Jewish Teen Foundation of Greater Boston (JTFGB)
JTFGB empowers Jewish teens to lead, fundraise, and grant money to causes they care about through a year-long, hands-on philanthropy program. Registration for 2025–2026 is now open!
Empowering Teens. Driving Change. Living Jewish Values.
JTFGB is a year-long, in-person Jewish teen philanthropy program for students in grades 9–12 across Greater Boston, Southern New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. This program empowers teens to tackle real-world issues through hands-on fundraising, strategic grantmaking, and values-driven decision-making.
Each year, participants work collaboratively on teen-led boards to:
- Assess community needs
- Choose a critical issue area
- Fundraise from their networks
- Review nonprofit grant applications
- Allocate significant funding to organizations addressing their chosen cause
While based in Boston, JTFGB's impact is global. Over the first nine years, teens have awarded 65 grants to organizations across the world.
In 2024, JTFGB teens raised over $22,000 from hundreds of donors to support nonprofits focused on housing access for displaced individuals and families and teen mental health.
What Do Teens Learn During JTFGB?
Through JTFGB, participants build skills that will last a lifetime:
- Strengthen leadership, communication, and teamwork
- Work closely with real nonprofits to understand community needs
- Learn consensus-building and decision-making
- Explore Jewish texts and values connected to philanthropy
- Challenge perspectives through meaningful debate
- Make new friends from across the region
Who Should Apply?
JTFGB is open to Jewish teens entering grades 9–12 in Fall 2025 who are interested in leadership, philanthropy, and making a difference. No prior experience is required—just a passion for social change and a desire to grow.
The program will run two boards:
- First-Year Board: For teens new to JTFGB
- Second-Year Board: For returning participants
Time Commitment
- Meetings every 2–4 weeks for 2 hours
- Includes orientation, program kick-off, and grant presentation ceremony in late spring
- 5–7 nonprofit site visits in spring
- Minimal work between sessions (approx. 2 hours/month)
- Teens are expected to fundraise a minimum of $360
Upon acceptance, teens receive a full calendar of events and expectations.
Program Cost
Participation fee: $575
Financial aid is available — Reach out to lfinkelmankagan@jccgb.org with any questions.
Apply Now!
The application for the 2025–26 JTFGB program is now open! Join a community of passionate, engaged teens making a real difference through Jewish values and action.
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