New $11 Million Grant Programs for Nonprofit Jewish Summer Camps Announced as Camps Prepare for Strong 2021 Summer

Program supported by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and its funding partners will provide grants to both overnight and day camps
 

AGAWAM, Mass. – As nonprofit Jewish summer camps continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing uncertainty, leading Jewish funders are committing to nearly $11 million in matching funds for Jewish camps, with the hope that their effort continues to further recovery and inspires additional giving in 2021.
Funding for the matching challenge grant, “All Together Now 2021,is led by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation alongside an anonymous donor, and has additional support from the Klaff Family Foundation, the Franco Family, and other generous donors.

“Our love of camp runs deep, and we are not alone. The funding community generously supported camps last summer, with thousands of donations of all sizes to get camps through a crisis.  Unfortunately, the need continues,” said Winnie Sandler Grinspoon, president of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. “Because of COVID-19, camps face decreased tuition revenue and increased debt and expenses as they prepare to open safely for in-person camp this summer. The ongoing financial challenges are bigger than any one person or organization can solve, and it will take the whole community to help camps meet their operational needs. We are launching the All Together Now 2021 matching grant in collaboration with our partners to create another successful fundraising effort to get camps through this pandemic.”

All Together Now 2021 matching grant will support more than 110 nonprofit Jewish summer overnight camps with unrestricted dollars. In addition, day camps across the country will be eligible to apply for funding through the 2021 Jewish Day Camp Match, a competitive grant that will support investments in physical improvements.
The Grinspoon Foundation’s JCamp 180® team will provide training and coaching support to all participating camps to maximize the grant potential.

“We’re excited to be able to provide support to both overnight and day camps, which are a core part of the Jewish experience for many young people,” said Sarah Eisinger, director of the JCamp 180 program. “In addition to the grant funding, our team will continue to assist camp leaders with contingency planning, strategic communications, and navigating financial resource opportunities as they become available.”

More details about All Together Now 2021, including how to apply for the program, can be found online. Details on the 2021 Day Camp Match will be available in early February on the JCamp 180 website.

The new grant program builds on the HGF’s rapid mobilization in March 2020 through the original All Together Now program, which was a 2020 commitment of $10 million that enabled more than 100 camps to raise an additional $16 million to help meet their immediate financial needs.

“We were inspired by the parents and other funders – from individual donors to Jewish federations – who provided financial support to camps last year,” said founder Harold Grinspoon. “Jewish summer camp is a transformative experience for more than 90,000 children and young adult counselors each summer and is vital to our Jewish community, which is why we have long considered them such an important place to invest. We hope others will join us in making camp a priority for their philanthropic dollars.”

Contact:
Shannon Craig Straw
West End Strategy Team
202-674-6921
 scstraw@westendstrategy.com
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The Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) invests in programs that strengthen the Jewish community by nurturing new generations, cultivating legacy giving, and providing experiences that impact Jewish continuity.

The HGF’s JCamp 180® program supports the sustainability and organizational effectiveness of nonprofit Jewish camps through challenge grants, training for lay and professional leaders, and ongoing individual consultation.