NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) has launched BunkConnect (BunkConnect.org), a new national program that matches eligible families with nonprofit Jewish summer camps at a more affordable price.

“BunkConnect … takes a fresh approach to addressing affordability in Jewish life,” said Michael Leven, president and COO of the Las Vegas Sands Corp., former camper and counselor, and key program funder. “I am very excited to bring this program to a national stage and see how we can help more kids have a summer experience like those that were so meaningful to me many years ago.”

BunkConnect is an online program in which income-eligible families of all Jewish backgrounds supply some basic, confidential information and are then matched with available camp sessions at low introductory rates (40%-60% off list prices). This initiative is modeled after the success of FJC’s One Happy Camper program – a need-blind grant initiative for first-time campers.

“Families want to send their children to Jewish camp. By matching their desire with available summer experiences, we are opening new avenues of access,” said Jeremy J. Fingerman, CEO of FJC. “BunkConnect is changing how we look at scholarship, affordability, and capacity for Jewish camp and beyond.”

BunkConnect launched nationally last week with 75 participating camps, representing various movements and denominations. The program is for first-time campers, basing eligibility on a family’s adjusted gross income, number of dependent children, and place of legal residency.

BunkConnect is a program of FJC with the Center for Entrepreneurial Jewish Philanthropy (CEJP), made possible by funding from the Avi Chai Foundation, the Leader Family Foundation, the Michael and Andrea Leven Family Foundation, and the Jack and Goldie Wolfe Miller Fund, with additional support from Eileen and Jerry Lieberman.

For more information, or to determine eligibility, please visit www.BunkConnect.org.