Federation approves $1M in Community Priority Grants

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh has announced that its board of directors approved $1,043,500 in 2026–27 Community Priority Grants. Twenty local organizations were awarded a total of 34 grants, focusing “on strengthening teen mental health, engaging young adults and addressing antisemitism,” according to a Federation news release.

“These grants represent the values and priorities of our community,” said Judi Kanal, chair of the Federation’s Planning and Impact Leadership Committee. “Through a thoughtful and collaborative process, community members evaluated where our investments could have the greatest impact — supporting teens, young adults and educators while strengthening partnerships that help our community thrive.”

Much of the funding will support teen mental health initiatives in both school and community settings. Jewish Family and Community Services of Pittsburgh received the largest grant to support school-based mental health services. Other funding supports mentoring and wellness programming through the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, Tzohar Seminary, BBYO and Pittsburgh Zal, a yeshiva in Greenfield.

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Several of the grants support programs “that connect young adults to Jewish life through social, cultural and leadership experiences,” according to the news release. “These include Hillel-led initiatives such as FreshFest at The Edward and Rose Berman Hillel Jewish University Center of Pittsburgh for new undergraduates, as well as initiatives for grad students via JGrads and the Jewish Graduate Organization.”

Additional grants went to initiatives supporting young adults off campus, including Mem Global’s Moishe Pod and Moishe House’s small-scale and peer-led approaches, and OneTable, which funds Shabbat dinners. Grants also went to programs intended to engage young families, including those led by local Chabads and Community Day School.

“Innovative programming is also supported through the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center, Film Pittsburgh through its JFilm Festival, and leadership development at Penn State University Hillel,” Federation officials said.

Funding supporting education and community partnerships to address antisemitism went to initiatives including “a collaborative pilot between the Holocaust Center, LIGHT Initiative, and Rauh Jewish Archives to Build Allies in Butler County, and educator training efforts that help schools, community partners, and students understand, prevent and respond to antisemitism effectively.”

Youth leadership programs, such as the Student to Student program brought to Pittsburgh by the Federation, BBYO’s Rise & Respond initiative and the StandWithUs high school internship program expansion, were funded as well, as were various community collaborative efforts through the JCC and Chabad House on Campus.

“These Community Priority Grants reflect both urgent needs and long-term vision,” said Jeff Finkelstein, president and CEO of the Federation. “By investing in teen mental health supports, antisemitism education and meaningful engagement for young people, we are strengthening the foundation of Jewish life for today and for the future.” PJC