JEWISH COMMUNITY YOUTH FOUNDATION (JCYF)

The Jewish Community Youth Foundation (JCYF) is a Jewish youth philanthropy program for teens in grades 8 through 12. Each teen philanthropist donates their own money which gets matched and pooled with money raised at JCYFund-Day Phone-a-thon. Participants research Jewish non-profit organizations, learn about philanthropic giving and distribute donations as they choose.

JCYF is a project of JFCS and funded by the Ricky & Andrew J. Shechtel Philanthropic Fund.

Join the Program

JCYF offers a progressive curriculum, where each age group learns about the principles of tikkun olam (repairing the world), tzedakah, and philanthropy, and how they relate to their groups’ philanthropic focus.

  • 8th grade – Local Social Service
  • 9th grade – National Social Service
  • 10th grade – Jewish Arts & Culture
  • 11th grade – Outreach and Advocacy
  • 12th grade – Israel

Following site visits to non-profit organizations, teens present their findings and opinions to the group, which then collectively decides where to allocate the money.

More Leadership & Development Opportunities through JCYF 

JCYF Advisory Board

JCYF Blog

Distinguished Alumni Award

Impact Study

10 Year Impact Study

The Jewish Community Youth Foundation completed an independent 10 year impact study. Click here for the complete results, or click here for a quick overview of some key findings!

Dr. David Kligman Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Dr. David Kligman z”l Memorial Scholarship Fund ensures that no student is turned away due to inability to pay. Donations to this scholarship fund or to support the JCYF program are encouraged and can be made here. Please indicate gift is to be attributed to the Kligman Scholarship Fund in comments section of donation form.