The Giving Initiative For Teens (GIFT) is a teen-led foundation board that engages Jewish high school students in philanthropy, community needs, and Jewish values around giving. At the end of the 2018-2019 academic year, GIFT boards will allocate funds for micro-grants in the community. For the academic year, there are two GIFT boards with each board focusing on a different funding priority. Throughout the year, the GIFT board members have used consensus in their respective boards to come together on Jewish values that will guide their work, their funding priorities, and, ultimately, where the grants will be distributed.
The GIFT Boards have selected the following missions to support in 2019:
- Domestic Violence: Guided by the Jewish values of compassion and not standing idly by, the Giving Initiative For Teens is committed to funding programs in Puget Sound Region that support and protect domestic violence victims and educate the community on domestic violence prevention.
- Mental Health Issues: Through the guidance of the Jewish values of compassion and not standing idly by, the Giving Initiative For Teens will support organizations improving the lives of those affected by mental health issues in the Puget Sound Region.
Application Criteria
- Must complete and submit the grant application by Monday, January 28, 2019, at 12:00 PST
- Must be a non-profit organization with a 501 (c)(3) status
- Must support people in the Puget Sound Region
- Must directly address one of two funding priorities
1. Provide services for victims of domestic violence and/or domestic violence prevention education
2. Provide services for mental health illnesses and issues - Grants requests up to $4,000 will be considered
- Include projected budget for the program. You may use the template provided or attach your own.
- Awardees will be expected to complete a report following the execution of the project.
Application Review Process
- All applications must be emailed to Jessica Ost, Program Manager, by Monday, January 28, 2019 at 12:00 PST, at jessicao@sjcc.org.
- Non-profit organizations that GIFT chooses to move forward to site visits/having a representative meet with GIFT teens will be contacted the week of February 11, 2019
- Site visits will take place the following dates and times:
- Domestic Violence: March 4-8, 4:30 pm
- Mental Health: March 11-15, 4:30 pm
- If your organization is chosen for a site visit/meeting, Jessica Ost will contact you the week of February 11 to organize a date and time during that week.
- If your organization’s location is confidential and visitors may not come to the location, representatives must be available come to the GIFT board meeting on Sunday, March 3.
- Recipients must be available to receive check at Grant Ceremony on Wednesday, May 22 from 7-9 pm at the Stroum Jewish Community Center.
- All applicants will be informed of their status by April 5.