Jewish Women's Foundation Spring Grant Cycle

The Jewish Women's Foundation of New Jersey (JWF-NJ) is a philanthropic entity operating under the auspices of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey. It functions as a women's giving circle comprised of over 75 trustees who collaboratively make grant decisions. As an advisory council fund, JWF-NJ is committed to addressing the unique and evolving needs of self-identifying women and girls, gender non-conforming individuals in female spaces, and women with children, primarily within the Northern-Central New Jersey region. The foundation emphasizes alignment with its core values and does not support organizations that engage in discriminatory practices, political advocacy, or efforts counter to the legitimacy of Israel as a Jewish state. JWF-NJ offers two primary grant cycles each year: the Spring Cycle for Large Grants and the Fall Cycle for Impact Grants. The Large Grants cycle, which supports projects with funding requests up to $25,000, runs from July 1 through June 30 of the following year. These grants are awarded on a one-year basis, though organizations may reapply in subsequent cycles. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or have a qualifying fiscal sponsor, and their proposed projects must directly serve the target populations mentioned above. The geographic focus includes Essex, Morris, and Union counties in New Jersey, though nearby areas may be considered. The application process for Large Grants involves multiple stages. It begins with the submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) through the FOUNDANT grants management system using a specified access code. Selected applicants are then invited to submit a full proposal. Successful applicants may also undergo a site visit, either virtually or in-person. The review process is competitive and includes evaluations based on the alignment of the project with JWF-NJ's mission, the potential impact on the target populations, and organizational capacity. Funds are distributed in two installments: the initial disbursement occurs on July 1, and the second follows a mid-year interim report conducted via Zoom in January. A final report is due by July 31 after the conclusion of the grant period. The Fall Cycle for Impact Grants supports smaller projects with a maximum request of $5,000 and follows a more expedited timeline. These grants are particularly aimed at emerging initiatives with immediate or high-impact potential, especially those led by organizations with annual budgets under $250,000. The application process is streamlined, with submissions also processed via the FOUNDANT system. Grant funds for Impact Grants are expected to be used by June 30, unless the project operates exclusively in the summer, in which case the period may extend to August 31. Across both grant cycles, JWF-NJ places significant value on the applicant organization’s integration of women and girls into leadership roles and decision-making structures. Organizations must demonstrate how their projects go beyond inclusion to intentionally serve the designated populations. JWF-NJ does not fund individuals, political or capital campaigns, international travel, scholarships, tuition reimbursements, or events. Required documentation includes proof of nonprofit status, financial statements, and detailed budget information. Final submissions also necessitate board of directors listings, letters of support from partners, and other attachments demonstrating project viability and impact. Contact for the program is Casey Rubinoff, Director of the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New Jersey, who can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at (973) 929-3138. The upcoming deadline for the LOI for the FY27 Large Grant Cycle is January 22, 2026, with full proposals due in early April for selected applicants. The foundation anticipates notifying successful grantees by May 18, 2026. Given the recurring nature of the grant cycle, organizations are encouraged to monitor the foundation’s website for updates and plan applications around the mid-December annual opening of the LOI portal.

Projects must directly and uniquely serve target populations; strong mission alignment is essential.