About The Louis August Jonas Foundation

The Louis August Jonas Foundation, Inc. (“LAJF”) is a publicly supported non-profit foundation, established in 1930 by George Edward (Freddie) Jonas.  We focus on creating a better world by bringing together and inspiring young leaders from around the world.

For 80 years, LAJF has been committed to helping young people grow intellectually, ethically and internationally.  We do this by operating Camp Rising Sun, our full scholarship, seven week summer leadership program for teenagers.  Each summer, sixty boys attend Camp Rising Sun Red Hook and sixty girls attend Camp Rising Sun Clinton, both in Rhinebeck, NY.   Campers, selected for their character and leadership potential, are from diverse backgrounds, representing more than twenty countries and often from families of modest means. Annual selection is conducted by a team of volunteer selectors, most of whom are alumni of Camp Rising Sun.  We invite you to explore this website and learn more about our program.

Through affiliated programs, LAJF also offers assistance to our alumni through scholarships for those requiring financial assistance in completing post-secondary education, and a grant program for alumni seeking to pursue humanitarian-oriented projects.

Camp Rising Sun alumni gain admission to some of the finest colleges around the world.  An alumni college network provides counsel on the college admissions process and connects alumni with colleagues from many different colleges and universities.

We maintain a commitment to over 4,000 alumni of our program around world who, personally and through 25 alumni associations, generously support LAJF and Camp Rising Sun.  Learn more about our alumni network at www.risingsun.org.