The mission of the Robison Foundation for Jewish Elders is to enhance the lives of elders in the Jewish community of greater Portland by supporting their social, spiritual, and physical well-being.

Prospective Grantees

The Foundation will award funds for programs addressing priorities that have been identified with the input of Jewish community stakeholders.

12/2025 Current Grant Cycle Update

At this time the Foundation is not accepting proposals. As we prepare the next rounds of funding, we want to ensure these resources have the greatest impact and reach the people in your community who need them most. To do that, we’ve launched a year-long listening project to hear directly from Jewish adults 65+ and those who care for them. Their insights will directly shape future grants and services.

Our Process to gather Insights

Step One: Join Our Panel

Sign up to participate in the RFJE Listening & Insights Panel. This ensures we can invite you to brief conversations and opportunities to share your perspective. Please complete the survey here

Step Two: Share Your Thoughts

Take part in a short survey and, if you choose, a one-on-one conversation. Your honest feedback helps us understand the real needs and experiences of Jewish older adults and caregivers in our community.

Step Three: Advisory Panel Consideration

Participants who wish to stay more involved may be invited to join a small advisory group. This group meets periodically to guide future grantmaking and help shape how we support older adults across the Portland metro area.

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2025 Grant Programs

In 2025, the Foundation will award up to $400,000 through two of its anticipated three grant programs:

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Track 1:

"ChikChok" (Fast Track) Grants
up to $3,000/each

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Track 2:

"Kadimah” (Moving Forward) Grants
up to $50,000/each

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Track 3:

“Kulanu” (All of Us) Grants
$50,000+/each will launch in 2026

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Track 1: "ChikChok" (Fast Track) Grants - up to $3,000/each

ChikChok “fast-track” grants are designed to either a) fund community organizations that currently offer or historically provided meaningful and enriching services for elders on the Cedar Sinai Park campus or b) fund community organizations that currently offer or historically provided meaningful and enriching services for elders in off-campus settings.

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Track 2: "Kadimah” (Moving Forward) Grants - up to $50,000/each

Kadimah “move forward” grants to serve as a catalyst to inspire new projects and activities or expand and enhance existing programs that address the community’s priority needs; and to support thoughtful, strategic, capacity-building planning to expand services for elders.

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Track 3: “Kulanu” (All of Us) Grants - $50,000+/each

Offering grants to encourage collaboration among local agencies to mitigate deficits, close service gaps, and create sustainable solutions to address the needs of elders in our Jewish community.
This grant cycle will be announced in 2026. Only past grantees will be eligible for this level of funding. 

Grant Schedule

September 29, 2025 the grant cycle will open.

October 9, 2025, we will be hosting an applicant info session virtually at 10 am. You can sign up here to attend.

November 3, 2025, we will close the cycle.

By December 5, 2025, we will notify applicants of decisions.

If you have any additional questions, please contact info@rfje.org.

Our gratitude to OJCF for their partnership in the sharing of their grants management system for this cycle of grants.