Two New Justin Reid Ehrenwerth Community Impact Awards Announced to Advance Voting Rights and Rural Interfaith Partnerships

The Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF) has announced two awards through the Justin Reid Ehrenwerth Community Impact Fund, supporting organizations whose work reflects Justin Ehrenwerth’s lifelong commitment to public service, civil rights, equity, and strengthening communities.

This year’s awards provide a total of $45,000 to two organizations advancing democracy, civic engagement, and cross-community understanding.

The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) received a $30,000 award to support its Black Voters on the Rise initiative in Louisiana. The funding will strengthen efforts to protect voting rights, educate and engage voters, recruit and train poll workers, monitor and address barriers to voting, and conduct advocacy and voter education activities leading up to the 2026 elections.

The initiative aligns Justin’s enduring commitment to public service, civil rights, and preserving democracy while cultivating the next generation of leaders dedicated to protecting the fundamental right to vote.

The Ehrenwerth Community Impact Fund Selection Committee also awarded $15,000 to Colby College's Center for Small Town Jewish Life to support its efforts to strengthen Jewish communities in rural and small-town America through relationship building, interfaith partnerships, and resilience against antisemitism. Justin was a graduate of Colby College, where he served as President of the Student Government and President of the campus Hillel.

The funding will support the Center’s programs, including Yad b’Yad, the Tzedakah/Zakat Fellowship, and the Student Leadership Fellows initiative, which bring Jewish and Muslim students together through service, leadership development, and community engagement. The selection committee recognized the organization’s commitment to fostering meaningful relationships across communities, challenging antisemitism through dialogue and collaboration, and strengthening the social bonds that enable communities to thrive.

"In a very meaningful way, these Awards continue the important work that Justin passionately undertook during his lifetime," said David H. Ehrenwerth, JHF Board Trustee. "I’m certain that he would be so pleased and grateful to see that the fruits of his efforts are being realized in this manner."

Established in memory of Justin Reid Ehrenwerth in 2024, the Community Impact Award Fund honors his legacy by supporting organizations whose work advances civic engagement, social justice, environmental stewardship, and community resilience. Administered by JHF, the fund awards nonprofit organizations whose missions embody Justin’s values and commitment to creating lasting positive change.