B'nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy
Build new relationships, learn collaboration, and make grants with a Jewish giving lens.
By investing in youth, tomorrow’s leaders will have the skills and tools to create sustainable, just, and vibrant societies far into the future.
Our Goal
Memphis B’nai Tzedek is the premier teen philanthropy program in Memphis. Founded in 2002 and named Outstanding Teen Foundation in 2005 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Memphis Chapter, B’nai Tzedek teaches Jewish teens to become philanthropists.
Teens join B’nai Tzedek by donating $250 of their Bar or Bat Mitzvah money to the Jewish Foundation of Memphis to establish an individual fund in their name. A sponsor matches that money, so that the teen has $500 in their fund. Every year, each member may give away 20% of their fund to the qualified charities of their choice.
When teens join B’nai Tzedek, they also become members of our Teen Co-op Fund. Each year the Co-Op fund works together to give away $10,000 in grants to local Jewish organizations. Teens lead the grant making process from start to finish. They get to know the diverse Jewish organizations in Memphis and decide how to allocate grant money to help the Memphis Jewish community grow and thrive.
