For Immediate Release
Contact:
Glenn Rosenkrantz,
646-245-8975 or glenn.rosenkrantz@gmail.com
July 13, 2022 – The Good People Fund (GPF) today announced $3.2 million in grants to support grassroots organizations in the United States and Israel that are practicing unique approaches to challenging social and humanitarian needs.
From assisting and empowering refugees as they build new lives, and working to reduce the physical and emotional toll of substance abuse, to fighting antisemitism and breaking the isolation of marginalized people, GPF-supported organizations are uplifting individuals and communities, and addressing existing and emerging challenges.
“As The Good People Fund enters its 15th year, I look across the broad swath of our grantees and see short and long term impact and sustainable solutions made possible only with passion, determination and support,” said Naomi Eisenberger, GPF Co-Founder and Executive Director.
“Each of our grantee organizations is led by an inspiring ‘good person,’ who has devised a unique, often untried way to address a need. Each is forging a path toward positive change and exemplifies commitment to tikkun olam, repair of the world, and GPF is immensely proud to support and partner with each of them.”
Since its establishment in 2008, Millburn, NJ-based GPF has raised $23.9 million and supported 231 non-profit organizations primarily in the United States and Israel. In the fiscal year ending June 30, GPF raised nearly $3.3 million.
GPF targets change-making initiatives in crucial areas including inclusion, health and well being, women’s and girls’ empowerment, welfare of children and youth, care of elders, hunger relief, food rescue, support of refugees, fighting antisemitism, and more.
A full list of GPF grantees appears at www.goodpeoplefund.org. Organizations in the United States receiving new GPF grants are:
BirdieLight, Columbus, OH — BirdieLight increases awareness among young people about the dangers of Fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid, and offers educational programs and test kits to reduce risk and the scourge of Fentanyl-related deaths. A GPF grant is directed to administrative expenses.
The Blue Dove Foundation, Atlanta, GA — The Blue Dove Foundation educates and equips the Jewish community to understand, support and overcome mental health and substance abuse challenges to improve and save lives. A GPF grant is supporting website and social media initiatives.
Compassion Prison Project, Los Angeles, CA — Compassion Prison Project is developing and fostering a childhood trauma-informed approach to rehabilitating individuals in the prison system, working with those behind bars as well as prison staff. A GPF grant is supporting outreach efforts.
English B’Yachad, New York, NY — English B’Yachad matches volunteer English-speaking tutors in North America with Israeli young adults from the social and geographic periphery — mostly Ethiopian Israelis — who seek to improve their English proficiency to support their professional and economic advancement. A GPF grant is directed at administrative expenses.
Homes Not Borders, Landover, MD — Homes Not Borders helps refugees, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, and asylum-seeking people in the Washington, DC area to adjust and thrive by providing them with essential resources — such as household furnishings, job and career support, and assistance accessing services. A GPF matching grant is making possible a part-time staff position.
Medical Justice Alliance, New York, NY — Medical Justice Alliance works to protect the right to medical care for people in jails, prisons and detention centers, and with a cadre of volunteer healthcare professionals and attorneys ensures that the medical needs of incarcerated people are met. A GPF matching grant supports a staff position.
MyChild’sCancer, Fair Lawn, NJ — MyChild’sCancer helps parents and families access the latest medical research and treatment options for pediatric cancer to ensure they are best equipped to advocate for and seek care for their child, and establishes social support systems as treatment is pursued. A GPF grant supports the gathering of medical expertise on neuroblastoma and development of a user-friendly website.
NechamaComfort, Teaneck, NJ — NechamaComfort offers support groups, counseling, logistical guidance and more for those in the Jewish community and beyond facing pregnancy and infant loss. A GPF grant is directed toward administrative expenses.
New Neighbors Partnership, New York, NY — New Neighbors Partnership matches newly arrived refugee, asylee, and asylum-seeking families with local families who can pass along hand-me-down children’s clothing on a regular basis, helping the newly arrived to feel welcome and supported in their new lives and country. A GPF matching grant supports salary for staff.
Organizations in Israel receiving new GPF grants are:
Al Baqour, Be’er Sheva, Israel — Al Baqour develops and runs educational programs for pre-school children and their parents in Bedouin communities of the Negev region to break down barriers between traditional and modern society. A GPF grant supports the “My First Library” program, a network of lending libraries designed to promote literacy among young children and strengthen bonds between mothers and children through reading and storytelling.
Candles of Hope, Tel Aviv, Israel — Candles of Hope builds emotional and practical support systems for parents and families facing pregnancy and infant loss, and develops information for healthcare professionals and policy makers. A GPF matching grant is supporting development of an informational brochure and its dissemination to the medical community.
Fighting Online Antisemitism, Ramat Gan, Israel — Fighting Online Antisemitism monitors, reports and seeks removal of antisemitic, racist and hateful content in online spaces, raises awareness of antisemitism and hate speech on social media, and promotes pluralistic discourse within the younger generation. A GPF grant is being used to expand FOA’s corps of volunteer monitors, and for administrative expenses.
Heart to Plate, Nofit, Israel — Heart to Plate connects socially isolated and food-insecure elderly people with a community of volunteers who provide them with a hot Shabbat meal and ongoing human interaction and connection. A GPF grant supports administrative expenses.
Magen for Jewish Communities, Bet Shemesh, Israel — Magen for Jewish Communities supports survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation with therapeutic and communal resources, advocates for survivors in communities, institutions and the justice system, and raises awareness of the issue in addition to child safety. A GPF grant is dedicated to advocacy efforts and investigatory staff.
Negev Refugees Center, Be’er Sheva, Israel — The Negev Refugees Center is a largely volunteer-driven organization supporting the refugee and asylee population in the Negev region through educational, social and cultural programming, and advocacy campaigns to raise awareness in greater Israeli society. A GPF grant is supplying supermarket vouchers for refugees.
People of the Book, Jerusalem, Israel — People of the Book is educating Arab audiences about Jewish faith and culture by harnessing the power of social media and creative videos to encourage curiosity, foster understanding and build conversation and tolerance. A GPF grant supports website development and administrative expenses.
Ruca’s Farm, Lod, Israel — Ruca’s Farm offers IDF soldiers with PTSD a sustainable, organic farm environment where working the land and gaining skills is an alternative treatment to alleviate suffering, gain confidence and self esteem, and transition to life in traditional settings. A GPF grant is underwriting the salary of a farm manager.
The Good People Fund, founded in 2008, is inspired by ordinary people with extraordinary drive to make deep, uplifting impact in communities in the United States, Israel and elsewhere around the world. We find them, support them, counsel them … and watch as lives are changed and new and creative ways of addressing social and economic challenges take root and flourish. Our driving value is tikkun olam – repair of the world – and our extended family of visionaries, supporters and donors embrace the notion that small actions lead to huge impacts.
