Applications due Thursday, September 5, 2024.
The purpose of the Byron & Dorothy Gerson Innovation Fund is to foster a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity within Detroit’s Jewish community by supporting new programs, pilots, and initiatives. These programs should meet pressing community needs, engage or support the Jewish community, and do not yet have established funding models or dedicated donors to underwrite them.
Guidelines
- There are two annual cycles of the Gerson Innovation Fund, and organizations may submit up to one application per cycle.
- Organizations may apply for innovation grants between $10,000-$35,000.
- No more than 20% of the grant request may be used toward staff costs.
- The committee considers the following criteria when reviewing grant requests:
- Innovative or entrepreneurial
- Potential impact on the Detroit Jewish community
- Meeting a pressing unmet need
- Engages or supports the Detroit Jewish community
- Viability of implementation
- The grant application must be completed and submitted by the professional who will be implementing the proposal.
- Funding will be available for 12 months from when the grant is awarded, unless a later program timeframe is requested at the time of application. Any unused funds at the end of the program or one year period must be returned.
Eligibility
- Any 501(c)(3) non-profit organization primarily serving the Jewish community of metropolitan Detroit is eligible to apply, excluding synagogues and religious outreach organizations.
- Synagogues and outreach organizations, such as Chabads, are encouraged to apply to the Hermelin-Davidson Center for Congregation Excellence.
Timeline
- Application Deadline: Thursday, September 5, 2024
- Presentations: Monday, October 28, 2024
- Finalists will be invited to present to the committee in person with a 5-minute presentation and 5 minutes of committee questions.
- Award Notification: October 2024
- Reporting: Grantees must submit a post-program evaluation form within 60 days of project completion.
Contact Ashley Schnaar-Morof at schnaar@jewishdetroit.org or (248) 205-2537 with any questions.
Downloadable Documents
Gerson Innovation Fund Application
