JEWISHcolorado General FAQ

What (or who) is JEWISHcolorado?

JEWISHcolorado is the result of a merger of three historic Colorado organizations: Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado, the Colorado Agency for Jewish Education (CAJE), and the Jewish Community Foundation of Colorado. Their legacies live on in JEWISHcolorado’s three primary areas of work. Our programs transmit timeless knowledge, education, and values. Our grants infuse significant resources into the local, national, and global Jewish communities. And our Philanthropy Department stewards the community’s financial resources for today and tomorrow. Learn more about how JEWISHcolorado came to be.

JEWISHcolorado envisions a thriving, diverse, and dependable Jewish community, one in which people feel connected to one another, to the people of Israel, and to Jews around the world. We build that community, guided by our Jewish values, through our programs, by mobilizing and disbursing resources, and by enabling opportunities to gather together in shared purpose.

What is JEWISHcolorado’s mission?

Building community and creating connections among Jewish people in Colorado, Israel, and around the world.

JEWISHcolorado supports a thriving Jewish community by facilitating lasting relationships built on common interests and shared values. We are a welcoming and inclusive organization that ensures anyone who wants to develop or express their Jewish values has a means and a place to do so. We help those who are vulnerable, come together in times of need, and unite our Colorado community with the people of Israel to ensure a lasting and thriving Jewish people for generations to come.

Where does the money that we raise go?

  • Grants to support Jewish life in Colorado—Projects of Impact & Need (PIN), Community Support Partnership (CSP), allocations;
  • Grants to support global JEWISH partners—Jewish Agency for Israel, Joint Distribution Committee, World ORT, and other organizations;
  • Dollars to cover the cost of the Regional Safety & Security Initiative statewide;
  • Dollars for emergency funding such as COVID assistance, the Boulder Fire Relief Fund, and the Ukraine Emergency Fund.

What programs are provided for the community by JEWISHcolorado?

  • Shaliach and shinshinim adult and teen Israeli Emissaries Program;
  • Israel and Overseas Programs;
  • PJ Library & PJ Our Way;
  • Early Childhood Education Scholarships
  • One Happy Camper camp grants;
  • Jewish Explorers for Jewish and multifaith families;
  • Jewish Student Connection for high school students;
  • Joyce Zeff Israel Study Tour for high school juniors;
  • Advocacy efforts through the Jewish Community Relations Council
  • Shalom Hartman Courageous Conversations Program;
  • Safety & Security trainings, site assessments, microgrants, and Nonprofit Security Grant assistance.

View all of our programs here.

How many grants does JEWISHcolorado provide each year to community organizations?

JEWISHcolorado made more than 70 grants in FY ‘22 through grantmaking programs including Projects of Impact & Need (PIN Grants), Staenberg Anything Grants, and Community Support Program (CSP Grants). Additionally, JEWISHcolorado allocates $100K in grants to the Jewish day schools, provides grant dollars for specific programs run by Jewish Family Service, and has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars for victims of the Marshall Fire near Boulder as well as for Ukranian War refugees.

Number of Donor Advised Funds

110

Grants Distributed in FY ‘22

1,766

Number of Endowed Funds

60

I want to partner/sponsor an event with JEWISHcolorado. Who should I contact?

You can submit your questions/requests to Renee Rockford: RRockford@JEWISHcolorado.org

Don’t see your question? No worries. Reach out to us! We’re happy to help.