David Chapman

About David

(updated 2019) David is an innovative, experienced nonprofit leader whose dedication to social justice is deeply rooted in Jewish values. David is passionate about the Jewish community, arts, youth development, and cross-cultural understanding. Currently a Rabbinical student at the Jewish Theological Seminary and a Wexner Graduate Fellow, he held senior positions at New Israel Fund from May 2015 to June 2018, first as a Senior Program Officer and then as the Associate Director for Programs and Partnerships.
From 2012-2015, David was an integral member of the grantmaking team at the Nathan Cummings Foundation (NCF), which grants approximately $18 million each year to organizations in the U.S. and Israel that advance social justice and democratic values. In addition to analyzing and evaluating new grant proposals, David provides support to grantees from two of NCF’s four legacy programs (Jewish Life & Values and Ecological Innovation). David has played an active role in the development of funding guidelines for NCF’s new Climate program. David was instrumental in the success of the $1 million Jewish Social Change Match Fund, a collaboration with Jewish Funders Network and six other foundations.
Prior to joining NCF, David enjoyed a successful decade-long career as a freelance theater artist. Highlights include: – Participating in the prestigious Drama League Fall Fellowship – Assistant directing on Broadway, off-Broadway, and at top regional theaters – Writing/performing solo shows in London, Edinburgh, and Montreal – Serving as a guest director at NYU Tisch, Atlantic Acting School, and UNC-Chapel Hill – Directing world premiere plays and revivals at independent theaters around the country
David spent a year on a Fulbright scholarship in Budapest, Hungary, where he studied and wrote about the country’s post-1989 theater scene. He also spent a year as a Luce Scholar in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, teaching and directing at the national theatre and film college. 
David holds a BA with Highest Honors from the University of North Carolina, where he won the Spearman Award for most outstanding man in the Class of ’03. He also holds a Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership from Fordham University’s graduate schools in Business and Social Service.