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Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles

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The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles manages $1.3 billion in assets for 1,400 families and has contributed almost $1 billion to a variety of nonprofits. 1 In 2023, the group gave to 992 organizations, many of which were Jewish and/or based in Southern California. 2 The Foundation makes grants in five categories: Cutting Edge 2.0, General Community, Israel, Next Stage, and Capital. 3

Background

The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles allows donors to give funds through donor-advised funds with a minimum of $5,000, and provides giving opportunities through endowments, bequests, charitable trusts and family support organizations. 4

In September 2024, the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles announced it had awarded $4.3 million in new grants to a record 87 Jewish nonprofits, both local to Los Angeles and in Israel. 5 In 2022, the group awarded $2 million to eight Jewish organizations in the Los Angeles metro area. 6 Additionally, it gave $1 million in grants that year to five local groups that work to mitigate poverty in older adults. 7

Grantmaking

The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles makes grants in five categories: Cutting Edge 2.0, General Community, Israel, Next Stage and Capital. 3

Cutting Edge 2.0

Cutting Edge 2.0 supports programs that contribute to inclusivity in the Los Angeles Jewish community and that “meet the needs and opportunities of the future.” 8 It also integrates nonprofit leaders’ needs with the Foundation’s focus on innovation. 8

General Community

General Community grants support “the foundation’s commitment to tikkun olam” or “repairing the world” and focus on a different issue each year. 9 Prior years have focused on homelessness, human trafficking survivors, education “equity,” and older adult poverty. 9

Israel

Israel-focused grants contribute toward economic opportunity and “pluralistic Jewish identity in Israel.” 10 Since October 7, 2023, the Foundation’s Israel-focused grants have also gone toward Israelis’ mental health and wellbeing. 11

Next Stage

Next Stage Grants are for “internal and operational capacity” building of Jewish nonprofits based in the Los Angeles area. 12

Capital

The Capital Grants program has contributed to the construction, upgrades to existing buildings, and renovation of facilities for Jewish institutions in Los Angeles. 13 The grants are not typically awarded for equipment purchase or regular building repairs. 13 Various institutions in the Los Angeles Jewish community have received over $1 million from the Foundation for these purposes in the last 20 years. 14

Leadership

Aaron Lerner is the president and CEO of the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles and Dan Rothblatt is the executive vice president. 15 Evan Schlessinger is the Foundation chair. 16 Marcia Weiner Mankoff is vice president and secretary, and Mark N. Schwartz, Eugene Stein, and Adlai W. Wertman are all vice presidents. 16 Anthony Chanin is the treasurer and Cathy Siegel Weiss and William R. Feiler are co-chairs of the Investment Committee. 16

Financials

The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles reported revenue of $127,238,326 and expenses of $4,579,960 in 2023. 17

The Hager Foundation gave $180,000 to the Foundation in the fiscal year ending in May 2024. 18 The Foundation also received $12,500 from the Albert Receptor Trust in the fiscal year ending in June 2024. 19 In addition, the Foundation received $10,000 each from the Monica Lester Charitable Trust and the Dorothy Phillips Michaud Charitable Trust in the fiscal year ending in June 2024. 20 21

References

  1. “About the Foundation.” 2021. Jewish Foundation of Los Angeles. 2021. https://www.jewishfoundationla.org/about-the-foundation/.
  2. Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles. 2023, Schedule I. https://www.jewishfoundationla.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2023_990_Final.pdf
  3. “Grant Opportunities.” Jewish Foundation of Los Angeles, 2021, www.jewishfoundationla.org/grant-opportunities/. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
  4. “Giving.” Jewish Foundation of Los Angeles, 15 Nov. 2021, www.jewishfoundationla.org/giving/. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
  5. “$4.3 Million in Grants to 87 Nonprofits.” Jewish Foundation of Los Angeles, Oct. 2024, www.jewishfoundationla.org/newsroom/4-3-million-in-grants/. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
  6. “Jewish Community Foundation of LA Awards $2 Million to Nonprofits.” Beverly Hills Courier, 29 July 2023, beverlyhillscourier.com/2023/07/29/jewish-community-foundation-of-la-awards-2-million-to-nonprofits/. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
  7. “Jewish Community Foundation of LA Awards Grants Addressing Adult Poverty.” Spectrumnews1.com, Spectrum News 1, 13 July 2022, spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/human-interest/2022/07/13/jewish-community-of-la-awards–1m-in-grants-addressing-adult-poverty. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
  8. “The Foundation’s Cutting Edge Grants 2.0.” Jewish Foundation of Los Angeles, 2021, www.jewishfoundationla.org/cutting-edge-grants/.Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
  9. “General Community Grants.” Jewish Foundation of Los Angeles, 2021, www.jewishfoundationla.org/general-community-grants/.Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
  10.  “Grant Opportunities.” Jewish Foundation of Los Angeles, 2021, www.jewishfoundationla.org/grant-opportunities/.Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
  11. “Israel Grants.” Jewish Foundation of Los Angeles, 2021, www.jewishfoundationla.org/israel-grants/.Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
  12. “Next Stage Grants.” Jewish Foundation of Los Angeles, 2021, www.jewishfoundationla.org/next-stage-grants/.Accessed 27 Jan. 2025
  13. “Capital Grants.” Jewish Foundation of Los Angeles, 2021, www.jewishfoundationla.org/capital-grants/. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
  14. “Capital Grants.” Jewish Foundation of Los Angeles, 2021, www.jewishfoundationla.org/capital-grants/.Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
  15. “Our Staff.” Jewish Foundation of Los Angeles, 3 Jan. 2023, www.jewishfoundationla.org/staff-leadership/our-staff/.Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
  16. “Staff & Leadership.” Jewish Foundation of Los Angeles, 26 Oct. 2021, www.jewishfoundationla.org/staff-leadership/.Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
  17. Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2023 https://www.jewishfoundationla.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2023_990_Final.pdf, Lines 12 and 19.
  18. Hager Foundation, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2023 https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954592928/202422859349100017/IRS990PF, Schedule I.
  19. Albert Receptor Trust, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2023 https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/956020011/202403099349100525/IRS990PF, Schedule I.
  20. Monica Lester Charitable Trust, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2023, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/811000768/202403119349102550/IRS990PF, Schedule I.
  21. Dorothy Phillips Michaud Charitable Trust, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2023, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/870778040/202432339349100213/IRS990PF, Schedule I.
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