The Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is now accepting grant applications for 2017.

In 2017, the Foundation is making approximately $320,000 available to fund programs and projects that address vital human needs, support lifelong Jewish learning and create a vibrant and dynamic Jewish community in Pittsburgh.

Of the total, approximately $270,000 will be available to fund “Signature Grants” – grants to fund initiatives that are intended to have a significant impact on the long-term vitality of the Pittsburgh Jewish community. These grants are intended to be transformative, with the goal of making a substantial intervention that has broad community impact.

“The hope is for organizations to tackle the big questions facing our Jewish community in Pittsburgh,” said Woody Ostrow, chair of the Jewish Community Foundation Grantmaking Committee. “We want you to envision the Jewish Pittsburgh of the future – one that serves all 54,000 of us. We’re looking to make big investments in projects that will accomplish that.”

Additionally, $50,000 will be available for “Micro Grants,” which fund one-time projects in Pittsburgh’s Jewish community that align with the Jewish Federation’s mission and goals. Micro Grants range from approximately $5,000 to $15,000.

The Jewish Community Foundation has already committed $525,000 in continuing funds for multiyear grants awarded during last year’s grant cycle. All told, the Foundation will allocate approximately $845,000 in grants in 2017.

The grant application – available online at http://jfedpgh.org/foundation-grants – must be submitted by 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 14, for consideration in the spring grant cycle. Awardees will be notified in June.
Some examples of recent grants include:

• $325,000 to facilitate a new Community Study, which will produce a profile of the Pittsburgh Jewish community, enabling a better understanding of our demographics, activities and needs.
• $125,000 to support a community scholar – Rabbi Danny Schiff – who provides Jewish education and Jewish content to diverse populations in the community.
• $6,000 to the Rosh Pina Cornerstone Fellowship, which supports a year-long organizational-change project for leaders of the Jewish Family & Children’s Service, Jewish Residential Services, and Jewish Federation to increase disability inclusion opportunities throughout the Pittsburgh Jewish community.
• $7,500 to support Repair the World Pittsburgh in expanding its food justice programming and partnerships.

The Jewish Community Foundation, the planned giving arm of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, enables donors to create permanent endowment funds that address community needs in perpetuity. Total Foundation assets currently stand at over $230 million. The Foundation helps bring to fruition the philanthropic goals and dreams of more than 1,290 individuals, families and organizations.

For more information about the Foundation, grantmaking priorities, or the application process, please visit the Jewish Community Foundation website at www.jfedpgh.org/ foundation. While grantees must be non-profit organizations, individuals with creative ideas are encouraged to contact the Foundation, which may be able to match interested parties to a sponsoring organization.

For more information about the request for proposals, please contact Shelly Parver, planning manager, Jewish education & continuity, at sparver@jfedpgh.org or 412.992.5207.