The Jewish Teen Funders Network (JTFN) has released, “JUST TEENS: Transforming Tzedakah into Grantmaking,” which includes data from its biennial survey of Jewish teen foundations, conducted by Rosov Consulting and the Jewish Teen Funders Network.

JTFN’s mission is to strengthen Jewish engagement and identity through supporting and elevating the field of Jewish teen philanthropy. JTFN achieves this transformative impact by setting field standards and tools for program development and evaluation, providing resources, training and networking for professionals, mainstreaming philanthropy into the Jewish teen experience, and serving as the lead catalyst for new programs.

Jewish teen foundations across North America and around the globe put teens in control of real decisions in grantmaking. Teens come together to create mission statements, review grant applications, conduct site visits, come to a group consensus, and ultimately grant real dollars to real nonprofits. This year, with help from Rosov Consulting, JTFN found that it was a priority for Jewish teen philanthropists to support the Jewish community, and it was reflected in their grants.

Some of the data highlights:

Supporting the Jewish Community was a priority for Jewish Teen Philanthropists

61% of dollars were allocated to Jewish and Israel organizations even when no parameters were set. Parameters frame the grantmaking process and include guidelines on giving to local, global, Jewish or Israel organizations.

Collective teen giving yields big results

In 2017-2018 Jewish teen foundations granted nearly 1 Million Dollars

A gateway to building Jewish Identity

Nearly three quarters of teen philanthropy programs nationally are engaging teens from their community that are not involved in any other formal Jewish educational programming.

Teens support a variety projects that will address multiple issues and needs

With upwards of 285 grants ranging from $500-$187,000, the top 3 Grantmaking Issue Areas included Poverty, Education and Jewish Identity.

The data in this report is based on responses from approximately 60% of teen foundations in the Jewish Teen Funders Network.

The Jewish Teen Funders Network is a central resource for the field of Jewish teen philanthropy. JTFN strives to create generations of engaged, empowered, and experienced Jewish changemakers and givers. To learn more about Jewish teen philanthropy visit www.jtfn.org.