A group of Jewish women who are interested in initiating meaningful social entrepreneurship and developing leadership in our communities and beyond have launched the Arev Fund. Arev’s mission is to use and promote impactful female Jewish philanthropy to spur change in the areas of spiritual leadership, communal life, social justice, and education in the United States and Israel, with a particular focus on the advancement of women.

The women who comprise this group share a passion for Jewish tradition and observance, and are committed to using their leadership skills to create meaningful change. The Hebrew word, “Arev,” denoting inclusiveness, responsibility, and pleasantness, is also an English acronym for Action, Responsibility, Empowerment, and Voice, the four foundational premises of this new group.

They are seeking project proposals from a broad spectrum of creative problem-solvers – established organizations, educators, artists, and communal thought-leaders – who have both a vision and an action plan for implementing their project.

Grants will range from $5,000 to $40,000 a year, with an opportunity to re-apply for a second year of funding. The preliminary short-form application is due on or before March 1, 2016. Grants will be made on June 15, 2016. For further information and an application form, please visit www.arevfund.org.