The Shimon Ben Joseph Foundation, commonly known as the Jim Joseph Foundation, (the Foundation), is committed to the legacy of its founder, Jim Joseph, z”l. The Foundation was established in 2006 as a private foundation, classified legally as a California Public Benefit Corporation. The Foundation is devoted exclusively to supporting education of Jewish youth and young adults who are residents of the United States.
The Foundation’s Board of Directors and its Foundation professionals continue to build on the philanthropic mission that Mr. Joseph pursued: to foster compelling, effective learning experiences for young Jews in the United States. In accordance with Mr. Joseph’s view, the Foundation recognizes that Jewish learning takes place in a multitude of settings, including but not limited to day schools, camps, youth groups, congregations, college campuses, service learning experiences, community centers, and the like.
Based on both intensive planning and extensive study the Foundation conducted in 2006, the Foundation developed a vision for its grant making. The Foundation seeks to make an indelible impact on the lives of young Jews in the United States and envisions a future that it helps to create — one in which increasing numbers of young Jews engage in ongoing Jewish learning and choose to live vibrant Jewish lives.
Strategic Focus
The Jim Joseph Foundation’s strategic grantmaking is based on the following interests and beliefs:
> Strong support for excellence in the education of Jewish youth and young adults in the United States throughout critical stages of their development.
> Highly qualified Jewish educators are essential to the success of most Jewish learning experiences.
> A broad definition of educators, including day and congregational school teachers and heads of school; camp counselors and directors; pre-school teachers; family educators; parents; rabbis; youth group workers, among others.
> Increasing the number of exceptionally well trained, Jewishly literate educators who are committed to continuous learning and dedicated to the profession.
> The importance of building upon the strength of existing programs of education, in addition to encouraging innovative approaches to Jewish learning.
> Supporting efforts that develop professional, peer, and youth leadership.
The Foundation focused on ages 13 – 23 in its initial years of grantmaking, concentrating on the greater metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston and Washington D.C. It has since expanded its grantmaking interests to organizations supporting so-called “emerging adults,” ages 23-30. While focusing on national initiatives, the Foundation continues to look especially carefully at funding opportunities in the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
