The Jewish Funders Network Sunday announced that it has a pool $750,000 to give matching grants to first time gifts to environmental projects in Israel.
The JFN, which has some 900 members, is open to individuals and foundations granting at least $25,000 annually to Jewish and/or secular causes.
The Jewish Funders Network/Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund Matching Grant Initiative for the Environment in Israel are open only to JFN members and will be given to match either first time gifts or gifts that are at least double a donor’s previous gift to an Israeli environmental nonprofit.
Applications for matching grants will be accepted online at jfunders.org from March 15 to July 31, 2009.
“The need for protecting Israel’s environment is a growing challenge, even as natural resource depletion and clean water shortages escalate,” said Richard N. Goldman, founder and president of the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund. “There is a pressing need to proactively and effectively address the environmental impact of rapid industrialization and population growth."
Over the past four years, JFN’s matching grant initiatives have generated over $60 million in new funds for a wide range of causes.
Here’s the release:
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JEWISH FUNDERS NETWORK LAUNCHES $750,000 IN MATCHING GRANTS:
Initiative will generate $1.5 million in new funds for the environment in Israel
New York, March 15, 2009: The Jewish Funders Network announced today a $750,000 pool of funds to match first-time major gifts by JFN members to Israeli non-profit environmental organizations. The Jewish Funders Network/Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund Matching Grant Initiative for the Environment in Israel will offer donors an innovative and effective way to leverage an investment to impact the environment in Israel, a critical field which will have long-term impact on the health, economy, and quality of life.
“JFN’s matching grants programs are a time-proven tool that produces real impact,” said Murray Galinson, JFN Board Chair. “We are pleased to be able to be able to be able to offer this tool to help maximize the positive impact that donors can make on the environment in Israel.”
JFN’s matching grants structure is a powerful incentive to encourage donors to make investments in funding areas that are new to them and of importance to the Jewish community. Over the past four years, JFN’s matching grant initiatives have generated over $60 million in new funds for a wide range of causes, and have been proven to engage new donors over the long term.
In order to qualify for a match from the Matching Grant Initiative for the Environment in Israel, organizations must be based in Israel and directly engaged in environmental work in Israel. Priority will be given to organizations advancing an environmental agenda through one of the following means: activism, advocacy, community environmental activity, public environmental education, or youth environmental education.
“The need for protecting Israel’s environment is a growing challenge, even as natural resource depletion and clean water shortages escalate,” said Richard N. Goldman, founder and president of the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund. “There is a pressing need to proactively and effectively address the environmental impact of rapid industrialization and population growth."
The fine print:
Only Jewish Funders Network members are eligible for the match. Persons eligible for membership but not currently a member may submit a membership application along with their matching grants application. JFN membership is open to individuals and foundations granting at least $25,000 annually to Jewish and/or secular causes.
Program Guidelines:
* To participate, a donor must be making his or her first-ever gift to support an environmental organization in Israel or the donor must increase his or her largest previous gift in this area twofold (i.e. from $15,000 to $30,000).
* Gifts must be a minimum of $25,000 and matching funds will be available $1:1 up to $50,000. * Donors who have given previous gifts to other Israel-related organizations or projects, but not to organizations directly engaged in environmental work in Israel are eligible for this program.
§ Applications for matching grants will be accepted online from March 15th-July 31, 2009.
* Additional information about this grant initiative is available on the Jewish Funders Network website:www.jfunders.org
Full eligibility criteria and funding priorities are available at www.jfunders.org/environment.
About Jewish Funders NetworkJewish Funders Network is an international organization of family foundations, public philanthropies, and individual funders dedicated to advancing the quality and growth of Jewish philanthropy. JFN’s members include independent philanthropists, foundation trustees and foundation professionals – a unique community that seeks to transform the nature of Jewish giving in both thought and action.
About the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund
The mission of the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund is defined by the legacy and values of the foundation’s founders. These include a strong connection to the local San Francisco community and California, a lifelong concern about the environment, and a deep and unwavering commitment to the Jewish people and Israel.
