In 2022, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation invited the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis (JFGI) to participate in the PJ Library Endowment Challenge. Following an acceptance, JFGI joined 12 communities across North America to permanently endow their local PJ Library program through the support of local donors and Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s incentives and matching dollars. JFGI established an initial goal of $1.5 million for the PJ Library Endowment Fund.

PJ Library has been a cornerstone of the Indianapolis community since 2009, when JFGI launched its partnership with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Since then, more than 1,753 children have received books in the Greater Indianapolis area, and participation has grown to 538 PJ Library children and 87 PJ Our Way children in 2022.

Thanks to the support of Indianapolis’ charitable community members through directed gifts and Annual Campaign dollars, JFGI has been able to provide monthly books and engagement opportunities to families throughout the Greater Indianapolis area.

While dozens of donors have supported PJ Library over the years, one family has created a legacy of giving that has transcended generations. The Alan and Linda Cohen Family Foundation has provided significant grants to JFGI in support of PJ Library since the program was established locally. Without the generous support of Alan, Linda, and their children, Lauren and Nate, JFGI would not have been able to create such a significant impact in the lives of Jewish families with young children.

More information on the endowment program, including opportunities to support the program and make an even larger impact through matching dollars, will be coming soon. Contact Josh Lodolo at jlodolo@jfgi.org if you are interested in learning more about the PJ Library Endowment Challenge.