The 2024 JCamp 180 DAY matching grant will give one dollar for every two dollars raised (1:2) for gifts restricted for physical improvements (defined below), up to a maximum grant allocation of up to $25,000. (For example, a camp that raises $50,000 will be eligible for a grant of $25,000 for a total project cost of at least $75,000).
JCamp 180 programs are most successful when grantee camps participate in the wider camping community through sharing best practices, learning from each other, and collaborating to make Jewish camping impactful to more Jews. It is the expectation that the camp will form and utilize a fundraising team to execute its development plans, including the Day Camp Grant, and that this team of professionals and lay leaders will actively participate in JCamp 180 offerings including webinars, trainings, and attend the annual JCamp 180 Conference (December 2024).
Eligibility
- Nonprofit Jewish day camps in the US and Canada. A Jewish day camp must include Jewish ideals and values in their mission statement and articulate their Jewish practices at camp, whether it is observance of Shabbat, Israel programming, Jewish education, Hebrew at camp, living their Jewish values or other such practices. We welcome camps to define what it means for them to be Jewish and we work with camps across the religious spectrum.
- A Jewish day camp must be a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the "Code") and be classified under sections 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) of the Code. Day camps located in Canada must have a U.S. 501(c)(3) tax status to receive HGF's grant funds. Camps without a U.S. 501(c)(3) tax status will need to work with a fiscal sponsor that has a U.S. 501(c)(3) tax status to participate in the JCamp 180 DAY grant program.
- Eligible Day camps must operate a minimum of 5 days/week for 4 weeks during the summer.
- Eligible camps must have a minimum of 50 campers participating in each camp session.
- Eligible camps must either demonstrate operations for at least 3 years or be a part of an existing camp with a 10-year history of operation.
- JCamp 180 will consider applications from a broad base of Jewish movements and independent camps.
- Prior grantees of the Jewish Day camp match are eligible to apply. To receive funds, camps must have completed the previous match and all reporting requirements. These grantees may apply for continued funds for the same project or for a new project if the prior project was completed.
- All nonprofit Jewish day camps will be eligible to apply so long as they meet the above criteria regardless if they are affiliated with an overnight camp or officially affiliated with JCamp 180.
How Applications Will Be Evaluated
- Each proposal is evaluated by a committee assembled by JCamp 180.
- Proposals are evaluated for: the strength of the project idea; clarity of budget and timeline; connection of the project to a Jewish mission and program goals; the ability of the project to meet the goals to attract more Jewish families; a clear and achievable fundraising plan; and clarity and persuasiveness of the writing.
- Previous grantees' completion of all requirements and final grant reports in previous grants will be considered as part of the application.
- While many proposals may be strong based on the above criteria, we also seek to support a diversity of camps, both larger and smaller camps, representing different geographies and movement affiliation.
- We do not require camps to be affiliated with the Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC), Jewish Community Centers of America (JCCA), Jewish Day Camp Network (JDCN) or others; nor do we require accreditation by the American Camp Association (ACA). However, we recognize the importance of being a part of the broader camping landscape, and view camps with these affiliations favorably. We think accreditation from the ACA is an important step in a camp's organizational growth and view accreditation positively. Proposals submitted by day camps currently affiliated with JCamp 180 are also viewed favorably.
Grant Usage and Match Amount
Examples of physical improvements the Day Camp Grant would support:
| Qualified Projects |
Projects that Do Not Qualify |
- Shade pavilions
- Amphitheaters
- Recreation Facilities (sports fields, challenge courses, etc)
- STEAM spaces
- Splash pads
- Climbing walls
- New demonstration kitchen for cooking classes
- Amphitheater
- Shade pavilions for outdoor programming
- New dining facilities
- Waterfront improvements for pools or lakes
- New woodworking or art studio
- Playgrounds
- Treehouses
- Hand washing stations (permanent)
- New ballfields
- Stand-alone moveable equipment (boats, farming equipment, bicycles, exercise equipment, sports equipment, picnic tables, playgrounds)
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- Septic, Electrical, or other Infrastructure projects not directly connected to the camper experience
- Security enhancements
- Portable storage units
- Parking lot pavement
- Camp supplies for the summer (art and other programming supplies)
- Portable electronic equipment (video, drones, computer equipment)
- Office equipment
- Indoor furniture
- Bundled purchases of multiple non-capital items
- Landscaping and outdoor lighting
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- Physical improvements must primarily benefit campers at the day camp.
- HGF will grant $1 to the camp for every $2 of qualified funds raised and received by the camp during the matching grant period (1:2 match).
Gifts Eligible to be Matched
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To be eligible for matching by HGF, gifts must be cash or cash equivalent. Stocks, bonds, and other cash equivalents will be matched.
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Gifts of any amount will be matched.
Gifts NOT Eligible to be Matched
- In-kind contributions, discounts on services or goods, art, real estate, or other non-cash instruments will not be matched by HGF.
- Regular allocation from Jewish federations or similar agencies are not eligible to be matched. However, increases or special gifts made by federations or similar agencies for the restricted purposes of this grant are eligible.
Program Requirements and Payments
- Camps must complete an application through the Harold Grinspoon Foundation online grant management system located here: https://us.grantrequest.com/application.aspx?sid=1644&fid=36135 (Applications are now closed)
- Camps must sign and submit a Grant Agreement Letter before any funds will be distributed. The letter will be generated in the online application process.
- The Harold Grinspoon Foundation will aim to disperse funds within 10 business days after submission/approval of proof of donor payments submitted in the online system. Total gifts submitted must qualify for a minimum of $5,000 HGF matching funds disbursement.
- Disbursements may be made by wire transfer or by check.
- Current grantees are expected to attend the JCamp 180 portion of the Jewish Camp Summit, Dec 8-9, 2024 in Chicago.
- Upon the grant’s conclusion, camps must submit a brief report including the number of donors, total amount raised, and how funds were used. Reports are due on or before May 15, 2025.
- All decisions for matching funds are at the sole discretion of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Terms and conditions are subject to change and/or termination at any time.
Timeline
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Grant application open
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February 1, 2024
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Grant application due
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February 28, 2024 by 5 PM EST
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Grant Review process
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April - May 2024
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Notification of Grant Awards
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May 2024
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Grant Agreement due
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One month after receipt
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Grant period starts
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June 1, 2024 - only gifts received after this date will be eligible to be matched for this grant
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Last day to collect gifts
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April 30, 2025 |
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Last day to submit gifts to be matched
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May 15, 2025
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Last day to submit grant report
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May 15, 2025
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Questions? Please contact grants@hgf.org.