Slingshot, an organization that trains, connects, and mobilizes young, Jewish philanthropists as active change agents and leaders in the Jewish community, is now accepting applications for its 2021 “10 to Watch” list. The list highlights young organizations and projects in North America that are responding to current and timely needs.

“2020 has been an unusual year filled with unprecedented challenges and creative solutions,” said Stefanie Rhodes, CEO of Slingshot. “In our ever-changing world, we cannot afford to do our work the way it has always been done. Now, more than ever, we are eager to lift up the ways that Jewish organizations are taking meaningful risks to strengthen the Jewish community and chart a brighter future.”

The “10 to Watch” list builds on Slingshot’s history of showcasing innovative ideas and investing in positive change. Unlike The Slingshot Guide – a former signature project – the criteria for ‘10 to Watch’ applicants is more narrowly defined. Applicants must represent an organization or a project of an organization that:

• Has been actively in the field for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 5 years.
• Serves a North American audience. Global organizations without significant North American activities, beyond fundraising, will not be considered.
• Is not primarily focused on fundraising.
• Offers a new, fresh idea for addressing a unique and relevant problem.

The 2020 “10 to Watch” list featured geographically diverse initiatives that are engaging an array of people and communities – including interfaith families, LGBTQ people, Jews of Color, and Jews who live in rural areas – that have been historically underserved in Jewish life.

“The lives and work of Jews in low-income, rural areas of the U.S. rarely receive the attention and resources they deserve,” said Rabbi Rachel Isaacs, the Founder of the Center for Small Town Jewish Life in Waterville, Maine. “I was thrilled that our Center was selected for Slingshot’s 2020 ‘10 to Watch’ list. Having our programs and educational work highlighted in this way will hopefully lead to new investments and philanthropic partnerships to help our Center grow and thrive.”

Applications for Slingshot’s 2021 “10 to Watch” list will be available on a rolling basis until November 11, 2020 and evaluated by a committee of reviewers comprised of young Jewish philanthropists and foundation professionals with a diversity of backgrounds, life experiences, and expertise. Applicants are encouraged to share how their organizations or projects have pivoted to meet the challenges of COVID-19, however virtual programming in and of itself does not meet the standard of innovation the list seeks to highlight. Should prospective applicants have questions about whether their work would qualify, please reach out to Rachel Hodes at rachel@slingshotfund.org. 

To read more about the “10 to Watch” list or access the application for the 2021 list, click here. Candidates whose organizations or initiatives serve Jews of Color, LGBTQ Jews, interfaith families, people with disabilities, or other populations that have been historically underserved in Jewish life are highly encouraged to apply.