The Federation’s Funding Guidelines
These guidelines were formally approved by the Federation’s Board of Directors on Thursday, February 18, 2010.
The Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund’s (the Federation) core values include an abiding commitment to a secure Jewish community here and abroad, to the strong democratic Jewish State of Israel, and to mutual respect and diversity within Jewish life. Consistent with its core values, the Federation funds a full spectrum of organizations that sustain and grow our community through pluralistic expressions and wide-ranging perspectives that affirm a broad and inclusive tent vital to a strong and dynamic Jewish community. This policy applies only to the grantor-grantee relationship between the Federation and other entities. The Federation does not fund organizations that through their mission, activities or partnerships:
Endorse or promote antisemitism, other forms of bigotry, violence or other extremist views;
Actively seek to proselytize Jews away from Judaism; or,
Advocate for, or endorse, undermining the legitimacy of Israel as a secure independent, democratic Jewish state, including through participation in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, in whole or in part.
These principles also apply to grants from the Federation’s Endowment Fund. In order to be eligible for funding, organizations that engage in Israel-related programming are required to produce documentation such as their policies, procedures, guidelines, and mission statement that demonstrate consistency with the Federation’s core values or – in the absence of such documentation – to abide by this policy and to initiate a process to develop organizational guidelines, policies and procedures consistent with it. There can be no uniform set of policies or procedures that is applicable to every organization. Organizations are expected to adapt this policy to their unique circumstances. This policy is not intended to discourage the presentation of a wide range of perspectives aimed at appealing to a broad cross-section of the community. The Federation and our community are well-served by fostering diverse expressions through our cultural, educational, religious, social service and community relations institutions, and by promoting a strong commitment to civil discourse. The Federation will review its policy and supporting guidelines with each grantee, address questions unique to that grantee, and explain how implementation of the policy and guidelines can be a benefit to the grantee and the community. The Federation will also be bound by this policy in its own programming, partnerships and co-sponsorships.
Enforcement of Policy
In the event of a perceived violation by a grantee of the Federation’s policy, the CEO of the Federation and its board chair and officers will promptly review the situation, speak to the grantee, obtain the facts, understand the context, make a determination as to whether a grantee has violated the policy and – if it is determined that a grantee has violated the policy – take appropriate steps consistent with this policy. Where a grantee’s overall body of work has been consistent with the Federation’s core values, the grantee will be urged to swiftly address concerns that have been raised as a result of a specific program. The Federation reserves the right to suspend funding and sponsorship, particularly in any case where it determines, in its sole discretion, that an egregious policy violation has occurred, there has been a sustained pattern of violating the policy, or insufficient remedial measures were implemented.
Introduction to Guidelines
The Federation has a long and proud history as a funder of arts and other diverse community organizations which seek to inspire and celebrate Judaism and Jewish life. The Federation recognizes that art, by its very nature, may express a political statement, provoke a range of emotions, or promote ideas that are potentially controversial. The Federation believes that the community and our institutions will be well-served by establishing guideposts that help ensure consistency with the Federation’s core values and which are not aimed at squelching creativity, diverse expressions or critique around controversial topics.
Grantees are strongly encouraged to consult with the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) in advance of potentially controversial programs that could contain any of the elements described in the scenarios below. Organizations ultimately make their own decisions, but broad consultation can help avoid conflicts with the policy, minimize surprise or polarization, and allow for the sharing of experiences before programs are set in stone. To ensure broad consultation, when there is a question whether a particular program may violate the policy or on the interpretation of the policy, JCRC will consult with the Federation’s CEO, board chair and officers. The following guidelines are intended to assist grantees with respect to programming as it relates to the policy statement.
Guidelines on Potentially Controversial Israel-related Programming
Programs Generally in Accord with the Federation’s Policy
The following kinds of programs are generally in accord with the policy statement, but early JCRC consultation is strongly encouraged and the programming should be presented within an overall program strategy that is consistent with Federation’s core values:
- Dialogue groups (i.e. non-public exchanges);
- Private meetings;
- Presentations on topics other than the Middle East and Israel, that are not used to promote a BDS agenda or provide a forum for leaders of groups that espouse views inconsistent with the Federation’s core values;
- Presentations by organizations or individuals that are critical of particular Israeli government policies but are supportive of Israel’s right to exist as a secure independent Jewish democratic state and that do not espouse views inconsistent with this policy;
- Panel discussions, speaker series intended for the same audience, cultural presentations, or educational programs portraying a range of diverse perspectives that, on balance, are consistent with the Federation’s core values;
- Programs that are open to the community and welcome attendees regardless of their individual views;
- Participation in broad-based community coalitions on non-Israel-related issues provided that the coalitions do not become vehicles for undermining the legitimacy of Israel; and,
- Artistic presentations (displays, exhibits, films, performances) that may include critical perspectives of Jewish life or Israel and that, on balance, are consistent with the Federation’s core values.
Programs Not Consistent with the Federation’s Policy
In addition to the specific areas covered by the policy statement, the following kinds of programs are not consistent with the policy statement:
- Panel discussions, speakers series, cultural, artistic or educational programs that as an overall experience – i.e. based on the entire body of work – endorse or prominently promote the BDS movement or positions that undermine the legitimacy of the State of Israel;
- Individual programs that endorse the BDS movement or positions that undermine the legitimacy of the State of Israel; and,
- Co-sponsorship or co-presentations of public programs on Middle East issues with supporters of the BDS movement or others who undermine the legitimacy of the State of Israel.
FAQs
On Thursday, February 18, 2010, the Federation’s Board of Directors formally approved the Funding Policy for Grantees on Potentially Controversial Israel-Related Programming. Below are frequently asked questions regarding the policy.
The Federation created a working group comprised of representatives on all sides of the issue who collaborated on a new policy governing potentially controversial programming. The new policy was approved on February 18, 2010.
The new policy lays out guidelines and enforcement for Federation grantees about potentially controversial programming. It:
- Asserts the value of diverse expressions of Jewish life and a broad range of perspectives on Israel and other issues of concern to our community;
- Creates a clear mechanism for determining whether programs fall outside the policy and a mechanism for addressing potential violations;
- Sets forth specific expectations of the Federation regarding potentially controversial programming;
- Requires grantees that have Israel-related programming and that do not have appropriate policies or guidelines to initiate a process to create them; and,
- Commits to educating grantees about the policies and guidelines, the rationale for them, and the seriousness with which they are to be taken.
The policy states the Federation does not fund organizations that:
- Endorse or promote anti-Semitism, other forms of bigotry, violence or other extremist views;
- Actively seek to proselytize Jews away from Judaism; or,
- Advocate for, or endorse, undermining the legitimacy of Israel as a secure independent, democratic Jewish state, including through participation in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, in whole or in part.
Rabbi Doug Kahn, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), staffed the working group, co-chaired by Daniel Grossman and David Steirman, including community members who volunteered their time to ensure the community come together over this issue. Jennifer Gorovitz, acting CEO of the Federation, participated, as well as many Federation board members and community stakeholders.
The working group consisted of community representatives from all sides of the issue. In addition, the working group consulted with many of the key stakeholders on this issue who were not on the working group. The Federation could not have created such a comprehensive policy without the hard work of this group of volunteers.
In order to be eligible for funding, organizations that engage in Israel-related programming are required to produce documentation such as their policies, procedures, guidelines, and mission statement that demonstrate consistency with the Federation’s core values or – in the absence of such documentation – to abide by this policy and to initiate a process to develop organizational guidelines, policies and procedures consistent with it. The Federation knows there can be no uniform set of policies or procedures that is applicable to every organization. Organizations are expected to adapt this policy to their unique circumstances.
The policy supports free speech and constructive debate in our community. In fact, we were concerned that the absence of such a policy would inhibit free speech and constructive debate as our partners would not know the boundaries. The policy includes guidelines for usage which reaffirm the Federation’s long and proud history as a funder of arts and other diverse community organizations which seek to inspire and celebrate Judaism and Jewish life. The Federation recognizes that art, by its very nature, may express a political statement, provoke a range of emotions, or promote ideas that are potentially controversial.
The following kinds of programs generally accord with the policy:
- Dialogue groups (i.e. non-public exchanges);
- Private meetings;
- Presentations on topics other than the Middle East and Israel, that are not used to promote a BDS agenda or provide a forum for leaders of groups that espouse views inconsistent with the Federation’s core values;
- Presentations by organizations or individuals that are critical of particular Israeli government policies but are supportive of Israel’s right to exist as a secure independent Jewish democratic state;
- Panel discussions, speaker series intended for the same audience, cultural presentations, or educational programs portraying a range of diverse perspectives that, on balance, are consistent with the Federation’s core values;
- Programs that are open to the community and welcome attendees regardless of their individual views;
- Participation in broad-based community coalitions on non-Israel-related issues provided that the coalitions do not become vehicles for undermining the legitimacy of Israel; and,
- Artistic presentations (displays, exhibits, films, performances) that may include critical perspectives of Jewish life or Israel).
We cannot be sure this will not happen again; however, the guidelines are clear, as are the mechanisms for a response. The policy sets out a clear mechanism for addressing any potential violations and clearly communicates to grantees that the Federation expects a greater degree of grantee program management. It asks that grantees not only use common sense when creating programs, but also work with JCRC in advance of potentially controversial programs.
Every Federation grantee that engages in programming related to Israel will receive a copy of the new policy in their new grantee information packet.
When there is a question of whether a particular program violates the policy or on the interpretation of the policy, please contact the JCRC, the Federation’s CEO, or the board chair.
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