The Jewish Women’s Endowment Fund makes an impact.

Children from the 3 R’s Summer Youth Academy of Kingdom Life Christian Cathedral South Bend were excited to receive new books donated by the Jewish Women’s Endowment Fund.

The Jewish Women’s Endowment Fund (JWEF) of the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley was founded in 2001 as a fund run by women interested in proactive and progressive philanthropy. We support programs and services of nonprofit organizations designed to improve the lives of women and children both locally and globally.

The attraction of a women’s fund like the JWEF is that donors can make decisions about the allocation of their charitable dollars. Donating as a group often allows us to make a larger impact than an individual donation.

Since 2003, JWEF has awarded over 180 grants that have supported equipment for special needs children, skill training for underprivileged women, CPR training for grade schoolers, and gardens in poverty areas. Over the years, grants have been awarded to local congregations, the Federation, local Jewish organizations, many local non-profit organizations and to Israeli and global groups. For JWEF members, it is rewarding to be able to help to improve the lives of women and children around the world in the name of local Jewish women!

From a group of 15 founding members, we grew to over 45 members. Annually, we solicit grant applications and select the grantees. We meet once annually to vote on our selections. It’s simple, it is not time consuming, but it feels so good to provide direct help to those in need!

This year we will give grants for individuals with special needs, who need medical intervention, have experienced food insecurity, poverty, need protection from violence, need books, or are immigrants.

Contact Mara Boettcher, 574-360-1110 or mara.boettcher.18@gmail.com for more information.