The Jewish Foundation of Memphis is a public charity and donor-advised fund organization established in 1995 to serve as the central philanthropic resource for the Memphis Jewish community. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, the Foundation works to secure the financial future of local Jewish institutions while engaging donors of all ages in charitable giving.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$100.7M
+18.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$11.8M
+32.2% YoY
Grant Count
141
+50.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$84K
-11.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission is threefold:
- Encourage charitable giving
- Support partner agency endowment development
- Build and sustain a vibrant Jewish community
The Foundation serves as a philanthropic resource for individuals and families seeking to achieve their charitable goals while supporting Memphis area Jewish institutions, agencies, and communal needs.
Grantmaking
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary focus on Memphis, Tennessee area with local and national grant distribution. The Foundation also makes grants nationally and internationally.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $84.8 million
- Total revenue: $15.5 million
- Total expenses: $10.3 million
- Total liabilities: $17.6 million
Historical Growth:
- Assets managed exceeded $110 million as of 2022
- Significant growth since 1995 charter
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $100,733,725 | $84,790,168 | $74,764,660 |
| Revenue | $16,429,527 | $15,538,711 | $22,059,555 |
| Expenses | $15,237,930 | $10,286,852 | $10,026,168 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,313,942 | $2,067,882 | $1,752,132 |
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Jewish Federations of North America ($2,049,417), Memphis Jewish Federation ($1,571,230), Kavod (ensuring Dignity for Holocaust Survivors) ($1,500,050).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| THE JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA NEW YORK, NY | FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE | $2,049,417 |
| MEMPHIS JEWISH FEDERATION GERMANTOWN, TN | FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE | $1,571,230 |
| KAVOD (ENSURING DIGNITY FOR HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS) GERMANTOWN, TN | FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE | $1,500,050 |
| TEMPLE ISRAEL MEMPHIS, TN | FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE | $629,213 |
| MEMPHIS JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER GERMANTOWN, TN | FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE | $547,686 |
| BARON HIRSCH CONGREGATION MEMPHIS, TN | FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE | $517,514 |
| MARGOLIN HEBREW ACADEMYFYOS MEMPHIS, TN | FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE | $482,979 |
| JFS AT THE MEMPHIS JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER MEMPHIS, TN | FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE | $380,408 |
| BORNBLUM JEWISH COMMUNITY SCHOOL MEMPHIS, TN | FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE | $374,467 |
| LAUSANNE COLLEGIATE SCHOOL MEMPHIS, TN | FOR EXEMPT PURPOSE | $255,100 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Laura Linder - President and CEO (leading the organization since 2001)
Founders & Original Board: The Foundation was established through efforts spearheaded by Steve Graber and Ronald Harkavy, who served as the organization's first president. The initial board of directors included: Ron Belz, Susan Chase, Mike Goldstein, Steve Graber, Mark Halperin, Ben Isenberg, Diane Mendelson, Hal Newburger, Max Ostrow, Nancy Robinson, Steve Wishnia, and Ed Young.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAURA LINDER | PRESIDENT/CEO | 1 | — |
| JASON SALOMON | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| PACE COOPER | SECRETARY/CHAIR ELECT | 1 | — |
| LAWSON ARNEY | VICE CHAIR FINANCE | 1 | — |
| ELKAN SCHEIDT | VICE CHAIR INVESTMENT | 1 | — |
| LAURIE MESKIN | CHAIR APPOINTEE | 1 | — |
| AILEEN COOPER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RICK FOGELMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ELLIOT KIERSKY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| REED LANDAU | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RON LAZAROV | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANTHONY MORRISON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| WENDY ROTTER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEFF WALLACE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation celebrated 30 years of impact in 2025, marking three decades of service to the Memphis Jewish community. Over its 30-year history, the Foundation has awarded $160 million in grants. The organization continues to engage the next generation of community philanthropists through programs like B'nai Tzedek, which celebrates young donors at annual grant receptions.
Jewish Foundation of Memphis - Grant Information & Application ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Jewish Foundation of Memphis fund?
The Foundation's mission is threefold: 1. Encourage charitable giving 2. Support partner agency endowment development 3. Build and sustain a vibrant Jewish community The Foundation serves as a philanthropic resource for individuals and families seeking to achieve their charitable goals while supporting Memphis area Jewish institutions, agencies, and communal needs.
How do I apply for a grant from Jewish Foundation of Memphis?
**Grant Distribution & Volume:** • Distributed $96.5 million between June 1995 and June 2022 • 63% of grants directed to Jewish organizations in Memphis; 37% to broader community • Distributed more than $21 million in charitable grants in 2023 • Serves 600+ charities annually • Ranked as the third largest grantmaker in Memphis in 2023 **Grant Types & Programs:** • Donor Advised Funds • Designated Endowment Funds • Family Supporting Organizations • B'nai Tzedek Funds (teen philanthropy program) …
Where does Jewish Foundation of Memphis make grants?
Primary focus on Memphis, Tennessee area with local and national grant distribution. The Foundation also makes grants nationally and internationally.
What size grants does Jewish Foundation of Memphis award?
In 2024, Jewish Foundation of Memphis awarded 141 grants totaling $11.8M — an average of about $84K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Jewish Foundation of Memphis's EIN?
Jewish Foundation of Memphis's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-1618399. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Jewish Foundation of Memphis'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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