The Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s program dedicated to the sustainability and vitality of Jewish Summer Camps announced a new name, new affiliated camps, new matching grant programs and recognized leaders throughout Jewish Camp at its annual conference last week.

The program, formerly known as the Grinspoon Institute for Jewish Philanthropy, has been renamed JCamp180, a name that reflects that the mission of the eight year old program remains unchanged. JCamp180 provides management consulting services and financial support to Jewish Camps throughout North America.

Over 400 camp professionals and board leaders from across North America attended this year’s conference. Participants discussed best practices for improving the long-term viability and success of Jewish Camp.

The conference also marked the new affiliation of seven camps with JCamp180:

• Camp Alonim (Brandeis, CA),
• Camp Be’chol Lashon (San Francisco),
• B’nai Brith Montreal (Montreal),
• Capital Camps (Rockville, MD),
• Daisy and Harry Stein Camp (Prescott, AZ),
• Eden Village Camp (Putnam Valley, NY),
• URJ 6 Points Sports Academy (Greensboro NC).

During the conference JCamp180 announced new matching grant programs that will make more than $2.5 million available to affiliated camps who participate. These programs will result in over $10 million dollars being raised for capital improvements, scholarships and operating fund support for the participating camps.

Over the past six years, affiliated camps report having raised more than $175 million to support operating, capital and scholarship needs. In that time, JCamp180 and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation have provided over $11 million in matching grants which have leveraged over $70 million in charitable contributions to participating Jewish camps. These funds have been used for capital improvements, scholarships, expansions and improvements.

During the conference, seven camps received incentive awards from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation for meeting their goals in the JCamp180 Legacy initiative. In five years, this program has resulted in an estimated $65 million in estate based commitments to Jewish overnight camps from over 2300 individuals.

Six years ago, the conference was little more than 35 camp lay and professional leaders gathered in Harold Grinspoon’s living room. Now, with record-setting attendance, including 40% first-time participants, the conference is a national Jewish camp event devoted to strengthening the fundraising and organizational capacity of more than 90 Jewish organizations across North America, including overnight camps, day camps, day schools and other umbrella groups and special projects.