Game Changers and Gunslingers: A Few Thoughts From Slingshot Day 2009

In the North American Jewish community there are a few names that, when said, conjure up more than just an organization – they convey an idea. For example, mention the words Birthright or Federation and you get more than a nod of understanding of the name, you typically get a discussion (and sometimes a debate) regarding their meaning. The same is true with another word – Slingshot. Now in its fifth edition, Slingshot has become synonymous with an idea and a movement within the Jewish world of recognizing the contributions of innovative non-profits in the Jewish community. Recognition by Slingshot not only provides exposure to the work of organizations that may otherwise be less visible, but it provides a moment for various organization, funders and partners to meet and discuss common opportunities... Continue Reading

Slingshot Day 2009

The fifth edition of Slingshot: A Resource Guide to Jewish Innovation will be unveiled today at a full day launch event to be held at Random House in New York. Without diluting this year’s selected grantees, the bigger story is the creation of a free-standing organization which will steer Slingshot and the Slingshot Fund into the future. Slingshot, fiscally sponsored by FJC, was started as an experimental project five years ago to begin mapping the complex world of nonprofit innovation in Jewish life, which was viewed by many as an emerging fad. Since then, the collective giving mechanism the Slingshot Fund has contributed over $1,000,000 to under-capitalized innovative Jewish projects, and Slingshot’s role in the national, and international, Jewish community has increased dramatically. The... Continue Reading