Jerusalem Social Entrepreneurs and Artists Awarded Funds by Leichtag Foundation / JFN Matching Grant Program

Jerusalem bridge_2An artists’ project, a dance company, and an NGO that uses film to promote nonviolence among Israelis and Palestinians are among the 10 grantees from the first round of a matching grant program devoted to furthering social and cultural programs in Jerusalem.

Applications for the second round of grants from the program will be accepted online until Jan. 31st.

The initial pledges, made by members of the Jewish Funders Network, were matched by the Leichtag Foundation of Encinitas, Calif.

Eligible NGOs and projects are based in Jerusalem, and must work to either promote social or economic entrepreneurship, advance arts and culture, or encourage social activism.

The NGOs receiving matching funds in round one are: AMI (Artists and Musicians for Israel) Neshima; The Association of Painters and Sculptors – Jerusalem Artists’ House; Ginot Ha’Ir Community Council; Ir Amim; Jerusalem Secular Yeshiva; Jerusalem Village; Just Vision; New Spirit; Vertigo Dance Association; and Yeshivat Talpiot.

JFN matching grants programs have generated nearly $80 million in new funding for Jewish causes, since their inception in 2004, and have been used to promote such issues as Jewish education, helping the Jewish elderly and poor, and environmental protection in Israel.