The goal of the JFN Matching Grant Program is to stimulate interest among Jewish foundations and individual funders in new philanthropic areas. A benefit of JFN membership, matching funds are available for JFN members making their first-ever philanthropic gifts in the designated areas of interest. Donors who are not currently JFN members, but are eligible for membership, may join JFN in order to participate in a matching grant initiative.

How it works:

• JFN and a philanthropic partner define a philanthropic area of interest to JFN members, such as funding for Jewish day schools or funding for the elderly poor.
• The philanthropic partner(s) provide funding for the matching grants pool.
• The Matching Grant program matches first-time gifts of JFN members in the defined area of interest.
• These gifts must be a minimum of $25,000 and gifts are matched (according to a pre-determined ratio, usually1:1) to a maximum of $50,000.
• Eligible gifts must be the donor’s first-ever gift in the area of interest (not their first-ever gift to a particular non-profit, but the first ever in the defined field).
• Donors who have made gifts in the program’s area of interest in the past can still be eligible for the program if they increase their previous largest gift in the field by a pre-determined multiple (either by 5 X or by 3 X).
• JFN offers programming in the area of interest as a way of helping the matching grant donors become strategic long-term philanthropists in this area.

Each matching grant initiative has its own specific terms and conditions. Please refer to the FAQ for each initiative to learn the relevant details and criteria.