Our History
Recognizing the potential of
Jewish youth philanthropy programs to empower and educate teens about effective
philanthropy and Jewish values, the Jewish Funders Network (JFN) first brought
together professional and lay leaders in 2001 to determine how to best support
the growing field. In addition to holding a workshop on youth philanthropy each
year at its annual conference, JFN facilitated regular conference calls for
professional and lay leaders; organized a planning meeting in January 2004, in which
over 25 stakeholders participated; and joined forces with other organizations
and foundations to sponsor a Jewish Youth Philanthropy Conference for teens in
April 2006. Following this conference,
which brought together over 150 teen participants of Jewish youth philanthropy
programs, donors initiated, in partnership with JFN, the Jewish Teen Funders
Network (JTFN) to serve as a central address for Jewish youth philanthropy
programs across North America. Operating as a project of
the Jewish Funders Network since August 2006, JTFN is governed by a Steering
Committee and staffed by a director, with the support of graduate interns. JTFN
is supported by the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, the Estelle
Friedman Gervis Foundation, and the Sierra Foundation.