Matching Grants

DAY Camp Match

Cultivate major donors for Day Camp programs.

JCamp 180 is proud to support Jewish Day Camps.

Previous Match Programs


Donate At Your Camp

Past Years Jewish Day Camp Match

This competitive challenge grant program is limited to non-profit Jewish Day Camps in the United States interested in fundraising for physical improvements to better serve Jewish campers for years to come.

This matching grant will give one dollar for every two dollars raised (1:2) for gifts restricted for physical improvements (defined below), up to maximum grant allocation of up to $20,000. (For example, a camp that raises $40,000 will be eligible for a grant of $20,000 for a total project cost of at least $60,000).

Applications were reviewed competitively; 29 projects will be supported by this grant.

The Harold Grinspoon Foundation is seeking to fund projects that:

  • Result in physical improvements for the primary benefit of day campers

    Projects should enhance camper experience and support recruitment and retention efforts of Jewish families.

  • Primarily serve the Day Camp

    The physical improvement projects may be used year-round, but applicants will need to demonstrate that the project will primarily serve the day camp community during its peak summer operating period.

  • Inspire new or greater Jewish philanthropy

    Camps should demonstrate how they will use this grant to inspire new or more generous philanthropic support, inspire greater lay leader engagement in fundraising or develop a compelling case for support for the Jewish day camp.

2027

JCamp 180 Day Camp Matching Grant

Day Camp Matching Grant

JCamp 180, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, announces the 2027 matching grant available to Jewish Day Camps to support physical improvements.

Apply for the 2027 Day Camp Matching Grant in the Grants Portal Today!

*To apply, login to the Grants Portal and then click on the Apply for Grants tab.

This competitive challenge grant program is available to nonprofit Jewish Day Camps in the United States and Canada interested in fundraising for physical improvements to better serve Jewish campers for years to come. We welcome all non-profit Jewish Day Camps in the United States and Canada, regardless of JCamp affiliation.

The matching grant gives one dollar for every two dollars raised (1:2) for gifts restricted for physical improvements (defined below), with grants beginning at $10,000 up to a maximum grant allocation of up to $25,000. (For example, a camp that raises $50,000 will be eligible for a grant of $25,000 for a total project cost of at least $75,000). Projects must cost at least $30,000 – with $10,000 being the minimum grant amount matched 1:2.

Grant applications will be reviewed competitively. You can find the camps previously awarded grants on the previous grants page.

Talk to Us!

Talk to Us! If you have never applied for a JCamp 180 Day Camp Matching Grant please speak with Elizabeth Kaplan prior to applying to ensure your project is eligible and that you have the plan to raise the money.  

The Harold Grinspoon Foundation is seeking to fund projects that:

  • Result in physical improvements for the primary benefit of day campers

    Projects should support the mission of the camp and enhance camper experience in support of recruitment and retention efforts of Jewish families.

  • Primarily serve the Day Camp

    The physical improvement projects may be used year-round, but applicants will need to demonstrate that the project will primarily serve the day camp community during its peak summer operating period.

Inspire new or greater Jewish philanthropy:

We invite applicants to share how they will use this grant to raise new or increased gifts for the purpose of fostering a culture of philanthropy. This may include using the grant to inspire new or more generous philanthropic support, inspire greater lay leader engagement in fundraising, or develop a compelling case for support for the Jewish day camp.

 Participating Camps

If you are interested in supporting one of these projects, please be in touch with the camp directly.

Participating camps TBD

 Grant Timeline

Grant Applications Open

September 8, 2026

Grant Applications Due

October 16, 2026 by 5 PM EST

Grant period starts

January 1, 2027

only gifts received after this date will be eligible to be matched for this grant

Last day to collect gifts

December 31, 2027

Last day to submit gifts to be matched

February 1, 2028

Last day to submit grant report

February 1, 2028

 Guidelines and Eligibility

Overview

The 2027 JCamp 180 Day Camp matching grant will give one dollar for every two dollars raised (1:2) for gifts restricted for physical improvements (defined below), up to a maximum grant allocation of up to $25,000. (For example, a camp that raises $50,000 will be eligible for a grant of $25,000 for a total project cost of at least $75,000). Projects must cost at least $30,000 – with $10,000 being the minimum grant amount matched 1:2.

JCamp 180 programs are most successful when grantee camps participate in the wider camping community through sharing best practices, learning from each other, and collaborating to make Jewish camping impactful to more Jews. It is the expectation that the camp will form and utilize a fundraising team to execute its development plans, including the Day Camp Grant, and that this team of professionals and lay leaders will actively participate in JCamp 180 offerings including webinars, trainings, and attend the annual JCamp 180 Conference (Time and Location 2027 TBA).

Eligibility

  • Nonprofit Jewish day camps in the US and Canada.

    A Jewish day camp must include Jewish ideals and values in their mission statement and articulate their Jewish practices at camp, whether it is observance of Shabbat, Israel programming, Jewish education, Hebrew at camp, living their Jewish values or other such practices. We welcome camps to define what it means for them to be Jewish and we work with camps across the religious spectrum.

  • A Jewish day camp must be a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the "Code") and be classified under sections 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) of the Code.

    Day camps located in Canada must have a U.S. 501(c)(3) tax status to receive HGF's grant funds. Camps without a U.S. 501(c)(3) tax status will need to work with a fiscal sponsor that has a U.S. 501(c)(3) tax status to participate in the JCamp 180 Day Camp matching grant program.

  • Eligible Day camps

    must operate a minimum of 5 days/week for 4 weeks during the summer.

  • Eligible camps

    must have a minimum of 50 campers participating in each camp session.

  • Eligible camps

    must either demonstrate operations for at least 3 years or be a part of an existing camp with a 10-year history of operation.

  • JCamp 180

    will consider applications from a broad base of Jewish movements and independent camps.

  • Prior grantees of the Jewish Day Camp match are eligible to apply.

    To receive funds, camps must have completed the previous match and all reporting requirements. These grantees may apply for continued funds for the same project or for a new project if the prior project was completed.

  • All nonprofit Jewish day camps will be eligible to apply

    so long as they meet the above criteria regardless if they are affiliated with an overnight camp or officially affiliated with JCamp 180.

How Applications Will Be Evaluated

Each proposal is evaluated by a committee assembled by JCamp 180.

Proposals are evaluated for:

  • the strength of the project idea;

  • clarity of budget and timeline;

  • connection of the project to a Jewish mission and program goals;

  • the ability of the project to meet the goals to attract more Jewish families;

  • a clear and achievable fundraising plan;

  • and clarity and persuasiveness of the writing.

Previous grantees' completion of all requirements and final grant reports in previous grants will be considered as part of the application.

While many proposals may be strong based on the above criteria, we also seek to support a diversity of camps, both larger and smaller camps, representing different geographies and movement affiliation.

We do not require camps to be affiliated with the Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC), Jewish Community Centers of America (JCCA), Jewish Day Camp Network (JDCN) or others; nor do we require accreditation by the American Camp Association (ACA).

However, we recognize the importance of being a part of the broader camping landscape, and view camps with these affiliations favorably.  We think accreditation from the ACA is an important step in a camp's organizational growth and view accreditation positively. Proposals submitted by day camps currently affiliated with JCamp 180 are also viewed favorably.

Grant Usage and Match Amount

Grant funds and donor gifts to this match are restricted and may only be used toward physical improvements.

Winning projects contribute to the three goals outlined above and enhance the Jewish mission of the camp.  Successful applications will articulate how the project contributes to the mission of the camp and enhances the programming at the camp.

If you have questions on whether your proposed project qualifies, you are welcome to ask JCamp 180 before you apply.

Please reach out to Elizabeth Kaplan.

Supported Physical Improvements

Qualified Projects Projects that Do Not Qualify
  • Shade pavilions
  • Amphitheaters
  • Recreation Facilities (sports fields, challenge courses, etc)
  • STEAM spaces
  • Splash pads
  • Climbing walls
  • New demonstration kitchen for cooking classes
  • Amphitheater
  • Shade pavilions for outdoor programming
  • New dining facilities
  • Waterfront improvements for pools or lakes
  • New woodworking or art studio
  • Playgrounds
  • Treehouses
  • Hand washing stations (permanent)
  • New ballfields
  • Stand-alone moveable equipment (boats, farming equipment, bicycles, exercise equipment, sports equipment, picnic tables, playgrounds)
  • Septic, Electrical, or other Infrastructure projects not directly connected to the camper experience
  • Security enhancements
  • Portable storage units
  • Parking lot pavement
  • Camp supplies for the summer (art and other programming supplies)
  • Portable electronic equipment (video, drones, computer equipment)
  • Office equipment
  • Indoor furniture
  • Bundled purchases of multiple non-capital items
  • Landscaping and outdoor lighting

Physical improvements must primarily benefit campers at the day camp.

HGF will grant $1 to the camp for every $2 of qualified funds raised and received by the camp during the matching grant period (1:2 match).

Gift Matching Eligibility

To be eligible for matching by HGF, gifts must be cash or cash equivalent.

Stocks, bonds, and other cash equivalents will be matched. Gifts of any amount will be matched.

​Gifts NOT Eligible to be Matched

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. However, increases or special gifts made by federations or similar agencies for the restricted purposes of this grant are eligible.

Program Requirements and Payments

  • Camps must complete an application through the Harold Grinspoon Foundation online grant management system.

  • Camps must sign and submit a Grant Agreement Letter before any funds will be distributed.

    The letter will be generated in the online application process.

  • The Harold Grinspoon Foundation will aim to disperse funds within 10 business days after submission/approval of proof of donor payments submitted in the online system.

    Total gifts submitted must qualify for a minimum of $10,000 HGF matching funds disbursement.

  • Disbursements may be made by wire transfer or by check.

  • Current grantees are expected to attend the JCamp 180 conference.

    The dates and locations for 2026 will be updated when available.

  • Upon the grant’s conclusion, camps must submit a brief report including the number of donors, total amount raised, and how funds were used.

    Reports are due on or before February 2, 2027.

  • 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.

Timeline

Grant application open

September 8, 2026

Grant application due

October 16, 2026 by 5 PM EST

Grant Review process

November - December 2025

Notification of Grant Awards

December 2026

Grant Agreement due

One month after receipt

Grant period starts

January 1, 2027 - only gifts received after this date will be eligible to be matched for this grant

Last day to collect gifts

December 31, 2027

Last day to submit gifts to be matched

February 1, 2028

Last day to submit grant report

February 1, 2028

 Frequently Asked Questions

 We welcome all non-profit Jewish Day Camps in the United States and Canada, regardless of JCamp 180 affiliation. The Jewish day camp must be located in the United States and be a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the "Code") and be classified under sections 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) of the Code. Day Camps located in Canada must have a U.S. 501(c)(3) tax status to receive HGF's grant funds. Camps without a U.S. 501(c)(3) tax status will need to work with a fiscal sponsor that has a U.S. 501(c)(3) tax status to participate in the JCamp 180 Day Camp matching grant program.

Project construction must begin within 12 months of the date the grant was approved. We ask for project plans and a description of the physical project in the application.

 In years past, nearly 60 camps submitted applications and we were able to fund 29 camps. Grantees in the 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 Day Camp matching grant who have finished their matching grant may also apply again. 

Participants in previous JCamp 180 Day Camp Matching Grant cycles can apply for this year’s grant if they have completed the match and all reporting requirements. These grantees may apply for continued funds for the same project or for a new project if the prior project was completed (funded and constructed). These applications will be competitive against new applicants.

This requirement is to ensure grantees have a track record of success and are likely to be ongoing for the foreseeable future.

Regular allocation from Jewish federations or similar agencies are not eligible to be matched. However, increases or special gifts made by federations or similar agencies for the restricted purposes of this grant are eligible.

In the instance of a governing organization operating more than one day camp program, JCamp 180 will consider applications for no more than two (2) distinct sites/programs for that organization’s day camps in any one state or province.  Each site must individually meet our eligibility requirements.  For our purposes, a governing organization is a JCC, Residential Camp, Camp Movement, Synagogue, Federation, Rental Site, etc. Here are two examples for illustration:

Camp Aleph is an overnight camp in Springfield. It operates two day camps, each in a different state. In this situation, both Aleph day camps may apply for a JCamp 180 day camp grant

Camp Bet is a network of fourteen day camps in the greater Los Angeles area, serving multiple parts of the metro area. Only two of the day camps operated by Camp Bet are eligible to apply for a JCamp 180 day camp grant.

The Day Camp Grant is for camp-specific programs. Some programs are operated by schools, synagogues, JCCs, overnight camps, or Federations. To be eligible for the grant (in addition to the other stated requirements), your camp program needs to be substantively different (in terms of program offerings, marketing, demographics, etc.) than what is offered the rest of the year. For further questions, please be in touch with Elizabeth Kaplan (ekaplan@hgf.org).

 Yes, the open response questions are each limited to a maximum of 100 words.

For questions about accessing the grant portal and submitting the application: grants@hgf.org

 Press Kit

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