Frequently Asked Questions - Forward Together
Click on a frequently asked question below to navigate to the answer.
1. When will we be told of the amount of the matching grant?
2. Why is the base grant amount that we received different than last year?
3. Can we tell our donors that HGF is making a five-year commitment to our camp?
4. Can we use the unrestricted portion of our Forward Together grant for capital purposes?
5. Does a grant from the local Jewish Federation office qualify for matching in the Forward Together grant?
6. Do physical improvement projects need to be completed by 12/31/24 or can they be in progress?
7. Would Harold/HGF be interested in a named element in a building project being funded in part by our Forward Together matching grant?
8. When will HGF begin making payments?
9. What questions will we need to answer on the application?
1. When will we be told of the amount of the matching grant?
Camps will be notified of the base challenge grant amount after completing the Application. Applications open on November 27, 2023. A Letter of Agreement with the allocation amount is expected to be released in mid-January.
2. Why is the base grant amount that we received different than last year?
The Board of Trustees of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation elected to incentivize endowment building at Jewish overnight camps. The Trustees have reallocated the $5M, preserving as much of the base grants as possible while also offering a new 4-year matching grants to support the development of Cash Endowments. The Endowment Accelerator Grant is also available to JCamp 180 affiliated overnight camps. Because of this reallocation, in some cases, the amount of the base grant differs.
3. Can we tell our donors that HGF is making a five-year commitment to our camp?
Yes, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and JCamp 180 have made a commitment to provide matching grants to affiliated camps in each year over the five-year period, 2023-2027. Donors can be told of this commitment. Although the Foundation’s overall commitment to the JCamp 180 overnight camping program was confirmed to be $5 million per year, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation has reserved the right to adjust the precise matching grant allocation to each camp in 2024-2027.
4. Can we use the unrestricted portion of our Forward Together grant for capital purposes?
Yes. The only requirement is that a minimum of 50% of the Forward Together grant be spent on capital.
5. Does a grant from the local Jewish Federation office qualify for matching in the Forward Together grant?
Annual, standard grants from a Federation that are, or have previously been made available to any Federation-supported organization, does not qualify for matching in the Forward Together program. Grants from a Federation that are designated for a capital improvement qualify for matching within the Forward Together grant program as long as the grant is paid in the 2024 calendar year.
6. Do physical improvement projects need to be completed by 12/31/24 or can they be in progress?
Projects do not need to be completed by 12/31/2024. In your Final Narrative Report, you will be asked to provide a status update on the designated Physical Improvement Project as well as photos of the project that this grant supported.
7. Would Harold/HGF be interested in a named element in a building project being funded in part by our Forward Together matching grant?
Although the Harold Grinspoon Foundation would be honored to have a named element in the camp's building project that is funded by Forward Together, that is not a requirement. Any acknowledgement of the gift should be designated as being from “The Harold Grinspoon Foundation” or “JCamp 180, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.”
8. When will HGF begin making payments?
HGF will begin processing payments in August 2024 and will be making one payment.
9. What questions will we need to answer on the application?
The following questions are found on the application:
- Please describe how you intend to use the 50% of the HGF funds for physical improvements.
- Please estimate the total project cost for the physical improvements described above.
- Please share the high-level timeline for completing these physical improvements, including key milestones in 2024.
- Please describe how this project will benefit Jewish campers and enhance the camp’s overall mission.
- Please describe how your camp intends to use this grant to inspire philanthropic investment in camp. How is this grant a part of your overall development plan?
- Which of the following statements most closely matches your approach to using this grant?
- Major Gifts: We have identified a few major donors to match this grant.
- Event Fundraising: We are planning fundraising event(s) to raise these funds.
- Major Gifts and Public Appeal: We will combine major gifts with an appeal for funds from many supporters.
- Public Campaign: We are going to reach out to many new and existing supporters for this campaign.
- Unsure: We are not yet sure how we will use the match to motivate giving.
- Other: We have some other approach to matching these funds in mind.
- If "Other" was listed above, please indicate how you plan on using these matching funds here.
- Any other information you wish to share?
Have additional questions?
For questions about accessing the grant portal and submitting the application:
grants@hgf.org
For other questions about the grant:
jcamp180@hgf.org or your Relationship Manager