Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc (JHFE) is a grantmaking organization based in Louisville, Kentucky. The organization was established in 2012 following the sale of Jewish Hospital, which had operated since 1903. JHFE operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity with a staff of 6-9 employees and serves as a philanthropic institution dedicated to improving community health, advancing medical research, and supporting the Jewish community.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$305.5M
+5.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.4M
-9.6% YoY
Grant Count
36
+2.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$235K
-12.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
JHFE's mission is to support the Jewish Heritage Mitzvah Fund and to support the medical and general community of Kentucky (excluding Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties) and Floyd, Clark, Harrison, and Scott counties in Indiana through:
- Scientific and medical education and research
- Supporting Jewish communities
- Supporting public health and wellness
The organization's primary funding focus areas include:
- Jewish Community Excellence Grants — promoting a vibrant Jewish community in the Louisville metropolitan area and Commonwealth of Kentucky, with priorities including Jewish Identity & Community, Creating Sustainability within the Jewish Community, Jewish Education, and Senior Jewish Adult programs
- Medical research and biomedical advancement
- Healthcare and public health initiatives
- Jewish community support and engagement
Grantmaking
JHFE has invested over $101 million in more than 120 not-for-profit organizations since its establishment in 2012. Recent grant activity includes:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
JHFE primarily funds organizations in:
- Kentucky — statewide focus (excluding Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties)
- Indiana — Floyd, Clark, Harrison, and Scott counties
- Secondary funding in New York and Michigan
The organization maintains particular emphasis on the Louisville metropolitan area for Jewish community initiatives.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $288,402,472
- Total Revenue: $12,178,982
- Total Expenses: $11,650,390
- Total Giving: $8,446,819
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $305,468,894
The organization maintains a strong financial position with a 96% rating score reflecting excellent accountability and financial management.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $305,468,894 | $288,402,472 | $261,077,404 |
| Revenue | $20,887,886 | $12,178,982 | $11,580,328 |
| Expenses | $10,821,121 | $11,650,390 | $14,584,645 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $20,887,886 | $12,178,982 | $11,580,328 |
| 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
176 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Louisville Foundation ($1,765,142), Jewish Community of Louisville ($1,298,778), Home of the Innocents ($1,000,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2NOT1 LOUISVILLE, KY | RITES OF PASSAGE 2.0 | $85,000 |
| ADATH JESHURUN LOUISVILLE, KY | MELTON, PRESCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS, SYNAGOGUE ANNUAL FLEXIBLE FUNDING | $168,175 |
| ANSHEI SFARD LOUISVILLE, KY | SYNAGOGUE ANNUAL FLEXIBLE FUNDING | $25,000 |
| BACKSIDE LEARNING CENTER LOUISVILLE, KY | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT | $50,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS HAVEN LOUISVILLE, KY | INDEPENDENT READINESS | $100,000 |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF LOUISVILLE LOUISVILLE, KY | BOARD APPRECIATION | $7,500 |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY OF LOUISVILLE LOUISVILLE, KY | SAFE LOUISVILLE, ANNUAL FEDERATION CAMPAIGN, SECURITY FOR LOUISVILLE JEWISH SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTIONS, COMMUNITY PLANNING INITIATIVE, PRESCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS, JEWISH JOURNEYS | $1,298,778 |
| JEWISH FAMILY AND CAREER SERVICES LOUISVILLE, KY | RETIREE PLANNING AND YOUTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT | $444,565 |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF THE BLUEGRASS LEXINGTON, KY | COMMUNITY EXPANSION INITIATIVE | $225,000 |
| JEWISH HERITAGE MITZVAH FUND LOUISVILLE, KY | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $33,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key staff members identified include:
- Andrew Trager-kusman — Board Member
- Jaime Jorrisch — Program Director
- Tiffany Fabing — Program Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR KAREN ABRAMS | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM ALTMAN | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| DR SHELLIE BRANSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JON GOLDBERG | EX-OFFICIO (PREVIOUS) | 1 | — |
| JACKIE RICHARDSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| SANDY HAMMOND | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DR NANCY MARTIN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DR URSULA MULLINS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ERIC SCHWARTZ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| LINDA SCHUSTER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DR GERALD TEMES | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ANDREW TRAGER-KUSMAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER TUVLIN | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| MARC CHARNAS | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| AMY LAPINSKI | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| RICHARD SCHULTZ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| REED WEINBERG | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| GLENN LEVINE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| BETSY BENNETT | TRUSTEE (PREVIOUS) | 1 | — |
| ERIC GOODMAN | TRUSTEE (PREVIOUS) | 1 | — |
| ROBIN STRATTON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JULIA RICHERSON | TRUSTEE (PREVIOUS) | 1 | — |
| BRUCE ROTH | TRUSTEE (PREVIOUS) | 1 | — |
| MARK SWITOW | TRUSTEE (PREVIOUS) | 1 | — |
| JEFF POLSON | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 40 | $299,712 |
| TIFFANY FABING | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 40 | $118,558 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2024**: University of Louisville received $3 million from JHFE to strengthen biomedical research and core research facilities. This grant marks more than $40 million combined donated by JHFE through a decade-long partnership with the university.
Jim Joseph Foundation Invests more than $23.7 million in Jewish Educator**Cumulative Impact**: Since 2012, JHFE has made gifts totaling more than $89 million to more than 110 nonprofit organizations focused on improving health outcomes.
The organization maintains an active grantmaking program with ongoing support for Jewish community initiatives, medical research advancement, and public health and wellness projects throughout its service region.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc fund?
JHFE's mission is to support the Jewish Heritage Mitzvah Fund and to support the medical and general community of Kentucky (excluding Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties) and Floyd, Clark, Harrison, and Scott counties in Indiana through: • Scientific and medical education and research • Supporting Jewish communities • Supporting public health and wellness The organization's primary funding focus areas include: • **Jewish Community Excellence Grants** — promoting a vibrant Jewish community in t…
How do I apply for a grant from Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc?
JHFE has invested over $101 million in more than 120 not-for-profit organizations since its establishment in 2012. Recent grant activity includes: • **Jewish Community of Louisville** — $2,317,136 (2023) for Outreach and Engagement Programs, Louisville Stands With Israel Campaign, Program Support, Safe Louisville, Annual Federation Campaign, Security for Louisville Jewish Schools, Education Consultant, Community Planning Initiative, and Preschool Scholarships • **University of Louisville Founda…
Where does Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc make grants?
JHFE primarily funds organizations in: • **Kentucky** — statewide focus (excluding Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties) • **Indiana** — Floyd, Clark, Harrison, and Scott counties • Secondary funding in New York and Michigan The organization maintains particular emphasis on the Louisville metropolitan area for Jewish community initiatives.
What size grants does Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc award?
In 2024, Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc awarded 36 grants totaling $8.4M — an average of about $235K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc's EIN?
Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3805455. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
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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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