FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Glenn Rosenkrantz
Glenn.rosenkrantz@gmail.com 646-245-8975
July 30, 2019 – The Good People Fund (GPF) today announced nearly $1.9 million in grants to support social entrepreneurs in the United States and Israel who are designing, practicing and advancing unique approaches to challenging social and humanitarian needs.
From creating food justice and empowering youth, to resettling refugees and providing post-disaster rebuilding relief, the grants underscore GPF’s mission to recognize and enable visionaries, who through their grassroots organizations are committed to innovative and replicable ways to uplift individuals and communities.
“Each of our grantees represents how vision becomes impact, and how collective good motivated by the Jewish value of tikkun olam, repair of the world, can mean tremendous positive change,” said Naomi Eisenberger, GPF Co-Founder and Executive Director.
“Social and humanitarian social safety nets in the US and Israel are often non-existent. Organizations we are supporting and mentoring are finding innovative ways to ensure that the most vulnerable among us are never forgotten.”
Since its establishment in 2008, Millburn, NJ-based GPF has raised over $15 million and helped more than 195 non-profit organizations in Israel and the United States. In the fiscal year ending June 30, GPF raised over $2.1 million.
GPF targets change-making initiatives in nine crucial areas, including Human Needs, Poverty, Inclusion, Health and Well Being, Women’s and Girls’ Empowerment, Children and Youth Welfare, Elder Care, Hunger and Food Rescue, and Refugee Support.
A full list of grantees appears at www.goodpeoplefund.org. Among the new organizations receiving GPF grants are:
Boston Youth Wrestling, Boston, MA – Boston Youth Wrestling uses the sport as a tool and motivator to empower youth to overcome socio-economic challenges and reach for futures of hope and accomplishment. GPF’s $10,000 matching grant will enable expansion of its program to additional schools in Boston.
Hello Neighbor, Pittsburgh, PA – Hello Neighbor works to resettle and assimilate refugees through family-pairing and mentorship programs in the Pittsburgh area. GPF’s $10,000 matching grant will support a national conference for organizations helping to resettle refugee individuals and families.
Kaima Nahalal, Nahalal, Israel – Kaima Nahalal is a non-profit educational farm committed to re-engaging and empowering girls who have dropped out of school, and young adult women who are at risk, by teaching organic farming and business and leadership skills, and providing personal enrichment and a caring community. GPF’s grant of $18,000 is dedicated to general operating expenses and to purchase farm equipment.
Magen, Maale Adumim, Israel – Magen serves Israeli teens, many of them Ethiopian, who are at-risk and guides them toward positive futures with a holistic approach to social, emotional and academic standing, including activities designed to give them a sense of their heritage and culture. GPF’s grant of $5,400 supports participants’ trips to Ethiopia to give them a clear sense of pride and self.
Moyo, Jamaica Plain, MA – Moyo identifies and advances health, education and conservation projects in parts of Africa to benefit the well-being and futures of local populations. GPF’s $3,000 grant will enable microloans to be made to empower women in Tanzania.
The Food Project, a program of UEmpowerMD, Baltimore, MD – The Food Project provides the youth of southwest Baltimore opportunities to grow, learn, create community, and gain confidence and skills through food education. GPF’s $2,400 grant will support operating expenses.
Puerto Rico Lit, San Juan, PR – Puerto Rico Lit is a volunteer-driven organization formed to provide assistance to victims of Hurricane Maria. GPF’s $11,591 grant will help purchase appliances, mattresses and other necessities, and general home repairs, for residents of the island who suffered losses and are still recovering from the damage of Hurricane Maria.
Refanah Healing Holidays, Jerusalem, Israel – Refanah Healing Holidays partners with the hospitality community throughout Israel to give cancer patients and their families private vacation respites from their normal day-to-day routines. This restorative environment helps create positive memories and healing. GPF’s $4,350 grant will provide general support.
Road to Recovery, Pardes Hana – Karkur, Israel – Road to Recovery is an all-volunteer corps of drivers who transport Palestinian children and adults needing medical treatment through border crossings to Israeli hospitals, where they receive often life-saving care unavailable at home. GPF’s grant of $9,000 will be used to reimburse volunteers’ fuel expenses, the bulk of the organization’s operational costs.
Robin Food, Haifa, Israel – Robin Food is a social venture that encourages and practices the rescue of food from markets, businesses and farms and has created a sustainable and widely praised pay-as-you-will restaurant and catering service that uses rescued food products and encourages the public to change its food-is-disposable mindset. GPF’s grant of $7,000 will allow the organization to increase its capacity and reach.
Ruach Dromit, Be’er Sheva, Israel – Ruach Dromit provides holistic and alternative therapies and treatment for those living with cancer in the Negev region of Israel. GPF’s grant of $4,500 will support the organization’s growth and reach.
Sahar, Tel Aviv, Israel – Sahar provides anonymous, instant and free on-line assistance, and in-person support groups, to those in emotional crisis. GPF’s grant of $4,500 will allow the training of additional suicide prevention and distress support volunteer counselors.
Witness to Mass Incarceration, New York, NY – Witness to Mass Incarceration works to facilitate the re-entry of formerly imprisoned women and LGBTQ+ individuals into mainstream society, and to increase public awareness of conditions within the nation’s prisons. GPF’s $10,000 matching grant will enable the organization’s capacity-building efforts.
Inspired by the Jewish value of tikkun olam (repairing the world), The Good People Fund responds to significant challenges such as poverty, disability, trauma and social isolation in the United States and Israel. The Good People Fund provides financial support and management guidance to small and medium-sized grassroots efforts that are determined to make a difference in their communities. With its guiding philosophy that small actions can have huge impact, The Good People Fund has raised and granted more than $15 million since its founding in 2008. www.goodpeoplefund.org
