Jewish Community Partners

From grants to education and Israel; camp scholarships and cultural organizations; and synagogues and social service organizations, the 400+ fund holders of the Jewish Foundation of Memphis have had an enormous impact both locally and globally.  

The Foundation’s assets have grown exponentially, reaching $200 million in the first quarter of 2025. This growth has directly translated into significant growth in grants. Over its 30- year history more than $160 million has been granted to local, national and international organizations.

“We live in a very generous community,” said Laura Linder President and CEO.  “The impact our fund holders have had on charitable organizations is incredibly meaningful.”

Established three decades ago with a clear and vital mission–to secure the financial future of local Jewish agencies, including synagogues, Jewish schools, and community and care facilities–the Jewish Foundation of Memphis has become an indispensable pillar of the community. Of the $160 million in grants awarded, almost half went to Memphis area Jewish institutions.

National Jewish organizations also received significant investment, totaling over $22.8 million in grants.

The Foundation also contributes sizable grants to organizations outside of the Jewish world. Local and national secular institutions, including higher education and museums, received more than $36 million.

Given its growth, last year the Foundation was ranked by the Memphis Business Journal as the 3rd largest granting foundation and 7th largest charitable organization in Memphis.

“When we opened the November, 2024 issue and saw our ranking, we were stunned,” said Linder.  “We have always known that the Jewish Foundation’s influence on the community far surpasses its size, but this was a real surprise.”

Currently, the Foundation has a stalwart leader in its Chair, Pace Cooper. A local leader in Jewish and civic philanthropy, Pace is featured in the newest episode of “Generations of Giving,” a new Foundation podcast featuring in-depth conversations with key donors, exploring their philanthropic motivations and the impact of their contributions (now available on Spotify).

“For me, it’s all about role of tzedakah,” Cooper says in the podcast. “As fellow Jews, we must help our institutions thrive. The Foundation can be an over-arching angel to make that happen.”

“We couldn’t have achieved such incredible grant-making without Pace’s leadership and the guidance of all of the Foundation’s volunteer community leaders who work alongside him,” said Linder.

As the Jewish Foundation of Memphis celebrates 30 years of impactful philanthropy this year, the support of its incredible donors positions it to remain a cornerstone of the Jewish community for decades to come, continuing its vital work of fostering philanthropy and Jewish life in Memphis.