Jewish Teen Foundation

We are transforming teens into San Diego’s next generation of Jewish philanthropists.

The Jewish Community Foundation San Diego is excited to welcome the twelfth cohort of the Jewish Teen Foundation (JTF) for the 2025-2026 school year. JTF attracts a diverse group of Jewish high school teens from San Diego County who are committed to making a difference in their community through tzedakah.

JTF Features

Past JTF Grantees

Applications for 2026-2027 are now open!

There are two separate application forms. Please complete the one that applies to you.
Officer Application – for new members. Please note that JTF will only be accepting 10-12th
graders due to the popularity of the program.
Leader Application – for returning members.

Officer Application

Leader Application

For More Information on Jewish Teen Foundation

Rachael Cunningham,
Program Officer

858-279-2740

Mission Statements (2025-2026):

Leaders

Guided by the value of B’tzelem Elohim the mission of the JTF Leaders is to empower underprivileged youth in Tijuana, San Diego, and Israel to build a brighter future through access to education and mentorship.

Officers

JTF Officers strive to provide access to affordable healthcare for the San Diego community by giving individuals reliable and dignified healthcare to embody the Jewish value of ‘Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself’.

At the Jewish Teen Foundation We:

1 Make Real-World Grants

Teens have real responsibility to decide which organizations receive grants, likely totaling over $20,000 each year.

2 Build New Relationships

JTF teens participate in a team building day and then work in cohorts throughout the program to learn how to think philanthropically and maximize their impact – all while building new relationships and having great social opportunities.

3 Learn New Skills

During this school-year program that meets on one Sunday per month, teens will learn how to collaborate in teams, have constructive discourse, evaluate grants like a pro, have public speaking opportunities, and develop leadership skills that will stay with them through college and beyond.

Support JCF Teens Making a Difference

Learn about the causes that the teens are supporting and donate to a specific teen’s fundraising efforts.

JTF Fundraisers on Givebutter

Philanthropy Leadership Training

Philanthropy Education Across San Diego

A curriculum for Jewish educators to use in their organizations, supported by the Larry Pidgeon Endowment Fund for Young Philanthropists.

During the school year, the Jewish Community Foundation provides a curriculum to support formal and informal Jewish education for local synagogues to teach teens who are dedicated to social justice about philanthropy. Teens learn how to give wisely, strategically and effectively by exposing them to the needs of the community, all through a Jewish values lens. If you are a Jewish community organization interested in implementing this curriculum, please contact the Jewish Community Foundation at 858.279.2740 or email us here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions and answers to better understand the Jewish Teen Foundation.

Why does the Foundation run its Youth Philanthropy program?

The Foundation is committed to its mission of promoting philanthropy and increasing current and future support for a vibrant community. JCF recognizes that young people are philanthropists and volunteers in their own right, and that there is the opportunity to ensure that they are as effective and strategic as possible with all the skills necessary to make the biggest impact. As these young people become community leaders, their experience and expertise gained from the Youth Philanthropy program will help them guide a caring and generous community.

The Foundation established its first youth philanthropy program more than ten years ago and has served as a model for communities across the country. Our unique program that is curriculum based is a hands-on engaging experience including site visits, interviews and research to create a memorable and creative experience for all participants.

Does JTF provide a certificate of community service hours?

Yes, depending on the requirements of your child’s school, we will be happy to provide a letter explaining their time commitment and activities that serve as community service hours.

Does JTF only visit Jewish Organizations?

No, we visit both Jewish and secular organizations that are meeting diverse needs in the community. The organizations change each session. We might learn about homelessness, job rehabilitation, pre-schools for low-income families, hospitals helping children with cancer, and a museum or theatre, all from different organizations with lessons from Judaism to connect the students to the meaning of their activities.

Contribute to JTF