Women’s Alliance Endowment Fund welcomes grant applications

The Women’s Alliance Endowment Fund (WAEF) membership seeks proposals for the upcoming fiscal year, July 2017-June 2018, for programs and services that have the potential for positive long-term impact to benefit Jewish women and girls. 

Educational, cultural and religious programs will be considered, as will services in the health and social services fields.

This year, the WAEF will make total grants of over $7,500, to be distributed by June 30, 2017. 

Over the last decade, the WAEF has awarded 82 local and overseas grants, totaling more than $65,000 in grants, 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 are encouraged to submit grant requests.

“When the donors to the WAEF meet to decide the allocations, we are particularly interested in helping our local organizations. I hope that we have more of these local groups submitting funding proposals this year than in any of the previous years,” said Margaret Lederer, WAEF chair.

Programs that have most recently received funding include supporting a social worker at the Jewish Community Day School to run empowerment and anti-bullying workshops; a multi-risk mother and child group therapy program with NITZA, the Israel Center for Maternal Health; therapeutic getaways for breast cancer patients through Rafanah Healing Holidays; and Camp JORI’s Strong Girls, Healthy Relationships program.  

There are 112 WAEF members, each of whom is entitled to participate in the annual allocations process. WAEF membership requires a minimum contribution of $1,000 to the fund, payable over three years. 

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 Friday, March 17. Funding recipients are identified at the WAEF annual meeting, which is scheduled to take place at the Jewish Alliance on May 23. Award recipients will be notified in June.

For more information about the WAEF grants available this year, contact Jennifer Zwirn at 401-421-4111, ext. 102, or jzwirn@jewishallianceri.org.