July 24, 2008

Nurturing Jewish Identity

Boosted by a $1-billion bequest, a foundation focuses on faith

By Caroline Preston

For nearly two decades, the Jim Joseph Foundation was a little-known grant maker, run by one employee who oversaw giving of roughly $1-million per year. Today, the San Francisco fund is one of the biggest names in Jewish philanthropy, awarding more than $45-million last year alone.

That transformation came thanks to a nearly $1-billion bequest from the group's founder, Jim Joseph, who left the philanthropy most of his estate when he died five years ago at age 68.

Mr. Joseph, a

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