IGNITE! Community Impact Grant | Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester

IGNITE! Jewish Rochester Community Grant Program

We are pleased to announce funding of our new, $125,000 IGNITE! Jewish Rochester Community Grant program.

IGNITE! Impact Grants aim to empower and inspire new initiatives to take root, spark collaborations between communal organizations, propel innovative programs, and ensure our organizations have the necessary resources, tools and technologies to support and nourish a strong Jewish Rochester.

This funding is made possible by our community's generous contributions to the Annual Campaign.

Grant Opportunities

Community Impact Grants

Amount: up to $25,000 per project
Funding available for: “Innovative” projects that impact the Jewish community, meaning programs new to the Rochester Jewish community; or, a refinement, redesign or expansion of an existing program.
Duration: One year (can be renewed up to two pending approval)
Examples: Jewish teen travel programs, interfaith outreach programming, Jewish learning initiatives, Jewish or Israeli culture initiatives, intergenerational programming, etc.

Micro Grants

Amount: up to $2,500 per project
Funding available for: Initiatives seeking to experiment and/or test an idea in the Rochester Jewish community or a small-scale program.
Duration: One year (can be renewed up to two pending approval)
Examples: Small-scale or pilot programs, musical acts or speakers, technology needs, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who may apply?

Rochester Jewish community organizations (classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)3) of the Internal Revenue Code) (i.e., Jewish not-for-profit organizations).
Rochester Jewish community religious institutions (classified as tax-exempt under Section 170 (b) (1) (A) of the Internal Revenue Code) approved by the Federation (i.e., synagogues).
Individuals (with the support of a Federation-approved organization as a sponsor and with the sponsoring organization’s explicit approval).

Can my organization apply for more than one grant?
Yes! There is no limit to the number of grant applications an organization can submit for different projects. A separate grant application is required for each project.

Will grant funds be available for more than one year?
Applicants may request funding for up to three years. Renewal determinations are made at the committee’s discretion and are dependent upon a number of factors, including, for example:

Funding availability, and
Successful completion of the initial proposal goals

How are grant recipients selected?
A committee of community volunteers comprised of people from various backgrounds and experiences in Jewish Rochester will review applications and select grant recipients. Federation will disburse funds starting in July 2023 based on program needs.

What are the reporting requirements?

For Impact Grants, grantees will be required to submit a mid-year and final report, including narrative, impact, and budget information.
For Micro Grants, grantees will be required to submit a brief program evaluation, including final program budget.
Multi-year grants will require the same reporting.

What do you mean by “Impact”?
The proposed program must have clear and measurable goals that aim to further our strategic priorities.

What do you mean by “innovative” projects?

Programs new to the Rochester Jewish community, including those modeled on successful programs elsewhere;
Redefined, redesigned and expanded programs; and/or
Projects that seek to experiment and/or test an idea in the Rochester Jewish community.

Are there grant program characteristics the Federation is particularly interested in?

Proposed programs should seek to:

Contribute to one of the Federation’s community strategic priorities;
Foster Jewish engagement and connection to the community;
Demonstrate potential for impact; and/or
Promote collaboration among Jewish non-profit organizations, synagogues and schools.

Are there other grant requirements?
Recipients must include the Jewish Federation of Rochester logo on all marketing and program materials and must state: "This project was made possible by a grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester."