The Jewish Federation’s ChangeMaker Challenge is an opportunity for Angelenos to bring their ideas to life and have an impact on our county. We are seeking submissions for innovative projects that meet some of LA’s biggest challenges and will make a real, positive difference. A key goal of the ChangeMaker Challenge is to build strong ties between the Jewish community and other communities across Los Angeles, so those applying from outside the Jewish community will be encouraged to partner with the Jewish community, and vice versa. The Jewish Federation will help applicants make those connections.
We’ll partner on projects from eligible 501(c)3 or 501(c)3-sponsored organizations in two ways:
- We’ll invest up to $5,000 each, based on allocated funds, in nonprofits that set out to make a meaningful impact in Los Angeles County. We are seeking projects focused on, but not limited to, the following areas:
- Building Bridges — supporting initiatives that focus on building bridges among disparate communities.
- Enhancing Lives — addressing local public policy challenges by working to improve the lives of low-income L.A. County residents.
- Fostering Leadership — activating and enhancing programs that support the growth of civic leaders and civic life in L.A.
- We’ll provide 15 hours of capacity-building training led by some of L.A.’s premier nonprofit coaches to leadership from the selected nonprofits. The ChangeMaker Challenge capacity-building training is valued at approximately $4,000 per organization.
Organizations or groups who have an idea for a project that can have a positive impact in Los Angeles. Applicants must be located in the greater Los Angeles area to apply. Previous recipients of the ChangeMaker Challenge award are not eligible. Eligible Applicants are a 501(c)3. If you aren’t a 501(c)3, you will need to have a fiscal sponsor. Please register as a Grant Applicant. Also, please note that organizations that have not previously received Federation funding will require approval by our staff to complete the registration process.
A diverse group of community and civic leaders from across Los Angeles will judge ChangeMaker Challenge applications. These judges include leaders from the business, government and nonprofit sectors. We are seeking projects that will allow for meaningful and creative ongoing partnership with Jewish Federation Los Angeles, and such projects will be given priority.
In addition to the monetary partnership, we are excited to be able to offer a five-month leadership development opportunity. We have engaged Executive Service Corps to provide five training sessions designed to help you strengthen your leadership and management skills, thereby improving the effectiveness of the work you do. Attendance at these sessions is a requirement of the grant, and we know from previous ChangeMaker participants that this is a unique learning opportunity that adds tremendous value to your personal development as a leader.
To make the most of the coaching component of this partnership, we require participation from a designated leadership staff person at your nonprofit. He/she will be expected to participate in approximately five monthly capacity-building group trainings along with leadership from other ChangeMaker Challenge winners. Each year, the capacity-building curriculum is tailored to fit the needs of the participants in the cohort based on an initial needs assessment. Past topics have included board development, strategic planning, defining/changing organizational culture, fundraising, time management, managing for success, etc.
Dates will be provided upon award notice.
Please contact Melissa York at MYork@JewishLA.org or call (323) 761-8161.
*FUNDING AMOUNT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON OVERALL ALLOCATIONS.