Last updated: April 20
VISIT THE NEW-AND-IMPROVED JFN RESOURCE HUB HERE.
Starting on April 20, this page will no longer be updated. Instead, please visit our new-and-improved Resource Hub and Needs & Responses pages.
For Funders & Nonprofits |
For Educators & Parents |
CARES Act & Other U.S. Government Resources |
General |
Reports from the Field |
Upcoming Webinars |
Recorded Webinars |
News from Funders |
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Resources for Funders
- News and Resources from JFN-Israel: Includes information about needs and funder projects in Israel, schedule of upcoming events, as well as recordings of webinars about specific funding needs and sectors. Please note that many of these materials are in English, and that the JFN-Israel staff is available for phone/Zoom consultations with all JFN members to discuss their giving in Israel.
- How Philanthropists Are Helping During the Crisis (New York Times):Â "In this difficult time, I asked more than a dozen philanthropists, who have billions of dollars at their disposal and included Microsoft founders, tech and financial services entrepreneurs, and one former New York mayor, what they were doing differently. Their responses could serve as a guide for similar philanthropists, as well as inspire smaller donors who want to know the quickest ways to ensure their dollars have the biggest impact." (Added 3/29/20)
- Rapid Response Grantee Feedback Tool (Center for Effective Philanthropy): This five-minute tool is designed to help you identify specific grantees in need of immediate support as well as general themes to help you focus your efforts now. CEP can deploy the tool within days and return automated results within two business days of surveys closing.The brief survey asks grantees for responses and comments related to:How their organizations and services have been affected;The biggest challenges facing them or those they serve;How their funders have responded and how they believe funders can best support their organizations;How long they can continue to operate without severe disruption to their programs or services. (Added 3/27/20)
- How Nonprofits Can Utilize the New Federal Laws Dealing with COVID-19 (Nonprofit Quarterly)Â Added 3/26/20
- CARES Act Analysis (National Council of Nonprofits): Highlights of the COVID-19 bill and what it means for the nonprofit sector. Added 3/26/20
- Coronavirus Is a Test for Funders, and Failing Is Not an Option JFN 2020 presidential address. (Added 3/23/20)
- Bridgespan Coronavirus Resources for Nonprofits and Funders: Collection of online resources that offer guidance on navigating the current times—both responding to the pandemic and preparing for the possibility of an economic downturn. (Added 3/20/20)
- Council on Foundations Resource Hub: Links to news, best practices for responding, coronavirus response funds and information on other ways funders can help right now.
- Candid Update on Philanthropy for Addressing Coronavirus: Tracking recent grants made, viewable by location and specific issue area.
- The Center for Disaster Philanthropy: Advice (including a recorded webinar) on the roles philanthropy can play during pandemics.
- Northern California Grantmakers: Guidance on communicating with grantees and other stakeholders about coronavirus.
- Sample letter for funders to send grantees:Â This personalized letter offers time and assistance in working through the unexpected impact of this crisis. Shared by the Mayberg Foundation (added 3/17/20)
- What Happens to Charitable Giving When the Economy Falters (The Conversation, 3/23/20)
- Leadership in Difficult Times: Guidance for Donors and Giving Families (National Center for Family Philanthropy): Compilation of lessons and inspirations to help you act in the near-term. Shares ideas and resources from giving families, family funders, philanthropy organizations, philanthropic advisors, and NCFP’s team, many drawn from responses to previous crises. (Added 3/24/20)
- Update From Nonprofits (Goodnation): In order to help donors respond to the most immediate need for financial support, Goodnation surveyed its nonprofits to find out exactly how they, and those they serve, are being impacted by the coronavirus. Here’s what they found. (Added 3/25/20)
- Donors, Awaken! Jewish Nonprofit Organizations Face Financial Collapse (Tablet): Natan Fund's Felicia Herman issues a call-to-action on the crisis facing the nonprofit sector. "I’m not sure that everyday, individual givers—who account for 68% of giving to American nonprofits, and who interact with and benefit from institutions that are the bedrock of our communities and that enrich all of our lives—understand that we’re currently at risk for losing much of what we hold near and dear in our communal lives." (March 27)
- What Philanthropy Can Do to Support Grantees Through the Coronavirus Crisis (Bridgespan Group): "Funders have a critical opportunity to help grantees navigate the COVID-19 crisis. Here are three concrete steps you can take to ensure that your grantees can deliver on their missions both now and in the future: recommit, be flexible, and focus on the most vulnerable." (Added 3/31/20)
- Working Draft Memo on Opportunities for Philanthropic Response to the Coronavirus Crisis (Bridgespan Group): Extensive recommendations for giving strategies in the United States and worldwide, broken down by such sectors as health care, economic hardship, early childhood education and others. Also contains recommendations for rebuilding after the crisis subsides. (3/27/20)
- Does the Jewish Community Need a Central COVID Fund? Here's a Better Strategy for Addressing the Crisis: JFN President & CEO Andrés Spokoiny makes the case for coordination over centralization. (4/6/20)
- COVID-19 Giving Guide (Amplifier): "Giving in a time of crisis can feel overwhelming and that’s true of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are countless needs, demands on your time, and uncertainty about the economy. We believe that, although the circumstances have changed, the path forward hasn’t. Giving thoughtfully, connected to community, and in alignment with your values brings clarity, guidance, and purpose. This guide is designed to help you move past 'analysis paralysis' and navigate a path towards meaningful, values-aligned giving, no matter the size of the gift." (4/8/20)
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Resources for Nonprofits
- How Nonprofits Can Utilize the New Federal Laws Dealing with COVID-19 (Nonprofit Quarterly)Â Added 3/26/20
- 8 Steps Nonprofits Should Take Now to Survive the Pandemic Fallout (Chronicle of Philanthropy) Highlights of recommendations from "Tough Times Call for Tough Action," a report by SeaChange, a nonprofit lender, grant maker, and consultancy that has worked with many nonprofits in crisis. (4/6/20)Â
- CARES Act Analysis (National Council of Nonprofits): Highlights of the COVID-19 bill and what it means for the nonprofit sector. Added 3/26/20
- Bridgespan Coronavirus Resources for Nonprofits and Funders: Collection of online resources that offer guidance on navigating the current times—both responding to the pandemic and preparing for the possibility of an economic downturn. (Added 3/20/20)
- Managing Jewish Nonprofits in This Crisis: FAQs (Leading Edge): Questions, answers, resources and tips. (Added 3/20/20)
- Resources for Nonprofits from the Chronicle of Philanthropy:Â Information on how to manage, lead, and communicate in response to the coronavirus; resources on fundraising and technology; listing of upcoming webinars.
- How to Change a Physical Event to a Virtual Conference:Â A checklist of things to consider and options available.
- Candid Update on Philanthropy for Addressing Coronavirus: Tracking recent grants made, viewable by location and specific issue area.
- Request for Proposals from Organizations Serving Vulnerable Jewish Populations (Added 3/30/20): The Center for Entrepreneurial Jewish Philanthropy is putting out a request for proposals from organizations that are serving vulnerable Jewish populations and need additional, one-time, emergency funding. It will also consider programs that serve all populations in Israel. While not a foundation which allocates money, it does advise philanthropists and foundations, and will be hosting a number of video summits for funders to highlight the needs. We are also considering posting proposals online should the selected organizations approve.
- Financing During a Pandemic: How to Adapt to a Crisis (Chronicle of Philanthropy): Advice on navigating loans, emergency funds and other revenue sources.
- How to Adapt Your Nonprofit's Sick-Leave Policy During COVID-19 (Chronicle of Philanthropy):Â
- Curated Resources for Jewish Nonprofit Professionals (Jewish Federations of North America):Â Resource lists specially curated (by profession) for CEOS and executive directors, marketing professionals, planning professionals, fundraising professionals and more.
- Resources for Nonprofits Impacted by COVID-19 (Techsoup): Tech tools for supporting remote work, policy resources, fundraising tips, webinars and more.
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CARES Act and Other Relevant Legislation
- Recorded Webinar on CARES Act and Accessing Small Business & Nonprofit (SBA) Loans (Jewish Federations of North America) (3/27/20)
- Everything You Need to Know to Access SBA Loans (Jewish Federations of North America): FAQ, info on how to apply, and other materials. (Added 3/29/20)
- How Nonprofits Can Utilize the New Federal Laws Dealing with COVID-19 (Nonprofit Quarterly)Â Added 3/26/20
- CARES Act Analysis (National Council of Nonprofits): Highlights of the COVID-19 bill and what it means for the nonprofit sector. Added 3/26/20
- Top 5 Changes for Nonprofits from the COVID Legislation (Philanthropy Daily). While there is much more in the bill that could affect certain nonprofits—including a payroll tax credit for those drastically affected by the shutdowns and the possibility of nonprofits getting loans from the Small Business Administration—here are the top five items that will apply to most nonprofit leaders. Some of them affect the nonprofit as an employer; some affect the giving capacity (or incentives) of lower-dollar donors; and some affect incentives to give for major donors.
- Leaders Argue That Nonprofits Need More Government Aid (Chronicle of Philanthropy): "Nonprofit leaders say the $2 trillion stimulus law enacted March 27 contains important benefits for nonprofits, but it’s not nearly enough.They are pushing a bill that would provide $60 billion in direct aid to nonprofits to help them ride out the crisis." (3/31/20)
- Small Nonprofits Struggle to Get Payroll Loans in New Federal Program (Chronicle of Philanthropy):"If the rumors are true that some banks are giving priority to larger customers and they are going to push to the back of the line smaller nonprofits, then there’s a big concern there." (4/6/20)
- Nonprofits and Funders: Coronavirus Requires Immediate State Advocacy (Nonprofit Quarterly): "For nonprofits, a key question is: Do you trust your state policymakers to take into account the work of charitable nonprofits? Or, if you don’t, would you like to coach them with a little common sense and facts—otherwise known as advocacy?"Â
Resources for Educators & Parents
- Frequently Asked Financial Questions (for Day Schools) in the Time of COVID-19 (Prizmah) (Added on March 27)
- Prizmah Center for Jewish Day Schools: Includes detailed information on online learning, examples of coronavirus-related communications to parents and guidance about safety protocols.
- Jewish Education Project's Resource Page:Â School-related guidance on how Jewish day schools, congregations, JCCs, early childhood, and independent settings are responding and planning in their communities. Includes links to relevant webinars.Â
- Unpacked for Educators (Open Dor): Live online Jewish learning sessions on a variety of topics for school-age children.
- Addressing Crisis: Resources for Jewish Teen Philanthropy (Jewish Teen Funders Network): This resource highlights different Jewish text, conversations prompts and suggestions for how to apply Jewish teen philanthropy during a crisis situation.(Added on March 20)Â Â
- Resources for Quarantined Families (PJ Library): Ideas for ways to stay busy and have fun at home, along with guidance in talking with your children about quarantines and pandemics.
- Remote Learning Resources Page (Center for Israel Education): Includes a variety of materials to enhance your knowledge of Modern Israel including videos of past CIE presentations; recorded webinars; podcasts; and informational videos about specific topics. Check back often as we continue to expand our digital offerings; Also offering Israel Direct Education and Learning, an online learning program delivered through Teachable. (Added on March 23)
- New Reality Resources (Jewish Teen Education and Engagement Funders Collaborative): Resources for Jewish youth professionals.
- Resources for Challenging Times (Institute for Jewish Spirituality): Includes a 30-minute daily guided meditation (also on Facebook Live); resources for a Mindful Passover; a weekly Torah study class that explores relevant sacred texts; and a downloadable starter kit for Jewish Mindfulness Meditation, and others.
- Protocols for Safeguarding Children and Teens in Online Communications (Aleinu): As youth-serving organizations temporarily move their programming online in response to the Coronavirus, many have wisely asked what measures should be implemented to safeguard children from maltreatment in virtual settings. This document shares factors to consider and suggested protocols for mitigating risk in online communications and programming.
- What Will Happen to Jewish Preschool and the Teachers our Children Love? (eJewishPhilanthropy): "Jewish early childhood already has difficulty attracting teachers to this field. If being an early childhood teacher is no longer seen as a secure job will the teachers come back? Programs may be able to reopen in two months, four months, but will the teachers have moved on? Can a program reasonably begin from scratch and onboard a whole new staff and accommodate the same number of children?"
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General
- Jewish Together (Jewish Federations of North America): Virtual community and informative resources, including curated resources, a calendar of virtual meet-ups and information on nonprofit loans. (Added March 31)
- Donors, Awaken! Jewish Nonprofit Organizations Face Financial Collapse (Tablet): Natan Fund's Felicia Herman issues a call-to-action on the crisis facing the nonprofit sector. "I’m not sure that everyday, individual givers—who account for 68% of giving to American nonprofits, and who interact with and benefit from institutions that are the bedrock of our communities and that enrich all of our lives—understand that we’re currently at risk for losing much of what we hold near and dear in our communal lives." (March 27)
- 'Painful and Deep': Jewish Nonprofits Face Dire Economic Prospects During and After Coronavirus (Jewish Telegraphic Agency, March 23)
- Coronavirus Funds (Giving Compass & National Center for Family Philanthropy):Find a range of vetted funds addressing immediate and long-term needs related to coronavirus and COVID-19. Comprehensive list of vetted COVID-19 relief funds. You can also explore local funds with NCFP's map. (Added on March 23)
- Goodnation Coronavirus Response Fund (Added on March 20): JFN Partner Goodnation, in partnership with National Voluntary Organizations Active In Disaster (NVOAD), has created this fund to focus on our most vulnerable populations, including seniors, the homeless, families living in poverty, people with disabilities and students in need. Support will provide: Disaster Response to care for the most vulnerable; Local Support by nonprofits already on the front lines;Global Intervention by leading international health and relief organizations.Â
- Repair the World and Amplifier: Resource on caring for the sick in times of crisis. Includes relevant Jewish texts, as well as information on volunteering and places to donate money.
- Candid Update on Philanthropy for Addressing Coronavirus: Tracking recent grants made, viewable by location and specific issue area.
- Does the Jewish Community Need a Central COVID Fund? Here's a Better Strategy for Addressing the Crisis: JFN President & CEO Andrés Spokoiny makes the case for coordination over centralization. (4/6/20)
- COVID-19 Giving Guide (Amplifier): "Giving in a time of crisis can feel overwhelming and that’s true of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are countless needs, demands on your time, and uncertainty about the economy. We believe that, although the circumstances have changed, the path forward hasn’t. Giving thoughtfully, connected to community, and in alignment with your values brings clarity, guidance, and purpose. This guide is designed to help you move past 'analysis paralysis' and navigate a path towards meaningful, values-aligned giving, no matter the size of the gift." (4/8/20)
- Guidelines for the Elderly, their Caregivers, and Families During COVID-19 (Joint-Eshel): Videos and other resources in Hebrew, English and other languages addressing such topics as loneliness, physical exercise and safety protocols.
- How to Prevent Zoombombing (ADL):Â
Reports from the Field
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North America
- Providing Critical Personal Protective Equipment for Jewish Healthcare Providers and Institutions: JFN, the Jewish Federations of North America, and the North American Volunteer Network are teaming up (and raising funds) to purchase equipment and distribute to the Association of Jewish Aging Services and the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies. Learn more in this presentation.Â
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- Responses to a Flash Poll of Local Nonprofits on the Impact of COVID-19 (Massachusetts Nonprofit Network): Among the findings, more than 95 percent of respondents said they were experiencing or anticipated experiencing impacts as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, and 52 percent characterized the severity of impacts as “high.” (Added on March 20)
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- How Jewish Family Service is Responding (Seattle): CEO Will Berkovitz on building and using a crisis response team, figuring out how best to keep serving clients, making decisions during a crisis, and operating while conditions are changing rapidly. (Via the Bridgespan Group. Links on this page to other reports from the field, as well.)
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- The Jewish Federation of San Diego County, Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego and Leichtag Foundation have partnered to establish the San Diego Jewish Community COVID-19 Emergency Fund. The accelerating scale of COVID-19 calls for a coordinated, streamlined response to support those who are most vulnerable and impacted primarily in San Diego’s Jewish community. A consortium of initial funders have already contributed more than $1.6 million to launch this Fund. This urgent effort will gather information about community needs and immediately allocate funds, employing effective processes that proved successful in prior crises. Accepting donations here. (Added 3/24)
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- Charitable Food Resource Guide During COVID-19 (Mazon): General resources and state-by-state resources. "As the coronavirus spreads, MAZON is carefully monitoring the situation, coordinating with our grantee partners and other colleagues across the country, gathering the latest information, and advocating at the federal and state level for swift and effective action to expand access to food assistance for those affected. While we recognize that all states and communities will be impacted, MAZON is committed to listening for and lifting up the needs and concerns of those places where we expect to see a disproportionate impact, including in the most food-insecure states as well as those states already reporting large numbers of coronavirus cases. Over the coming days and weeks, we will act as an information clearinghouse for the most-up-to date information from these states as we work to ensure essential services, government benefits and food assistance are available to all who need them." (Added 3/25)
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- The Jewish Food Society and The Paul E. Singer Foundation are "working with more than a dozen restaurants, including Russ & Daughters, Miznon and Taim Falafel, to provide meals to hospital workers around the city," teaming up with Feed the Frontlines NYC. "The first 50,000 meals are being covered by The Paul E. Singer Foundation, and [the Jewish Food Society] is fundraising to allow the work to continue and expand." (Jewish Insider, April 8)
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- Massachusetts First Lady Lauren Baker and JFN member the One8 Foundation are teaming up with philanthropists, business leaders, Eastern Bank, The Boston Foundation, and the Foundation for Business Equity to launch the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund to support those across the state most impacted by this health crisis. The Fund will work in concert with regional non-profit leaders, community foundations, leaders on the ground and at the state level to understand the response and relief landscape locally and statewide to strategically fill in where gaps are pronounced. The mission is to ensure essential needs are understood in real time and provide resources for interventions that are effective and impactful. ($17.3 million raised as of April 13)
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- Gift of Life Donates 10,000 Swabs to Help with Coronavirus Testing (WPTV): The Boca Raton-based bone marrow and blood stem cell registry, announced that it has donated 10,000 "urgently needed swabs" to Boca Raton Regional Hospital.
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- Hebrew Free Loan (Northern California) is making $5 million available in interest-free loans of up to $20,000 each to help manage financial hardships related to Covid-19. Loans offered to Jewish individuals throughout Northern California and to all employees of Northern California Jewish organizations (regardless of religion). Loans can assist with needs such as: Rent & mortgage payments; Food, insurance, & child care; Property taxes and small business expenses.Â
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Israel
- News and Resources from JFN-Israel: Includes information about needs and funder projects in Israel, schedule of upcoming events, as well as recordings of webinars about specific funding needs and sectors. Please note that many of these materials are in English, and that the JFN-Israel staff is available for phone/Zoom consultations with all JFN members to discuss their giving in Israel.
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- Report from the Shoresh Institute: Information about the underlying challenges to Israel's public health infrastructure.
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- The Israeli Civic Leadership Association Situation Room (Hebrew):Posts and Updates on Social Sector (Live Link and Telegram Channel Link)
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- Navigating Israel Giving in the Time of Coronavirus (Message from the JFN-Israel team)
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- Daily Updates During the Corona Crisis (Leket Israel): Details on what the food rescue organization is doing to deliver food to people in need at this challenging time and how people can help.
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- New Startup Nation Central Directory Shows Israeli Companies That Can Help Fight Covid-19 (Calcalist, March 23). Tel Aviv-based non-profit organization Startup Nation Central (SNC) has created a comprehensive directory of more than 70 relevant Israeli medical technology startups that can assist with combatting Covid-19.Â
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- Ruderman Foundation Teams up with Kan Channel to Provide Accessible Coronavirus News (Times of Israel, April 12): Ruderman Family Foundation supporting nightly news broadcasts with prominent sign language interpreter, voice-overs in simple, slowly enunciated Hebrew.
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International
- Report from American Jewish Joint-Distribution Committee (March 23, 2020): Description of coronavirus-related needs JDC is addressing in the former Soviet Union, Argentina, Ethiopia, and Israel.
- Report from IsraAID on its Global Coronavirus Emergency Response: Details on providing emergency psychosocial support for health workers; promoting hygiene practice in high-risk locations like refugee camps, where a secondary health crisis could occur; ensuring vulnerable communities have access to information, resources, and psychosocial support. (Added 3/25)
- Defending Human Rights During COVID-19 (American Jewish World Service): "From our decades of work, we know that the most vulnerable communities across the world will face the most serious impacts of this pandemic, because at times of crisis, the human rights of oppressed and marginalized people are nearly always further violated." (Added on March 23)Â
Upcoming Online Events and Webinars
Monday, April 20
- Yom HaShoah Briefing and Commemoration (JFN), 12-1:15 p.m. Eastern: Join JFN's CEO and President, Andres Spokoiny, Seed the Dream Foundation, and KAVOD SHEF Funding Partners for a special briefing and Yom HaShoah commemoration. It is not too late for us to come together and talk about some of the ways that we, as a funding community can amplify our efforts to work together to address poverty among Holocaust survivors. We will commemorate Yom HaShoah with a special session on the “new shapes of memory,” including Pinchas Gutter, Holocaust Survivor, and Stephen D. Smith, PhD, of the USC Shoah Foundation. Registration required.
Wednesday, April 22
- Virtual Safeguards for Jewish-Youth Organizations (Sacred Spaces), 1 p.m., Eastern: Due to extraordinary public health circumstances, youth-serving organizations are quickly moving their operations and programming online. Sacred Spaces recognizes the enormous demands on organizations during this difficult time. It is a period of transition, adaptation, and learning. Join Shira Berkovits, President and CEO of Sacred Spaces, for a webinar and Q&A on safeguarding children and teens in online environments. This webinar is intended for those working in youth-serving organizations who are responsible for overseeing online communication and programming or those who are directly communicating with youth and parents on behalf of the organization. Registration required.
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Virtual Conversation: (Jewish) Journalism in (the Coronavirus) Crisis (JFN & The Forward), 2 p.m., Eastern. Never has independent, empathetic reporting on our communities been more important. And yet: Jewish and other news organizations are cutting salaries, cutting staff — even closing, as the pandemic intensifies the challenges the industry was already grappling with. As we think about “saving” nonprofits like JCCs, camps and cultural institutions, what is the role of philanthropy in supporting media? Join Jodi Rudoren, editor-in-chief of The Forward, and Andrés Spokoiny, president and CEO of the Jewish Funders Network, for a conversation about the future of community news with Ben Smith, media columnist for The New York Times (and former Forward intern); Sue Fishkoff, longtime editor of San Francisco’s J Weekly; and Prof. Jonathan Sarna of Brandeis University. RSVP here
Thursday, April 23
- Briefing: Support for Israeli Nonprofits During COVID-19 (JFN), 12 p.m. Eastern: Please join us for an important briefing on how nonprofits in Israel are being impacted by COVID-19 and what interventions are being created to help. We will hear about the Emergency Fund for Nonprofits a joint project of the Jewish Agency for Israel and the nonprofit lender Ogen, formerly known as the Israel Free Loan Association. We will also learn how impact investing can help Israeli entities at this time. Moderator:Andrés Spokoiny (JFN); Speakers: Misha Galperin (Philanthropic Advisor); Amira Ahranovich (Jewish Agency); Sagi Balasha (OGEN); Beth Sirull (Jewish Community Foundation); Ruth Salzman (Russell Berrie Foundation)
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- Fundraising During Uncertain Times: Weekly Series (American Philanthropic) 2 p.m. Eastern: Each week focuses on a different aspect of fundraising. Get full schedule of upcoming installments and register here.
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Recorded Webinars
COVID-19 and the Israeli Tech Ecosystem (JFN Webinar, April 7)
Jewish Day Schools and COVID-19 (JFN Webinar, April 6)
Women in Israel During COVID-19 (JFN Webinar, April 6)
Asylum Seekers in Israel During COVID-19 (JFN Webinar, April 5)
Jewish Arts and Artists in a Time of COVID-19 (JFN Webinar from April 2)
Supporting Vulnerable Populations During COVID-19 (JFN Webinar from March 30)
JFN 2020 Virtual Convening Videos (March 23-24)
Coronavirus and the Jewish Community: Responses from the Field (JFN webinar from March 18)
Post-Election Scenarios in Israel and How Coronavirus Changes Things (JFN webinar from March 17)
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News from Funders
- The Edmond de Rothschild Foundation (Israel) announced an immediate donation of $13.6 million to boost the efforts of Israel’s hospitals to fight the spread of the coronavirus. (3/19)
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- The Azrieli Foundation approved an emergency fund on March 18, earmarking $2 million to be directed to immediate needs in Canada, and NIS 10M to needs in Israel. Priority areas include serving the elderly and Holocaust survivors (particularly for food and basic needs), the educational and psychosocial needs of at-risk youth and special-needs learners, services for individuals with disabilities.
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- The Jewish Federation of San Diego County, Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego and Leichtag Foundation have partnered to establish the San Diego Jewish Community COVID-19 Emergency Fund. The accelerating scale of COVID-19 calls for a coordinated, streamlined response to support those who are most vulnerable and impacted primarily in San Diego’s Jewish community. A consortium of initial funders have already contributed more than $1.6 million to launch this Fund. This urgent effort will gather information about community needs and immediately allocate funds, employing effective processes that proved successful in prior crises. (Added 3/24)
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- Providing Critical Personal Protective Equipment for Jewish Healthcare Providers and Institutions: JFN, the Jewish Federations of North America, and the North American Volunteer Network are teaming up (and raising funds) to purchase equipment and distribute to the Association of Jewish Aging Services and the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies. Learn more in this presentation. Added 3/30/20
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- The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation on March 27 announced $4 million in emergency grants (Phase 1) in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Grants include $250,000 to nonprofits in Israel and more than $450,000 to Jewish social service agencies in New York, Baltimore, Chicago, San Francisco and other parts of the United States. Full list of grants here.
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- Sheldon Adelson Ships Two Million Masks to U.S. Hospitals (Jewish Insider, 3/31)
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- Philanthropist David Magerman Launches $500,000 Grant Program to Address Coronavirus (Jewish Insider, 3/31)
- Over $1.5 Million in COVID-19 Rapid-Response Grants Released by Rose Community Foundation (April 7): The foundation awarded over 120 grants totaling $1,566,754. The grants were directed to nonprofit organizations and government agencies on the front lines of COVID-19 prevention, containment and response and are specifically aimed at supporting the Greater Denver region’s most vulnerable and impacted populations. This collection of grants – focused primarily on prevention, containment and emergency response to the basic need impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations – represents the first of three anticipated COVID-19 grantmaking phases. Future grantmaking will develop to meet evolving community needs and will likely address impact mitigation and, eventually, recovery and stabilization efforts. On April 2, the Foundation explained its three-phased plan for funding, which it believes can serve as a model for other Jewish funders during the coronavirus crisis, in this April 2 eJewishPhilanthropy article.
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- Jewish Communal Fund Announces $1 Million in Emergency Coronavirus Response Grants. (April 6): This injection of funding will be earmarked for food delivery for low-income New Yorkers, cash assistance and social services for single parents and Holocaust survivors, and thousands of Passover meals to go.
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- The Claims Conference has established a Holocaust survivor COVID-19 emergency assistance fund, with $4.3 million in initial funds, to help address urgent needs worldwide during the coronavirus pandemic. It also announced it will be providing significant advances of nearly $300 million of the over $600 million in previously committed funds to agencies and relaxing reporting deadlines in an effort to mitigate any funding issues. The emergency fund, which includes $100,000 from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and €200,000 from the Alfred Landecker Foundation, will reinforce an array of services already in place, including delivering meals and medicine, assisting survivors with rent and utility payments, supporting short-term sheltering for Holocaust survivors, and expanding virtual/telephonic socialization programs and volunteer programs to help alleviate isolation and loneliness through secure methods. It also seeks to ensure that survivors can be cared for safely, by providing funding for personal protective equipment (such as masks, gowns, gloves, etc.) and sanitizing agents. (Added 4/8)
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- The Jewish Food Society and The Paul E. Singer Foundation are "working with more than a dozen restaurants, including Russ & Daughters, Miznon and Taim Falafel, to provide meals to hospital workers around the city," teaming up with Feed the Frontlines NYC. "The first 50,000 meals are being covered by The Paul E. Singer Foundation, and [the Jewish Food Society] is fundraising to allow the work to continue and expand." (Jewish Insider, April 8)
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- The Ruderman Foundation has made several emergency grants in response to the COVID-19 crisis: $100,000Â Â to Massachusetts General Hospital to support the mental health and wellbeing of doctors, nurses and medical personnel responding to the Covid-19 crisis; $50,000 to Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston for responding to needs of the community; $40,000 to public television in Israel (Kan) to develop programming for people with disabilities who are isolated as a result of the crisis; and $10,000 to the Boston Police Department to support the mental health and wellbeing of police officers responding to the crisis. (Added 4/8)
- Massachusetts First Lady Lauren Baker and JFN member the One8 Foundation are teaming up with philanthropists, business leaders, Eastern Bank, The Boston Foundation, and the Foundation for Business Equity to launch the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund to support those across the state most impacted by this health crisis. The Fund will work in concert with regional non-profit leaders, community foundations, leaders on the ground and at the state level to understand the response and relief landscape locally and statewide to strategically fill in where gaps are pronounced. The mission is to ensure essential needs are understood in real time and provide resources for interventions that are effective and impactful. ($17.3 million raised as of April 13)