Best Grants for Jewish Nonprofits in Virginia

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

Virginia Jewish and community-focused nonprofits, community organizations, businesses, and individuals with charitable projects can access funding through I Could Do Great Things Foundation to turn innovative ideas into reality. Proposals must have a clear plan, charitable purpose, and fresh approach; education, community, and Jewish causes receive priority consideration across the U.S., including Virginia.

Jewish community nonprofits in Virginia and across the U.S. that strengthen the leadership of self-identifying women and girls can receive up to US $80,000 in program or unrestricted support. Hadassah Foundation prioritizes initiatives using collective action, research and advocacy, and community education to advance women’s rights, financial security, safety, and mental health.

Virginia Jewish communal professionals employed full-time by 501(c)(3) or registered charity organizations can access leadership development support through the Wexner Davidson Fellowship. This three-year North American program offers biannual institutes, coaching, personalized Jewish learning, professional development funds, and access to a global network for emerging Jewish leaders ages 26–36.

Jewish nonprofits and community organizations serving Judaism or Jewish culture with ties to Virginia and the Mahoning or Shenango Valleys can seek project or capital support, including multi-year requests, from the Thomases Family Endowment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation. Awards range from US $1,500 - US $22,000, with larger multi-year commitments typically reserved for capital projects.

Nonprofits and educational institutions developing Holocaust-related educational or artistic programs, including those in Virginia, can apply for grants supporting projects that reject hatred, promote understanding, and inspire change. Grants from Jewish Federation of St. Louis help organizations explore Holocaust history, address ethical and social issues, foster interfaith dialogue, and combat antisemitism and other forms of discrimination.

Jewish and other 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Virginia seeking more than US $500 for Jewish education, culture, community engagement, or social welfare projects may be eligible for Community Impact Grants. Tidewater Jewish Foundation prioritizes initiatives strengthening Jewish life in Tidewater, including seed funding, special projects, capital improvements, and responses to emergency needs.

Jewish-focused 501(c)(3) public charities working on Judaism or Jewish culture programs, especially serving youth, people in poverty, or animals, can apply for Zera Foundation support. While the foundation’s geographic focus is Oregon, Virginia Jewish nonprofits with strong direct-service, volunteer-driven programs may be considered at the Board’s discretion.

Jewish nonprofit organizations in Virginia and across North America can seek up to US $35,000 to design or test innovative Jewish education programs. The Covenant Foundation’s Signature and Ignition Grants support creative, adaptable initiatives in schools, JCCs, camps, museums, and other institutions that strengthen Jewish identity, continuity, and heritage.

US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving children with secular youth development, mentorship, or educational programs, including those in Virginia, can seek small grants to support their work. With a mission to develop youth into productive community members, Kars4Kids provides funding that may benefit Jewish nonprofits whose primary mission is serving children.

Virginia Jewish nonprofits and community organizations addressing Jewish life, culture, and civic engagement can access funding through the Charles H. Revson Foundation’s Jewish Life grants. Registered nonprofits in the U.S. and Israel may be eligible for support to meet social and spiritual needs, build leadership, and strengthen under-resourced fields in multi-faith, multi-ethnic, and public settings.

Jewish-focused 501(c)(3) public charities can seek funding for programs that strengthen Jewish life and community safety, including in Virginia when projects are implemented nationally. Focus areas include combating antisemitism, advancing education about Jews and Israel, engaging Jewish communities in social justice issues, and supporting innovative, experiential Jewish programs through the Lisa & Douglas Goldman Fund’s invitation-only process.

Jewish-focused 501(c)(3) organizations in Virginia and across the U.S. can apply for the Lillian and Larry Goodman Foundation’s support for programs that strengthen Jewish life, protect and nurture children, and address community needs. Eligible work may include cultural, educational, social welfare, mental health, substance abuse, or food security initiatives connected to Jewish communities.

Virginia Jewish organizations and related nonprofits can access funding for youth, disability services, education, health, and social services through the Oklahoma City Community Foundation’s Kirschner Trusts, with awards up to US $40,000. Programs connected to Judaism or Jewish culture, especially those serving young people with disabilities, may be particularly competitive.

U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations supporting Israel’s general welfare, caring for the sick or aged, providing education in South Florida, or significantly backed by religious institutions can apply for the Harry Kramer Memorial Fund, with awards of US $10,000 - US $25,000. Jewish nonprofits in Virginia may be eligible if their work fits these priorities.

Scholars engaged in graduate, post-doctoral, or independent research on twentieth-century Jewish history and humanitarian assistance can receive US $2,500 to work in the JDC Archives. With a mission to support Jewish humanitarian work, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) provides access to extensive archival collections that may benefit Virginia-based Jewish cultural and academic projects.

Jewish nonprofits and other 501(c)(3) organizations in the U.S., including those in Virginia, can seek support for education, children’s welfare, medical care, medical research, and Jewish philanthropic endeavors through the Slomo and Cindy Silvian Foundation. Grants are by invitation only, with a required online Preliminary Inquiry and specific reapplication rules for returning grantees.

High school seniors planning post-secondary education, especially those entering U.S. military academies or programs, may be eligible for the Colonel David Marcus Memorial Scholarship Award supporting tuition, room and board, and related expenses. With a mission to support Jewish education, Jewish Community Foundation prioritizes Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester County, NJ residents, but awards can fund study anywhere, including Virginia institutions.

Teens in grades 8–12 living in the Chicago metro area can receive up to US $500 to cover a portion of tuition for their first multi-day Jewish youth program. With a mission to expand access to Jewish teen experiences, Jewish United Fund supports approved nonprofit-run retreats, conventions, Shabbatons, and select domestic summer programs.

The Furer-Barag-Wolf Post 126 Jewish War Veterans Scholarship Award supports children or grandchildren of JWV Post 126 members, providing merit-based assistance for college or vocational education. Eligible applicants must reside in specific counties in New Jersey or be related to a JWV member. The scholarship covers tuition, books, and living expenses and is open for reapplication annually. This initiative by the Jewish Community Foundation fosters educational opportunities for deserving students.

The Seymour Siegel Youth Achievement Award, offered by the Jewish Community Foundation, provides financial support for high school students pursuing post-secondary education or vocational training. Open to applicants of the Jewish faith, this award prioritizes those from single-parent households, orphans, or foster children. Interested candidates must submit a personal narrative detailing their qualifications. The foundation, established in 1979, is a leading community resource in South Jersey, managing over $35 million in assets.

The Patrice Faye Cohen Memorial Scholarship Award supports high school women from Southern New Jersey who are pursuing college education with a focus on entrepreneurship. Established in memory of Patrice Faye Cohen, a successful business owner, this scholarship aims to empower women to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams. Eligible candidates must demonstrate a commitment to their studies and entrepreneurial aspirations, with financial support available for tuition and related expenses.

The Mildred Soefer Scholarship Fund Award offers financial support to Jewish students from Burlington, Camden, or Gloucester Counties who are pursuing higher education or vocational training. Applicants are required to have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and demonstrate financial need. The scholarship may cover tuition, books, and living expenses. This fund aims to foster educational growth within the community and encourages applicants to apply for multiple awards they may qualify for.

JFS–David Rubenstein Memorial Scholarship

The JFS–David Rubenstein Memorial Scholarship, established by Dr. Robert Rubenstein and Marie Raftery, honors the memory of Dr. Robert’s son, David. The program provides financial support to students from San Diego’s Jewish community pursuing college or vocational education, and encourages them to cultivate intellectual curiosity, reflect on Jewish values, and give back to their community.

Scholarships of up to $10,000 will be awarded based on academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need.

Students are eligible to receive up to a total of four (4) years of JFS-David Rubenstein Memorial Scholarship funding, and the funding years do not have to be consecutive. Scholarships are made on a year-to-year basis and are not automatically renewed. Scholarship recipients must submit a new application and the required documentation in compliance with the application deadlines, stated herein, for each year that they seek funding.

Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the academic institution the student is attending solely for use toward qualifying academic expenses, including tuition, school-provided housing, books, school fees, or required academic supplies/equipment. Should the recipient not matriculate college by the date listed in the award, he or she agrees to forfeit the scholarship award.

JFO Music & Cultural Arts Programs

This scholarship opportunity is available year-round.

The current program requirements include the following:

• Scholarships are awarded on a financial-need basis.
• Scholarships are available only to Jewish residents of the Omaha metropolitan area.

Jewish professionals working full-time for communal organizations in Virginia and across North America can access intensive leadership development, Jewish learning, and about US $5,000 annually in professional development funds through the Wexner Field Fellowship. With a mission to strengthen Jewish communal leadership, Wexner Family Charitable Fund provides a three-year cohort experience with coaching, institutes, and alumni networking.

Virginia Jewish nonprofits and cultural organizations preserving Jewish heritage can access funding through the Mike & Sofia Segal Foundation for museums, cultural programs, and educational efforts. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations with strong plans and measurable objectives may also be considered if their work fits the foundation’s broader priorities in intellectual freedom, elder care, rare diseases, or climate change.