Our partner agencies can only reach as far as their resources allow.
Every year, we receive more requests than we can fund, and many programs are funded at a level far below what they need to address current community needs effectively — let alone future needs. Jewish Federation is committed to providing a stable and predictable source of funding to our partners, and to creating more flexibility and more opportunities for our partners to access funding. From special project funding to new grant programs to the annual allocations process, there are more ways for our partners t to access funding than ever before.
$56,000 - Grants Programs
Security Grants — $25,000
These grants enable community organizations to address security issues that have been identified through their updated security audits. The 2018 recipients included Congregation Schara Tzedeck, Shalhevet Girls High School, and Camp Hatikvah. Priority was given to those organizations that also applied for funds through the federal government’s Security Infrastructure Program.
Community Engagement Grants — $12,500
These micro-grants support activities primarily undertaken by grassroots groups or organizations that are not among our partner agencies, and whose focus is engaging previously unaffiliated community members. This year’s recipients included Chabad Richmond, Bayit Richmond, Beth Hamidrash, and Jewish and Modern, a new group for Russian-speaking community members.
Connect Me In Community Engagement Grants — $18,500
These micro-grants are specifically directed toward unaffiliated community members or grassroots groups in the regional communities who want to pilot a program idea to increase engagement or to address an unmet need. Recipients included the Langley Hebrew School program, the New Westminster Adult Education series, and Mamatefet, a self-help group for Israeli mothers.
Collaborative Community Planning
Planning and Community Engagement Council
Council members now include the chairs of all current task forces and subcommittees, and council members experienced the positive impact of the new structure this past year. Meetings focused on exchanging information and identifying opportunities for collaboration across the various planning processes, as well as identifying new and emerging issues. Council members received regular updates from the Food Security Task Force and the Regional Communities Committee, and provided input to each.
Changing Landscapes Forum
Responding to the needs of our growing number of older community members is one of Jewish Federation’s 2020 Strategic Priorities. Together with the eight Jewish organizations that currently provide critical programs and services to our older members, we presented the Changing Landscapes forum, which focused on aging in place, caregiver support, and social connections. As a follow-up, the Planning Council will work with seniors’ services providers to undertake an online survey to obtain the views of older community members, their families and other stakeholders.