Award Named after JFN Co-Founder Sidney Shapiro

NEW YORK – December 5, 2013 -- The Jewish Funders Network said today a prestigious award named after one of its founders would be redefined to recognize accomplishments by philanthropists who work together to further a common mission or goal.

The first Sidney Shapiro Prize for Excellence in Philanthropic Collaboration will be given March 9 at the 2014 JFN International Conference in Miami Beach. It had previously been named the Sidney Shapiro Tzedakah Award.

“Developing philanthropic partnerships remains a high priority for JFN, so the Shapiro Prize embodies this kind of work,” said Andres Spokoiny, JFN President and CEO. “We felt it was important to properly recognize the work of forward-thinking funders who collaborate to achieve a collective impact in areas that interest them.”

Shapiro, who died in 2007, was known for a pattern of giving that was responsive to pressing societal needs. An award in his name has been given by JFN since 1997. Spokoiny said the revamped prize is designed to honor philanthropists who engage in a similar style of grant-making.

The criteria for the award require nominees to have:

• Formed a philanthropic collaboration with a common mission, vision or goals; and demonstrated success in reaching those goals
• Pooled financial resources as an investment toward their philanthropic vision that includes a meaningful contribution from each partner
• Formed a philanthropic collaboration to strategically resolve a problem or further a specific purpose or field
  
  

JFN works with funders, at the individual and collective levels, to improve the quality of their giving and maximize its impact. Its members include independent philanthropists, foundation trustees and foundation professionals from across the globe.

“One of the things we do at JFN is provide a forum to discuss the big questions facing the Jewish community and the larger world,” Spokoiny said. “This award will help recognize philanthropists who have come together to provide answers to those questions.”

The nomination form can be found here. At least one member of the collaboration must be a JFN member to be eligible.