The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati
The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati is a private foundation based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Established in 1995, it supports local Jewish institutions and national organizations with a local presence, investing in programs and organizations intended to strengthen the Cincinnati Jewish community.
The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati at a glance
In short: The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati gave $23.0M across 37 grants in 2025 (avg $621K), mostly in Ohio. 24% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $22,975,137
- +11.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 37
- -2.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $620,950
- +14.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $57,500
- Total assets
- $369,581,015
- +6.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (9 of 37, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation’s website says it does not accept unsolicited requests and encourages organizations with aligned programs or funding opportunities to contact the Foundation directly about a possible funding relationship. Civic and Cultural grant requests are also funded, but applications must be invited first. The 2023 filing described a grant proposal with a case statement, goals and objectives, activities, timelines, staffing, budget, anticipated outcomes and measurement, and an IRS determination letter; it listed charitable organizations as the award restriction.
- Review Cycle
- The 2023 filing stated that there were no submission deadlines.
- Deadline
- The 2023 filing stated that there were no submission deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: The Jewish Foundation Of Cincinnati
Mailing address: 8044 Montgomery Road Suite 516, Cincinnati, OH 45236
Phone: (513) 214-1200
Website: https://www.thejewishfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Jewish Federation of Cincinnati ($8.2M). Together the top 10 received $21.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
225 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 83 grants of 225 (37%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s 2025 filing reports that 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio and 1% to recipients in Washington, DC. The remaining reported shares were rounded to 0% for California, New York, and Georgia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 9 of 37 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $42K; repeat grants $807K. How we count
Medians: $40K first-time, $75K repeat.
- 65% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+5%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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 $4.7M (2019) to $23.1M (2023). In 2025 it made 37 grants totaling $23.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jewish Federation of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH | Cincy Journeys - Israel Travel and Overnight Jewish Camping 2025 Annual Campaign Matching Contribution Connecting Community Priorities to Philanthropy Operating Grant Talent Management Initiative "Strengthening Individual Giving Fundraising" Capacity Building Initiative Community Buildings & Maintenance SAFE Cincinnati Shared Business Services Indigent Burial Fund | $8,228,288 |
| Rockwern Academy Cincinnati, OH | 2025 and 2026 Operating Support Division of Adulting ECE Professional Development | $4,184,812 |
| Mayerson JCC Cincinnati, OH | Operating Support Short-term Capital needs Campus Repairs - Rockdale Temple Jewish Community Night at the Reds ECE Professional Development JLIVE Expansion | $2,910,335 |
| Jewish Family Service Cincinnati, OH | K'vod Operating Support Youth Mental Health Expansion Initiative | $1,991,437 |
| Community Congregations Cincinnati, OH | Operating Grants | $1,743,380 |
| Cincinnati Hebrew Day School Cincinnati, OH | 2022 - 2026 Operating Support Emergency Request: HVAC Needs | $1,494,250 |
| JVS - Careers Cincinnati, OH | Operating Support | $301,500 |
| B'nai B'rith Youth Organization Inc Washington, DC | Cincinnati Teen Initiative Grant | $250,000 |
| Jewish Discovery Center of Ohio Inc Mason, OH | Chai Tots Early Childhood Center Operating Support ECE Professional Development | $212,000 |
| Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH | Capital Campaign Grant | $200,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $369,581,015 | $44,680,068 | $28,035,645 | $22,975,137 | 37 | $25,612,520 | $42,799,884 | $25,325,506 |
| 2024 | $346,321,989 | $16,865,477 | $24,884,567 | $20,595,728 | 38 | $22,855,174 | $15,035,043 | $23,620,781 |
| 2023 | $349,325,538 | $27,798,662 | $27,220,096 | $23,108,108 | 61 | $25,854,195 | $26,483,439 | $22,603,742 |
| 2022 | $344,244,193 | $25,965,403 | $26,385,883 | $21,824,121 | 47 | $24,402,556 | $24,405,735 | $25,823,143 |
| 2021 | $344,322,004 | $65,111,190 | $18,634,914 | $15,083,623 | 42 | — | $64,309,326 | $24,379,642 |
| 2020 | $79,763,681 | $4,718,984 | $5,517,123 | $4,955,190 | 14 | — | $4,621,754 | $5,328,816 |
| 2019 | $80,508,888 | $8,197,068 | $5,285,211 | $4,745,460 | 13 | — | $8,134,316 | $5,215,487 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati reported a distributable amount of $25.3M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation says it works to create a healthy and strong Cincinnati Jewish community. Its funding priorities include Jewish Engagement, Jewish Education, Jewish Social Services, and Jewish Communal Infrastructure. It also describes support for immersive Israel and overnight Jewish camp experiences, local agencies, congregations, and local start-ups. Its stated outcomes include meaningful Jewish learning and engagement, stronger Jewish social networks, and meeting Jewish Cincinnatians’ basic physical, psychological, and emotional well-being needs.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of its grants. The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati says its mission is to build an inclusive Jewish community, help people in need, support Israel, and assure a vibrant Jewish future. Cincinnati Hebrew Day School says it provides Jewish children with Judaic and secular studies. Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati says it serves the community’s burial needs with care and dignity. Camp Livingston describes itself as a residential camp offering a communal Jewish camping experience.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 37 grants totaling $22,975,137. Individual grants ranged from $15,000 to $8,228,288, with a median grant of $57,500.
Its largest 2025 grants included $8,228,288 to the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati for purposes including operating support, Israel travel and overnight Jewish camping, fundraising and capacity-building initiatives, and community priorities; $4,184,812 to Rockwern Academy for operating support and other purposes; $2,910,335 to the Mayerson JCC for operating support, capital needs, and other purposes; and $1,991,437 to Jewish Family Service for operating support and other initiatives. Other large grants included $1,743,380 to Community Congregations for operating grants and $1,494,250 to Cincinnati Hebrew Day School for operating support and an emergency HVAC request.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Brian Jaffee as Chief Executive Officer; Walter H Solomon as Board Chairperson; Ed Frankel as VP of Investments; Rachel Faust as Secretary; and Sandra P Kaltman as Treasurer and Finance & Audit Committee Chairperson. It also lists Adam Symson, Guy Peri, Ronna Schneider, Ernesto Levy, and Tedd Friedman as trustees.
The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati is led by Brian Jaffee, Chief Executive Officer since 2023 (on filings since 2019); 1 of 12 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Brian Jaffee
Chief Executive Officer
Executive Director → Chief Executive Officer, 2023
On filings since 2019
55 hrs/week
$84K (2019) → $397K (2025)
Sandra P Kaltman
Treasurer, Finance & Audit Committee Chairperson
Treasurer → Treasurer, Finance & Audit Chair, 2022
Treasurer, Finance & Audit Chair → Treasurer, Finance & Audit Committee Chairperson, 2024
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Walter H Solomon
Board Chairperson
Trustee → Board Chairperson, 2024
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Guy Peri
Trustee
Trustee → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adam Symson
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ronna Schneider
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ernesto Levy
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tedd Friedman
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Debbie Brant
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Kahn MD
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ed Frankel
Vice President of Investments
Trustee → Vice President of Investments, 2021
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Faust
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Arna Poupko Fisher (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Gloria Lipson (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: John Stein (2019–2024) — Immediate Past President
- Former: Bret Caller (2019–2023) — Immediate Past President
- Former: Beth Guttman (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Leslie Newman (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Robert Brant (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: J David Rosenberg (2019–2020) — Vice President of Investment & Finance
- Former: Michael Oestreicher (2019–2020) — Trustee
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $397K, to Brian Jaffee (Chief Executive Officer).
Frequently asked questions about The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati
How much does The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati give each year?
The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati gave $23.0M across 37 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $20.6M across 38 grants.
What is The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati's typical grant size?
The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati's median grant in 2025 was $57,500, and its average grant was $620,950, across 37 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati that year got $42K on average.
Where does The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati give grants?
The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati gives mostly in Ohio: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Cincinnati, OH (26 grants), Washington, DC (2 grants), Oxford, OH (2 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (2 grants).
Does The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati give general operating support?
Yes: 35% of The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (13 of 37) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati's largest grantees?
The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati's largest 2025 grantees include Jewish Federation of Cincinnati ($8,228,288), Rockwern Academy ($4,184,812) and Mayerson JCC ($2,910,335), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 67% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati?
The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati reported $369.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $25.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $25.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati fund?
The Foundation says it works to create a healthy and strong Cincinnati Jewish community. Its funding priorities include Jewish Engagement, Jewish Education, Jewish Social Services, and Jewish Communal Infrastructure. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati?
The Foundation’s website says it does not accept unsolicited requests and encourages organizations with aligned programs or funding opportunities to contact the Foundation directly about a possible funding relationship. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati's EIN?
The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1451489. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 28, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 8, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 25, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-jewish-foundation-of-cincinnati-morg_dd30f09bb1dd4cbcba207c85bb7c8927
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_311451489_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-jewish-foundation-of-cincinnati-morg_dd30f09bb1dd4cbcba207c85bb7c8927},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati'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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