Strategic Direction
2026-2030

This is a defining moment for Jewish life and for Jewish camp.

At a time marked by rising antisemitism, deep polarization, and growing disconnection, Jewish camp remains one of the most powerful and proven engines for building Jewish identity, belonging, leadership, and joy. Camp creates the kinds of experiences that shape lives: where young people feel proud to be Jewish, form lifelong friendships, discover their voices, and learn they are part of something larger than themselves.

The impact of those experiences does not end when summer does. It reverberates through families, communities, and future generations. And when camps are strong, visionary, and well-supported, that impact grows exponentially.

That is why we are proud to share Foundation for Jewish Camp’s 2026–2030 Strategic Direction: an ambitious and action-oriented roadmap for strengthening Jewish camp and expanding access to transformative Jewish experiences for more children, teens, and families across North America.

This Strategic Direction is grounded in both urgency and optimism. Developed with input from across the field—camp professionals, funders, federation leaders, lay leaders and FJC board members and staff—and informed by survey data from thousands of camp families, the plan identifies three interdependent strategic priorities that address the field’s most pressing challenges and greatest opportunities.

Over the next five years, FJC will focus on three high-impact priorities:

Advancing the
Business of Camp

Strengthening infrastructure, affordability, talent, and long-term financial health
Building Jewish
Learners & Leaders

Deepening belonging, leadership, and connection to Jewish life and Israel
Championing
Jewish Camp

Elevating visibility, growing investment, and affirming camp as essential to a vibrant Jewish future

The message is clear: Jewish camp matters more than ever, and this is a moment for bold leadership and bold investment. FJC, with your partnership, is uniquely positioned to lead this effort with clarity, urgency, and purpose.

Thank you for your enduring trust and shared commitment. Together, we will ensure that every Jewish child can access exceptional camp experiences—and help shape a stronger Jewish future for all.

With gratitude, shared purpose, and resolve,

Jamie Simon

Chief Executive Officer

Jeffrey M. Solomon

Chair, Board of Directors

When someone spends a summer at Jewish camp, they discover Jewish joy and connection that last a lifetime.

Now multiply that one experience by thousands, across hundreds of camps, year after year, and you see the extraordinary ripple effect of Jewish camp.

Families are strengthened, leaders are nurtured, communities are enriched, and the Jewish future is shaped in powerful and enduring ways.

Why Now?

At a time when raising strong, confident Jewish youth matters more than ever, Jewish camp offers impact that is both immediate and lasting: a deep sense of pride, belonging, and joy.

To build on this impact and ensure it reaches more young people, we must address the challenges facing camps today like rising costs, aging infrastructure, and leadership turnover. These challenges, left unaddressed, risk stalling the field at a time when its influence is most needed.

Vision

Our vision is a future in which every Jewish child has access to exceptional Jewish camp experiences.

To realize that vision, over the next five years we are committed to:

Dramatically expanding access

and affordability so more Jewish children and teens can experience camp

Building camp capacity

so there is a bed for every camper who wants one

Scaling and replicating sustainable business models

that help camps thrive

Deepening cultures of belonging and inclusion

so every camper and staff member feels they belong

Advancing research on camp’s long-term impact

on Jewish identity, leadership, and community connection

Strengthening strategic partnerships

to expand expertise, resources, and field capacity

Elevating Jewish camp

on the philanthropic and Jewish communal agenda

Together, these efforts will ensure that Jewish camp continues to strengthen Jewish identity, connection, and community for generations to come.

Strategic
Priorities

1Advancing the
Business of Camp

Behind every transformative experience is a camp that’s built to last.
2Building Jewish
Learners & Leaders

Jewish camp is where young people discover who they are and who they can become.
3Championing
Jewish Camp

Jewish camp is not a luxury, it’s a proven, powerful engine of Jewish peoplehood.

Strategic Priority

1Advancing the Business of Camp

We will strengthen infrastructure and facilities, expand affordability, invest in durable career pathways, and build sustainable business models that secure long-term resilience.

With this foundation, camps can reach more families, adapt with purpose, and operate with confidence season after season.

Invest in Facilities

Build Strong Business Models

Expand Financial Accessibility

Cultivate Durable & Desirable Careers

Strategic Priority

2Building Jewish Learners & Leaders

We will deepen belonging, nurture Jewish identity, foster meaningful connections to Israel, and inspire leadership across the camper-to-alumni pipeline, cultivating the next generation of Jewish leaders.

FJC invests in the educators and environments that turn one camp experience into a lifetime of Jewish engagement and leadership.

Deepen Belonging

Strengthen Jewish Identity

Foster Connection to Israel

Develop Leadership Skills

Strategic Priority

3Championing Jewish Camp

We will elevate camp as a communal priority, expand philanthropic investment, showcase impact through data and storytelling, and strengthen national visibility and partnerships across the Jewish ecosystem.

We use data and research to advocate for camp as a smart, scalable, and essential investment in the Jewish future.

Leverage Strategic Partnerships

Elevate Jewish Camp as a Communal and Philanthropic Priority

Showcase Transformative Impact

Platforms + Capabilities That Deliver

To execute this strategy, FJC has built four cross-cutting Strategic Platforms: organizational hubs that leverage internal capabilities, partnerships, and targeted programs.

Together, these platforms position FJC not just as a supporter of camps, but as the engine that strengthens the entire ecosystem.