JewishColumbus Youth Foundation

JewishColumbus Youth Foundation (JCYF)

The JewishColumbus Youth Foundation (JCYF) is an annual program that engages local high school leaders and empowers them to grant funds to the Columbus Jewish community. Throughout the year, JCYF participants gain skills in leadership development, board governance and professional collaboration, all through the lens of Jewish philanthropy.  

The JCYF cohort works together to develop a competitive grants program, which invites Jewish community organizations and programs to apply for funding. Collectively, the cohort decides their philanthropic focus and grants $10,000 to the organizations or programs of their choice. This is made possible thanks to the Columbus Jewish Foundation Legacy Board of Trustees at JewishColumbus who invest in our teens and help populate the leadership pipeline.

JCYF grants have supported programs as diverse as the Love & Hugs Bears Program at Zusman Hospice to Environmental Education programs at the Columbus Jewish Day School to Technology Issues for seniors at Jewish Family Services. Topics addressed by this committee include Jewish Education, Hunger, Summer Camp, Senior Programming, Jewish teen outreach and others. JCYF is made up of B’nai Tzedek Fund holders. For more information contact Jordan Saks at jordan@jewishcolumbus.org.

FY2023 Cohort 

The FY23 Cohort is composed of new and returning members and is both geographically and demographically diverse. The teens work together to learn about youth philanthropy, examine community needs and determine a funding priority. They develop a competitive grants program, which invites Jewish community organizations and programs to apply for funding.