Memphis Jewish Federation
Memphis Jewish Federation is a public charity based in Memphis, Tennessee. Formed in 1939, it describes its role as a central fundraising and allocation agency for Jewish activities in the Memphis metropolitan area, while promoting harmony, understanding, and good relations within the Jewish community and the larger communities.
Memphis Jewish Federation at a glance
In short: Memphis Jewish Federation gave $2.5M across 26 grants in 2025 (avg $95K), mostly in Tennessee. 22% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,481,840
- +9.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 26
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $95,455
- +9.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $38,334
- Total assets
- $29,884,903
- +9.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (5 of 23, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (50% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Memphis Jewish Federation
- Contact
Mailing address: 6560 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38138
Phone: (901) 767-7100
Website: https://memjfed.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Memphis Jewish Federation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was JFNA Jewish Federation of North America Fair Share (JFNA) ($870K). Together the top 10 received $2.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
85 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 52 grants of 85 (61%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in Tennessee (50%), New York (45%), Washington, D.C. (1%), California (1%), and Illinois (1%). The listed grants include both Memphis-area organizations and national Jewish organizations.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Memphis Jewish Federation open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 23 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. With only 23 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $44K; repeat grants $126K. How we count
Medians: $55K first-time, $40K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.0M (2022) to $2.6M (2020). In 2025 it made 26 grants totaling $2.5M.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| JFNA Jewish Federation of North America Fair Share (JFNA) New York, NY | For Exempt Purpose | $869,555 |
| Memphis Jewish Community Center Memphis, TN | For Exempt Purpose | $285,000 |
| Margolinhebrew Academyfeinstone Yeshiva of the South Memphis, TN | For Exempt Purpose | $219,250 |
| Senior Meals Program Cordova, TN | For Exempt Purpose | $160,675 |
| Bornblum Jewish Community School Memphis, TN | For Exempt Purpose | $135,298 |
| Memphis Jewish Home Cordova, TN | For Exempt Purpose | $135,000 |
| Jewish Family Service Memphis, TN | For Exempt Purpose | $111,664 |
| JDC Support for War-Torn Municipalities New York, NY | For Exempt Purpose | $63,500 |
| Jafi - Native Jewish Zionist Identity Program New York, NY | For Exempt Purpose | $55,000 |
| Jafi - Michinat or Yehuda New York, NY | For Exempt Purpose | $55,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $29,884,903 | $6,162,816 | $4,791,133 | $2,481,840 | 26 | $1,053,190 |
| 2024 | $27,231,606 | $5,006,885 | $4,191,492 | $2,276,075 | 26 | $186,226 |
| 2023 | $25,231,042 | $4,030,615 | $4,315,795 | $2,533,423 | Total only | $584,357 |
| 2022 | $23,978,703 | $3,430,813 | $4,312,684 | $2,036,853 | 18 | $551,957 |
| 2021 | $29,073,897 | $7,679,280 | $3,704,591 | $2,073,691 | 15 | $1,580,416 |
| 2020 | $22,925,317 | $6,333,748 | $4,592,332 | $2,554,976 | 15 | $483,497 |
| 2019 | $21,188,883 | $4,240,415 | $5,461,926 | $2,520,770 | 17 | $468,744 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Federation’s stated mission is to serve as a central fundraising and allocation agency in the Memphis metropolitan area for the benefit of Jewish activities and to promote harmony, understanding, and good relations among members of the Jewish community and the larger communities. Its filing also says its endowment fund serves to perpetually fund this mission.
The grants show support for organizations with a range of activities. The Memphis Jewish Community Center describes its mission as connecting, engaging, and strengthening Jewish Memphis. Memphis Jewish Home & Rehab describes itself as a nonprofit nursing home focused on providing care with dignity, compassion, and professionalism. Plough Towers describes its purpose as providing safe, affordable housing for elderly and mobility-impaired residents. The Jewish Federations of North America describes its work as protecting and enhancing the well-being of Jews worldwide through philanthropic efforts, strategic initiatives, and international activity.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Federation reported 26 grants totaling $2,481,840. Grants ranged from $5,950 to $869,555, with a median of $38,334.
The largest reported grants included $869,555 to the Jewish Federations of North America, $285,000 to the Memphis Jewish Community Center, and $219,250 to Margolin Hebrew Academy–Feinstone Yeshiva of the South. Other listed grants included $160,675 to Senior Meals Program, $135,298 to Bornblum Jewish Community School, $135,000 to Memphis Jewish Home, and $111,664 to Jewish Family Service. The filing describes the purposes of these grants as “for exempt purpose.”
No application process, eligibility requirements, or deadline are stated in the available information.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Laura Linder as President/CEO. Other officers and directors listed are Scott Notowich, Chair; Steve Libby, Secretary; Jonathan Frisch, Vice Chair Finance; Eileen Posner, Vice Chair Investment; Lisa Menuskin and Molly Lane, Vice Chairs Campaign; Sarah Lewis and Michelle Katz, Vice Chairs Community Impact; and Jill Shanker, Vice Chair Israel/Overseas.
Memphis Jewish Federation is led by Laura Linder, President & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2019); none of the 33 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Laura Linder
President & CEO
President → President & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Notowich
Chair
Chair Isreal → Chair Isreal & Overseas, 2023
Chair Isreal & Overseas → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jana Weiskopf
Chair Appointee
Chair Appointee & Young Adults → Chair Appointee, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alla Lubin
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andie Uiberall
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bob Eiseman
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Debbie B. Lazarov
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elissa Taub
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hal Fogelman
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jan Groveman
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason Goldstein
Director
Vice Chair C → Vice Chair Community, 2023
Vice Chair Community → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kimberlee Strome
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martin Klazmer
Director
Vice Chair → Fedled, 2022
Fedled → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shelley Robbins
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adam Saslawsky
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Keri Unowksy
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Trotz
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Parker Trotz
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Siegel
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Margo Fogelman
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cindy Finestone
Past Chair
Chair → Director, 2024
Director → Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eileen Posner
Vice Chair Investment
Vice Chair I → Vice Chair Investments, 2023
Vice Chair Investments → Vice Chair Investment, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Craig Weiss
Vice Chair Security
Vice Chair → Vice Chair S, 2022
Vice Chair S → Vice Chair Security, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jaclyn Marshall
Vice Chair Leadership
Vice Chair → Vice Chair L, 2022
Vice Chair L → Vice Chair Leadership, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jill Shanker
Vice Chair Isreal & Overseas
Director → Chair Isreal & Overseas, 2024
Chair Isreal & Overseas → Vice Chair Isreal & Overseas, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jimmy Ringel
Chair Elect
Secretary & Vice Chair Campaign → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Chair Elect, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Frisch
Vice Chair Finance
Vice Chair → Vice Chair F, 2022
Vice Chair F → Vice Chair Finance, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Katz
Vice Chair Commnty Impact
Director → Vice Chair Community Impact, 2024
Vice Chair Community Impact → Vice Chair Commnty Impact, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Lewis
Vice Chair Commnty Impact
Vice Chair Community → Vice Chair Community Impact, 2024
Vice Chair Community Impact → Vice Chair Commnty Impact, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Libby
Secretary
Vice Chair C → Vice Chair Campaign, 2023
Vice Chair Campaign → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Menuskin
Vice Chair Campaign
Director → Vice Chair Campaign, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Molly Lane
Vice Chair Campaign
Director → Vice Chair Campaign, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sheri Lipman
Vice Chair Needs Assess
Vice Chair Needs Assessment & Planning → Vice Chair Needs Assess, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Jason Susser (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Michael Greenberg (2019–2023) — Chair Appointee
- Former: Aviva Freiden (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Daniel Snyder (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Emily Lennon (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Keri Unowsky (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Richard Lewis (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Susanne Landau (2021–2023) — Chair Appointee
- Former: Lee Harkavy (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Dorit Boxer (2021) — Director
- Former: Jason Salomon (2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Michael Kaplan (2021) — Counsel
- Former: Charles Jalenak (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Irvin Skopp (2019–2020) — Treasurer & Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Memphis Jewish Federation
How much does Memphis Jewish Federation give each year?
Memphis Jewish Federation gave $2.5M across 26 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.3M across 26 grants.
What is Memphis Jewish Federation's typical grant size?
Memphis Jewish Federation's median grant in 2025 was $38,334, and its average grant was $95,455, across 26 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Memphis Jewish Federation that year got $44K on average.
Where does Memphis Jewish Federation give grants?
Memphis Jewish Federation gives mostly in Tennessee: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (45%). The most frequent recipient cities were Memphis, TN (11 grants), New York, NY (7 grants) and Cordova, TN (2 grants).
Who are Memphis Jewish Federation's largest grantees?
Memphis Jewish Federation's largest 2025 grantees include JFNA Jewish Federation of North America Fair Share (JFNA) ($869,555), Memphis Jewish Community Center ($285,000) and Margolinhebrew Academyfeinstone Yeshiva of the South ($219,250), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Memphis Jewish Federation?
Memphis Jewish Federation reported $29.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.2M.
What does Memphis Jewish Federation fund?
The Federation’s stated mission is to serve as a central fundraising and allocation agency in the Memphis metropolitan area for the benefit of Jewish activities and to promote harmony, understanding, and good relations among members of the Jewish community and the larger communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Memphis Jewish Federation?
Memphis Jewish Federation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check memjfed.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Memphis Jewish Federation's EIN?
Memphis Jewish Federation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-0475747. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 14, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Memphis Jewish Federation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Memphis Jewish Federation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Funders that support many of the same organizations
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Memphis, TN
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Scheidt Family Foundation Inc
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Harley and Beth Schrager Foundation
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The Harley and Beth Schrager Foundation funds varied charitable organizations, including schools, arts groups, and community and service organizations, with 2025 grants ranging from $3,000 to $25,000 (median $10,000). Its 2025 grants all went to recipients in Nebraska. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
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Sol Stern and Rose Stern Charitable Tr
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Assets
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Frank & Fay Katlin Family Foundation
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Assets
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Herbert Shainberg Foundation
Memphis, TN
The Herbert Shainberg Foundation supports charitable organizations, with recent grants focused largely on Memphis-area Jewish organizations, healthcare, youth development, and city leadership. Its 2026 grants ranged from $5,000 to $300,000, with a median of $100,000, and 95% of grant dollars went to Tennessee recipients. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.0M
Grants
12
Total Given
$1.2M
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Memphis Jewish Federation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/memphis-jewish-federation-morg_27b0bf4152ee4aff85b7e3d7312e05a7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_620475747_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Memphis Jewish Federation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/memphis-jewish-federation-morg_27b0bf4152ee4aff85b7e3d7312e05a7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 Memphis Jewish Federation'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.
Memphis Jewish Federation down — hundreds of funders to go?