By
Published
November 20, 2013
#MakeItHappen is an open call for individuals to submit ideas for creating meaningful Jewish experiences that could make a difference in their communities. We are selecting up to 50 ideas around the world on a rolling basis to receive micro-grants of up to $1,000 and five to receive up to $5,000.
Only one month into our #MakeItHappen micro-grants initiative, more than 600 applications for creating Jewish experiences have flooded in from 25 countries around the world! As submissions continue to grow, 12 local and national organizations have joined as partners in the #MakeItHappen initiative and will distribute more than 75 additional micro grants.
Due to the tremendous response from both individuals and partners, the deadline for submitting ideas has been extended to January 15, 2014.
“The remarkable interest generated by #MakeItHappen is a powerful indication of the hunger among the young adults in our community for engaging Jewish experiences that reflect their needs and interests,” said Sandy Cardin, President of the Schusterman Philanthropic Network. “Empowering and enabling young people to build their own Jewish lives is the best way to ensure the Jewish future, and we are thrilled to welcome so many forward-looking organizations as partners in this initiative.” 
The partners that have joined the initiative see #MakeItHappen as an opportunity to experiment with micro grants as a way to engage more young people in their communities and interest areas. “The Ruderman Family Foundation believes that the full inclusion of people with disabilities is essential to a fair and flourishing Jewish community. We are excited to partner with the Schusterman Philanthropic Network to seek out innovative ideas for making full inclusion a reality,” said Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation.
“We believe that these micro-grants will provide support for emerging leaders, thinkers and visionaries who seek to contribute to our local Jewish community,” said Jennifer Gorovitz, CEO of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties. “This model is designed to create a foot in the door of involvement and opportunity… and I look forward to putting a Bay Area stamp on this great effort.”
For a full list of our new partnerships, visit the community partners page!
#MakeItHappen marks the first time we have created a pool of micro grants that is open to the general public, inviting anyone 18 years of age and up to submit ideas. This initiative reflects our commitment to experimenting with new approaches and technologies to advance our shared vision of a diverse, dynamic Jewish future that is deeply connected to Israel and committed to making the world a better place.
Submissions thus far reflect the diversity of Jewish identities, experiences and interests taking root in communities around the world. Examples include:
- a play in China that illuminates the historic ties between the Chinese and Jewish peoples;
- a faith-based poetry slam in Israel; a mitzvah team in Munich that will help engage Jewish children with disabilities;
- an Unreasonable Shabbat dinner in Boulder for technology entrepreneurs;
- a kugel cookoff in New York;
- a Jewish running club in Warsaw;
- and a pop-up clothing store in Florida for Jewish children in need.
#MakeItHappen projects will begin to take place as early as Chanukah, with celebrations planned in Argentina, China, Israel, Moldova and the U.S.! For a full list of projects submitted and selected, visit makeithappen.schusterman.org.
