The Jewish Fund Teen Board: Shaping the Future of Jewish Philanthropy

For the past decade, the Jewish Fund Teen Board has been preparing the next generation of Jewish leaders in Detroit. This innovative program offers teens hands-on experience in philanthropy, giving them the tools to make meaningful contributions to their community. As the board celebrates its tenth year, it continues to serve as a model for youth engagement and leadership within Honeycomb’s national network of Jewish teen philanthropy.

The Birth of the Jewish Fund Teen Board

The Detroit Teen Board has relied on the Honeycomb ChangeMakers curriculum as a cornerstone of its success. Developed to guide Jewish teen philanthropy through a values-driven lens, the curriculum provides a structured yet flexible framework for students to explore identity, justice, and giving. From foundational discussions to real-world grantmaking, ChangeMakers has helped shape a consistent educational experience for each cohort, fostering deep reflection, respectful debate, and purpose-driven action.

In 2015, The Jewish Fund Teen Board was initially established as part of the first cohort of the Honeycomb Foundation Board Incubator generously supported by Laura Lauder and the Maimonides Fund; an origin that underscores its deep roots and efforts to advance Jewish teen philanthropy in the city of Detroit. In the program’s early years, Margo Pernick, Executive Director of The Jewish Fund, played a pivotal role in embedding the curriculum into the board’s culture. Her leadership ensured that the educational vision aligned with the board’s mission and growth. As participation has remained strong (25–28 students annually), the ChangeMakers curriculum continues to anchor the program in Jewish values while cultivating a new generation of thoughtful, empathetic, and empowered young philanthropists.

The Structure of the Program

The program consists of two cohorts: Year 1 and Year 2 each building on the previous year’s learning. Year 1 introduces teens to the basics of grant-making and community needs, while Year 2 offers deeper involvement and more complex projects. Although each group has its own mission statement and focus areas, they often collaborate on larger initiatives, fostering mentorship and peer learning across the board.

A Commitment to Learning and Engagement

Teens are selected through a thoughtful application and interview process to ensure genuine interest and commitment. Participants are expected to attend at least 90% of meetings and site visits, balancing busy schedules with their board responsibilities.

Site visits are a highlight of the program, allowing teens to engage directly with local nonprofits. These hands-on experiences provide valuable insight into the work of organizations serving vulnerable populations and often inspire participants to volunteer or intern afterward. As Laura Charnas, Teen Board Coordinator since 2020, puts it, “They learn so much about the community and what it offers. It is truly amazing.”

Funding with Purpose and Impact

Each year, the two Teen Boards manage a combined grant pool of $100,000, with each board overseeing $50,000. While the total amount has stayed the same since the program began, the way funds are allocated has changed. Since COVID, teens have favored supporting more organizations with smaller grants, focusing on a wider range of grant recipients. Their decision-making process is both thorough and heartfelt, culminating in Consensus Meetings where participants passionately discuss and ultimately agree on which projects to fund.

Building the Future of Jewish Philanthropy

Looking ahead, the Jewish Fund Teen Board plans to expand its reach through an alumni internship program and deeper collaboration with other local organizations. These initiatives aim to foster lasting connections and a broader network of changemakers in the Jewish community.

With strong leadership and support from Laura and Margo, the program is laying a powerful foundation for future leaders. The teens who participate each year aren’t just learning about philanthropy; they’re actively shaping the future of Detroit’s Jewish community.