Ravitz Foundation Initiative

for Small Michigan Jewish Communities Application Guidelines – FY 2018-19

I. Purpose:

The Ravitz Foundation Initiative for Michigan Small Communities was established in 2008 to provide financial resources to Michigan small Jewish communities for programming and education to foster vibrancy and continuity. The grant funding is stewarded and distributed by the Michigan Jewish Conference, in conjunction with the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.

The purpose of the Initiative is to strengthen small Jewish communities throughout Michigan with high quality Jewish education and cultural programming for their community members. The Initiative does not fund ongoing social service programming or operational support such as salaries or building overhead. The Initiative is looking for creative programming that will maximize community engagement. Scholarships are also available to students from these communities wishing to attend Camp Tamarack.

The grant application process is open to all Jewish communities outside of the metro Detroit area (excluding Ann Arbor) and students residing in these communities.

Grant requests will be considered by the Ravitz Foundation Initiative Committee. The Committee will approve grants on a bi-annual basis. Funds for specific initiatives may be approved for a multi-year period, subject to annual progress reports made to the Committee and the availability of funds.

II. Application Process:

The Fund will have two grant cycles:

1. The deadline for the first cycle will be January 15th with the Committee meeting in February and funds available for distribution thereafter. Pending the availability of funds following the first cycle, the deadline for the second cycle will be July 15th with the Committee meeting in August and funds available for distribution thereafter.

The following information must be included in the grant application.

New Projects:
1. Purpose: State the purpose of the request.

2. Goals and Objectives: List goals, objectives and desirable and measurable outcomes.

3. Project Description and Implementation Plan: Describe the project/program and implementation plan in detail, identifying how it will meet the goals and objectives.
Note in the description: the project’s partners (if any), target group, and the number of current and projected individuals who will benefit.

4. Evaluation: Explain how the project’s success will be measured and over what time period evaluations will be performed. Indicate who will perform the evaluations and
how the results will be used.

5. Budget: Provide a detailed budget including expected revenue and expenditures for the identified grant period. If the project exceeds one year, income and expenses
should be identified for each year. Indicate the level of support that will be needed each year from the Ravitz Foundation grant, as well as other projected sources of
income from the local community, private foundations and individuals. (click here for a sample budget form )

The Committee will review all proposals and may request further information to properly consider the request(s).

For continuation of funding for a current project:

  1. A narrative explaining the purpose of project/program, a report to date of the project/program’s activities, progress towards meeting its objectives and goals, its
    impact, and how the funding has been and is to be used to continue to the project.
  2. A budget to date and proposed continuation budget showing expenses and sources of revenue.

All funded projects will require a report at the completion of the project. Projects that extend over a year will be required to submit a progress report annually.

III. For those interested in Camp Tamarack scholarships requests should be directed to Camp Tamarack. Contact www.tamarackcamps.com.

If you have any questions, please call Eric Hughey at (517) 282-2956. All materials should be e-mailed to mjcdirector@gmail.com or mailed to:

Ravitz Foundation Initiative for Small Michigan Communities
Michigan Jewish Conference
360 Charles Street, East Lansing, MI 48823.

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