Jewish Foundation of Memphis

What Jewish Foundation of Memphis does

The Jewish Foundation of Memphis, legally organized as Jewish Community Development, Inc. (EIN 62-1618399), is a private nonprofit community foundation chartered in Tennessee on September 7, 1995 to build and sustain a vibrant Jewish community through charitable giving and partner agency endowment development. The Foundation serves three primary constituencies: individuals and families seeking tax-efficient charitable vehicles (donor-advised funds with a $5,000 minimum, special interest and endowment funds, legacy planning with $10,000+ Book of Life entries, and a B'nai Tzedek teen philanthropy program at $250); ten local Jewish partner agencies (synagogues, schools, the Memphis Jewish Community Center, the Memphis Jewish Federation, and family services) for which it provides Agency Fund investment management and endowment stewardship; and a Professional Advisory Group of 100+ legal, accounting, and wealth management professionals who refer clients for philanthropic planning. The Foundation's go-to-market is sales-led and community-driven, delivered through personal staff outreach, events, and a third-party donor portal (FCSuite). Revenue is not disclosed; the Foundation reports assets under management exceeding $110M as of 2022 and $139.2M in cumulative grants to charitable causes.

The product portfolio spans charitable giving vehicles (donor-advised funds, special interest funds, support organizations, charitable remainder trusts, life insurance gifts, Qualified Charitable Distributions up to $100,000 annually, and real estate donations processed through a wholly-owned subsidiary, JFM Realty, Inc.), the B'nai Tzedek teen philanthropy program (each teen grants away 20% of their fund annually, with a Teen Co-op Fund that allocates $10,000 per year), and four Support Organizations structured as separate corporate entities nested under the Foundation. There is no proprietary technology platform; operations rely on standard third-party infrastructure (FCSuite donor portal, broker-assisted DTC security transfers through Schwab, UBS, and Truist, and a WordPress-based marketing site). The Foundation has invested slowly in ecosystem buildout rather than technology buildout, anchoring its competitive position on multi-decade institutional relationships, board representation across all major local Jewish institutions, and a referral pipeline of 100+ professional advisors. Given the absence of any disclosed revenue, funding round, or audited growth metric post-2022, and the small five-person operational team, the Foundation's profile is best read as a mature, stable, community-anchored nonprofit with limited but durable expansion vectors (new product lines such as trust services, real estate gifts, and Support Organizations) rather than a high-growth venture.

Name

Jewish Foundation of Memphis

Legal name

Jewish Community Development, Inc.

Website

https://jewishfoundationofmemphis.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Jewish Foundation of Memphis is a private nonprofit community foundation (founded 1995) that manages $110M+ in charitable assets, offering donor-advised funds, endowments, and legacy planning services to Memphis Jewish families, ten partner agencies, and a 100+ member Professional Advisory Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Foundation / Philanthropic Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Charitable Giving & Philanthropic Trust Advisory (FSAEAKAH), Volunteer Program Funding, Scholarships & Fundraising Support (EDAIAGAO)

Keywords

• Charitable giving services
• Donor advised funds
• Endowment fund management
• Legacy planning services
• Community foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Memphis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donor Contributions and Charitable Gifts: The foundation receives charitable contributions from donors which are placed into donor advised funds (minimum $5,000), special interest funds, and endowment funds. Revenue is generated through the investment management of these charitable assets and the granting of funds to qualified charitable organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Jewish Foundation of Memphis is a nonprofit community foundation that operates donor advised funds, special interest endowment funds, and legacy giving vehicles to channel charitable contributions from individuals, families, and partner Jewish organizations. It provides professional investment management for contributed assets, tax-efficient grant-making services, and serves as the unified endowment and philanthropic infrastructure for ten Memphis Jewish partner agencies. Core offerings include Donor Advised Funds (minimum $5,000), permanent Special Interest endowment funds, the B'nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy program ($250 teen enrollment), Agency Funds for partner organizations, and a suite of legacy planning services covering life insurance, real estate (via JFM Realty, Inc.), securities, retirement assets, and charitable trusts.

Product overview

The Jewish Foundation of Memphis is a philanthropic foundation offering a comprehensive suite of charitable giving vehicles centered around endowment management and donor services. The core offerings include Donor Advised Funds (minimum $5,000), Special Interest Funds (permanent endowments), and B'nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy ($250 teen giving program). The Foundation provides Agency Fund management for partner non-profits, operates a Professional Advisory Group network of over 100 financial/legal professionals, and offers various legacy planning services including charitable estate planning, life insurance gifts, real estate donations through JFM Realty, and trust services. The ecosystem is supported by an online Donor Portal for fund management and grant recommendations. The Foundation partners with 10 local Jewish organizations and manages assets exceeding $110,000,000 as of 2022.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Donor Advised Funds
• Special Interest Funds
• B'nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy
• Agency Funds
• Corporate Partners Program
• Professional Advisory Group (PAG)
• Jewish Legacy Program
• Life Insurance Legacy Gifts
• Real Estate Gifts (JFM Realty, Inc.)
• Trust Services
• Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) Acceptance

Quantifiable outcome

• $96.5 Million granted to charitable causes between June 1995 and June 2022
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ASBEE (Anshei Sphard-Beth El Emeth)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of ten partner agencies of the Jewish Foundation of Memphis. ASBEE is a Jewish synagogue and organization that enhances the lives of Jews throughout the Memphis community in partnership with the Foundation.
• Baron Hirsch CongregationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of ten partner agencies of the Jewish Foundation of Memphis. Baron Hirsch is a Jewish synagogue partnered with the Foundation for endowment development and community giving.
• Beth Sholom SynagoguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of ten partner agencies of the Jewish Foundation of Memphis. Beth Sholom is represented on the Foundation's board through appointee A. Jay Cohen.
• Bornblum Jewish Community SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of ten partner agencies of the Jewish Foundation of Memphis. Bornblum Jewish Community School is represented on the Foundation's board through appointee Alla Olswanger Lubin.
• Memphis Jewish Community Center (MJCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of ten partner agencies of the Jewish Foundation of Memphis. MJCC is represented on the Foundation's board through appointee Judy Bookman.
• Memphis Jewish FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of ten partner agencies of the Jewish Foundation of Memphis. The Federation is represented on the Foundation's board through appointee Marlene Gerson. The Foundation leads endowment campaigns for Federation-affiliated programs.
• Temple IsraelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of ten partner agencies of the Jewish Foundation of Memphis. Temple Israel is represented on the Foundation's board through appointee Helen Gronauer.
• Margolin Hebrew Academy / Feinstone Yeshiva of the SouthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of ten partner agencies of the Jewish Foundation of Memphis. Margolin Hebrew Academy is represented on the Foundation's board through appointee Emily Lennon.
• Memphis Jewish Home & RehabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of ten partner agencies of the Jewish Foundation of Memphis. Memphis Jewish Home & Rehab is represented on the Foundation's board through appointee Judy Royal.
• Anshei Sphard-Beth El Emeth Cemetery & Charitable FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresented on the Jewish Foundation of Memphis board through appointee Jonathan Epstein.
• Fogelman Jewish Family Service (Jewish Family Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJewish Family Services is a department of MJCC benefiting from a $7.5+ million endowment campaign led by the Jewish Foundation of Memphis. Renamed the Wendy and Avron B. Fogelman Jewish Family Service.
• The Belz 2008 FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Support Organization established as a separate corporate entity nested under the Jewish Foundation of Memphis umbrella. It elects its own Board of Directors while supporting the Foundation's goals.
• The Wendy and Avron B. Fogelman FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Support Organization established as a separate corporate entity nested under the Jewish Foundation of Memphis umbrella. Led a $7.5 million endowment campaign for Jewish Family Services.
• The Burton Weil Family FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Support Organization established as a separate corporate entity nested under the Jewish Foundation of Memphis umbrella.
• Temple Israel Cemetery Sustainability Fund, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Support Organization established as a separate corporate entity nested under the Jewish Foundation of Memphis umbrella.
• TruistminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner with a strong footprint in Memphis and the Mid-South. Facilitates security transfers for the Foundation (DTC: 0226). Supports Jewish lives in Memphis, Israel, and around the world.
• JPMorgan ChaseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner with a strong footprint in Memphis and the Mid-South. Supports Jewish lives in Memphis, in Israel, and around the world.
• Highland CapitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner with a strong footprint in Memphis and the Mid-South. Supports Jewish lives in Memphis, in Israel, and around the world.
• Legacy WealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner and Broker of Record for the Foundation's Schwab account (Charles Jalenak, 901-758-9006). Supports Jewish lives in Memphis, in Israel, and around the world.
• DW Asset ManagementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner with a strong footprint in Memphis and the Mid-South.
• Kelman-LazarovminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner with a strong footprint in Memphis and the Mid-South.
• Paragon BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner with a strong footprint in Memphis and the Mid-South.
• OlymbecminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner with a strong footprint in Memphis and the Mid-South.
• Professional Advisory Group (PAG) - 100+ MemberscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Jewish Foundation of Memphis partners with more than 100 local professionals in legal and financial fields through the Professional Advisory Group. The PAG Directory is distributed at events, meetings, and by request. PAG provides professional advisors with tools and resources to guide their clients' charitable giving.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Schwab Charitable: Major national donor advised fund sponsor serving as a competing charitable giving vehicle. Jewish Foundation of Memphis uses Schwab as a custodian, illustrating the overlap between community foundations and national DAF infrastructure.
• National Jewish Foundation / Jewish National Fund: National Jewish philanthropic organization focused on Israel and Jewish communities globally. Competes for the same Jewish philanthropic dollars through donor advised funds and legacy giving programs at a national scale.
• Fidelity Charitable: Largest U.S. donor advised fund sponsor competing for the same charitable dollars from Jewish and non-Jewish donors. Represents the national DAF platform alternative to community foundations for high-net-worth donors.
• Jewish Federations of North America: Umbrella organization coordinating 146 Jewish federations and 300+ communities across North America. Provides centralized resources and represents the broader network of which Jewish Foundation of Memphis is a local affiliate.

Regional players

• Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta: Regional Jewish federation serving the Atlanta Jewish community with foundation and grantmaking functions. Comparable as a community-anchored Jewish philanthropic institution, though structured as a federation rather than standalone foundation.

Direct peers

• Community Foundation of Greater Memphis: The non-sectarian community foundation serving the Memphis region with donor advised funds, agency endowments, and grantmaking. Direct geographic peer operating the same charitable infrastructure for the broader Memphis community.
• Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston: Greater Boston's central Jewish federation and foundation managing donor advised funds, agency endowments, and legacy giving. Highly comparable model combining federation-style community coordination with foundation grantmaking infrastructure.
• Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles: One of the largest Jewish community foundations in the U.S., offering donor advised funds, endowments, and charitable planning for LA-area Jewish families. Comparable structure and product mix, though materially larger in AUM scale.
• Memphis Jewish Federation: Sister organization within the Memphis Jewish ecosystem; the Foundation leads endowment campaigns for Federation-affiliated programs. Direct functional peer within the same geographic and community footprint.
• Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ: Jewish community foundation in northern New Jersey operating donor advised funds, endowments, and legacy programs for a regional Jewish population. Directly comparable as a geographic-anchored Jewish community foundation with parallel DAF, endowment, and legacy giving offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCiNTWOC4LHYwfs2l45tHoBw/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/JFOMemphis

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Jewish Foundation of Memphis