Jewish Funders Network provides members with many ways to meet other funders, leverage giving, and learn from experts in funder-only environments. This enables members to ensure their philanthropy has a greater impact.

One way JFN facilitates that is through peer networks that are initiated by funders. Joining one can increase sharing and learning in a particular funding area, and provide more intimate opportunities to get to know other philanthropists with a shared passion.

Benefits of participating in a peer network include:

• Networking with other funders interested in the same field
• Discovering opportunities for collaboration
• Delving deeper into a specific funding area with topic-specific webinars, funder convenings, and email updates
• Peer network site visits
  
  

Interested in starting a Peer Network?

Peer networks are initiated by JFN members and require a minimum of five funders. If you are interested in starting a peer network, please contact Ari Rudolph at [email protected].

Current and past JFN Peer Networks:

Green Funders Forum A space for funders/grantmaking professionals who are interested and /or involved in the fields of environment, sustainability, climate change, energy, biodiversity, transportation, water conservation, and related issues, in their Israeli context. Participants come together to learn, share, consult, gain tools and skills, and network with fellow funders. The forum convenes approximately four times per year. The forum meets in Israel but invites international members to join and take part via conference calls and webinars and during their visits to Israel. If you’re interested in joining the Green Funders Forum, please contact Sigal Yaniv Feller, Director of Advisory Services, JFN Israel: [email protected].

Social Venture Fund for Jewish-Arab Equality and Shared Society (SVF) The Social Venture Fund for Jewish-Arab Equality and Shared Society (SVF) is a philanthropic collaborative that brings together individuals, foundations, and federations who support an equal and inclusive shared society in Israel for the benefit of all of its citizens. It operates as both a peer network and a giving circle.

Giving Circles and Collaboratives The peer network for funders of giving collaboratives and giving circles brings together leaders and coordinators of funding collaboratives, both veterans and those new to the field.

Funding Networks in Israel (multiple) Rapidly evolving networks in Israel include Committed to Give, a network of 18 philanthropists whose goals are to change the culture of giving in Israel, and encourage Israel’s affluent population to become more active and have a positive impact on Israeli society. The group was born from a collaboration between JFN Israel and The Sheatufim Center. There is also The Next Generation, a network of young philanthropists who discuss their involvement and integration with local and international philanthropies and networks; Jewish Renewal, which is focused on renewing and strengthening Jewish identity among the vast spectrum of Jews in Israel; and the Young Adult Peer Network, which has a group of funders involved with issues related to young adults in Israel.

Disabilities and Special Needs This peer network worked to create a Jewish community that is more supportive and inclusive of people with disabilities and their families. Over the course of four years, it moved the field. It commissioned a guide to funding disabilities and special needs, and had regular webinars on disability-related issues. It also arranged multiple site visits to providers of disability services in the United States and Israel, and, through JFN, linked up with experts in the field as well as other disability-funding networks.