Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona - Steven A. Lightman Family Foundation Accepting 2010 Grant Proposals

“We all get where we are because some else gives us an opportunity.” – Steven A. Lightman

Steven A. Lightman Family Foundation

Established in 2006, the Steven A. Lightman Family Foundation supports not-for-profit organizations that “make a difference in people’s lives,” with an emphasis on Jewish institutions in Tucson or around the world.

Areas of interest include children, education, needy, elderly, environment and the arts. Grants are awarded annually, generally in amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000.

In 2010 the Lightman Foundation awarded $26,900 for 10 projects. Three grants were awarded to P.E.F. Israel Endowment Funds www.pefisrael.org for:

Big Brother and Big Sister of Israel’s www.bigbrothers.org.il/len Sunrays: Enrichment, recreational and support activities for Big Brother and Big Sister matches.
Hamidrasha Halelumit’s Seeds for Hope: Clubhouse for Teenage Girls from Ethopian Immigrant Families
Neve Hanna Children’s Home in Kiryat Gat for Children Bake Their Future, an in-house bakery.

Other grants were:

U.S. Friends of Yad LaKashish www.lifeline.org.il for Lifeline for the Old’s bus passes for the elderly.
The Good People Fund www.goodpeoplefund.org for Teens for Tots – Community Intervention for Children and Teens at Risk.
The Institute for the Advancement of Education in Tel Aviv - Jaffa www.jaffainstitute.org for Fueling Educational Enrichment.

Family Philanthropy

The Steven A. Lightman family established a fund at the foundation to support not-for-profit organizations whose services and programs “make a difference in peoples’ lives,” with an emphasis on Jewish institutions in Tucson or around the world. Pictured from left are Nicole, Steven, Lindsey and Jason Lightman.

Mobile Meals of Tucson www.mobilemealsoftucson.org to provide delivered meals for those in need.
Tu Nidito Chiddren and Family Services www.tunidito.org for Children to Children, a grief support program.
United Jewish Communities www.jewishcommunities.org for Be-Atzmi’s www.be-atzmi.org.il SHAHAM Program – Integrating Education and Family.
Zefat Academic College www.zefat.ac.il for the Single Mother Academic Empowerment Project

In 2009, the Lightman Foundation awarded $19,900 to seven recipients:

Temple Emanu-El www.templeemanueltucson.org for Project Hospitality/Operation Deep Freeze
Tu Nidito Children and Family Services www.tunidito.org for Children-to-Children Grief Support
Denver Center for Victims of Crime www.denvervictims.org for Emergency Fund for Victims of Crime,
Be Atzmi www.be-atzmi.org.il for the Shaham Program Integrating Education and Family in Israel
Institute for the Advancement of Education in Jaffa www.jaffainstitute.org for Fueling Educational Enrichment
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Israel www.bigbrothers.org.il/len for the Hatch-a-Match Program and scholarships for Tel Aviv University.

Lightman established this family foundation to involve his children in the process of philanthropy. “If it works, when my kids get married and have kids they will support whatever causes they think are important,” he said.
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The. Lightman Foundation is a supporting organization of the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona and awards funds consistent with the JCFSA mission. Proposals may be considered for projects, scholarships, capacity building, capital, training, research and endowments.

Further information is available in the Grant Guidelines or by contacting Lia Pierse, legacy planning coordinator at 577-0388 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Applications for 2011 grants are not yet available.