New Funding Represents Further Investment by Lynn Schusterman in Young Jewish Innovators

The Center for Leadership Initiatives announced today the launch of two new grant programs for members of the ROI Community, a global network of young Jews from more than 30 countries seeking to advance Jewish life with their innovative ideas and creative projects. These two programs will result in the investment of more than $400,000 in a wide variety of projects developed and led by members of the ROI Community.

The ROI Seed Fund will provide small grants (up to $10,000) to help members of the ROI Community support projects in the start-up phase, and the ROI Innovation Fund will provide mezzanine funding (up to $50,000) to initiatives that are more fully developed.

The launch of the 2009 ROI Grant Program represents the fulfillment of a commitment announced by Lynn Schusterman at the 2008 ROI Global Summit for Young Jewish Innovators and further advances her commitment to the Jewish future. While these funds will be accessible only to the 400 young leaders who are part of the ROI Community, all applicants will be encouraged to collaborate with innovators and organizations within and beyond that global network.

“Since its inception four years ago, ROI has been providing young Jewish innovators from around the world with opportunities to network with peers, meet Jewish leaders from other countries, and enhance their skills,” says ROI founder, Lynn Schusterman. “We hope that these funds will further support the amazing young people in the ROI Community as they take their projects to the next level, and encourage them to work together to build a secure and bright future for world Jewry.”

ROI Grants will be awarded to applicants whose projects are designed to:

• Build community around new expressions of Jewish life, culture and values
• Offer diverse and inclusive opportunities for young people to become increasingly involved in their Jewish communities
• Mobilize and strengthen the skills, people and relationships within the ROI Community

“The ROI Grant Program is more than just two new sources of funding,” says CLI Executive Director, Yoni Gordis. “These funds are being launched now, when the world is suffering an economic downturn that has had a devastating impact on the non-profit sector. While many organizations are cutting innovative ideas which they perceive to be luxuries or unnecessary expenses, CLI is seizing the opportunity to invest resources and professional development in young leaders. We see this as a long-term investment in the Jewish future.”

Complete grant guidelines are available on the ROI Community Website.

about: ROI is a global community of young Jewish innovators that was created by Lynn Schusterman as a partnership between the Center for Leadership Initiatives and Taglit-Birthright Israel. Participation in the ROI Community is by invitation only, and the members of the community engage in networking and skill-building activities as they work to realize their personal visions for improving the Jewish world.