Alumni Grants

FJC is thrilled to announce that past participants in the Cornerstone Fellowship are eligible for small grants to create Jewish experiences for their peers and communities. The grant amounts can vary from idea to idea, but FJC anticipates the average grant will be between $100-300 for a one-time program or ongoing series of events. In some cases, FJC will even help grantees plan the event!

The Cornerstone Fellowship is about building leaders and helping camp staff see themselves as Jewish educators. We aim to assist alumni of the program to take their ideas and experience even further, amplifying Jewishness in their communities with the support of Cornerstone Alumni Grants. Apply now!

Please also join the Cornerstone Alumni Facebook Group!

Got Questions? Find Answers Below!

FAQS

Who’s eligible?

Anyone who participated as a Cornerstone Fellow is eligible to apply.

How much does the grant cover?

We anticipate the average grant amounts will be between $100 – $300 for a single program or ongoing series of events.

All amounts are in US Dollars and distributed as reimbursements (see below, “How does the grant work?”).

If you have a bigger idea, please reach out to us – the amounts may be negotiable in some cases. We also encourage you to collaborate with other organizations for support, including additional programming and financial resources (if it makes sense for your goals).

When is the deadline?

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed in order that they are received.

Priority will be given to programs/projects that take place in the Fall 2018.

Why is FJC giving out these grants?

FJC hopes Cornerstone Fellows see themselves as Jewish educators beyond camps’ summer season.

We know Jewish camp experiences have lasting effects long after being a camper or staff member. We want to encourage, support and enable Cornerstone alumni to be the initiators of those experiences, bringing their skills, knowledge, passion and enthusiasm to their communities beyond camp (be it home, school, synagogue, etc.).

How does the grant work?

It’s easy!

STEP 1– Determine if you and your event proposal are eligible.

STEP 2– Complete an application.

This form asks about the prospective Jewish experience, including a plan for implementing your idea, details about the Jewish content, and a list of resources you will need.

Step 3- You’ll hear from FJC within approximately two weeks of your completed application. If accepted, an FJC team member will follow-up to discuss your plans and confirm the grant award.

Step 4- Host your awesome event! Then within two weeks following the program, submit your Reflection Report to be eligible for reimbursement. (See “What is involved in the Reflection Report?” for more details)

Other important info- The grant recipient (you!) are responsible for the cost outright, and will be reimbursed by check for cost(s) following completion of the event/experience, submission of related receipts, and completion of the full Reflection Report online form (including a blog post or another form of reflection determined by the FJC team and agreed upon with the recipient).

Do I have to do it alone?

We encourage you to involve others in your planning and organizing!

If you apply for the grant with other Cornerstone Alumni, you could be eligible for a larger grant allowance. They don’t even have to be Cornerstone Fellow Alum from your camp!

You also are encouraged to work with other organizations if it supports the mission and goals of your program. (See “Could this experience happen in partnership with another organization?” for more details.)

What kind of Experiences is FJC looking to fund, and what is not covered?

Experiences should be heavily influenced by Jewish content and planned for the applicant and/or peers in their community (this may include friends, peers at school, teammates, work colleagues, etc.).

This grant can NOT cover:

Purchase of alcohol
Personal one-on-one coaching
General tuition costs (for example: to subsidize an MBA program or attend a conference)
The purchase of hardware or other equipment
Ongoing business-related expenses (e.g. renting office space, long-term equipment rental, etc.)
Services that you are rendering to yourself, your organization, or others. For example: grants cannot pay for your time spent preparing for a presentation or for salaries.

Here are some great past projects:

Young Adult Shabbat Lunch Series
Independent Shabbat Minyan and Meal series in a camp-style backyard
Community Gardening and Social Justice Program Series
Jewish Cooking Class Series
Group theater experience to “Conviction,” followed by an interfaith panel discussion
Camp-style Shabbat dinners on campus,Brandeis University, MA (Anna Stern, Camp Ramah in California)
Intimate Speaker Series on Israeli Culture, Music, Fashion, and Food
Israeli Dance Festival
Jewish Identity and Learning Fellowship series for undergraduate students
Community-wide Israel Fair
Creative Seder, Matzah Pizza Party & Havdalah
Young Family Chavurot and Jewish Holiday Programs

Sample Projects

Some ideas this grant DOES cover:

Jewish Educational events
Jewish social events
Camp-style Shabbat at Hillel
Speakers
Film screenings
Shabbat and Holiday celebrations
Adding Jewish content to an existing social event
Jewish Book Club
Virtual Jewish learning opportunities
Coordinating a Conference (for example: organizing a weekend Jewish Family Camp)
Campfire and S’mores Story Slam performance

Can I partner with another organization?

Yes! We love working with others, and if it makes sense for your experience to be held in partnership, talk to your local Hillel, Moishe House, JCC, synagogues, Reboot, OneTable, etc. If you have questions about collaboration ideas, please ask us.

Can I apply more than once?

Cornerstone Alumni may submit one application in total (this includes individual applications and as part of a team) per cycle. Alumni are eligible to apply for and potentially receive a grant each year.

When am I entitled to receive my grant money?

After you’ve completed the event or experience, submit follow-up materials within two weeks of the program’s conclusion (including related receipts, completed online form, and Reflection Report). Once FJC has reviewed your materials and approved them, your reimbursement will be processed and sent as a check (USD only).

How Do I Apply?

Fill out an application online to tell us about the prospective Jewish experience, including an implementation plan, an idea of the Jewish content, and a list of resources. If accepted, an FJC team member will follow-up to discuss your plans and to confirm the grant award.

You should expect to hear from FJC within two weeks depending on the time of year.

What is involved in a Reflection Report?

Within two weeks of completing your project, you will be asked to submit a short written reflection on what you learned, experienced, and how you affected others in your community. This should be approximately 500 words.

You may also be asked to submit pictures, video, a program write-up, or other related materials. FJC reserves the right to share these documents in our publications and with the grant’s funders.

This same form will ask you to submit all receipts and details for who should receive the reimbursement check.