Matching Grants Program Works Even in a Down Economy

The Jewish Funders Network Matching Grant Initiative for Strengthening Israel’s Image announced $1.7 in new funds generated for the field. Twenty three funders will have $900,000 in new dollars to the field matched, providing seventeen organizations with new funding.

This matching grant program, supported by two anonymous member foundations, was born out of its funders’ vision of dispelling distorted images and understandings of Israel. Their goal is to pro-actively change the way that Israel is perceived in political, cultural, social, academic and virtual spheres throughout the globe. Donors who received matching grants dollars made their first ever gift to support an organization or project promoting a pro-active, pro-Israel agenda, or increased their largest previous gift in this area threefold.

“We are pleased to announce that our members are still engaging in grantmaking even in a down economy, said JFN President, Mark Charendoff. “The success of this initiative is a testament to the strength of JFN’s matching grants programs, as well as to our members’ commitment to supporting the mission of an important field.”

Designed around donor-choice, JFN’s Matching Grants programs are successful because they create a philanthropic win-win-win. A large foundation gets to leverage its dollars to support an initiative it believes in, new donors get to choose where they get their giving matched, and fundraisers can use JFN’s program to encourage potential donors to make their first major gifts. The emphasis on donor choice also results in a broad, nation-wide effect that cuts across age, culture and sector barriers.

“The Israel Project is delighted to have received significant matching funding through the Pro-Active, Pro-Israel matching grant program,” said Israel Project President, Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi. “The JFN matching grant program helped us bring in new and important donors who were thrilled to see their contributions to us doubled during this economic crisis. Concrete programs such as the JFN matching grant program make a critical difference. The grant is nothing short of lifesaving.”

update: The following is a list of the nonprofit organizations and projects awarded matching grants through this initiative:

• Aish Hasbara Fellowship
• American Friends of Likud/Caravan for Democracy
• Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
• Dor Chadash for AmbassaDORs program
• Fuel for Truth
• Hope for Heroism
• Israel on Campus Coalition
• Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
• Jewish Council for Public Affairs
• JCRC of Metropolitan Chicago for Reach Across Illinois Campuses for Israel
• Jewish Federation of Orange County for The Rose Project
• Jewish National Fund/Caravan for Democracy
• University of Pennsylvania for Israel Knowledge@Wharton
• Manhattan Jewish Experience for Act for Israel
• MediaCentral
• The Israel Project
• Training and Education About the Middle East (TEAM)