Our History

  • 1974
    The first fund is opened by the Minneapolis Jewish Federation (formerly Minneapolis Federation for Jewish Service) under the direction of CEO Herman Markowitz.
  • 1980
    The first donor-advised fund is opened.
  • 1981
    Philanthropic fund recommendations begin going to the Board for approval. Assets Under Management reach $4.3 million.
  • 1984
    The name “Jewish Community Foundation” is used. The Foundation’s mission includes educating the members of our community of the value of planned gifts, endowments, and the support of the Jewish community.

    The first non-profit endowment fund is opened by Talmud Torah of Minneapolis.
  • 1987
    The first issue of Legacy, the Foundation’s newsletter, is published and highlights planned giving in the community.
  • 1988
    The Women’s Endowment Fund is established. The Jewish Community Foundation begins a development program for “declaration of intent” letters.
  • 1991
    The Minneapolis Jewish Federation Endowment Fund officially became the “Jewish Community Foundation.”

    Also in 1991, the Mount Sinai Community Foundation was established from the assets of the Mount Sinai Women’s Auxiliary when the Metropolitan-Mount Sinai Hospital dissolved.
  • 1993
    The Genesis Mitzvah Fund program is established, led by Bob Barrows, to teach the next generation about philanthropy.
  • 2005
    The Jewish Community Foundation holds 675 funds totaling $61.7 million.
  • 2017
    The Jewish Community Foundation is rebranded.
  • 2020
    The Network of Philanthropic Advisors is established, helping train and support professional advisors’ conversations with their clients about client’s charitable giving.
  • 2021
    The creation of the Jewish Advocacy Investment Pool, MN JCF's first specifically Jewish-values aligned investment option.
  • 2022
    The Jewish Community Foundation of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation spins out from Federation as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation and rebrands as the Minnesota Jewish Community Foundation.

    Also in 2022, MN JCF hires its first professional investment firm as an outsourced chief investment officer to oversee day-to-day investment of the Foundation’s assets.
  • 2023
    MN JCF opens two more non-profit endowment funds, bringing the total to 16 non-profits, helping them have a cost-effective, sustained and perpetual stream of income.
  • 2024
    MN JCF celebrates half a century of impact. In lieu of the 50-year achievement, the Council for Jewish Federations Endowment Achievement Award is brought back after several years and renamed.

  • • 1977-1984 | Stephen E. Lieberman

    • 1984-1993 | Frank Trestman (z’’l)

    • 1993-1995 | David Sanders (z’’l)

    • 1995-1997 | Ron Zamansky

    • 1997-1999 | Dick Joseph (z’’l)

    • 1999-2002 | Ann Rockler Jackson

    • 2002-2005 | Mike Berman

    • 2005-2008 | Allan Baumgarten

    • 2008-2011 | Jake Hurwitz

    • 2011-2013 | Linda Ketover

    • 2013-2016 | Howard Kaminksy

    • 2016-2017 | Steve Lear

    • 2017-2020 | David Parish

    • 2020-current | Ken Raskin

  • • 1974 | Minneapolis Jewish Federation

    • 1984 | Talmud Torah of Minneapolis

    • 1985 | Amos & Celia Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School

    • 1988 | Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest

    • 1989 | Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis

    • 1992 | MN JCC

    • 1994 | Herzl Camp

    • 1994 | Minnesota Hillel

    • 1996 | BBYO

    • 1998 | JCRC of Minnesota & the Dakotas

    • 2003 | Bais Yaakov

    • 2014 | United Hebrew Brotherhood Cemetery

    • 2019 | Kenesseth Israel Congregation

    • 2020 | Sha’arim

    • 2021 | Six Points Theater

    • 2023 | Congregation Darchei Noam

    • 2023 | Beth El Foundation