Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc
Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc is a grantmaking public charity based in Louisville, Kentucky. It supports work related to community health, medical research, Jewish communities, and public health and wellness.
Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc at a glance
In short: Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc gave $8.4M across 36 grants in 2024 (avg $235K), mostly in Kentucky. 25% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $8,446,819
- -9.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 36
- +2.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $234,634
- -12.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $125,000
- Total assets
- $305,468,894
- +5.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (9 of 36, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (95% 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 Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc
- Invitation Only
-
The funder accepts applications by invitation. Prospective applicants are directed to submit a Letter of Interest through its Foundant portal; invitations to apply depend on alignment with the funder’s goals and available funding. Eligible applicants must be charitable nonprofits with IRS tax-exempt status and services located within Kentucky. The funder generally does not support individuals, fundraising events, political campaigns, or lobbying. It also states that grant recipients must not promote hate or antisemitism and must agree not to discriminate on the listed grounds, including race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, and disability status.
- Review Cycle
- Jewish Life applications are accepted on a rolling basis; the website lists deadlines of January 2, February 27, June 5, and August 21, 2026, with funding decisions in February, April, August, and October, respectively. For Adolescent Health & Wellness, the website lists deadlines of February 1, April 1, August 1, and October 1, 2026, with decisions in April, June, October, and December, respectively. Health and wellness Letters of Interest are accepted on a rolling basis and should be submitted at least 30 days before an application deadline.
- Deadline
- Jewish Life applications are accepted on a rolling basis; the website lists deadlines of January 2, February 27, June…
- Contact
Mailing address: 101 S 5Th St Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 365-3209
Website: https://jewishheritagefund.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Louisville Foundation ($1.8M). Together the top 10 received $6.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
176 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 61 grants of 176 (35%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The funder’s website describes its work as improving the health of the Greater Louisville community and fostering Jewish communities throughout Kentucky. Its 2024 filing identifies a service area in Kentucky excluding Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties, as well as Floyd, Clark, Harrison, and Scott counties in Indiana.
In 2024, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in Kentucky, 3% to Michigan, and 2% to New York; the filing also lists Washington, DC, and Illinois at 0% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 36 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $248K; repeat grants $230K. How we count
Medians: $160K first-time, $100K repeat.
- 58% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−9%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $8.4M (2024) to $21.4M (2020). In 2024 it made 36 grants totaling $8.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Louisville Foundation Louisville, KY | Core labs, research enhancement projects, jewish life initiative, behavior health science gap, board appreciation | $1,765,142 |
| 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 |
| Home of the Innocents Louisville, KY | Capital Campaign | $1,000,000 |
| University of Kentucky Lexington, KY | Holocaust Education Initiative and Visiting Assistant Professor | $667,519 |
| Jewish Family and Career Services Louisville, KY | Retiree Planning and Youth Needs Assessment | $444,565 |
| Blueprint 502 Louisville, KY | Operations | $300,000 |
| 300 for 300 Grandville, MI | Project Happier | $250,000 |
| Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass Lexington, KY | Community Expansion Initiative | $225,000 |
| The Temple Louisville, KY | Synagogue annual flexible funding, religious school and preschool scholarships | $202,025 |
| Food Literacy Project Louisville, KY | Operating Support | $200,000 |
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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 | $305,468,894 | $20,887,886 | $10,821,121 | $8,446,819 | 36 | $20,887,886 |
| 2023 | $288,402,472 | $12,178,982 | $11,650,390 | $9,347,054 | 35 | $12,178,982 |
| 2022 | $261,077,404 | $11,580,328 | $14,584,645 | $12,217,005 | 40 | $11,580,328 |
| 2021 | $316,702,876 | $24,452,384 | $11,674,669 | $9,310,205 | 35 | $24,452,384 |
| 2020 | $294,054,415 | $13,910,787 | $23,246,676 | $21,364,694 | 30 | $13,820,787 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The funder’s mission, as stated in its 2024 filing, is to support the Jewish Heritage Mitzvah Fund and the medical and general community of Kentucky—excluding Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties—and Floyd, Clark, Harrison, and Scott counties in Indiana. The filing identifies scientific and medical education and research, Jewish communities, and public health and wellness as areas of support.
The funder’s website identifies three primary focus areas: Adolescent Health & Wellness, Jewish Life, and Medical Research. Its stated priorities include strengthening youth-serving organizations and adolescent-centered health care; supporting Jewish connection, safety, education, and organizational capacity; and advancing medical research.
2024 grants illustrate support for a range of organizations and projects. For example, the Jewish Community of Louisville received support for community programs, safety, and scholarships; the University of Louisville Foundation received support for research and other projects; and 300 for 300 received support for Project Happier. 300 for 300 describes its work as providing a safe space for middle-school girls of color through creative writing, art, and mental health support. The Kentucky Dance Council describes its mission as making moving art, nurturing artists, celebrating diversity, and creating access.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the funder reported 36 grants totaling $8,446,819. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $1,765,142, with a median of $125,000.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $1,765,142 to the University of Louisville Foundation for core labs, research enhancement projects, a Jewish life initiative, a behavioral health science gap, and board appreciation; $1,298,778 to the Jewish Community of Louisville for community initiatives, safety, its annual federation campaign, and preschool scholarships; and $1,000,000 to Home of the Innocents for a capital campaign. Other large awards included $667,519 to the University of Kentucky for a Holocaust education initiative and visiting assistant professor, and $444,565 to Jewish Family and Career Services for retiree planning and a youth needs assessment.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Dr. Karen Abrams as chair and William Altman as secretary. Listed trustees are Dr. Shellie Branson, Jackie Richardson, Sandy Hammond, Dr. Nancy Martin, Dr. Ursula Mullins, Eric Schwartz, and Linda Schuster. Jon Goldberg is listed as ex-officio (previous).
Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc is led by Jeff Polson, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 2 of 26 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jeff Polson
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$235K (2020) → $300K (2024)
Karen Abrams
Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tiffany Fabing
Program Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$118K (2022) → $119K (2024)
Amy D. Lapinski
Trustee
Secretary → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Betsy Bennett
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bruce Roth
Trustee
Treasurer → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Goodman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gerald Temes
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Glenn E. Levine
Trustee
Chair → Ex-Officio, 2022
Ex-Officio → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julia Richerson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Schuster
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Switow
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robin Stratton
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandy Hammond
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Martin
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Trager-Kusman
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ursula Mullins
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Reed Weinberg
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Schultz
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Schwartz
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jackie Richardson
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shellie Branson
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Tuvlin
Vice Chair
Trustee → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jon Goldberg
Ex-Officio
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Ex-Officio, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Altman
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marc Charnas
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Allan Latts (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Ken McLeish (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Jacquelyne Richardson (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Ronald W. Abrams (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Debbie Friedman (2020) — Trustee
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 $300K, to Jeff Polson (President and CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc
How much does Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc give each year?
Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc gave $8.4M across 36 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $9.3M across 35 grants.
What is Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc's typical grant size?
Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc's median grant in 2024 was $125,000, and its average grant was $234,634, across 36 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc that year got $248K on average.
Where does Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc give grants?
Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc gives mostly in Kentucky: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Louisville, KY (27 grants) and Lexington, KY (4 grants).
Does Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 8% of Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 36) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc's largest grantees?
Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc's largest 2024 grantees include University of Louisville Foundation ($1,765,142), Jewish Community of Louisville ($1,298,778) and Home of the Innocents ($1,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc?
Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc reported $305.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $20.9M.
What does Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc fund?
The funder’s mission, as stated in its 2024 filing, is to support the Jewish Heritage Mitzvah Fund and the medical and general community of Kentucky—excluding Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties—and Floyd, Clark, Harrison, and Scott counties in Indiana. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc?
The funder accepts applications by invitation. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 3, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/jewish-heritage-fund-for-excellence-inc-morg_d7db6601fed14e8392ae11adf846768b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_203805455_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/jewish-heritage-fund-for-excellence-inc-morg_d7db6601fed14e8392ae11adf846768b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 Heritage Fund for Excellence Inc'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.
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