(July 16, 2025 – Portland, OR)
The Robison Foundation for Jewish Elders has completed its first-ever grant cycle by approving $20,000 in “ChikChok” (fast-track) small grants. Grants were awarded to seven local nonprofits that provide programming for residents of the Cedar Sinai Park (CSP) campus in Southwest Portland. Most ChikChok grant recipients have offered programs on the CSP campus for many years, but without any funding support.
“CSP is a special place because so many Jewish organizations bring their staff and volunteers to the campus throughout the year,” said Michael Millender, the President of the Foundation board. “These grants will ensure the continuity of programs that enrich the lives of CSP residents, deepen partnerships between CSP and the Jewish community, and promote interaction across the generations.”
The mission of the Foundation is to enhance the lives of elders in the Portland Jewish community by supporting their social, spiritual and physical well-being. Grants are awarded for programs that address diverse needs, including transportation, socialization and community building, and financial assistance for under-resourced elders. Foundation funds are generated from individual donations and from the proceeds of the sale of the CSP campus in June 2024. For more information about the Foundation, visit RFJE.org
The Foundation expects to make grants totaling $400,000 in 2025. In addition to recently-approved ChikChok grants, the Foundation will award larger “Kadima” (moving forward) and “Kulanu” (all of us) grants, to fund new projects and expand existing programs for elders across Portland’s Jewish community. Local agencies are encouraged to collaborate on programs that address systemic issues facing Jewish elders. The timing of these grant cycles will be announced later this year.
Foundation grants are awarded through a competitive application process. For the ChikChok grants, a committee of CSP residents and Foundation board members solicited and reviewed applications and made funding recommendations to the Foundation board.
“During our deliberations, we talked about the interests and needs of residents,” explained Myra Fox, a CSP resident who served on the review committee and chairs the CSP Residents Council. “I’m excited about the variety of program opportunities and the impact these grants will have on our daily lives.”
All seven organizations that applied for ChikChok grants received partial or full funding for their programs. The slate of awards includes the following:
Jewish Family and Child Service ($3,000) – Provide group-based counseling, socialization, and support services for CSP residents.
Dignity Grows Chapter of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland ($1,000) – Host a packing event for hygiene totes in December 2025 that will bring together CSP residents and other community volunteers.
Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education ($1,870) – Develop and install thematic displays of materials from the Museum’s collection for the Goodman Living Room of the Harold Schnitzer Center for Living and create a catalog for each display.
ORA Northwest Jewish Artists ($2,654) – Design and print new prayer books for CSP residents’ use. ORA artists will hold art workshops with CSP residents, and the residents’ work will be featured in the prayer books.
Portland Jewish Academy ($3,000) – B’Yachad (“Together”) program pairing PJA middle school students and CSP residents, who meet monthly for discussions, meals, holiday celebrations, and other activities.
BB360 ($3,000) – A monthly Shabbat service on the CSP campus, followed by an interactive, intergenerational Torah study.
Jewish National Fund ($3,000) – A four-part “Taste of Israel” series for CSP residents offering an engaging and accessible journey through modern Israel—its society, history, politics, and diverse populations.
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