FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JOANNA BALLANTINE RECEIVES J.J. GREENBERG MEMORIAL AWARD

Jewish Funders Network recognizes extraordinary leadership in philanthropy

New York – April 8^, 2008.  The Jewish Funders Network presented the annual J.J. Greenberg Memorial Award to Joanna Ballantine of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation at the closing plenary of their International Conference today. Established in 2002, the award is intended to honor foundation professionals age 40 and under who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in the field of Jewish philanthropy.

A resident of Amherst, MA, Joanna S. Ballantine is the Executive Director of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation located in Western Massachusetts. Prior to her engagement with the HGF, Joanna was the Director of Community Planning for the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts and a Senior Planning Associate for the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco. Joanna has an MSW from the University of Maryland and an MA in Jewish Studies from Baltimore Hebrew University and is a graduate of the Baltimore Institute for Jewish Communal Service now the Darrell Friedman Institute for Professional Development.  Joanna received the 2007 Distinguished Alumna Award from Baltimore Hebrew University.

The award is presented annually to an individual who, like its namesake, has exemplified through both words and deeds the highest of Jewish values and the relentless pursuit of excellence in all aspects of life. The inaugural award recipient was Rachel Levin, executive director of the Righteous Persons Foundation.

The Jewish Funders Network (JFN) is an international organization of foundations, philanthropies, and funders dedicated to advancing the quality and growth of philanthropy rooted in Jewish values. JFN’s members include independent philanthropists, foundation trustees and foundation professionals.

JFN is not a grantmaking organization and has no political agenda or affiliation.

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