jewish Film Institute
- Next open deadline
- January 31, 2027 (JFI Grants (Completion Funding Program))
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Jewish Film Institute
Who Jewish Film Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was My Teez Productions LLC ($35K). Together the top 5 received $83K.
Grant Size Distribution
7 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 7 grants of 7 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $45K (2023) to $83K (2024). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $83K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| My Teez Productions LLC Brooklyn, NY | Awards | $35,000 |
| Simcha Lieb Productions Brooklyn, NY | Awards | $18,000 |
| 11th Street Films LLC New York, NY | Awards | $10,000 |
| Interloper Films Inc Pasadena, CA | Awards | $10,000 |
| Teeny Motion Pictures LLC Brooklyn, NY | Awards | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,596,513 | $1,630,748 | $1,982,827 | $83,000 | 5 | $26,548 |
| 2023 | $2,204,785 | $1,969,391 | $1,868,963 | $45,000 | 2 | $26,103 |
| 2022 | $2,145,087 | $1,704,916 | $1,656,786 | — | — | $18,408 |
| 2021 | $1,771,567 | $1,768,083 | $1,297,530 | — | — | — |
| 2020 | $1,753,207 | $1,446,710 | $1,348,482 | — | — | — |
About Jewish Film Institute
Based on IRS filings
Jewish Film Institute is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in San Francisco, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $83K. Net investment income was $27K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Jewish Film Institute is led by Alexandra Leban, President & Executive Director since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 21 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Alexandra Leban
President & Executive Director
Executive Director → CEO, 2021
CEO → President & Executive Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$165K (2020) → $189K (2024)
Ralph Guggenheim
Board Chair
Director → Co-Chair, 2021
Co-Chair → Board Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jason Rosenberg
Audit Chair
Fellow No Vote → Audit Chair, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nate Gellman
Director of Development & Committee
Director → Director of Development & Committee, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$106K (2022) → $117K (2024)
Lori Campbell
Director
Director of Finance → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$116K (2021) → $0 (2024)
F Lawrence Ewing
Director of Finance
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$126K (2023) → $130K (2024)
Barbara Shragge
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Libitzky
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeanne Miller
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Lubeck Arnheim
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Hechinger
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Neil Fink
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ronnie Fuchs
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alexander Germanacos
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Pearce
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Victoria Stone
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Craig Seidel
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Cohen
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandra Monteko-Sherman
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Evan Abrams
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marissa Wertheimer
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (24)
- Former: Aviva Davis (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Jay Rosenblatt (2023) — Program Director
- Former: Lloyd Sacks (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Alex Austin (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Calvin Gibbs (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Jennifer H Rosenthal (2021–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Lori Horne (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Sandee Blechman (2021–2022) — Past Co-Chair
- Former: Vera K Hartford (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Benjamin Berkowitz (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Dan Granoff (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Eileen Ruby (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jenni Olson (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Liki Abrams (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Sam Salkin (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: David Meckler (2021) — Director
- Former: Diana Grand (2021) — Director
- Former: Ken Krug (2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Dave Meckler (2020) — Director
- Former: Diana Grand Co-Chair (2020) — Director
- Former: Jennifer Rosenthal Dir (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Ken Krug Dir (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Lori Campbell Fin Oper (2020) — Director
- Former: Sandee Blechman Co-Chair (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 $189K, to Alexandra Leban (President & ED). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Jewish Film Institute
How much does Jewish Film Institute give each year?
Jewish Film Institute gave $83K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $45K across 2 grants.
What is Jewish Film Institute's typical grant size?
Jewish Film Institute's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $16,600, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Jewish Film Institute give grants?
Jewish Film Institute gives mostly in New York: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Brooklyn, NY (3 grants).
Does Jewish Film Institute give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on Jewish Film Institute's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Awards" (5 grants).
Who are Jewish Film Institute's largest grantees?
Jewish Film Institute's largest 2024 grantees include My Teez Productions LLC ($35,000), Simcha Lieb Productions ($18,000) and 11th Street Films LLC ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 76% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Jewish Film Institute?
Jewish Film Institute reported $1.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.6M.
What is Jewish Film Institute?
Jewish Film Institute is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in San Francisco, CA. It holds $1.6M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Jewish Film Institute's EIN?
Jewish Film Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-2854068. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Jewish Film Institute funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Jewish Film Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from Jewish Film Institute'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 Film Institute down — hundreds of funders to go?