Make it Happen Fund

Applications for the Make It Happen Fund are currently closed. Check back soon for news about future application cycles.

Purpose and Guidelines: 

The Make It Happen Fund offers up to $500 in reimbursable program expenses to individuals and organizations striving to transform their ideas for gathering Jewish young adults in the Bay Area into reality. These funds will empower people to execute their own vision and amplify existing grassroots Jewish programming.

The Make It Happen Fund is available for programming running any time after October 2022, until funds are exhausted.

Funding is limited. Collaborations and partnerships are welcome but not necessary.

Applications (online) will be accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed in batches monthly by a group of local young adults. Applications must contain outreach plans for recruitment and a follow-up plan to connect them to other opportunities 

Eligibility

  • Individuals: Identify as Jewish, between the ages of 18-40, based in the Bay Area
  • Organizations: Registered 501(c)(3), working in the Bay Area

Evaluation Criteria: 

  • Seeks to build community and gather young adults
  • Aligned with Federation values, including creating a sense of belonging and connection for participants
  • A target audience of Jewish young adults and allies.
  • Inclusive program for Jews of all backgrounds (we highly encourage proactive engagement of diverse Jews, including Jews of Color, LGBTQ+, Sephardi/Mizrahi).
  • Capacity and commitment to manage the proposed program;
  • A reasonable and realistic proposed budget
  • Plans to recruit participants

Funds can’t be used for:

  • Activities that could be antisemitic or anti-Israel (see Federation’s Israel program-funding guidelines)
  • Fundraising events (i.e., no donations may be solicited at the event)
  • Any event with full-contact sports
  • Reimbursing alcohol purchases

Approved applicants must:

  • Track expenses, save all receipts, and complete a brief report after the program in order to be reimbursed
  • Acknowledge the Federation in all marketing materials;
  • Provide the Federation with a list of attendees and their email addresses; share a photo release form at the gathering for participants to sign

Planning a Shabbat dinner?

If you're planning a Shabbat dinner, we recommend that you start with our partners at OneTable. They provide up to $300 in Nourishment credits per dinner ($10/person). If you’re planning additional programming, the application has a section to ask for funds that are not already covered by OneTable’s credits.

APPLY NOW

For more information, please contact:
Amanda Cohen
Director, Young Adult Engagement