Funding Amount

$5,400 stipend + $540 Donor Advised Fund establishment

Deadline

January 31, 2027

126 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle
Annual
Current deadline
January 31, 2027
Tracked since
April 2026

Deadlines typically fall in: January

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

  • Currently enrolled in high school

Other requirements

  • Have organized and led an extraordinary Tikkun Olam project that has benefited neighborhood, community, environment, or world
  • Demonstrate initiative, passion, and positive spirit, inspiring others to make a difference
  • Create awareness about their issue, cause, or project
  • Have long-term vision for growth and sustainability of their work

Overview

Peter Chortek Leadership Award

Funder: Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego

Purpose: Recognize and reward Jewish high school students in San Diego who are making a difference in their community through innovative leadership and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) projects.

Award Established: 2011 by the Chortek Family to honor the late Peter Chortek z"l

Geographic Scope: San Diego County

Award Details:

  • Stipend: $5,400

  • Donor Advised Fund: $540 to establish a DAF at the Jewish Community Foundation

  • Additional Recognition: Professional video made about the recipient's project

  • Total Awards: Multiple awards given annually (typically 2-3 recipients)
  • Eligibility Requirements:
    1. Currently enrolled in high school
    2. Have organized and led an extraordinary Tikkun Olam project that has benefited neighborhood, community, environment, or world
    3. Demonstrate initiative, passion, and positive spirit, inspiring others to make a difference
    4. Create awareness about their issue, cause, or project
    5. Have long-term vision for growth and sustainability of their work
    6. Have been involved with their project for at least one year before submitting application

    Focus Areas:

  • Jewish education and Jewish continuity

  • Community service and social justice

  • Innovative leadership projects

  • Tikkun Olam (social justice/community repair)
  • Committee: Includes members of the Chortek family and other community leaders

    Contact: Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego at www.jcfsandiego.org/pcla

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    Timeline:

  • Applications typically available: Early September

  • Deadline: January (of the following year)
  • Eligibility Criteria for Competitive Applicants:
    Competitive applicants should have dedicated significant time and commitment to one or more of the following:
    1. Creating a new project or program to improve their community
    2. Enhancing an existing project or program through innovation and community building
    3. Inspiring large numbers of their peers to get involved in service projects or social justice programs

    Application Materials:

  • Written application (specific requirements not detailed in source)

  • Project description and impact

  • Evidence of 1+ year involvement

  • Leadership demonstration
  • Note: Detailed application form and specific narrative questions not provided in available source materials.

    What Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego actually gave

    Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

    Grants in 2025
    774
    Total given
    $148.05M
    Median grant
    $25K
    Range
    $5,030–$31.03M
    • By dollars: California 54%, Massachusetts 22%, New York 13%. Top recipient cities: San Diego, CA; New York, NY; Washington, DC.
    • 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
    • 28% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

    Example grants

    • Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Boston, MA

      General

      $31.03M

    • Jewish Federation of San Diego County · San Diego, CA

      General

      $10.8M

    • Uc San Diego Foundation · La Jolla, CA

      General

      $8.43M

    • American Civil Liberties Union Foundation · New York, NY

      General

      $5.04M

    • Sharp Healthcare Foundation · San Diego, CA

      General

      $4.76M

    IRS Form 990, 2025. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    jewishyouth-leadershipsocial-justice

    Categories

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