Building on the success of an initial three-year, $9.5 million investment beginning in 2023, the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation has awarded Jewish Federations of North America a three-year, $11.5 million grant to further deepen and expand talent development across the Federation system.
The partnership between Jewish Federations and the Mandel Foundation has been transformative, strengthening professional talent across the Federation system and beyond. This renewed support sustains the successful core initiatives while adding new investments in early-career pathways, CEO excellence, Jewish and Israel education, building talent pipelines below the C-Suite level, and workplace excellence initiatives.
"Developing professional Jewish talent is vital to sustaining flourishing Jewish communities, and the Mandel Foundation has been such a valuable partner because our goals are aligned," said Liz Fisher, Chief Talent Officer of the Mandel Center for Leadership Excellence at Jewish Federations of North America. "Extending this grant will not only allow us to continue building the foundations of the Federation pipeline, but also to nurture the next generation of professional Jewish talent in communities across the U.S. and Canada."
“Strong organizations are built by high-performing people,” said Steve Hoffman, Board Chair of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation. “This investment in the Jewish Talent Strategy Initiative reflects our belief that developing outstanding professionals and leaders is essential to the future of the Jewish community. We are proud to continue supporting this important work across the Federation system.”
Jewish Federations employ over 8,000 people, including 4,000 in full-time Federation-focused roles and many more working for integrated agencies of local Federations. According to the 2025 Leading Edge Employee Experience Survey (EES), in the two years following October 7, 2023, 37% of new Federation employees have stated that they were motivated to take the job because they wanted to be connected to the Jewish community. This has translated to an overall high commitment to pursuing Jewish communal careers, with 63% of Jewish Federation employees intending to stay at their organization, or in the sector, for five or more years – or until they retire.
At the same time, providing the necessary support and training to Federation staff, especially managers, is crucial to retaining the talent that allows Jewish communities to flourish. This makes the partnership between Jewish Federations of North America and the Mandel Foundation so vital.
During the first three years of the Mandel Foundation grant, Jewish Federations of North America launched several core initiatives, including: the Executive Accelerator, comprehensive management and supervision training, the Jewish Federations Fundraising Institute, executive search, and the building out of leadership pipelines.
Over this period, Jewish Federations designed the "Essentials of Jewish Federation Management" curriculum. The program has trained over 2,000 professionals in leadership, management, and supervision, and inspired many local Federations to increase their focus on management by instituting training, support, and new leadership team meetings below the C-Suite level.
Professionals who receive this training go on to hold leadership positions in virtually all sectors of Jewish life - local Federations, Jewish day schools, summer camps, and other major philanthropic organizations - ensuring that those guiding the future of community engagement have the skills, experience, and passion to both sustain and build upon it.
About Jewish Federations of North America
Jewish Federations of North America are the backbone of the organized Jewish community in the U.S. and Canada, comprising 141 local Jewish Federations. They raise and distribute more than $2 billion annually, including through planned giving and endowment programs, to build Flourishing Jewish Communities domestically, in Israel, and around the world.
About the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundations
Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel established their first foundation in 1953 in their hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Their philanthropic legacy is continued through the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation and the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation. The work of the Foundations is grounded in the belief that exceptional leaders, inspired by powerful ideas, are key to improving society and the lives of people around the world. The Foundations have identified five areas of engagement that receive support, which include: leadership development, management of nonprofits, humanities, Jewish life and urban engagement. For more information, please visit mandelfoundation.org.