Pictured: JFS at the MJCC Equine Therapy, a Fedovation-funded program, helps special needs families in an innovative and impactful way.
By Bluma Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein
Jewish Community Partners President/CEO Laura Linder announced this week that Memphis Jewish Federation will begin accepting applications from individuals, congregations, youth groups, schools, and agencies serving the Memphis Jewish community for Fedovation Impact Grants.
First introduced in 2015 with the goal of stimulating creativity and innovation in new projects or initiatives throughout the Memphis Jewish community, Fedovation grants, ranging from $2,500 to $20,000, have funded an array of meaningful and successful social service projects, recruitment initiatives, and Jewish engagement programming.
“Fedovation Impact grants provide an opportunity for the development of innovative, creative, and impactful projects in our community,” remarked Jill Shanker, Vice Chair, Needs Assessment and Community Impact for Memphis Jewish Federation and Co-Chair of this year’s Grants Committee. “There are needs in our community that aren’t currently being met, and this grants process has opened a new funding mechanism to meet those needs and achieve significant impact. We are particularly proud that Fedovation grants are open to anyone in Memphis servicing the Memphis Jewish community.”
In order to be eligible for a Fedovation Impact grant, programs must address at least one strategic priority of the Jewish Community Partners Action Plan: Sustaining Jewish Memphis, Jewish Education and Engagement, and Caring for our Fellow Jews.
“For the purpose of this process, an innovative program is one that creates something new and meaningful in the Memphis Jewish community, adds a new component to an existing program, or refashions an existing program in a unique and creative way in order to increase its impact,” explains Jimmy Ringel, Co-Chair of this year’s Grants Committee.
“To have impact,” Mr. Ringel continued, “A program should provide content in an ongoing, meaningful way and have clear and measureable outcome goals. Preference will be given to programs that demonstrate potential for significant impact, promote collaboration in the community and are not already receiving funding. One-time programs will be considered but may have difficulty demonstrating meaningful impact.”
Individuals or agencies wishing to apply for Fedovation Impact grants should submit a Letter of Intent to Memphis Jewish Federation by the close of business on February 12, 2018. Full grant guidelines and Letters of Intent are available online.
A subcommittee will review the Letters of Intent and invite selected applicants to submit full proposals. Individuals seeking grants must be supported by a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor.
The Jewish Community Partners Action Plan and strategic priorities were developed through meetings with congregational rabbis; agency, school, and congregational executive directors; board presidents; and heads of school, facilitated by a Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) consultant. This process took place in July-August 2015, following the 2014 Community Needs Assessment, which identified gaps in service within the Memphis Jewish community.
Questions about the application process should be directed to Bluma Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein at 767-7100 or bzuckerbrot-finkelstein@jcpmemphis.org.