Women’s Alliance Endowment Fund seeks grant applications

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The Women’s Alliance Endowment Fund (WAEF) membership committee is excited to announce a request for proposals for the upcoming fiscal year, July 2018-June 2019, for programs and services that benefit Jewish women and children and have potential for positive long-term impact. Educational, cultural, religious and inter-group programs will be considered, as will services in the health and social services fields.

All Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts and overseas Jewish organizations, agencies and synagogues whose mission falls within the purview of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island are encouraged to submit funding applications.

This year, the Women’s Alliance Endowment Fund will make total grants of nearly $7,700, to be distributed by June 30, 2018. Over the last decade, the WAEF has awarded 88 local and overseas grants, totaling nearly $90,000, to a range of programs and service providers.

The 120 members of the WAEF are encouraged to participate in the annual allocations process. Membership requires a contribution of $1,000, now payable monthly over up to four consecutive years.

“What sets the WAEF apart is that it offers women in our community a direct voice in the allocation of funds. As we evaluate each opportunity at our allocation meeting held each spring, the discussion is lively and generates a sense of purpose as well as sisterhood,” said Margaret Lederer, WAEF chair.

The committee is proactive in directly connecting with local and overseas grant applicants to ensure the programs and services fit the core mission of the fund. Programs that have recently received funding include Camp JORI, for counselor training in female social development;Congregation Beth Sholom’s Women, Torah and Scholarship Series; a multi-risk mother and child group therapy program with NITZA, the Israel Center for Maternal Health;ELI: Israel Association for Child Protection’s Safe Parenting Schools for Mothers for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect; and therapeutic getaways for breast cancer patients through Rafanah Healing Holidays. 

The WAEF’s request for proposals will be sent to local synagogues and Jewish agencies as well as Jewish organizations that have received funding from the Women’s Alliance in past years. Grant requests must be received by Friday, March 16. Funding recipients will be announced at the WAEF annual meeting, scheduled for May 23, and will be notified in June 2018.

For more information about the WAEF grants, contact Jennifer Zwirn at 401-421-4111 or jzwirn@jewishallianceri.org.

JENNIFER ZWIRN works in allocations and endowment for the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. She is also AccessJewishRI vocational services contact.

Women's Alliance Endowment Fund, grants