Women’s Alliance Endowment Fund welcomes grant applications

The Women’s Alliance Endowment Fund (WAEF) membership seeks proposals for the upcoming fiscal year – July 2016-June 2017 – for innovative programs and services that benefit Jewish women and  girls and have the potential for long-term impact. Educational, civic, cultural, religious and intergroup programs will be considered, as will services in the health and social services fields.

This year, the Women’s Alliance Endowment Fund will make total grants of just over $7,200 to be distributed by June 30.

Over the last decade, the Women’s Alliance Endowment Fund awarded 80 local and overseas grants, totaling more than $77,000, to a wide array of programs and service providers. 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 may submit grant requests.

“Over the last several years, the committee has been proactive about connecting with the grant applicants directly to ensure the programs and services fit our core mission. Our focus is effectively supporting women and children. In the last program year, we funded a smaller pool of local and overseas programs to have a greater impact and avoid duplication,” said Barbara Feldstein, co-chair of the WAEF.

Past programs that have received funding include Camp JORI’s counselor training on female social development; educational enrichment and recreational therapeutic services for at-risk girls at Beit Ruth Hostel in Afula, Israel; ELI: Israel Association for Child Protection Safe House Economic Empowerment for Mothers; and Providence Community Kollel for the Momentum trip to Israel for Jewish mothers. 

The 111 members of the WAEF are entitled to participate in the annual allocations process. WAEF membership requires a minimum fee of $1,000, payable over three years.

“We hope more women will be able to join the Women’s Alliance Endowment Fund this year, or decide to renew their memberships so we can have a larger influence in supporting programs and services that in turn encourage the mission. Every year the fund grows, enabling us to allocate more to programs seeking our support,” said Feldstein.

The WAEF 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 the past.

Grant requests must be received by Monday, March 14. Funding recipients are identified at the WAEF annual meeting on May 23, and will be notified in June 2016.

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