General Rules and Guidelines
The Harold Grinspoon Foundation has committed $25 Million, $5 million per year (2023-2027) in matching funds to nonprofit Jewish overnight camps to support camps as they move beyond the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and build on their fundraising success during the pandemic period.
Overview
Camps participating in the Forward Together 2024 matching grant for Jewish overnight camps will be eligible to receive $1USD from The Harold Grinspoon Foundation for every $3USD they raise from other donors (1:3 match) beginning January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, up to a maximum grant allocation from JCamp 180 to participating camps. A minimum of one-half of the HGF challenge amount and the funds raised as match to that portion of the grant must be used for physical or capital improvements (“Improvements”). For a list of examples of qualifying projects, please see the list below.
All participating camps will receive a notification via email that includes a link to the grant application. Camps must register through the HGF online grants system by Friday, December 29, 2023.
In early January 2024, camp grant applications will be approved and grant agreement letters with matching grant allocation amounts will be sent to participating camps. All grant agreement letters must be signed and returned through the HGF online grants system by February 15, 2024.
Matching grant allocations are not subject to appeal.
Grant period
- January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024
- February 1, 2025 is the final reporting deadline, including submission of the donation tracking report, and the final narrative report, which will include questions regarding the actual use of the funds, both for unrestricted and physical or capital improvements.
Bonus
There is no bonus associated with Forward Together 2024.
Eligibility
Forward Together 2024 is offered to Jewish overnight camps affiliated with JCamp 180. A full list of eligible overnight camps can be found
here. This campaign is by invitation only and applications will be approved by JCamp 180.
Grant usage and match amount
One-half of the Matching Grant is Restricted to Physical or Capital Improvements:
- A minimum of one-half of the HGF grant amount and the funds raised as a match to that one-half of HGF grant amount must be used for capital improvements (“HGF Capital Allocation”). See a list of qualified physical improvements at the bottom of this page.
- The other half of the HGF grant amount is unrestricted for any use (“HGF Unrestricted Allocation”).
- For camps that do not own real estate, JCamp 180 has made allowances for the use of the portion of their grant designated for physical or capital improvements. To the extent possible, half of the JCamp 180 provided funds should be used toward physical improvements such as major equipment, storage units, or other infrastructure projects. However, if these uses for the HGF funds are not possible, HGF provided funds may be used to pay the cost of site occupancy (rental fees).
- The chart below outlines how funds should be used for capital and unrestricted expenses.
| |
HGF Grant |
Camp Raises |
Total Funds Raised |
| |
$50,000 |
$150,000 |
$200,000 |
| Use of Funds |
|
|
|
| Capital |
$25,000 |
$ 75,000 |
$100,000 |
| Unrestricted |
$25,000 |
$ 75,000 |
$100,000 |
| Total |
$50,000 |
$150,000 |
$200,000 |
Earning the HGF grant
- HGF Physical and Capital Improvement Allocation: The portion of the HGF grant designated for physical or capital improvement use may only be matched by unrestricted funds or funds restricted for these improvements.
- HGF Unrestricted Allocation: The portion of the HGF grant whose use is unrestricted may be matched by any gift to the camp.
Gifts eligible to be matched
- Cash or cash equivalent. Stocks, bonds, and other cash equivalents will be matched.
- Gifts of any amount up to 3 times (3X) the camp’s base grant will be matched, capped at the total grant amount offered to your camp.
- Gifts must be received by the camp between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024.
- Grants from Jewish federations or similar agencies directly in response to the Forward Together 2024 Grant (Regular allocations do not count, as included below).
Gifts not eligible to be matched
- Gifts from anonymous donors if reported with incomplete donor contact information.
- In-kind contributions, discounts on services or goods, art, real estate, or other non-cash instruments will not be matched by HGF.
- Regular allocation from Jewish federations or similar agencies are not eligible to be matched.
- Government relief funds are not eligible.
- One Happy Camper or PJ Goes to Camp Incentive Grant funds will not be matched.
- If the recipient camp is currently in another active HGF matching grant through JCamp 180, donations may only be submitted to one HGF grant to be matched.
Program requirements and payments
- The full list of overnight camps eligible for the Forward Together 2024 grant can be found here.
- All participating camps must apply for the grant through the HGF on-line Grant System and be approved.
- Participating camps must sign and submit a Grant Agreement Letter. The letter will be generated and sent through the HGF Online Grant System.
- Upon the grant’s conclusion, camps must submit a Final Narrative Report including the number of donors, total amount raised, and how funds were used for both unrestricted and physical or capital improvement uses.
- To be eligible for future Forward Together grants, the final report for Forward Together 2024 is due on or before February 1, 2025. HGF requests that pictures of any physical or capital improvement projects (even if still in progress) funded under this grant be submitted at the time of the Final Report.
- Please note: the Harold Grinspoon Foundation will make a single payment within 30 days of approval of a camp’s final report beginning in August 2024.
- Disbursements may be made via electronic payment or by check.
- All decisions for matching funds are at the sole discretion of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Terms and conditions are subject to change and/or termination at any time.
Examples of Qualifying Physical or Capital Improvement Projects (but not limited to):
- Purchase or construction or renovation of new buildings (dining facilities, washhouses, health centers, staff housing, cabins, program spaces, recreation halls, etc.)
- Shade pavilions for outdoor programming
- Waterfront improvements for pools or lakes; Major repair to or replacement of docks for boats or swimming at waterfront; Purchase of pool liners or covers or repairs to pool and pool equipment (filters and pumps)
- Ballfields
- Splash pads/Playgrounds
- Climbing walls; Reconstruction of high ropes facilities (not routine repairs)
- Amphitheater and other sacred spaces
- Reconstruction of outdoor facilities use for Shabbat services or other camp meetings (includes replacement of seating or shade system but not routine repair of those)
- Treehouses
- Stand-alone moveable major equipment (boats, farming equipment, bicycles, exercise equipment, sports equipment, picnic tables, playgrounds)
- Roof replacements (but not roof repairs)
- Underground piping (water or sewer) replacement (but not repairs to same)
- Installation of outdoor lighting
- Installation of new facilities or modifications to existing facilities that address climate change (including wildfire suppression, flooding, or other environmental impacts); Projects that offer energy savings
- Installation of new siding on buildings
- Replacement of kitchen equipment
- Repaving of driveways, walkways, and parking areas
- Electrical system upgrades
- Installations that will enable the introduction of new programs such as garden facilities, sports facilities, or others that have an expected life of 10 years or longer. (e.g. sports walls, garden landscaping and fencing, ga-ga pit walls)
- Landscaping equipment including- riding lawnmowers and landscape tractors for use in maintaining camp grounds
- Painting
- Mobile programming trailers/vehicles/spaces: e.g. kitchen, arts & crafts, theater/drama, STEM
- Technology for a computer lab
- Storage/shipping containers
Physical or Capital Projects that do not qualify for HGF Forward Together matching funds:
- FFE: Furniture, Fixtures, equipment for existing buildings (Includes new beds, mattresses, office equipment)
- Camp supplies for the summer (art and other programming supplies)
- Portable electronic equipment (video, drones, office computer equipment)
- Staff wages, salaries, or benefits, either part-time or full-time
- Expenses that have appeared in the operating budget in the past 3 years
- Vehicles to transport children on and off-site