Australian Jewish Funders

What Australian Jewish Funders does

Australian Jewish Funders (AJF) is a Melbourne-headquartered, ACNC-registered non-profit membership organisation established in 2006 to inspire effective philanthropy and strengthen the Jewish community in Australia. It operates as a membership-based network of Jewish philanthropists, family foundations, and community leaders, offering tiered annual membership (AUD $650 to AUD $5,500 based on giving capacity) supplemented by donor contributions from a defined supporter pyramid (enabling, leading, strategic, sustaining, corporate tiers). Its programmatic portfolio is anchored by LaunchPad (founded 2012), a community innovation platform comprising leadership retreats, the LaunchPad Hub co-working space in Melbourne, the LaunchPad Dave Grants (up to AUD $7,500), and a 350+ member change-maker network, alongside the Jewish Teen Giving Initiative (2016), NextStep retreat for 18-22 year olds, Giving Circles, Catchafire skills-based volunteering, and recurring USA, Israel, and Asia study tours.

The organisation distributes its services through a direct online membership application, member-only events, the physical LaunchPad Hub, and an international study tour programme, with community-led growth driven by member referrals within the tight-knit Australian Jewish philanthropic community. AJF is governed by a Board chaired by Eli Nossbaum (UBS Executive Director) with CEO Tracie Olcha, and supported by pro bono legal and accounting services from Arnold Bloch Leibler and Logicca Chartered Accountants. Strategic partnerships with Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, ROI Community, Jewish Funders Network, JCA, and Shalom provide access to international training, grants, and convenings, while financial supporters include the Erdi, Gandel, Pratt, Spotlight, Besen, Smorgon, Roth, and Orah foundations among others. The entity has no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no equity funding rounds.

Name

Australian Jewish Funders

Legal name

Australian Jewish Funders

Website

https://ajf.org.au/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Australian Jewish Funders is a non-profit organization that focuses on strategic philanthropy, culture and funding for a community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Philanthropy Membership Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Sponsors (BPAGAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB)

Keywords

• Jewish philanthropy network
• Membership organization
• Community foundation services
• Strategic philanthropy
• Giving circles

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond East

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees charged at tiered rates based on member's total annual giving capacity. Fees range from $650 to $5,500 per year depending on giving level.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Australian Jewish Funders is a member-based non-profit organization that provides a network and educational platform for Jewish philanthropists across Australia. Core offerings include tiered membership ($650-$5,500 annually) with access to educational resources, expert guidance, and a global philanthropic network. AJF operates programs including LaunchPad (community innovation platform with co-working space and seed funding up to $7,500), the Jewish Teen Giving Initiative, Giving Circles, NextStep retreat for young adults, international study tours (USA, Israel, Asia), and annual conferences.

Product overview

Australian Jewish Funders (AJF) is a membership-based organisation offering a portfolio of programs and services for Jewish philanthropy. The core offering is membership access to educational resources, a global philanthropic network, and AJF programming. Key products include: LaunchPad (a community innovation platform comprising the LaunchPad Hub co-working space, leadership programs, alumni network, and seed funding), NextStep (retreat for young adults 18-22), Giving Circles (pooled donation groups), Jewish Teen Giving Initiative (teen philanthropy program), Catchafire Partnership (skills-based volunteering), annual AJF Conferences, and international Study Tours (USA, Israel, Asia). These programs work together to inspire and empower Jewish community philanthropy across generations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LaunchPad: A platform for Jewish community innovation that inspires change-makers to connect, think, create and lead. Includes leadership retreats, co-working hub, network of over 350 Jewish change-makers, and seed funding for grassroots initiatives.
• The Jewish Teen Giving Initiative
• Giving Circles
• NextStep
• Catchafire Partnership

Products and services

• LaunchPad A platform for Jewish community innovation that inspires change-makers to connect, think, create and lead. Includes leadership programs, the LaunchPad Hub co-working space, network of over 350 Jewish change-makers, and seed funding for grassroots initiatives.
• LaunchPad Hub Australia's only Jewish co-working space in Melbourne, fostering growth of social startups and enterprises. Offers collaborative and dedicated workspace memberships with meeting rooms, mentoring, and professional events.
• NextStep A 3-day retreat and ongoing network for Jewish change-makers aged 18-22, providing tools of innovation, entrepreneurship, collaboration and networks to build Jewish life.
• Giving Circles

Quantifiable outcome

• 15 grassroots initiatives seed funded with over $100,000 since 2012
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, core and program.

• Zionism VictoriasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting Jewish Teen Giving Initiative.
• Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family PhilanthropiescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor enabling supporter and program partner for LaunchPad. Provides unwavering support for LaunchPad programs and access to international training programs. Retreat partner and key funder enabling AJF's innovation initiatives.
• ROI CommunitycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership provides LaunchPad network members with opportunities for international training programs and access to international grants.
• JCAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner for LaunchPad, retreat partner. Major Jewish communal organisation supporting AJF's initiatives.
• ShalomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner for LaunchPad initiatives.
• Jewish Teen Funders Network (USA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner for Jewish Teen Giving Initiative, providing framework and network support.
• Laura LaudercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Jewish Teen Giving Initiative providing international expertise.
• Lamm LibrarysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting Jewish Teen Giving Initiative.
• Jewish Funders Network (JFN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner for Asia gatherings, collaborating with AJF and Pratt Foundation to facilitate Jewish philanthropy gatherings across Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai).
• Urban AdamahprogramStrategic or Co-development PartnerJewish farm and educational organisation visited during USA study tour.
• Jewish Studio ProjectprogramStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative Jewish organisation workshop visited during USA study tour.
• Jewish Community Relations CouncilprogramStrategic or Co-development PartnerJewish communal advocacy organisation met during USA study tour.
• UpstartprogramStrategic or Co-development PartnerJewish innovation organisation met during USA study tour.
• Moishe HouseprogramStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Jewish young adult organisation visited during USA study tour.
• Stanford School of PhilanthropyprogramStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic institution met during USA study tour for philanthropy education insights.
• Arnold Bloch LeiblersupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPro bono legal services provider to AJF.
• Logicca Chartered AccountantssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAccounting services provider to AJF. Peter Hersh, one of the founding partners, serves as AJF Treasurer.
• Moore StephenssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAccounting services provider to AJF.
• Daniel Aghion KCsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPro bono legal services contributor to AJF.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Jewish Funders Network (JFN): JFN is the international umbrella network for Jewish philanthropic foundations and individual funders. AJF is a direct counterpart as a national Jewish funders network, and the two organisations actively partner on Asia gatherings and study tours.
• ROI Community: ROI Community is an international network for Jewish young adult leaders and change-makers, with a strong focus on impact, innovation, and community engagement. Direct peer through its LaunchPad partnership and shared demographic of next-generation Jewish leaders.
• Jewish Teen Funders Network: The US-based Jewish Teen Funders Network operates teen philanthropy programs that mirror AJF's Jewish Teen Giving Initiative. Direct peer in sub-niche of intergenerational Jewish philanthropy education.
• Moishe House: Moishe House (now Mem Global) is a global Jewish organisation that engages young adults through residential and programmatic communities. Direct peer in engaging next-generation Jewish leadership, with AJF CEO having served on its International Council.

Broad incumbents

• Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies: Schusterman is a major international Jewish family philanthropy that funds and partners with AJF's LaunchPad. As a much larger incumbent operating across multiple countries and causes, it is a comparable funder network with overlapping programming and member base.

Regional players

• Gandel Foundation: Gandel Philanthropy is a leading Australian Jewish family foundation that is both a major AJF supporter and a peer funder operating in the same Australian philanthropic landscape, with overlapping grantmaking focus on Jewish community and education.
• Pratt Foundation: Pratt Foundation is an Australian philanthropic foundation that supports AJF's Asia gatherings and JTGI. It is a regional peer operating in the same Australian Jewish philanthropic ecosystem with overlapping grantmaking priorities.
• JCA (Jewish Care Australia / Jewish Communal Appeal): JCA is a major Australian Jewish communal organisation that convenes fundraising and programs across the community. Regional peer that partners with AJF on LaunchPad and shares overlapping board members and major donors.
• Besen Family Foundation:

Others

• Catchafire: Catchafire is a US-based skills-based volunteering platform connecting professionals with nonprofits. It is an enabling technology partner to AJF rather than a direct peer, but operates adjacent in the philanthropic services stack AJF members use.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Australian Jewish Funders