Endowment

Building strong endowments means building a stronger Jewish future! As part of Prizmah’s bold initiative to drive a $400 million increase in school endowments by 2029, the Endowment Training Institute is a comprehensive three-year program provides school leaders and communities with the expertise, tools, and support to invest in their school’s long-term financial sustainability and ongoing excellence.

Applications for the Endowment Training Institute are now closed.

Program Overview

Through a dynamic blend of virtual and in-person learning experiences, school professional and volunteer leaders will master the fundamentals of endowment fundraising, campaign strategy and long-term endowment growth. This cohort program brings together schools to create a collaborative learning environment where leaders can share experiences, build networks and develop practical skills. In conjunction with mastering the fundamentals and strategies of endowment fundraising, schools will simultaneously launch their own endowment campaign. Schools will set their own ambitious financial goals for their endowment campaign and have regular check-ins to support achieving this goal.

The ETI is designed so an individual school can participate in a national cohort while communities can engage together in a customized local program.

Program Structure

The Endowment Training Institute offers an intentionally designed learning journey that combines flexibility with deep engagement.

Core Learning Components

Online Learning
The Endowment Training Institute features a comprehensive online learning environment built on Google Classroom, making it easy for school teams to engage with course content at their own pace. Between the annual in-person and virtual training sessions, participants will work their way through the online course. Schools have access to a rich library of resources including pre-recorded videos, interactive assignments, and practical tools to support them on their endowment building journey. The platform facilitates ongoing peer learning through discussion forums and collaborative workspaces, while also providing an structured way of tracking progress through the program.

Virtual Live Sessions
Throughout each year, three live virtual training sessions bring participating schools together online for interactive webinars that build on core program topics and themes. These sessions combine expert instruction with real-time discussion and peer learning, allowing school teams to share challenges, celebrate successes, and gain practical insights immediately that can be applied to their endowment work.

For communities participating in the program, the three virtual sessions are replaced by two local, in-person workshops.

In-Person Gathering
Once each year, participating schools are invited to an in-person convening that will provide valuable opportunities for hands-on learning, relationship building and collaborative problem solving with peer schools. These face to face gatherings deepen connection while allowing the time and space for participants to dig deeply into content, dive into conversation and practice critical skills like donor engagement and solicitation strategies.

Implementation Support

Individual Coaching
Each school will be matched with a coach who will provide 15 hours of individualized consultation annually to your school team, ensuring that the learning can be directly applied to your school's unique context and challenges. Your coach will work with you to customize your endowment fundraising plan and guide its implementation, supporting you along the way.

Office Hours
Office hours provide participating schools with dedicated time to connect with coaches and endowment experts for personalized guidance and support. These regularly scheduled ‘drop-in’ sessions will offer an opportunity to ask questions, workshop ideas, and receive feedback and advice on challenges and strategies specific to their endowment work.

Curriculum Highlights

Year 1: Preparing for an Endowment Campaign

Understanding the philanthropic landscape
Crafting compelling cases for support
Balancing development initiatives
Establishing endowment structures and policies

Year 2: Campaign Strategy and Implementation

Mastering endowment solicitation
Donor engagement strategies
Prospect research and pipeline development
Engaging institutional leadership

Year 3: Endowment Growth and Sustainability

Building multigenerational giving programs
Implementing donor stewardship strategies
Developing planning giving initiatives
Creating long-term endowment strategies

Who Should Participate

Schools participate in the Endowment Training Initiative as a team. Teams include the head of school, development professional and one or two lay leaders (e.g., board chair, development committee chair). For community cohorts, local partners (Federations, funders) are encouraged to participate alongside their local schools.

Program Benefits

Gain practical skills to launch and manage successful endowment campaigns
Learn from experts and peers
Access to customized coaching and support
Strengthen your network of fellow school leaders
Create meaningful and sustainable financial growth for your school

Fees

The price to participate in the Endowment Training Institute is determined by school size and ranges from $5,000 - $10,000 annually.

The fee your school pays includes access to the online learning portal, 15 hours of school coaching a year, and access to the virtual training sessions and office hours.

Each participating school will receive complimentary registration for the annual in person training for two (2) team members. Additional registrations can be added at an additional fee. Travel and lodging for the in-person gatherings are not included in the program fee.

Application Process

Applications for the Endowment Training Institute are now closed.

Interested in learning more? Please reach out to Traci Reisberg, Senior Director, School Advancement.

The Endowment Program at Prizmah is generously supported by Robin and Brad Klatt, Sarena and David Koschitzky, Alvin Segal Family Foundation, and UnitEd, an initiative of the Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combatting Antisemitism.