Do you have an idea that could bring together members of the local Jewish community in a new way? Have you been thinking about an exciting cultural project has never been done in Ann Arbor? Do you have a conception of an initiative focused on teen engagement? If you’re seeking funds to make your dreams a reality, you can apply for a grant from the Community Engagement Fund (CEF) or Zelma Weisfeld Fund for Culture and Education and bring your ideas to fruition.
The Community Engagement Fund is supported by the Annual Community Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor. Its purpose is to encourage organizations and individuals to work collaboratively on new, innovative initiatives that cultivate a connected, caring, and vibrant Jewish community in Washtenaw County. In 2024, funds from the campaign were earmarked for teen engagement initiatives for the first time. These funds are to be allocated through the CEF process.
The Zelma Weisfeld Fund for Culture and Education is supported by an endowment established by the estate of Zelma Weisfeld (z”l). Its purpose is to foster cross-communal collaboration and creativity to bring joy and connection to the community and is specifically intended for cultural or educational projects.
Recent projects supported by the CEF and Zelma Weisfeld Fund include a Joys of Klezmer Concert, Sounds of Freedom Shabbat, Israel Education Scholar in Residence, and community-wide October 7 Commemorations.
For the spring round, grant requests of up to $5000 for the CEF and $3750 for the Zelma Weisfeld Fund will be considered and must be submitted by a formal or informal partnership of three or more collaborators. The deadline for the grant application is March 15. Applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent by March 1 to info@jewishannarbor.org.
A grant selection committee, comprised of community volunteers, evaluates proposals against the funds’ principles of cross-communal collaboration, creativity, innovation, joy and connectivity. Decisions will be made within one month of the grant deadline.
“I’m delighted with the success of our Community Engagement Fund allocations,” said Federation CEO Eileen Freed. “The support provided by this fund has fostered collaboration and enabled the development of engaging community programs to strengthen our community.”
More information and an application for submission is available at www.jewishannarbor.org/grants. For more information or to inquire, contact Kadi Swerdlow at kadi@jewishannarbor.org or 734-773-3535.