2023 Special Initiatives

In addition to supporting ongoing programs through the Annual Campaign, Federation’s Special Initiatives let you invest in new and well-established priority projects for our community. This is a great way to designate funds to specific needs. Current initiatives include:

PJ Library Endowment
Goal $700,000
To connect families with young children to the community and their Judaism, the Federation works with PJ Library to provide free monthly books and engagement programs. The endowment will allow PJ Library to continue in perpetuity for future generations of Houstonians. Gifts will be matched 25% by Grinspoon Foundation.

Marvin Barish Endowment for Jewish Early Childhood Education
Goal $1 Million
To encourage families to choose Jewish Early Childhood Education (ECE) for their children through incentive grants, and to increase the quality of Jewish ECE programs by facilitating early childhood teacher professional development. Gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Barish family.

Israel Connections: Petach Tikvah Partnership, Honeymoon Israel, Shlichim Program
Goal $1 Million
To enable Houstonians of all ages to deepen their relationship with Israel, the Federation provides opportunities that enrich learning and expand personal connections.

Impact Fund
Goal $300,000
To support emerging community needs, the Federation is launching a fund for new programs and projects in Spring 2023. This competitive grant application process provides an opportunity for the community to join the Federation as a partner in funding.

Please contact Chief Philanthropy Officer, Karyn Ullman, at kullman@houstonjewish.org to make a gift to one of the above initiatives our use the donate form below.