Grantmaking
Deliberate Strategy
The Foundation uses two different but complementary strategies—Deliberate and Emergent—to make grants and investments designed to enhance connection, meaning, and purpose in the lives of young Jews.
Our Deliberate Strategy provides strategic grants and support to exemplary Jewish nonprofit organizations and initiatives with proven models for Jewish learning and talent development.
Through this strategy, we focus on strengthening and growing program models for Jewish learning that have deep and enduring effects on participants. We also support efforts to recruit, train, and develop dynamic, pioneering leaders and educators who serve these programs and their learners by being well-attuned to the learners’ needs and interests. An important component of this strategy is to shift the culture within existing Jewish education organizations to increased excellence, experimentation, learning, and belonging.
Deliberate Strategy
Effective and compelling Jewish learning experiences supported by our Deliberate Strategy continually evolve with the emergence of new approaches for learning, new forms of Jewish expression, and the rediscovery of Jewish traditions and teachings that resonate in modern times.
We execute our Deliberate Strategy through grantmaking in two focus areas.
Powerful Jewish Learning Experiences
Working Toward Key Outcomes:
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Connection
Participants consistently report stronger feelings of belonging and community
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Meaning
The learning experiences are cited as influencing one’s identity and values
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Purpose
Evidence of community engagement and feeling empowered to contribute
What Works
- Cohort-based and intensive one-on-one learning
- Immersive, ongoing, and layered experiences
- Trained educators supporting learners
- Holistic approach to well-being and development within an intentional arc of Jewish learning
Effective Professional Development
Working Toward Key Outcomes
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Confidence
Belief in their ability to be successful
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Efficacy
Strong skills to perform in the role
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Commitment
Interest in staying in the sector
What Works
- Cohorts and intensive one-on-one coaching and mentoring
- Immersive and ongoing opportunities
- Relationships with skilled trainers
- Personalized, differentiated experiences
- Combination of theory and practice