Youth
J E W I S H T E E N F O U N D AT I O N
Teen Philanthropists Raise Thousands for Local Nonprofits
T
he Jewish Teen Foundation (JTF), a program of the
Jewish Community Foundation San Diego (JCF),
has a 20-year history of providing philanthropy
education programs designed uniquely for teens. In
2014, JCF was given an opportunity to expand this
experience as part of an international initiative with the Jewish
Teen Funders Network, Laura Lauder and the Maimonides Fund.
Teen participants are empowered as program officers to take a
deep dive into the philanthropic process, embracing the Jewish
value of tzedakah – a Hebrew word uniquely defined as both
charity and justice.
The program officers develop a mission statement, research
nonprofit organizations and review grant applications
requesting funding. They engage in numerous conversations
with nonprofit professionals and community philanthropists.
They also take part in nonprofit site visits and are then
entrusted with making grant allocations drawing from what
they learned throughout the program.
The 2018-19 JTF program was made up of two cohorts: Central
and North County San Diego. Together they have raised close
to $30,000 to grant out to organizations of their choice. More
than 10 grantees are being considered by the students as they
evaluate where the funds would be most impactful.
82 GBSAN.COM | JUNE 2019