FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Glenn Rosenkrantz
Glenn.rosenkrantz@gmail.com 646-245-8975
July 19, 2018 — The Good People Fund (GPF) today announced nearly $1.8 million in Israel- and U.S.- focused grants to support social entrepreneurs and advance grassroots organizations addressing critical social and humanitarian needs.
From poverty and women’s empowerment, to eldercare and youth-at-risk – the grants further GPF’s commitment to innovative, impactful work that improves and lifts lives and communities and are models for replication elsewhere.
“These visionary organizations are designing creative approaches filling gaps in social and humanitarian services and structures across Israel and the United States, at a time in both countries when social safety nets are quickly shrinking,” said Naomi Eisenberger, GPF’s Co-Founder and Executive Director.
“Their work and impact represent what change agents can achieve when their considerable entrepreneurial talents and passions are channeled toward the central Jewish value of tikkun olam, repair of the world.”
Since its inception in 2008, Millburn, NJ-based GPF has directed over $13 million to more than 140 non-profit organizations in Israel and the United States. In the fiscal year ending June 30, it raised over $2 million.
“In each case, individuals saw a pressing need and developed an impassioned and unique way to address it,” Eisenberger said. “GPF funding and mentoring provide them visibility and recognition and hope that others will join in supporting their work and deepening their impact.”
The Good People Fund targets initiatives in key crucial areas, including: Human Needs; Poverty, Inclusion; Health and Well Being; Women’s Empowerment; Children and Youth Welfare; Elder Care; Hunger and Food Rescue; and, Refugee Support.
A full list of grantees appears at www.goodpeoplefund.org. Among the new organizations receiving GPF grants are:
– Ani Shlishi, Israel – $5,000 for stipends for at-risk Israeli youth working in the organization’s secondhand clothing store in Tel Aviv and learning management, leadership, decision-making and problem-solving skills there.
– Avnei Derech, Israel – $5,000 to support the IDF for Success initiative, which assists Israeli youth who are on the autism spectrum and want to serve in a volunteer capacity in the Israel Defense Forces, and guides them from recruitment to service.
– Envision Kindness, United States – $12,500 matching grant to implement initiatives utilizing photography and other digital products, storytelling and social media to capture and spread the power of kindness in everyday life to inspire, connect and heal people and communities.
– International Neighbors, United States – $10,000 matching grant supporting services to refugees and special immigrant visa holders to put them on the path toward self-sufficiency and productive citizenship.
– jGirls Magazine, United States – $1,000 for administrative costs of an online community and magazine written by and for Jewish teenage girls, which explores and celebrates diversity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender expression, and other topics.
– Just Imagine, United States – $10,000 for administrative expenses providing inner-city children in Washington, DC, with scholarships to sleep away camp, access to SAT prep, college tours, and community service projects.
– Kaima Hukuk, Israel – $23,000 for new equipment at a new farm within Kaima’s socially responsible education network, which teaches at-risk Israeli youth community building, business and leadership skills, and agricultural and ecological expertise.
– Music Mends Minds, United States – $10,000 for administrative expenses promoting performance music as an alternative therapy to neurodegenerative diseases.
– Yesh Tikva, United States – $2,500 for virtual support groups for Jewish couples facing infertility and its emotional, relational and practical effects.
Inspired by the Jewish value of tikkun olam (repairing the world), The Good People Fund responds to significant challenges such as poverty, disability, trauma and social isolation in the United States and Israel. The Good People Fund provides financial support and management guidance to small and medium-sized grassroots efforts that are determined to make a difference in their communities. With its guiding philosophy that small actions can have huge impact, The Good People Fund has raised and granted more than $13 million since its founding in 2008. www.goodpeoplefund.org
