Our History

The Jewish Community Foundation San Diego and Leichtag Foundation’s philanthropy team – Impact Cubed – reunite. The entities recombine and integrate philanthropic advisory services, educational offerings, nonprofit capacity building efforts, and commitment to supporting strong Jewish and civic organizations.

Jeremy Pearl is named CEO, Miriam and Jerome Katzin Executive Chair, and Charlene Seidle joins the staff as President and Chief Philanthropy Officer.

Assets under management top $950 million.

JCF elects Jeremy Pearl, longtime CFO, to be Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Miriam and Jerome Katzin Presidential Chair.

Celebrating $2 Billion granted! JCF has facilitated 134,000 grants to more than 8,000 organizations in San Diego, Israel, and around the world.

Assets under management top $850 million.

JCF adds giv4 climate fund to the giv4 initiative – making collective impact in targeted issue areas by bringing together organizations working in the field and streamlining giving to the cause.

JCF sends a delegation to Israel with the Jewish Federation’s CommUNITY mission. Over 220 San Diegans celebrate Israel’s 75th birthday and the 25th anniversary of San Diego’s partnership with Sha’ar HaNegev.

In addition to the hundreds of millions of dollars JCF fundholders directed to Israel following the Hamas’ October 7th attack, JCF granted $800k from its own funds to support Sha’ar HaNegev and Israel emergency response.

1,400 Individuals and families have committed to leave a legacy through the Create a Jewish Legacy program.

JCF donors respond to the war in Ukraine, granting nearly $4 million to help evacuations, refugees, and those still in Ukraine.

Assets under management top $700 million.

COVID emergency funds total over $4 million distributed to the community.

JCF pilots giv4 homelessness in san diego initiative, leveraging over $1.5 million to assist those who lack shelter.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, JCF launches three emergency funds:  The Public Health Response Fund, The Vulnerable Local Populations Fund and, in collaboration with the Jewish Federation of San Diego County and the Leichtag Foundation, the San Diego Jewish Community Emergency Fund.

JCF partners with the UCSD Rady School of Business Alumni Association to accept private stock donations from alumni entrepreneurs with start-up ventures.  Upon exit, the donated stock will benefit the Rady School.

JCF facilitates its first donor-directed impact investments in San Diego, becoming the lead investor in the Habitat for Humanity Homebuilding Investment Fund and in the Women’s Empowerment Loan Fund.

JCF introduces a new online portal, JCFConnect.  Donors can access daily asset values and investment performance for the first time.

JCF moves from making grants twice-monthly to distributing grants weekly.

The Jewish Community Foundation celebrates its 50 year anniversary.

JCF becomes the first Jewish Community Foundation in the country to offer a diversified impact investment pool targeting market-rate financial returns and positive environmental and social impact across public and private markets.

Beth Sirull joins the Jewish Community Foundation as the new President and Chief Executive Officer and Miriam and Jerome Katzin Presidential Chair.

President and Chief Executive Officer and Miriam and Jerome Katzin Presidential Chair Marjory Kaplan retires after 22 years of service.

Total assets topping: $310,000,000.

Over 1,000 families have promised to leave a legacy through the Create a Jewish Legacy community program.

As of October 2014, the Foundation has facilitated over $1 billion in over 60,000 grants to 5,000 nonprofits in San Diego, Israel, and around the world.

678 Donor Advised Funds help individuals and families achieve their philanthropic goals.

Record breaking year for grantmaking – $74 million in grants. 60% of the 5,000 grants were between $100 and $1,000.

800 families have promised to leave a legacy gift for a Jewish organization through JCF’s Endowment Leadership Institute.

The Miriam and Jerome Katzin Executive Endowed Chair position is established.

Most significant year in giving – $62 million in 4,700 grants to 1,000 non-profits.

Governance Leadership Institute (GLI) was established

JCF won the Community Endowment Excellence Award from United Jewish Communities

JCF awarded the Kaleidoscope award for excellence in governance

Name legally changed to Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego

Endowment Leadership Institute (ELI) was established

Over 100 have signed the Book of Life

Jewish Women’s Foundation was established, 26 founding members had been recruited

First Book of Life signing ceremony held with 40 community members promising to establish a legacy for the future Jewish community

Foundation assets leap to $138 million. Fiscal year grants reach $29 million – highest year ever

Foundation celebrates 30th anniversary with $30 million in assets

Marjory Kaplan succeeds Dan Weinberg as Foundation’s full-time Executive Director

First 3rd generation fund was established

Foundation celebrates record year with assets reaching $8 million

First full-time Foundation Director hired – Dan Weinberg

38 Donor Advised (Philanthropic) Funds

Incorporated in California as the Community Foundation of the United Jewish Federation. Herb Solomon was UJF Chairperson and Carl Esenoff was Founding President.