Fostering a sense of shared identity
Community aligned around a common purpose and a set of core values
We are currently accepting grant proposals!
Proposals are due November 23. Please contact our Programs Coordinator, Riki Robinson, at riki@jewsofcolorinitiative.org to request the Request for Proposals document.
Grantmaking
We are laser focused on advancing opportunities for Jews of Color to be leaders in the Jewish community. A strong field of Jewish institutions and networks requires investment in forward-thinking and effective organizations and leaders. Our grantmaking is ongoing, and while we do not accept unsolicited grant applications or proposals for funding we welcome inquiries from domestic-based, domestic-focused organizations, programs or practitioners that develop, advocate for and/or advance Jews of Color within the Jewish community.
Please note we prioritize funding those organizations and efforts demonstrating experience with and capacity for Jewish racial diversity, and intentionally developing and nurturing environments in which our multiracial Jewish community can thrive.
What Our Grantmaking Supports:
Developing, refining and reinforcing standards of practice
Improving practices through a lens of justice and equity
Documenting and advancing the knowledge base
Expanding our understandings of the Jews of Color community
Building and nurturing leadership and grassroots support
Investing in influential leaders and exemplary organizations that support Jews of Color
Cultivating an environment that is focused on funding and supporting progressive policy
Enabling policy environments that support and encourage justice and equity
2019 – 2020 Grants
Providing academic tutoring for a JOC rabbinical student
Creating a webinar on the impact of COVID-19-fueled racism on Chinese-American Jews
Expanding reach to North Carolina JOCs to connect with their JOC caucus
Producing a limited series podcast on the lived experiences of Latino Jews in the U.S.
Building a national network of havurot for Jews of Color
Identifying participation and experiences of Jews of Color in Jewish camp programs as a cornerstone for expanding and improving JoC youth inclusion
Supporting “Courageous Conversations for Change Shabbat Dinners,” community dinners fostering conversation and social change among Black and Brown Jews of Color living in the South
Hiring a JOC youth consultant to incorporate a racial justice lens into educational programming
Supporting participation in a national convening of Jews of Color involved in Jewish Outdoor Food, Farming, and Environmental Education (JOFEE)
Backing participation in JDC Entwine’s “Inside Brazil” trip, followed by JOC-facilitated programming in the U.S.
Increasing involvement of JoCs in a fellowship for young adults to integrate urban organic farming, mindfulness practice, social action training, and progressive Jewish learning and living
Aiding in emergency COVID-19 personnel funds
Aiding in emergency COVID-19 personnel funds
Aiding in emergency COVID-19 personnel funds
Producing an episode centering Modern Orthodox Jews of Color in their web series Soon By You
Advancing the inclusion of JoC queer youth in Shabbaton retreats through programmatic and institutional changes
Providing scholarships and travel subsidies for Jews of Color to enroll in a 3-year online certification program in Earth-Based Judaism, with a goal of JoC representing at least one-third of the cohort
Offering stipends for JOC educators and class fees for students
Developing a fellowship that ensures a pipeline for Jews of Color to become leaders in social justice organizing
Continuing and further diversifying a thriving Jews of Color affinity group that builds leadership capacity, community, and relationships
Supporting wellness and resiliency-building through nature-based retreats led by and for Jews of Color
Supporting a JoC Organizer and Diversity Educator to build connectivity among Jews of Color in Detroit and serving as an inclusivity educator to local congregations
2018 – 2019 Grants
connect with and network Jews of Color throughout North Carolina to the Jews of Color Caucus of Carolina Jews for Justice.
the goal was to organize an in-depth four to five meeting planning process for the Jews of Color Torah Academy (JOCTA). JOCTA is a container for Jews of Color to learn, grapple, and grow as individuals and as a community.
the project documented and archived stories from Latinx Jews in the United States, placed stories of Latinx Jews within theoretical frameworks, expanded scholarly research on Jews of Color, including Latinx Jews, and publicly share the research.
Jews of Color in the Jewish Outdoor, Food, Farming, and Environmental Education (JOFEE) space were convened at the 2019 JOFEE Network Gathering to organize and collaborate specifically around shared identity and experiences as Jews of Color.
this program focused on Jews of Color Hillel professionals and students to strengthen experiences and relationships by offering support, as well as cohorting and networking Jews of Color in the community.
the project provided Jews of Color on staff at their affiliated organizations with an experienced coach.
through mentorship, focused professional development, and growth, as well as professional opportunities, advance the experience of the JewV’Nation Fellowship’s Alumni.
the goal was to strengthen the experience of Jews of Color in the Avodah network by offering support, as well as building cohorts and intentional networks for/of Jews of Color in the community.
the project will engage Midwest Jews of Color, funders, and community organizations, beginning with three focus cities and adding additional cities in the future.
2017 – 2018 Grants
a best-in-class leadership program for Jews of Color that provides training for leaders, new tools to enhance personal vision and facilitate organizational change, and the opportunity to learn with innovative and inspiring Jewish social change leaders.
a national nonprofit training and consulting organization specializing in diversity and inclusion led by Yavilah McCoy, focusing on leadership development – facilitating a cohort of Jews of Color working at the intersection of critical conversations, racial justice and working with Allies.
a national educational leader and program designer partnering with Dimensions to develop program modules supporting the training of a cohort of leaders who are Jews of Color.
led by Founder and Executive Director Jared Jackson, focusing on organizational development.
represented by Board Chair Tamara Fish, bringing together more than 100 Jews of Color for the Second National Jews of Color Convening, with a focus on deepening leadership skills and building institutional capacity.
with April Baskin, focused on a successful leadership development program for visionary Jewish leaders that includes educational seminars, cohort relationship building, individualized coaching, and intensive in-person retreats
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