Supporting Jewish Life, Culture, Education, and Community
The Tidewater Jewish Foundation (TJF) is committed to strengthening Jewish life and the broader Tidewater region by funding innovative programs, initiatives, and projects that make a measurable impact. Through our Community Impact Grants, we provide resources to nonprofits addressing pressing needs in areas such as Jewish education, cultural enrichment, community engagement, and social welfare.
Apply for a grant using the application form below:
Who can apply?
Eligible Applicants:
- Organizations must be tax-exempt, publicly supported charities under Section 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) or (2).
- Priority is given to projects that directly benefit Jewish life, culture, education, and community in Tidewater, Virginia. Grants may also support broader community needs where appropriate.
Not Eligible:
- Individuals (no grants to or for the benefit of individuals)
- Requests under $500
- General operating expenses or additions to existing endowment funds
What We Fund
Grants will be awarded to projects that:
- Strengthen Jewish life, culture, education, and community
- Launch new, innovative, or pilot programs ("seed money")
- Support one-time special projects
- Advance demonstration, experimental, or research initiatives
- Provide for capital improvements or equipment benefiting local Jewish organizations
- Respond to local, national, or international emergency needs
Grant Amounts:
- Minimum request: $500
- No maximum request, but organizations are expected to share in project financing and identify other funding sources.
Applications must be submitted through the TJF website (no email or fax submissions).
Applications are due 4 weeks prior to scheduled Grants Committee meetings (calendar available on our site).
Applications are reviewed by the TJF Grants Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. Final decisions are communicated electronically.
Required Documents
- Completed application form & narrative
- Program/project budget (including sources and uses of funds)
- Most recent organizational financial statements
- Current organizational budget
- List of officers/directors
- Outcomes and evaluation methods
- Any supplemental information (optional)
Reporting Requirements
- Grantees must submit a Financial Outcomes Report within 60 days of completing the funded project, and no later than 12 months after award.
- Multi-year grants require annual reports.
- Past performance and timeliness of reporting will be considered in future applications.
Helpful Tips
When applying, keep in mind:
- Clearly show how your project strengthens Jewish life, culture, education, or community.
- Ensure goals are both measurable and achievable (qualitative + quantitative).
- Explain how the program will be sustained after TJF funding ends.
- Double-check all financials for accuracy.
- Consider your request as a partnership with TJF in supporting innovative solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can my organization submit multiple applications?
Yes, but you must rank them in order of priority (#1, #2, etc.).
Q: How soon will I know if my grant is approved?
Funding decisions are announced after the TJF Board meeting following your application review.
Q: When will funding be distributed?
Once approved, you may request disbursement when funds are most needed for your project.
Q: Who can I contact for help?
Our staff can guide you through eligibility and the process but cannot write your application. Please reach out to Ann Swindell, Donor Relations & Grants Manager at aswindell@tjfva.org.
Tidewater Jewish Foundation has awarded a total of $178,450 in
1st Round of Community Impact Grants for FY26 (July 2025 – June 2026)
The following includes the FY26 1st half grant awards, as of September 2025.
1st Round Grant Awards ($178,450 – awarded September 2025)
(listed by Grantee Name - Program Name)
- BINA High School (Student Conference Subsidy Fund)
- Congregation B'nai Israel (The Tidewater Teen Experience "Gesher")
- George Mason Hillel (Jewish Cooking Series)
- HAT dba Strelitz International Academy (Endowment Training Institute)
- Ohef Sholom Temple (Havdalah by the Water)
- Toras Chaim (Learning Center)
- United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (2026 Annual Campaign)
- United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (Your Story, Your Legacy)
- Va. Tech Hillel (Data Append + Website Rebrand)
- VCU Hillel (Bagel Break)
- VCU Hillel (Shabbat Hosting Lab)
- William & Mary Hillel (Israel Fellow Initiative - Year 2)
In FY2025, Tidewater Jewish Foundation awarded a
Total of $281,629 in Community Impact Grants
Grant Dollars
Total Amount Awarded in 2025
Programs/Projects Funded
Unique Community Impact Grants Awarded in 2024
FY 2025 Year Grantees and Programs
The list below encompasses all Community Impact Grants awarded between July 2024 - June 2025
|
BINA |
First Aid/CPR/AED Training |
|
B'nai Israel Congregation |
Unity Concert |
|
Congregation Beth El |
ADA - Accommodations for Deaf Staff & Members |
|
George Mason Hillel |
Nuance & Narratives: Israel History |
|
Ohef Sholom Temple |
Strengthening Bonds Through Holiday Celebrations |
|
Strelitz International Academy (SIA) |
Student News Broadcast Recording Studio |
|
Toras Chaim |
Preschool Expansion |
|
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (UJFT) |
2025 Annual Campaign |
|
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (UJFT) |
Jewish Literacy Programming |
|
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (UJFT) |
Multigenerational Giving Project - Part 2 |
|
Va. Tech Hillel |
New Keycard Access System |
|
William & Mary Hillel |
Israel Fellow |
|
Amer. Jewish Joint Distribution Comm. (JDC) |
Ukraine Relief |
|
BINA High School |
Website Redesign |
|
B'nai Israel Congregation |
Website Redesign |
|
B'nai Israel Congregation-Norfolk Mikvah |
Update Conversion/Men's Mikvah |
|
George Mason University Hillel |
Spiritual Wellness Lounge |
|
Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) |
Israel Relief - Fund for Victims of Terror: Support for Returning Hostages |
|
Jewish Fed. of Greater L.A. |
CA - Wildfire Relief |
|
Jewish Museum & Cultural Center |
New Program for 2025 - Jewish Visual Art - Part 1 |
|
Ohef Sholom Temple |
Celebrating Community & Inclusion: Supporting the Family Shabbat Experience |
|
Temple Emanuel |
Family Shabbat Engagement Initiative |
|
Temple Israel |
Security Camera Digitization |
|
Toras Chaim |
Early Literacy Success Program |
|
Toras Chaim |
Website Upgrade |
|
UVA Hillel - Brody Jewish Center |
Rabbi Talks Seminar Series |
|
Virginia Tech Hillel |
Bagel Break |
|
Virginia Beach Police Foundation |
For Fallen Officers |
|
William & Mary Hillel |
High Impact Scholarship Program |
FY 2024 Year Grantees and Programs
The list below encompasses all Community Impact Grants awarded between July 2023 - June 2024
|
Grantee Name |
Program Name |
|---|---|
| United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (UJFT) |
2024 Annual Campaign |
| United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (UJFT) | Multigenerational Giving Project (Part 1) |
| Temple Emanuel | Collaboration with CBE/KBH/Temple Israel - Come Together |
| B'nai Israel Congregation | Strategic Planning Initiative |
| HAT dba Strelitz International Academy (SIA) | Employee Wellness, Recruitment & Retention |
| Jewish Family Service (JFS) | Embrace Counseling |
| Ohef Sholom Temple | A Weekend with Shirlala |
| Temple Israel | Torah Scrolls Repair |
| Toras Chaim | Baby Toddler Play Area |
| George Mason Hillel | Shabbat Hosting Lab |
| William & Mary Hillel | Campus Anti-Semitism Initiative |
| UVA Hillel - Brody Jewish Center | Program & Engagement Intern Cohorts |
| Virginia Tech Hillel | Hillel Welcome Deck |
| REUT USA/TOM | TOM Virginia |
| Local Congregations | Foundation Congregational Membership |
| United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (UJFT) | 2025 Annual Campaign |
| United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (UJFT) | Multigenerational Giving Project (Part 2) |
| United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (UJFT) | Jewish Literacy Programming |
| B'nai Israel Congregation | Unity Concert |
| BINA | First Aid/CPR/AED Training |
| Congregation Beth El | ADA - Accommodations for Deaf Staff & Members |
| HAT dba Strelitz International Academy (SIA) | Student News Broadcast Recording Studio |
| Jewish Family Service (JFS) | Art Installation Project at Food Pantry |
| Ohef Sholom Temple | Strengthening Bonds Through Holiday Celebrations |
| Toras Chaim | Preschool Expansion |
| George Mason Hillel | Nuance & Narratives: Israel History |
| William & Mary Hillel | Israel Fellow |
| Virginia Tech Hillel | New Keycard Access System |
| Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) | Hurricane Helene Emergency Relief |