JCamp 180, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, is excited to announce the 36 recipients of the Day Camp Matching Grant. This grant supports camp investments in facilities to enhance camper experience in support of recruitment and retention efforts of Jewish families and create physical improvements to better serve campers for years to come.
This year’s grantees are located across 19 states and represent a diversity of Jewish organizations and backgrounds. Camps are affiliated with JCCs, Chabad, Ramah, local Federations, as well as several independent camps. Grantee camps are expected to serve more than 23,000 campers this summer.
The camps will leverage the HGF’s $767k investment to create projects totaling $17 million for new construction and site enhancement. Grantee camps will add shade spaces, pavilions, amphitheaters, aquatics facilities, sports courts, rock walls, adventure courses, inclusive restrooms, and other innovative program spaces. These grants will help camps create new traditions and gathering spaces and generate buzz around their camp offerings. The matching grant is also a tool for camps to build a culture of philanthropy among their community: Camps must raise at least twice the grant amount to receive the matching funds.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the funding and for the energy and excitement this grant generated within our community,” shared a recent grantee in their final grant report. “It gave us a tangible, inspiring way to talk about the future of camp, and helped us engage donors, families, and staff around a shared vision for growth and enrichment. This project reminded us how powerful it can be to invest in experiences that bring joy, build confidence, and create lasting memories.”
Since 2021, JCamp 180 has made 170 grants to 96 camps, representing 57% of Jewish Day camps in North America.
JCamp 180’s vision is of a world where Jews live more Jewishly because of their transformative camp experiences. We believe that the more camps that thrive, more Jewish families will benefit from these life-defining experiences. “JCamp 180 is proud to continue investing in this vital part of the Jewish camping field,” says Sarah Eisinger, Director, JCamp 180. “It is so important to create pathways for lifelong Jewish journeys, and Jewish day camps are an early on-ramp for deepening family engagement. These projects make our camps vital, relevant and competitive.”
To see a full list of grantees, please visit JCamp 180’s website.