Tikkun Olam in Action
The Community Impact Grants Program supports innovative and impactful projects that strengthen the Jewish community. Through a careful and fiscally responsible selection process, donor dollars are invested in initiatives that inspire growth, education, and cultural enrichment. Each grant tells a story of progress and dedication, reflecting our commitment to investing today to shape vibrant Jewish tomorrows.
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 |
Grants Process
The Foundation's Grant Approval process takes approximately 3 months to complete.
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The Grant Requests are reviewed following the grant submission deadline
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The Grants Committee reviews and makes recommendations on each Grant Request, to the Board of Directors
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Upon reviewing the Grants Committee's recommendations, the Board of Directors accepts motions for approval or denial
Grant Applications
All grants are subject to the approval of the Foundation's Grants Committee and Board of Directors. For more information contact Ann Swindell at aswindell@tjfva.org.
Review the Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s Grants Policy and Guidelines. To learn more about the complete grants cycle, read our FAQs!
Grants Schedule
Grant cycles run twice per fiscal year with fixed dates as follows:
| Grant Cycle | Grant Application Cycle Opens | Grant Application Deadline | Grant Committee Meets to Recommend Grants | Board Meeting to Approve Grants | Funds Available for Approved Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Cycle | May 15 | July 10 | August 6, 2025 | September 17, 2025 | After September 30, 2025 |
| Second Cycle | November 15 | January 10 | February 11, 2026 | March 18, 2026 | After March 31, 2026 |