Jewish Community Foundation fundholders are turning their passions and visions into progress through their grants. These stories highlight the people, partnerships, and ideas that come together to activate these community investments.

Helping Students Build Strong Financial Foundations

When a Jewish Community Foundation fundholder saw an opportunity to help young adults build stronger financial foundations, JCF helped bring that vision to life. Working with local professionals who support Jewish individuals and families facing financial challenges, we identified an opportunity to intervene earlier, before young adults practiced financially precarious behaviors. We wanted to prevent them from spending lump sum student loan checks instead of budgeting them for the full term; opening credit cards and accruing too much debt; ordering DoorDash rather than cooking or walking to the abundantly cheaper food options around them. Many college students were making important financial decisions without the practical knowledge needed to navigate them confidently.

Together, we set a simple goal: equip college students with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed financial decisions early in life.

A pilot curriculum of three sessions introduced students to practical topics including budgeting, debt management, saving, investing, and long-term financial planning. Led by Hebrew Free Loan of San Diego and Hillel of San Diego, with support from the Hillel Business Initiative, the program also connected students to resources available throughout the Jewish nonprofit community, including services offered by Jewish Family Service and the Kindness Initiative.

By helping students build confidence and develop healthy financial habits, the program empowers them to make progress toward their personal and financial goals. Our JCF funder knew there was an opportunity for a longer-term lesson about giving back, too. Based on their suggestion, the curriculum incorporates learning about tzedakah (charitable giving) so that participants would think about giving (and paying it forward) when they are able.

Now entering its second year, the initiative has evolved beyond its pilot phase, with Hebrew Free Loan and Hillel of San Diego expanding and refining the curriculum based on lessons learned.

What started as one funder’s idea has grown into a sustainable program that continues to prepare the next generation for financial success.