The Good People Fund
The Spanish idiom “palante” can be translated as “go for it!”, an appropriate name for Yurani Sandoval’s organization, Women Palante which mentors and inspires Latina women as they pursue entrepreneurial ventures. The program includes not only critical financial expertise but also focuses on personal wellness, an often-ignored, but important tool leading to success.
Our matching grant is directed to administrative costs.
Atlanta’s Erin Steiglitz began Bagel Rescue only a few years ago, but in that short time she and her dedicated crew of more than 100 volunteers have managed to rescue about 15,000 bagels weekly. With more than 36 bagel shops donating, dozens of social service agencies benefit from the daily drop-offs while at the same time, ending waste and supporting hunger relief.
Sharnese Marshall grew up in a loving and supportive household where attending school each day, getting good grades and helping others was instilled in her DNA from the beginning. And yet, in Detroit she witnessed a very different dynamic where chronic absenteeism and the problems that come with it were all too obvious. Kids from broken homes, unstable living conditions and economic challenges just didn’t go to school. In fact, Detroit leads the country in chronic absenteeism.
In 2019 Sharnese founded The Konnection to help youth from underserved communities feel supported and seen. The program focuses on connections and relationships, keeping kids engaged and excited about school. A school-based clothes closet, field trips, personal mentoring along with education, unlock students’ potential and provides opportunities that ensure success in school and life.
George Floyd’s brutal murder in 2020 shocked our country and inspired a renewed determination to promote greater equality throughout our society. For Andrew Walker it was a wake-up call that reminded him that it was the time to “not only talk the talk, but also to walk the walk.” He created Elevate+ to break this cycle of inequality for underserved students, offering them paid internships and mentoring with both nonprofit and for-profit organizations, and an opportunity for hands-on learning, making connections and setting a path for a future career. Andrew says, “These young adults are smart and motivated, only needing a chance to gain experience and confidence. Our role is to open the door to opportunities they would not get otherwise.” Participating nonprofits and businesses, meanwhile, get access to smart, motivated talent at little to no cost to them.
Charmaine Rice, a Black woman trained in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices, and Matt Fieldman, a White Jewish social entrepreneur and nonprofit professional, created Rekindle to bridge the ever-widening gap growing between two communities that at one time worked side-by-side to effect social justice and equity. Rekindle engages young leaders from both communities in frank and intense conversations and shared social action efforts to build greater understanding and mutual respect. First started in Cleveland, Rekindle has expanded to other communities throughout the country.
Our matching grant which was partially met by donations from participants themselves, is directed to general operations.
Jen Livovich has a deep personal connection to homelessness. An abusive marriage and alcoholism left her with very little until she found herself homeless on the streets of Boulder, Colorado, a city better known for its affluence and high cost of living. Homeless shelters and sleeping on the streets became the norm, with countless unsuccessful efforts to break out of this endless cycle. It was only after getting frostbite on her left foot, that a Court Navigator successfully connected Jen to a sober-supported transitional housing program, where she received treatment and enrolled at Colorado State University.
When Jen returned to Boulder, her first initiative was “Save-a-Toe,” supplying warm socks to homeless people. Her new organization, with the help of other formerly homeless individuals, is dedicated to effective solutions to end homelessness in Boulder.
Our funds purchased necessary items like sleeping bags, backpacks and household items for individuals transitioning to housing.
Our Journal of Good 2024 could not have been published at a better time. As we struggle with so much–a war, widespread hatred and political dysfunction, its stories of visionaries driving positive change… and those of individuals, families and communities whose lives are altered for the better, will move you.
Join us virtually, Sunday November 17th, 7:00pm to 9:30pm Eastern for The Good People Fund Celebratory Program. Featuring … Ruth Messinger (Global Ambassador of the American Jewish World Service), John Beltzer (Songs of Love) and Naomi Eisenberger (Co-founder and Executive Director of the The Good People Fund). You won’t want to miss it!
Join Naomi, Julie and three of our visionary Israeli grantees for a special live Zoom event:
Find out how they’re meeting new challenges since Oct. 7, while staying true to their passions and missions of elevating good and uplifting the communities they serve. And ask your questions!
Our Journal of Good 2022 has just been published and it’s filled with stories of visionaries driving positive change… and those of individuals, families and communities whose lives are altered for the better.
Read what our grantees are saying and how they’re responding to COVID-19 with the help of Good People Fund donors.
Our 2021 Annual Report has just been published and it’s filled with moving stories about ordinary people who have done extraordinary things to make our world a better place.
We need it now, more than ever … Read on!
Join us for our second Good People Talk Live! event – Meet four of GPF’s Good People and learn about their unique experiences, observations, and approaches to uplifting newcomers seeking better lives for themselves and their families.
Our guests include:
Join us for our first-ever Good People Talk Live! event – as we explore challenges facing inner city youth in Detroit, and how three of our GPF grantee organizations there are instilling hope.
Our guests include:
Join us for our first-ever Good People Talk Live! event – as we explore challenges facing inner city youth in Detroit, and how three of our GPF grantee organizations there are breaking cycles and instilling a sense of future. Our guests include Courtney Smith, Founder of Detroit Phoenix Center; Sherelle Hogan, Founder of Pure Heart Foundation; and David Silver, Founder of Detroit Horse Power. Look for registration information on our website shortly.
During a year in which a pandemic is upending our already broken world—creating and revealing untold & unimaginable human, social, and economic challenges—our Good People Fund family has arguably never been so critical.
Our 2020 Annual Report reflects that truth and the immense nourishment and salve that our visionary grantees are bringing to their communities in the US, Israel, and elsewhere around the world.
We know you’re thinking beach, relaxation, barbecues and summer fun, but…
2020 Annual Report