Jewish Community Foundation Invites Proposals for 2016 Cutting Edge Grants

LOS ANGELES (Sep. 1, 2015) – The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles (The Foundation) today announced the kickoff of its 2016 Cutting Edge Grants program. There will be a mandatory informational workshop for grantseekers on Oct. 22, 2015, with an application submission deadline of Dec. 10, 2015. Awards of up to $250,000 over a multi-year period are available to fund innovative programs that address important, substantiated needs in the Los Angeles Jewish community.

Nonprofit organizations or social entrepreneurs may receive funding for:

• Untested ground-breaking programs
• Successful Los Angeles pilot programs ready for community-wide implementation
• Local adaptations of high-impact initiatives proven outside of Los Angeles

In 2015, The Foundation awarded $1.85 million in Cutting Edge Grants to nine recipients. These recently funded initiatives are designed to engage a broad cross section of Jewish Los Angeles and focus on harnessing the power of community to meet the needs of underserved populations; re-envisioning the roles of synagogues and religious leaders; and using technology and art to reach broader audiences. Since establishing the Cutting Edge Grants in 2006, The Foundation has awarded grants of more than $13 million to launch 72 ground-breaking programs.

Marvin I. Schotland, The Foundation’s president and chief executive officer, said: “Over its initial 10 years, our Cutting Edge Grants program has made a deep, meaningful and enduring impact on Jewish Los Angeles. Our grantees continue to transform our community through their vision and innovation. The Foundation is proud of its role as a go-to source for social entrepreneurs and other innovators seeking to strengthen the fabric of our community, foster inclusion and promote engagement in a wealth of programs that have taken root locally, and touched the lives of tens of thousands.”

Organizations or individuals interested in applying for a Cutting Edge Grant can learn more about the process by visiting www.jewishfoundationla.org/CEG and registering for the Grantseekers Workshop. Information will include selection criteria and tips on writing a competitive application. Advance registration is required.

About The Foundation

Established in 1954, the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles manages charitable assets of more than $1 billion, entrusted to it by over 1,200 families. The Foundation partners with donors to shape meaningful philanthropic strategies, magnify the impact of giving, and build enduring charitable legacies. Over the past 25 years, The Foundation has distributed $1 billion in grants to thousands of nonprofits across a diverse spectrum. For more information, visit www.jewishfoundationla.org.